High School Football Kicks Off With Some Big Games For Amarillo

Believe it or not, it's time to kickoff the high school football season in Amarillo, and we're getting some great matchups right out of the gate.

A new season brings new expectations, and in case you hadn't noticed, Amarillo High School got themselves some brand new turf on their practice field and are ready to roll. I see them practicing every morning on my way into work.

Get our free mobile app

Just like college football, the high school schedule typically kicks off with non-district games, but there's always a select few that are those rivalry games we love so much. Let's take a look at a few of the games that will have our attention tonight and tomorrow night.

PALO DURO VS. TASCOSA (THURSDAY NIGHT)

Always one of those big rivalry games that get people talking. The two schools are embarking on their 62nd meeting with one another, and it always brings the intensity. Kicking off the season with this type of game will really get the gets jacked up for the season.

Palo Duro will be looking to break a dubious streak of 11 straight losses to the Rebels, but they'll be doing it with a relatively new roster. On the flipside of the ball, Tascosa head coach Ken Plunk holds a 16-1 record against the Dons, and he'll be looking to improve that record.

AMARILLO VS. ODESSA (THURSDAY NIGHT)

Talk about a way to start the season. Those teams from Odessa and Midland are always a challenge. Last season these teams played a wild and crazy game that resulted in Odessa getting a 36-35 win. Amarillo is looking to repay the favor.

Both teams are replacing some key starters this season, with Amarillo going in with a new QB and RB, but Odessa is in the same boat. However, Odessa returns five starters on each side of the ball. I expect this one to be just as wild and crazy as last seasons contest.

BUSHLAND VS. BORGER (FRIDAY NIGHT)

Every season thus far, Bushland has put a very good and competitive team on the field, and they get to open the season against a Borger team that struggled last year. One would think that Bushland would be going in with a ton of confidence and feel like they shouldn't struggle against Borger, and they may be right.

However, one thing to watch for here is that Borger is returning a whopping 15 total starters from last seasons team. Experience can be a major factor when it comes to these games, and Borger definitely has that along with familiarity with one another. Both defenses should be solid, but will Borger have enough offense to pull off the upset? We'll find out.

WEST PLAINS VS. SEMINOLE (FRIDAY NIGHT)

Fresh off a very impressive run in the state playoffs last season, the Wolves of West Plains will be looking to get off on the right foot against Seminole. These two are rivals but West Plains makes the move up to Division I this season, which you'd think would give a ton of confidence for the Wolves in this contest.

However, West plains was hit HARD by graduation, so this will be a very different looking team that takes the field Friday night. West Plains goes into the contest with experience at QB as Reid Macon is back behind center. Both teams can score, so it'll come down to who can make the big stop when the time is right. Expect this to be a shootout with it coming down to the final minutes.