KAZ’S FEARLESS FORECAST

Games This Week

WEST ORANGE-STARK over NEDERLAND –This could very well bE the Mustangs toughest game until they reach the latter stages of the state playoffs. The Bulldogs finished the 2017 season with a 9-3 mark. Starting off the season with an upset victory would be a feather in Nederland’s cap. But it’s unfortunate the bird they choose is bald.

BRIDGE CITY over DIBOLL—The Cardinals will find out real fast whether they can win on the road or not. An opening-season win would be great for new head coach Allen DeShazo. The Redbirds had a tough time last year, going 1-7, and should be much-improved for Friday’s contest.

VIDOR over MONTGOMERY—Don’t know much about the Pirates’ opponent, but Vidor can run the ball well and if their defense stays crisp, they should chalk up an opening-season victory for veteran head coach Jeff Mathews.

LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEVILLE over WOODVILLE—Although the Battlin’ Bears are playing a Class 3A team, they had better be sharp at Woodville Friday night because the Eagles are coming off a fine 10-2 season. LCM finished last season with a mediocre 4-5 record and are geared to improve on that mark.

ORANGEFIELD over KIPP GENERATIONS COLLEGIATE—The combination of the Bobcats moving down to Class 3A and returning 14 starters from last year’s playoff team should pump up the troops. A solid victory on opening day should make Head Coach Josh Smalley really happy.

DEWEYVILLE over JOAQUIN—The Pirates made the playoffs last season and are determined to get off to a fast start this fall. Deweyville is returning 11 players, including several at the skill positions and should be better than last year’s 4-6 team.

LAMAR over KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN KNIGHTS—The Cards always like to start the season with a resounding win and that appears to be the case again this year.

MCNEESE STATE over NORTHERN COLORADO—The Cowboys are supposed to have a real salty team this season and will find out just how good they really are when they travel to meet Northern Colorado in a game that kicks off at 4 p.m. Saturday.

HIGH SCHOOL—Hamshire-Fannett over Hughes Springs and Mt. Carmel over High Island (both Thursday); Beaumont West Brook over Houston Bellaire, Beaumont United over Ho9uston St. Pius X, Port Neches-Groves over Silsbee, Jasper over Lumberton, Coldspring over Hardin-Jefferson, Tarkington over Anahuac, Cleveland over Buna, East Chambers over Kountze, Newton over Kirbyville, Hardin over Legacy Christian, Huntington over Warren, Hull-Daisetta over Burkeville, Frankston over West Sabine, Evadale over Houston Northland Christian, Sabine Pass over Pasadena First Baptist, West Hardin over Acadiana Christian, Kelly over Houston Pro Vision.

COLLEGE—Louisiana-Monroe over Southeastern Louisiana, UCF over Connecticut and Texas A&M over Northwestern State (All Thursday); Stanford over San Diego State, Michigan State over Utah State and Wisconsin over Western Kentucky (All Friday); Tulsa over Central Arkansas, Kansas over Nicholls State, Houston Baptist over Southern Baptist, Mississippi State over Stephen F. Austin, Baylor over Abilene Christian, New Mexico over Incarnate Word, TCU over Southern, Oklahoma over Florida Atlantic, Texas over Maryland, Ohio State over Oregon State, Clemson over Furman, Penn State over Appalachian State, West Virginia over Tennessee, Washington over Auburn, Georgia over Austin Peay, USC over UNLV, Boise State over Troy, Notre dame over Michigan, Oregon over Bowling Green, Alabama over Louisville (All Saturday); Miami over LSU (Sunday); Virginia Tech over Florida State (Monday).