This week is all about turkey and football. Here's a look at the best high school playoff games in the Lubbock area for the regional semifinals.
GAME OF THE WEEK
Idalou (9-3) vs. Canadian (11-1)
2 p.m. Friday, Dick Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Two teams on six-game winning streaks will meet again in the third round of the playoffs.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementIdalou and Canadian squared off last Black Friday, with the latter holding on for a 27-21 victory in the Region I-3A Division II semifinal at Happy State Bank Stadium. Canadian looked on its way to a blowout win before a furious rally.
Idalou trailed 27-0 in the third quarter, but fought back with three unanswered touchdowns. The green-and-yellow Wildcats had first-and-goal at the Canadian 3 but eventually threw an interception on fourth down that sealed the result.
Idalou graduated a majority of that team, but has found its familiar form. The Wildcats trounced San Angelo Grape Creek 59-12 last week to continue their hot streak. Idalou has won nine of its past 10 after an 0-2 start, the lone loss a 35-21 decision against No. 2 Wall, which plays in the other regional semifinal against Slaton.
Canadian, which topped Coahoma 56-27 to advance, has an average point differential of 31.1 points per game. The Wildcats' only loss was 52-20 at Shallowater. Idalou beat Shallowater 45-20 a week prior.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSlayden Dickinson led Canadian with 166 yards in last year's meeting with Idalou. The senior has 1,278 rushing yards and 20 TDs this season. The team averages 51.9 points behind sophomore quarterback Weston Mitchell, who has thrown for 3,022 yards, 38 TDs and 10 interceptions.
QB Kamdon Lutrick leads an Idalou offense that averages 41.1 points. He accounted for 216 yards and five TDs against Grape Creek. Backfield mate A.J. Huddleston ran for 100 yards and a score.
The Wildcats have also leaned on a stingy defense that allows 19.5 points per game. Huddleston is the leading tackler with 101, while Peytan Moyers (22 tackles for loss, 7 sacks) and Thomas Pirtle (21 TFL, 4 sacks) power the defensive line.
Idalou's Gavin Vinson reacts to a touchdown against Slaton during a District 2-3A Division II football game, Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at Blake J. Boyd Memorial Stadium in Slaton.Regional semifinal games to watch for Lubbock area
Ropes (11-1) vs. Gruver (10-2)
2 p.m. Friday, Happy State Bank Stadium, Canyon
Last week: Ropes 67, Farwell 0; Gruver 47, Wink 14
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThese teams met in the regional final last season. The Eagles will look to exact revenge after a 42-28 loss.
New Home (10-2) vs. Stinnett West Texas (12-0)
2 p.m. Friday, Floydada
Last week: New Home 21, Stamford 20; West Texas 30, Hawley 26
No one has been able to crack the code on West Texas and star quarterback Cayde Winters.
Lubbock Christian (10-1) vs. Boerne Geneva (10-2)
4 p.m. Friday, Abilene Christian High
Last week: Lubbock Christian 48, San Antonio Holy Cross 27; Boerne Geneva 59, Tyler All Saints 42
The Eagles are a win away from the state final. They got here on the back of their second-string QB, Jace Jackson.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementKlondike (12-0) vs. Miami (12-0)
6:30 p.m. Friday, Lockney
Last week: Klondike 46, Motley County 34; Miami 58, Sands 57
It's hard to beat a matchup of unbeatens this deep into the season.
Whiteface (10-2) vs. Rankin (10-2)
6 p.m. Friday, Lamesa
Last week: Whiteface 98, Booker 48; Rankin 60, Nazareth 14
The Antelopes are going for their second consecutive regional title.
This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Best Lubbock-area high school football games in third round playoffs
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