By Kevin Lonnquist
NTX Varsity Sports Columnist
Perfection is typically strived for but rarely attained. There cannot be one mistake.
If perfection could be grasped, erasers would not have been invented for pencils and blackboards. There would be no delete button on a computer keyboard.
Humbled, I’m honored to share that yours truly did not miss a pick in the opening round of the playoffs. Now, for the rest of the story. A majority of these were one-sided matchups. It would have been a bit stunning had I chosen to go in the wrong direction.
For the record, the record was 12-0. Now, that the herd has thinned and the better teams remain, that brings us to what I have always believed to be the most interesting week of the postseason: the area round.
This is where you have more coin-flip games. Obviously, I know our NTX Varsity Sports coverage teams well. But the opposing teams take some work to research and learn. Then it becomes a guess.
With that, let’s give you the selections at the one-third poll of the six-week journey to AT&T Stadium.
Paradise (10-1) vs. Dalhart (9-2); Class 3A Division I Region I: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Childress: Based on the weather forecast, the Northwest line of the Red River should be OK. That’s good news for the Panther defense, which continues to play at high level. It will set the tone in this one.
Pick: Paradise
All Saints (11-0) vs. Fort Worth Christian (9-2); TAPPS 5A Division II second round; 1:00 p.m., Friday, Mustang-Panther Stadium Grapevine: The Saints handled the Cardinals in their district matchup three weeks ago. This offense is too explosive for FWC to handle.
Pick: All Saints
Mildred (9-2) vs. Hamilton (9-2); Class 2A Division I Region II; 7:00 p.m. Friday, Waco Robinson, (Radio: 106.9 FM): Good luck with this one picking a winner. Two evenly matched teams. This could come down to the fourth quarter and a game-winning drive or game-saving stop. I can’t decide. However, I know how good Eagles’ RB Trenton Harris is. If he gets going early, then the Eagles move on.
Pick: Mildred
Malakoff (8-3) vs. Pottsboro (10-1); Class 3A Division I Region II; 7:00 p.m. Friday, Greenville: If you ever want to measure the heart of a program, this is it. For as much as the Tigers struggled at the beginning of the season, they have figured it out winning their last six. The No. 9 Cardinals have great tradition as well. But the X-factor could be Malakoff RB Jerrion Hall.
Pick: Malakoff
Krum (10-0) vs. Athens (9-2); Class 4A Division II Region II; 7:30 p.m. Friday, Hanby Stadium, Mesquite: I’ve tried to do as much research on the Hornets as I can. I think the reason I might lean their way is how they pushed state power Carthage. They lost only 61-56. I definitely believe Krum can win this. QB Elijah Guerrero is a great competitor.
Pick: Athens
Graham (8-3) vs. Lubbock Liberty (10-1); Class 4A Division II Region I; 6:00 p.m. Friday, Shotwell Stadium, Abilene: The Steers need to find a way to move the football on the No. 1 team. The offense, which has struggled at times, must execute crisply. And the defense is going to have to create some turnovers.
Pick: Liberty
Eagle Mountain (8-3) vs. Midland Greenwood (11-0); Class 4A Division II Region I; 7:00 p.m. Friday, Clyde: Celebrate the Knights for their first playoff win in school history last Friday. Head coach Jeremy Mullins has that program pointed up. But it’s going to take a lot to shut down the state’s No. 4 team, which has scored at least 34 points in 10 of its 11 games.
Pick: Greenwood
Glen Rose (6-5) vs. Seminole (8-3); Class 4A Division II Region I; 7:00 p.m. Friday, Mustang Bowl, Sweetwater: Third straight postseason for these two teams to meet. The Tigers won the first two. It’s been fun to watch this team rally from 0-5 to 6-5. I just have concerns about the Tigers’ defense shutting down a team that has a QB in Dominick Higgins who has thrown for 2821 yards and 30 TD. And maybe Seminole is due? This should be another wild game between these two.
Pick: Seminole
Springtown (11-0) vs. Panther Creek (9-2); Class 4A Division I Region II; 7:00 p.m., Friday, Birdville Fine Arts & Athletics Complex, North Richland Hills: This game is giving me nausea. I can’t figure it out. It’s No. 7 vs. No. 9. A couple of notable high school media types have picked Panther Creek to win state. Pojo QB Kaine Hill is in the spotlight. The Pines defense has to make Panther QB Graylyn Fry earn it. I’m going against my instincts on this one.
Pick: Springtown
Aledo (11-0) vs. Amarillo Tascosa (7-4); Class 5A Division I Region I; 7:00 p.m. Friday, Memorial Stadium, Big Spring, (Radio: 92.1 Hank FM): The frustrating thing about a Flex Bone is that it can squeeze the life out of a game with its ball-control style. But if it falls behind, then it’s in trouble. Aledo’s start last week against Saginaw wasn’t great. But it played much better starting in the second quarter. As has been the story throughout 2025, the Bearcats OL and DL will tell the tale.
Pick: Aledo
Decatur (7-3) vs. Paris (7-4); Class 4A Division I Region II; 7:00 p.m., Thursday, Munson Stadium, Denison: This game was moved from Thursday to Saturday. Keep an eye out for the weather with this one. If it gets moved, it would be 1:00 p.m. Saturday in Denison. Paris was a surprise winner in its playoff opener. Decatur was not. This is the round where Decatur’s run ended last year. I’m going to give a slight lean to the Eagles.
Pick: Decatur
Until next week when we reach the regional semifinals, let’s win them all.
