KAZ’S FEARLESS FORECAST

WEST ORANGE-STARK over HARDIN-JEFFERSON—There’s a familiar name atop the District 10-4A-II standings—the West Orange-Stark Mustangs. But not as in previous years when the Mustangs were undefeated and among the Top 10 teams in the state, this team has struggled to reach the .500 mark in seven games, but is undefeated in league play. Hardin-Jefferson has a “new-old” coach in Dwayne Dubois, who came from Bridge City after leaving the Hawks’ program and then returning this year. But the Hawks stand at 2-6 and are searching for their first league win. They won’t find it this week.

LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEFVILLE over LIVINGSTON—The Battlin’ Bears stand at 1-1 in District 11-4A-I play and will get in the thick of the battle for a playoff berth with an expected win Friday night. But the fact the opponent is winless shouldn’t make the Bears let up because that could be disastrous.

LUMBERTON over BRIDGE CITY—The Raiders are tied for first place in district play while the Cardinals are tied for the cellar. Things will probably stay the same after Friday night’s home game for the Redbirds.

NEDERLAND over VIDOR—The Pirates should have the distinction of having one of the toughest high school football schedules in the state. Things don’t get any better this week when the undefeated Nederland Bulldogs come to town.

DEWEYVILLE over GROVETON—The Pirates definitely aren’t as bad as their 2-5 record and need to get an upset win to crank them up in district play. If the Pirates can win their final three games, they will have a legitimate shot at a playoff berth.

LAMAR over STEPHEN F. AUSTIN—I regret selling the Cardinals short the last two weeks and am picking them to win because they have a better team that the Lumberjacks.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS over McNEESE STATE—My alma mater Cowboys got smushed 45-17 at Incarnate Word Saturday and this week’s opponent may even be better than those Cardinals. The Pokes need a huge upset victory in Lake Charles Saturday night if they expect to remain in contention for the Southland Conference title.

HIGH SCHOOL—North Shore over Beaumont West Brook, Beaumont United over La Porte, Port Neches-Groves over Santa Fe, Silsbee over Liberty, Hardin over Anahuac, East Chambers over Buna, Kirbyville over Warren, Hemphill over Kountze, Newton over New Waverly, Hull-Daisetta over Shelbyville, West Sabine over San Augustine, Evadale over Burkeville, West Hardin over Lovelady, Bryan Brazos Christian over Beaumont Legacy Christian, Beaumont Kelly over Houston The Village (all Friday); Port Arthur Memorial over Kingwood Park and High Island over Gilmer Union Hill (both Saturday).

COLLEGE—West Virginia over Baylor, Appalachian State over Georgia Southern, Virginia Tech over Georgia Tech, Ohio over Ball State and Toledo over Western Michigan (all Thursday); Miami over Boston College, Louisiana Tech over Florida Atlantic, Indiana over Minnesota and Utah over UCLA (all Friday); Sam Houston State over Southeastern Louisiana, Incarnate Word over Nicholls State, Houston Baptist over Northwestern State, Duke over Pittsburgh, Penn State over Iowa, North Carolina State over Syracuse, Southern Mississippi over Charlotte, Grambling State over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Alabama State over Alabama A&M, Louisiana-Lafayette over Arkansas State, Florida over Georgia, Maryland over Illinois, Southern over Jackson State, Texas A&M over Mississippi State, Western Kentucky over Florida International, South Carolina over Tennessee, Middle Tennessee State over Old Dominion, Army over Eastern Michigan, Clemson over Florida State, Wake Forest over Louisville, Virginia over North Carolina, Akron over Central Michigan, Purdue over Michigan State, Texas Tech over Iowa State, Wisconsin over Northwestern, TCU over Kansas, Missouri over Kentucky (Upset Special), Arkansas over Vanderbilt, Alcorn State over Prairie View A&M, Mississippi Valley State over Texas Southern, SMU over Cincinnati, Oklahoma over Kansas State, Houston over South Florida, North Texas over Rice, New Mexico State over Texas State, Tulane over Tulsa, UAB over UTEP, Texas over Oklahoma State, Idaho over Eastern Washington, Colorado State over Oregon State, USC over Arizona State, BYU over Northern Illinois, Utah State over New Mexico, San Jose State over UNLV, Washington over California, Boise State over Air Force, Washington State over Stanford, Notre Dame over Navy, Fresno State over Hawaii, Oregon over Arizona, San Diego State over Nevada.

PRO PICKS—Houston over Miami (Thursday Night); Philadelphia over Jacksonville (at London), Washington over NY Giants, Detroit over Seattle, Carolina over Baltimore, Kansas City over Denver, Tampa Bay over Cincinnati, Chicago over NY Jets, Indianapolis over Oakland, LA Rams over Green Bay, Pittsburgh over Cleveland, Arizona over San Francisco, New Orleans over Minnesota (Upset Special), New England over Buffalo (Monday Night). Bye week for Dallas, Atlanta, LA Chargers and Tennessee.