Archive for November, 2011

Away from the smoke

Richard Carter

Rocketboys at the Pub last Friday

Lazy rainy wintery days can be some of the best days to just get away from it all and discover some great new (old) music online.

In older days, the best way to find music–that you had not heard before–was to either listen to FM radio (of course, back then the only way to get KZEW was at night on the parking garage of the Sears building downtown). Nowadays, I would not recommend that, and besides KZEW is long gone. Now we have Internet radio, if you want to pay for it, and there’s really no reason to get out of the house.

The other place to go (back then) was the record store. I could wax prosaically about the joys of discovering cool new bands on LP at the great old record stores in town. But the days of Ripoff and (the original) Disc Records are long gone, as are a lot of the people who worked there. Fellow haunters also seem displaced, which is sort of sad.

More recently, during my Dallas days, there were plenty of places to go as late as the early ‘90s. But alas all of those places are gone as well. The days of the record store have all but ended. During the last years of the CD Warehouse in town, I tried to play a mix of interesting new tunes, such as Yeah Yeah Yeah’s and Liars, but even that was limited.

So, with record stores near the end of a downward spiral, I think your best bet is Internet radio but what (to me) is better and cheaper is Youtube.com. I have mentioned this Internet site in the past, but the better that you get to know Youtube and how to browse through it, the more interesting stuff you are going to find.

The majority of that interesting (new) stuff seems to be from the past. I have always prioritized live music over recorded music, but over time I have begun to more fully appreciate the joys of older music that never made the charts or heavy rotation (not that that business concept existed back then on the FM). There is some great music from the 50’s through the ‘70s that didn’t get promoted properly and as a result has been relegated to the bin.

Let me back up for a minute. We live in a town that very much emphasizes live bands covering other bands’  music. That’s part of the area entertainment economy. For one, it’s easier to learn a good song and play it as opposed to actually writing a good song. And, two, I’m not sure (having been to a ton of area clubs over the past 10 years or so) that all that many people are really there in clubs for the live music.

I would like to see more area bands, who choose to cover other people’s music, actually change that music up more. I think the Jason Brown Band does a great job of rearranging songs. But what I would also love to see would be for cover bands to discover some of really underground old gems that most nobody has ever heard before.

The point I am trying to make is that there is some perfectly great music from back in the day to be discovered on Youtube.com, and some really interesting websites and subscribers are doing a great job digging this stuff up and promoting it.

And on those cold days when it doesn’t seem prudent to get out of the house, and the notion of watching infomercials hardly seems appealing, it’s time to dig up some old music and check out some great stuff.

I was beginning to buy the Chicago Bears as one of the best five teams in the NFL. Good defense, great special teams and enough offense with Matt Forte having a great year and yes, Jay Cutler, making some big throws.

I, like most, had underestimated the Bears coming into the year. I looked right past their trip to the NFC Championship game last year.

I was looking forward to the Bears taking on some of the NFC’s best and had them as a playoff team.

They can still get there, but it’s back to the unknown and the unexpected without Jay Cutler at quarterback.

My NFC super six is Packers; 49ers; Cowboys; Saints; Bears; Falcons. (Good win for the Lions and Matthew Stafford, but it was the Panthers and not ready to make them a playoff team yet).

Richard Carter

Late Fall?

Richard Carter

Kellie Lee Saturday at Quail Creek

Something recently hit me at the Thursday night open mic night at The Spot, and it’s so obvious but it had never really occurred to me before.

Because it gets colder during the winter, it seems like more musicians are writing tunes this time of the year, and it shows in open mics where people are busting out new tunes at an outrageous clip. Sure, it’s hot in the summer but people tend to swim and stuff. When it gets this cold, and you’re not near any slopes, the thing for musicians to do is to grab an acoustic guitar or find a piano and noodle. Noodling leads to riffs, which leads to new tunes, which manages to find words.

So, right now is not a bad time to get to open mics to hear some new songs fresh off the artistic “stove” so to speak. Besides, what else are you going to do during the wintertime besides go to hear some new bands in warm clubs?

My friends who went to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra said that the show was pyrotechnically amazing and they really enjoyed the musicianship. Supposedly the best seats (in terms of proximity to the stage) were sold and people were going all batty about the show—immediately afterwards on Facebook and then to each other for the following week. It’s a shame that not more bands come through town to play, but there is that economy of the thing.

Friday night was an excellent night with Dr. Philgood playing at Old Town mixing in their sets with DJ sets by their phenomenal DJ Marcus McGee. That same night, one of my favorite bands, The Rocketboys, came through Wichita Falls. One day I should write a blog about the shortening of names. For example, Dr. Philgood was originally Dr. Philgood and the Let’s Get It Ons, while The Rocketboys were originally Homer Hiccolm and the Rocketboys. Perhaps the trick is to keep things short so that it all fits on a marquee or on the Facebook page.

Also, the fabulous Kellie Lee played at Quail Creek Saturday afternoon and the great City Lights parade downtown was also on tap.

I am at the Spot checking out a really good singer songwriter David O’Dell playing an extended set. He’s played so many originals that he ran out. He’s currently playing the standard, “Georgia,” which is very nice, while David Thompson plays some tasteful lead. A girl is crocheting, while other people are talking about whatnot. It’s cold outside. And, now Chris Roberson is starting a song.  I can tell you how amazing he is, but I hope you already know this.

It would appear that Dempsey is playing on December 9 opening up for the Minor Prophets show. This change was made last week after two members assured me they were going to push the show back. Sometimes you should trust the club website when it lists a band.

Minor Prophets has a new guitarist from what I understand. Charles Harlow, formerly of White Knuckle, will be playing lead for them. The Dec 9 show is still supposed to happen.

Finally, Johnny Cooper is playing the Wednesday next week before Thanksgiving at the Pub. It’s pretty much become a standard show like X playing Halloween.

Check out my story on The Doppelgangers next Friday in NEXT. Their band is great and indicates that instrumental music is starting to make its move locally.

Tipton pulls a stunner, beating Deer Creek-Lamont, 13-12.

Defense held the fort in the fourth quarter after the surprising Tigers went up 13-0 in the third.

Frederick stayed about even for a half at Hennesey, trailing 14-12, before falling 42-20.

Bombers finish at 10-2 in another good season by Coach Farmer’s crew.

I’m about an hour away from heading off to Plainview for tonight’s Quanah-Holliday doubleheader.

I’m also already off to a 0-1 start after whiffing on the Electra pick last night.

But it’s all good. I’ve got a full tank of gas, a book on CD and a computer bag full of stat sheets for what should be a long weekend.

I’ve covered four playoff games in three days before and three in two days. But never have I pulled off back-to-back doubleheaders before.

So if I drift into unconsciousness in the second half of Windthorst’s game tomorrow night, you’ll know why. Anyway, let’s get to predictions:

* Rider vs. EP Chapin — I’d like to take these El Paso teams seriously, I really would. And if one of them actually beats one of our teams, I probably will. Until then, Raiders by 20.

* Holliday vs. Spearman – One of the best games I’ve ever covered happened between these two teams during a snowstorm in Canyon back in 2004. Double OT thriller. The Eagles defense will make this less thrilling. Holliday wins 28-7.

* Nocona vs. Abernathy – Last night I didn’t give a 9-1 Bronte team enough credit because I had written off their easy district. So maybe I’m doing that again this week. Who knows? And maybe when I saw a box score with non-playoff team Floydada rushing for 330 yards against them, I thought they’ll have problems with Nocona’s two-headed attack. Either way, Indians in an upset here: Nocona 27, Abernathy 21.

* Seymour vs. Sunray – Possible upset alert on this game too. Last year when Stamford got the 4-A No. 2 seed, it faced high-powered Canadian. This is an easier draw for the Panthers but only because Sunray beat Canadian this year. You kinda never know which Seymour team is going to show up, but I go with Sunray in a very tight game.

* Quanah vs. Sundown – If the Indians can stop the run, then they’ll have a chance in this one. But I’ll go with the 10-0 team in this one.

* Munday vs. McCamey – Should be the closer one of the two 8-A games in Sweetwater this week. And by close, I mean Moguls win by at least two touchdowns, probably more.

* Windthorst vs. Iraan – Can’t see the Trojans overlooking anyone right now. They’ll roll by 28.

Sorry these are a little late. I’m sure most people are already setting their sights on this week’s action. Been a busy week at work — which is a good thing because that means a lot of teams are still playing.

Factor that in with Nocona making it to state volleyball (they play at 3 p.m. today) and there’s a lot to be excited about.

Here are some quick thoughts on the opening weekend of the playoffs:

* Obviously Frenship was a pretty weak 10-0. Thought that might be the case, but you never know. I thought Frenship would lose to Rider in 2006 and it didn’t. The Raiders are set up for a nice run now.

* The 6-3A sweep came as no surprise. I thought Burkburnett did the best of the three. Bowie played poorly and Graham was outmatched. But Burk hung around and was in the game until the end. And if RB Devin Chafin is healthy, then who knows?

* Pretty huge wins for Nocona and Electra. I didn’t see them going three rounds deep, but both will certainly have chances to do so this weekend.

* Sounded like Henrietta QB Kolten Booher tried to give it a go but didn’t play much against Hamilton. I thought the injured ankle might really hurt the Bearcats’ chances of winning. Hamilton now has shut out Henrietta for eight playoff quarters and has won twice despite scoring a total of 16 points.

* Lots of possible all-area rematches next week: Windthorst-Electra; Nocona-Holliday; Throckmorton-Knox City and Bryson-Newcastle. How exciting would those be.

* I hate to say this, but for long-term possibilities, only Quanah and Seymour’s games against 10-0 teams are really intriguing. Wake me up for the Rider-Ryan, Windthorst-Munday and Idalou-Holliday state quarterfinals.

* Will make full predictions on Friday morning, but I’ll go ahead and pick the Electra game since it’s tonight. I’ve seen Bronte play more than respectably in playoff losses the last two years. But I can’t tell how much they’ve been tested. The Longhorns are the favorites and are the smart choice, but I’ll stay with the Tigers in a high-scoring game. 35-28.

I have a feeling the Rider Raiders are going to win Region I-4A.

I didn’t necessarily think that for much of the season. I wasn’t sure if their defense was sturdy enough.

But maybe it is. That maybe was a certainly last week and really the defense has been pretty good since the Little Elm game.

Lake Dallas had a big second half against Rider, a game the Raiders nearly let get away. But Lake Dallas is about as talented as they come on offense.

Rider is the third-rated team in Region I-4A Division I by pigskinprep.com. They are 2 points behind Midway and 4 behind Ryan. I don’t know much about Midway yet, but I think the Raiders would beat Ryan if given a fourth chance in two years. And it should be at Memorial should that happen.

Football is a team sport but you need big-time players to win big-time games. I think Dylan McDorman is playing the best football of his career. The Rider noseguard is simply dominating right now.
And J.T. Barrett won’t always win the stat-sheet game, but he’s a big-time player. And I think he’ll come through big-time in at least one close playoff game. He’s been in more tight games than most guys his age that’s for sure.
With those two on their side and a good offensive line the Raiders can go where no Rider team has gone before and claim a Region I championship.

The NFL Sunday Ticket gives a fan a chance to watch his/her team every single week and for me that’s the 49ers.

But it also gives me a chance to watch portions of games of any team around the league. So besides watching the Cowboys and 49ers every week, I decide what games to try and keep tabs on. It’s enough to wear out the remote.

There’s always a surprise team that ends up being worth watching and other teams you expected to enjoy watching that you decide it’s not worth stopping very often.

3 that have been more fun to watch than I thought:

No. 1 — The Bengals. There was an obvious draw to see how TCU’s Andy Dalton did. Rookie A.J. Green is exciting an on my fantasy team. Bernard Scott is from the Wichita Falls area. Former Cowboys assistant Mike Zimmer does a good job with the Cincy defense. Actually the most boring Cincy game was against the 49ers and I still had to watch about every second.

No. 2 — The Bills. They were as exciting as any team early on with comeback wins over the Raiders and Patriots. Hopefully they can pick it back up. I always check on them because of David Nelson of WF. But Arlington’s Fred Jackson is fun to watch, too. I’ve always liked Chan Gailey from working with him at Cowboys’ camp in WF. But the last few weeks have been ugly as the league is figuring out Ryan Fitzpatrick. Maybe Chan can figure something out.

No. 3 The Panthers/Broncos. The first few weeks curiousity made me switch to a Panthers game to see if Cam Newton had the ball. What a rookie! His team isn’t so good and they’ve faltered a bit. Tim Tebow, crushed for being grounded both spiritually and as a quarterback, is must-see TV at least for portions of the game.  Also interesting to see a team try to run that much in today’s NFL. Kind of like when the Dolphins first sprung Ronnie Brown and the Wildcat on the league a couple years ago.

—————-

3 I don’t like viewing as much as last year

No. 1 — Kansas City. Love LB Derrick Johnson of Texas. Love their speedy corners and return guys. Absolutely loved speedy RB Jamal Charles, also my fantasy workhorse, until he was injured avoiding the down marker and cheerleaders in September.  The Chiefs were presentable against San Diego on Monday Night Football, but mostly they’ve been downright ugly. Can’t watch and they’re my favorite AFC franchise.

2. Browns. Watched them a year ago mainly because of Colt McCoy and enjoyed the work of Josh Cribbs and Peyton Hillis. Now it’s just a couple exciting plays by Cribbs and a ton of check-downs and scrambles by McCoy. I’m not sure what Colt’s NFL ceiling is now and I don’t think he’s got much to work with, but it’s not watchable right now. Not if you’ve got 6-9 more games to choose from.

3. Titans. I guess he’s coming around now, but Chris Johnson’s lack of energy and big runs for the first couple months almost made me put a block on the Titans’ channel. With too many intriguing games last week I didn’t even make an appearance on Titans over Panthers. Neither did the September version of Cam. Also miss Jeff Fisher.

So where are the Eagles? That trainwreck is always worth a look. Even interested to see how Vince Young looks. Would love to see a 90-yard rushing day with two TDs and another two through the air as they beat the Giants. Probably won’t happen, but it’d be good TV.

Kellie Lee is coming back in town

Richard Carter

Kellie Lee is coming back

Erratic Method at Bully's Saturday

In case you missed it, Kellie Lee—originally from Wichita Falls—is coming back to town on Saturday, November 19 to play a free show. It’s her first time to play the area in about a year or so, and I think it’s going to be a blast.

She will be at the Quail Creek (shopping center) Grand Opening that runs from noon to 4 p.m. The shopping center is located across the street from the Wal-Mart on Lawrence Rd. She will be playing music from her first solo record “Stereo Type,” which includes two singles “Soul in a Shell” and “Toxic City” that have been getting some air play. She is also supposed to be recording right now and should play a few tunes from the new album.

The event is totally free to see a gal who was a regular at the area Rudolph events back in the day and who has taken the great local experience she got playing in Wichita Falls and is making the best of it on the West Coast. She’s played some great clubs like the Whiskey a GoGo, some great festivals and an MTV eco event in Beverly Hills.

The show will also feature another good local guy, the Jay Hollis Band, and it’s going to be outside, so it will be effectively smoke free. If you’re a Kellie Lee fan from back in the day, or if you just like good home-cooked music from someone who can vocally bring it, you should check Kellie out. She’s the real deal.

For more info on Lee, go to http://kellieleemusic.com

This Saturday, November 12, I spent time hanging out at Bully’s out west of Wichita Falls for the Derby Dames benefit. We are having remarkable weather so far this late into fall for outdoor shows, and that’s a very good thing. I think the problem is that most people think that outdoor venues like Bully’s and Neon Spur have long closed down for the season, so those shows are not drawing as well as they probably should.

Needless to say, it was an eclectic mix of bands that was begun by Miyagi who then hung out all day to watch live music. I got to chat with most of their members, and they were having a blast. The dames from the Derby Dames were also having a blast and were appreciative for the fans who were there supporting the cause. The groups were playing on the side stage, which has some decent lights and is close enough to the main bar so that people don’t have to make too much of a walk into the now grassy Back 40 to see the bands play on the main stage.

If you missed out, then you missed out. I wished I would have had the time to check out the Texas Blues Runners at the Backdoor Saturday night, because you know those guys are always good.

The guys from Minor Prophets are about two weeks away from dropping their first CD, which they recorded in Dallas and is supposed to be very good. Their CD release party, is on Friday, December 8 at the Pub. It says that Dempsey is opening but that reunion has been pushed back until at least early 2012. I am looking forward to seeing Dempsey reunite even if it is for the one show.

The Rocketboys play the Pub on Friday, Nov 18 and it should be brilliant. Jay Burnam will open and that will be more than worthwhile.

It’s finally here. The playoffs. What we’ve been waiting for all season.

And it’s already over for two of our area teams — Graham and Bowie — who lost last night. A lot, lot more games are going on tonight.

It’s been a long week working on football previews for almost 20 games. And talking to each area coach, they believe their team will win the game.

But let’s face it — our area teams aren’t going 17-0 or whatever. So I’m going to give my thoughts from last night and then make predictions for the handful of area 11-man games. Here we go:

* So I don’t think Bowie played very well at all last night. Brownwood is pretty good. Stehl Ratliff has good vision and is a powerful runner who made a couple nice cuts against the Jackrabbits.

But Bowie had at least three drops and a costly fumbled kickoff, plus an INT that totally put the game away in the third quarter. These are mistakes that will put you in basketball season pretty quickly.

* Sounds like Graham’s defense kept Snyder’s Kennon Ward in check for almost a half last night. But you give the ball to a guy of Ward’s caliber 32 times, and eventually he’s going to break through.

* Saw the numbers for Graham QB Ben Davis and they looked good — 224 passing and 99 rushing. If Garrett Johnston can get healthy by next August coming off recent ACL surgery, there should be a pretty good QB competition in Young County.

* In the last two years, 5-3A is 5-0 against our 6-3A, with only one of those games being close. We’ll see if Burkburnett can turn that trend around tonight.

Now onto the picks:

RIDER AT FRENSHIP –Rider is a dangerous team these days, but it’s defense is going to have to play well against an unbeaten Frenship squad. In a close game like this, it’s hard not to go with the home team. Although a Rider win wouldn’t be surprising at the least.

BURKBURNETT vs. WYLIE –I think this could be close — maybe the closest of the 6-3A teams — but after watching a Brownwood team that lost to Wylie last night, I’m going to go with Wylie.

HENRIETTA vs. HAMILTON –A complete toss-up. I can see Henrietta winning if Kolten Booher is able to run effectively on his ankle. If not, Hamilton will have an edge.

CRAWFORD vs. NOCONA –If the Indians can get in a groove on offense, then they’ll have a chance. But I don’t think Nocona’s defense will make quite enough stops.

QUANAH vs. STINNETT — From what I’ve heard, QB Clay Robertson is feeling doing really well since getting mono. A healthy Robertson makes it hard for me to pick against the Indians. Quanah by a touchdown.

SEYMOUR vs. NEW DEAL – It depends which Panthers team will show up. No one has been quite as up and down this year. Lost to Electra, beat Stamford. I think the Panthers play well tonight, which should result in a victory.

MUNDAY vs. RAWLS –This one will not be close. I don’t think the Moguls are overlooking anybody, and they are way more explosive. Munday by a lot.

ELECTRA vs. HAMLIN — Another toss-up game with completely different offenses. I’m picking the Tigers for two reasons — 1) Last spread team that throws the ball a bunch they played, Electra beat Seymour. And 2) I think playing Windthorst and Munday will pay off for the Tigers.

From Itasca to Wichita Falls

Richard Carter

Sam Baker at the museum last Thursday

Probably the best musical deal of the year for listeners was last Thursday at the Wichita Falls Museum of Art at Midwestern State University (wow, that takes a breath or two to say.) Anywho, the Austin-based singer songwriter Sam Baker came to town with a piano accompanist and played for an hour and a half. The best thing about the show was not that it was free (though that was a good part). The best thing about the show was that the man is extremely talented and is able to convey that music and that energy to a live crowd with music that sticks with you.

He joked about area football rivalries (this being Old High-Rider week) and Baker was in a position to do so having played football in high school in Itasca, Texas in the early ‘70s. Soundman Abby Abernathy particularly took some grief about his Archer City allegiances. The humor was all in good fun. Again, the best thing about the night was Baker playing amazing melodies on his Taylor and Art & Lutherie acoustic guitars, while singing and speak-singing what he has seen in small towns and on the road about life and some of the less fortunate parts of life. There was also some very tasteful accompaniment on piano and acoustic guitar.

Baker played in a tastefully lit gallery with some art on the walls and music coming from four speakers. It wasn’t quadrophonic, if that’s what you may have been thinking. There was no smoke and the only liquid was occasional wine, which people drank sparingly and acted accordingly. The crowd was quiet and applauded enthusiastically after the songs were over. I’d have to say that Baker should come to town again, soon. It turns out that he had played Archer City a number of years ago, but I don’t think anyone really recalled that until several days before the show.

So, Baker played last week, and Billy Joe Shaver played in town about a month ago, and Ray Wylie Hubbard played in town about two weeks ago. If you are a Texas singer songwriter fan, Wichita Falls is your town. Seriously, we get Texas singer songwriters like no ones business around here, and it rarely costs more than $7 or so to go and see them. There are exceptions of course, such as Joe Ely and Guy Clark down the road, who cost a little more than that to bring to town.

What’s confusing to me is that it seems like anyone of note in the rock or the country genres are considerably more expensive to go see, even if they would come to the area.

And that’s the thing, Peter Frampton came to Ardmore Oklahoma on August 24 just north of here and everyone rocked out. Surely, Frampton came to Wichita Falls and played the Memorial Auditorium in the late ‘70s or ‘80s just like Ted Nugent did and the Clash did and any number of other bands who were relevant (at the time they played). But at some point bands like that stopped coming to Wichita Falls with any real frequency.

Nostalgia bands like Frampton play in small towns near here, and even casinos get groups like Poison. I hear that Willie Nelson is going to play an Oklahoma casino before too long. Maybe we need a casino in town?

Remember to go see some really good local talent next Saturday at Bully’s playing a show to benefit the Wichita Falls Derby Dames roller derby skating team.

The final week of the regular season is here and there are a bunch of big games on the horizon.

Because of that, we’ll preview those a little bit more today and not worry as much about such games like Iowa Park-Vernon or Windthorst-Perrin-Whitt.

Start from the biggest and working the way down:

* Rider at WFHS: The TRN football roundtable between Andy, Nick and I talked a bunch about this one, but my biggest point in this one is Rider will win by multiple touchdowns if it can get pressure by not having to blitz. The fewer guys they rush at Dylan Sheffield, the better for the Raiders. With a couple injuries in the secondary, Rider will probably want to drop LBs into coverage to take away the short WFHS routes. But if Sheffield has time, well we’ve seen what happens there. Rider should be able to score a lot against WFHS, but the Coyotes have the offensive firepower to turn it into a shootout. I think the Coyotes will hit a couple big plays, but I think much like Lake Dallas did, Rider makes enough defensive plays (sacks, interceptions) to win this one. Score: Rider 49, WFHS 28.

Nocona at City View:Much like the game above, winner is in and loser is out. Two of the area’s best runners — D.J. Brown and Tate Fenoglio — are going to make their mark in this game. Both very well could have more than 200 yards. But this game will be won by the defenses (which one prevents less big plays) and the backfield’s secondary options. QB Hayden Hill and RB D.J. Coursey have been important to their teams this year, but Hill is really hitting his stride right now. I think this is a toss-up game, but I’ve talked to multiple people who’ve played both of these teams, and Nocona seems to be the consensus pick. Final score: Nocona 34, City View 28

Bowie at Burkburnett: Either we’re going to have a three-way tie in 6-3A or Bowie will win outright. As far as playoffs go, a Burkburnett win by 1-6 points makes Graham the top Div. II seed. Seven or more puts Bowie as the top seed. And the top seed is much more desirablethan facing Snyder. Burkburnett will be the favorite at home and the Bulldogs will want to bounce back in a big way after the Graham loss last week. I’m picking Bowie, although I don’t feel great about it. I don’t want to see a three-way tie and I think Bowie going 5-0 would be a tremendous feat. Plus, defense won out against offense last week down in Graham. Final score: Bowie 21, Burkburnett 20.

Stamford at Olney:The 4-A Div. I standings show these teams tied at 1-2, but there is quite a big gap in talent. Stamford has great skill at QB with Hagen Hutchinson and at WR with Jessie Ramos. Remember, the Bulldogs beat Holliday in non-district. Olney will try to do what Archer City and Seymour did to have success against Stamford — keepaway with Alex Vega. But I think the Cubs could fall behind early, making it tough to stay ground-oriented. Final score: Stamford 42, Olney 14.

Well, there’s only one more week left in the season. I hear a lot of people say it seemed like it began yesterday.

But I think for all the coaches putting in the really long weeks (and the sports writers working not near as long but still keeping very busy), it hasn’t exactly flown by.

Fear not, burnout. Because the playoffs will offer a rejuvenation of sorts. And this time around, there’s not a whole lot of numbers crunching to figure out playoff scenarios. Works for me.

Basically three games — WFHS-Rider; Nocona-City View; Stamford-Olney — are winner-take-all affairs. The other scenarios out there — like Archer City still having a chance at the playoffs if it beats Munday by 14 — just aren’t going to happen.

Also, Bowie-Burkburnett will decide if the Jackrabbits win the 6-3A title outright or if there is a three-way tie between both of them and Graham.

More thoughts from the weekend:

* I knew Graham could beat Burkburnett at Newton Field. Graham was my 6-3A pick for the district title, even after losing four non-district games in a row (let’s forget how I chose 0-4 Vernon to make the playoffs). But I didn’t have the stones to pick the Steers in the paper last week. I think a closer-than-normal game against the Lions the week before scared me away.

* One of the area’s best coaching  jobs has been by Bowie’s Dylan Stark. But another one that has slipped under the radar is the job Keith Ivy is doing out there in Electra. The Tigers were 6-34 the past four seasons but now are 5-5 and will be in the playoffs this year for the first time since 2006. That win against Seymour was impressive, and Electra thumped Archer City the other day with its playoff hopes on the line.

* Speaking of the Wildcats, I just didn’t see 2-8 (they will lose to Munday) coming. Injuries piled up and not a whole lot has gone right for Josh Castles this year. I know he’s glad he is back in his hometown, but it’s been a rough year.

* Henrietta clinched its ninth straight playoff berth by beating Nocona. Every year the Bearcats figure out a way to get it done. QB Kolten Booher has had two monster games in back-to-back weeks as the offense looks like it is kicking it into gear for the stretch run.

* Speaking of Henrietta, last week I mentioned something about Coach West and the three onside kicks. Then I got a hilarious phone call from the Bearcats coaches. Needless to say, it wasn’t West who called the onsides. I’m going to keep the assistant’s name anonymous, but I will say he’s one of the best at what he does in the area.

* Can WFHS beat Rider? Yes, it can. And losing Blake Brom hurts a Raider secondary that will have its hands full. But I’ll still pick the Raiders. They’re playing very well offensively, and it just seems like everything will have to go right for the Coyotes in this one.

* I may end up blogging more about this tomorrow, but there seems to be a question in 6-3A as to how to break a three-way tie for the Div. II spots. I, and the Bowie coach, assumed with Burkburnett going big-school, the Jackrabbits would have the top seed based on head-to-head over Graham.

But Graham is saying that if Bowie was to lose to Burkburnett, whoever is leading the point tiebreaker should get first. So if Burk wins by 3, then Graham (+2) would get the top seed over Bowie (-1). Now if Burkburnett was to get top point total, they’d be thrown into Div. I — they are going there anyway — and then it reverts to head to head, giving Bowie the top spot.

Why is this a big deal? Because honestly, Snyder should be able to beat both Graham and Bowie in a playoff game. I think both coaches feel like they have a better shot at Brownwood. Stay tuned.

* I left Munday on Friday night thinking the Moguls have a chance to beat Windthorst. Will I pick them in the inevitable state quarterfinals matchup? No. But they match up better up front than last year, when I felt Windthorst would win the rematch handily. Friday’s score was 56-34, but the Moguls gave up two defensive touchdowns, kept one Windthorst scoring drive alive with a penalty and had a penalty nullify a touchdown.

Now I know it seems like the Moguls have made those mistakes before against a very tough Trojans defense, but if it can limit them the next time, it could pull off an upset come December.

* Playoff games that are going to happen but just need to be finalized: Henrietta-Hamilton and Abilene Wylie-Burkburnett. Both are rematches of 2010.

Usually at this time of year, it’s difficult to miss a bunch of games because by now you know the good squads from the bad ones.

But last week’s 17-game slate offered a few matchups that I felt were toss-ups. One-Legged Fade 41 won “Sack Zach” by getting 15 right — missing only the Graham and Hirschi wins.

I was in a group with three others that got 14 right. The one missed the most was Graham — only one person got that right.

Here are the season standings:

1. Me — 126

2. AreaFootballFan — 125

3. One-Legged Fade 41 — 122

4. Keystoner — 120