Kaz's Fearless Forecast

High School Playoff Games This Week

WEST ORANGE-STARK (8-1) over La MARQUE (4-6)--7:30 p.m. Thursday at Randall Reed Stadium in New Caney-This used to be a classic battle 20 years ago when the winner of this game usually got to the regional finals. But in tomorrow's meeting between these two teams, the district champion Mustangs are meeting the fourth-place team and should take care of business quite handily.

LITTLE CYPRESS-MAURICEVILLE (8-2) over PALESTINE (5-5)-7:30 p.m. Friday at Yates Stadium in Willis-The Battlin' Bears enjoyed their best season in a very long time and should continue their success over third-place Palestine Friday night.

BELLVILLE (9-1) over ORANGEFIELD (7-3)--7:30 p.m. Friday at Splendora-Although the Bobcats finished third in their district, they knocked over some very talented teams, like the one they're facing Friday night. Bellville had better be able to stop the 'Cats' running attack or they will be watching from the stands next week. VIDOR (8-1) over TYLER CHAPEL HILL (7-3)--7 p.m. Friday at Turner Stadium in Humble---The Pirates came one game away from a perfect regular season but still won their district championship. Chapel Hill has been a regular in the state playoffs and should not be taken lightly.

WEST SABINE (6-4) over DEWEYVILLE (4-4)--7 p.m. Friday at Bulldog Field in Jasper-The Pirates didn't have as good a season as last year but should hold their own against a good West Sabine team. An upset could very well happen Friday night.

JACKSONVILLE STATE over LAMAR-The Cards are the only team without a victory in the new conference and will have to play their best game of the season to change that on Saturday in Beaumont.

McNEESE STATE over HOUSTON BAPTIST-The Cowboys have been very competitive as the regular season gets near the end. If they can pull off an upset Saturday it will be a satisfying experience.

Other Playoff Games of Interest to Southeast Texas-Lumberton (6-4) over Lindale (6-4), Kilgore (9-1) over Huffman (7-3), East Chambers (7-3) over Huntington (4-6), Newton (8-1) over Harleton (3-7), Jasper (6-3) over Waco Connally (7-3), Diboll (6-4) over Buna (4-6), Sealy (9-1) over Silsbee (6-4), Hamshire-Fannett (7-3) over Sweeny (5-5), Evadale (7-2) over Cushing (3-6), Manvel (8-2) over Beaumont United (4-6), Port Arthur Memorial (8-2) over Fort Bend Hightower (8-2), Galena Park (8-2) over Port Neches-Groves (6-4), Fort Bend Marshall (10-0) over Barbers Hill (5-5), Lovelady (7-3) over Hull-Daisetta (4-6), Elysian Fields (8-2) over Kountze (6-4), Galena Park North Shore (9-1) over Pasadena Dobie (8-2), C.E. King (8-2) over South Houston (4-6), Texas City (9-1) over Houston Sterling (6-4), Crosby (8-2) over Madison (6-4), Friendswood (8-2) over Angleton (7-3).

COLLEGE-Toledo over Bowling Green, Central Michigan over Kent State, Ball State over Northern Illinois (all Today); Pittsburgh over North Carolina (Thursday); Cincinnati over South Florida, Boise State over Wyoming (both Friday); Kansas State over West Virginia, Coastal Carolina over Georgia State, Clemson over UConn, Iowa over Minnesota, Virginia Tech over Duke, Boston College over Georgia Tech, Penn State over Michigan, Indiana over Rutgers, Houston over Temple, Michigan State over Maryland, Syracuse over Louisville, Oklahoma State over TCU, Texas over Kansas, Wake Forest over North Carolina State, Oklahoma over Baylor, Notre Dame over Virginia, Wisconsin over Northwestern, Western Kentucky over Rice, Utah over Arizona, Appalachian State over South Alabama, UCLA over Colorado, Arizona State over Washington, Hawaii over UNLV, Oregon over Washington State, Oregon State over Stanford, USC over California, Memphis over East Carolina, Auburn over Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech over Charlotte, Iowa State over Texas Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette over Troy, Florida Atlantic over Old Dominion, SMU over Central Florida, Missouri over South Carolina, Kentucky over Vanderbilt, UTSA over Southern Mississippi, Alabama over New Mexico State, Texas A&M over Ole Miss, Georgia over Tennessee, Ohio State over Purdue, Miami over Florida State, Marshall over UAB, LSU over Arkansas (Upset Special), Texas State over Georgia Southern, Middle Tennessee State over Florida International, Tulsa over Tulane, North Texas over UTEP, Arkansas State over Louisiana-Monroe, Fresno State over New Mexico, Air Force over Colorado State, San Jose State over Utah State, San Diego State over Nevada (all Saturday).

PRO PICKS-Baltimore over Miami (Thursday Night); Dallas over Atlanta, Buffalo over NY Jets, New England over Cleveland, Pittsburgh over Detroit, Indianapolis over Jacksonville, Tennessee over New Orleans, Tampa Bay over Washington, Arizona over Carolina, LA Chargers over Minnesota, Denver over Philadelphia, Seattle over Green Bay, Kansas City over Las Vegas (all Sunday; LA Rams over San Francisco (Monday Night). Bye Week for Houston, Cincinnati, Chicago and NY Giants.