Big Country Game of the Week: Cisco Loboes (7-1, 5-0) at Anson Tigers (6-2, 5-0)

THE BEARD'S PICKS LAST WEEK: 33-7 (.825); 11-man: 18-3; Six-man: 15-4

OVERALL: 292-86 (.772); 11-man: 149-30; Six-man: 143-56

It's a good year when district titles are decided in November. Consider 2019 in that category.

Friday night at Tiger Stadium, state-ranked Cisco and Anson meet for the top spot in District 4-3A Division II in our Big Country Game of the Week.

The winner will clinch the No. 1 seed and at least a share of the district crown. Both teams will be favored in Week 11, meaning Friday's contest likely will decide an outright champion.

"There's a lot on the line but for us, we're just kind of playing on house money," Anson coach Chris Hagler said. "We've expressed to our kids that it's a rarity to get these moments in life to be able to play for a gold ball this early in the season. That's a luxury. And that's what we've told them: just to relax, go get it and just play with a 'nothing to lose' kind of mentality."

Both teams enter the matchup on six-game winning streaks. No. 7 Cisco's only setback  is a 20-13 loss to 3A D-I No. 2 Wall. That same Sept. 6 night, Jim Ned blew out Anson 44-0.

But that was a different Tigers team (6-2 overall, 5-0 district). Anson got healthy and closer as a group, Hagler said.

The Tigers have averaged 49.2 points in their wins, led by dual-threat quarterback Drew Hagler. The senior has thrown for 1,665 yards and rushed for a team-high 777. Hagler has accounted for 31 TDs, including 19 passing, and thrown four interceptions.

"He's a smart kid. He's been running that system for quite a while," Cisco coach Brent West said. "He's got several very talented receivers in a spread system. That makes it extremely tough to know when to get out there and help your secondary out with linebackers and still stop that backfield running game. It's certainly an issue. They're very explosive."

Cisco (7-1, 5-0) has posted three consecutive shutouts, although the opponents are a combined 5-19. In fact, the Loboes haven't played a team with a winning record since beating Ballinger on Sept. 27.

Anson played Ballinger the following week, but the Tigers are in a similar situation. Both coaches expressed concern about such a drastic increase in the level of competition.

"I think your senior leadership has to get you through that," West said. "I think mature teams can handle that, but an immature team can certainly have a problem with that, walking into a game like this. We feel like we've got good senior leadership, and that will be a factor that will help us get through it."

Still, the Loboes defense and running attack make for a formidable challenge. Coach Hagler also has noticed new wrinkles in the Cisco offense this season.

"I've noticed that they've been a little bit more multiple," Hagler said. "They're still kind of running the same plays, but they've got a few more bells and whistles. That makes it even harder."

West said his team is playing with more discipline and the defense continues to improve. This will be their biggest test, as the Tigers can put up points in a hurry.

Cisco will have to deal with a road trip, but I think the Loboes outlast Anson for another district championship.

PICK: Cisco 35, Anson 27

If there were two Stephens

Waco La Vega (7-1, 2-0) at Brownwood (8-0, 2-0)

Another district title is on the line Friday in Brownwood.

The undefeated Lions face their stiffest competition yet in defending state champion Waco La Vega. Both teams are ranked in the 4A D-I top 10, and Gordon Wood Stadium should have the feel of a playoff game.

No. 6 Brownwood is led by defense, and the Pirates likely will have the fastest team the group has seen. No. 3 La Vega has scored at least 42 points in each of its past three games.

Whatever the outcome, the contest will show how deep the Lions can go this year. A win or competitive loss could mean Brownwood is a threat for a state championship.

PICK: Waco La Vega 28, Brownwood 17

Keep your eyes on:

Clyde (6-2, 2-1) at Eastland (7-1, 2-1); PICK: Eastland by 10

Comanche (4-4, 2-1) at Dublin (6-2, 2-1); PICK: Dublin by 7

Gorman (6-2, 1-0) at May (7-1, 1-0); PICK: May by 9

Big Country power rankings

Class 3A

1. Cisco (7-1); Last week: No. 3—W, 53-0 vs. San Angelo Grape Creek

2. Eastland (7-1); Last week: No. 1—L, 28-14 at Wall

3. Anson (6-2); Last week: No. 4—W, 81-0 at San Angelo TLCA

4. Clyde (6-2); Last week: NR—W, 14-7 vs. Jim Ned

5. Jim Ned (6-2); Last week: No. 2—L, 14-7 at Clyde

Class 2A

1. Hawley (8-0); Last week: No. 1—W, 61-28 at Stamford

2. Albany (6-2); Last week: No. 2—W, 41-13 at Cross Plains

3. Hamlin (5-2); Last week: No. 3—Idle

4. Cross Plains (6-2); Last week: No. 4—L, 41-13 vs. Albany

5. Stamford (5-4); Last week: No. 5—L, 61-28 vs. Hawley

Class 1A

1. Jayton (9-0); Last week: No. 1—W, 53-0 at Rule

2. Ira (8-0); Last week: No. 2—Idle

3. May (7-1); Last week: No. 3—W, 60-6 vs. Santa Anna

4. Blackwell (9-0); Last week: No. 4—W, 50-0 vs. Moran

5. Gordon (7-1); Last week: No. 5—W, 56-0 at Bluff Dale

The Beard's picks

Friday:

CLASS 4A

Big Spring at SEMINOLE

FORT STOCKTON at Sweetwater

SNYDER at Lamesa

STEPHENVILLE at Gatesville

CLASS 3A

Coleman at BALLINGER

Colorado City at COAHOMA

San Angelo Grape Creek at MERKEL

San Angelo TLCA at BANGS

JIM NED at Early

WALL at Breckenridge

CLASS 2A

Haskell at ALBANY

Ranger at ARCHER CITY

Shamrock at MUNDAY

DE LEON at Goldthwaite

Forsan at HAWLEY

HAMLIN at Cross Plains

OZONA at Winters

CLASS 1A

BAIRD at Roby

BLANKET at Mullin

Bluff Dale at STRAWN

Chillicothe at KNOX CITY

GARDEN CITY at Highland

Gustine at GORDON

IRA at Aspermont

JONESBORO at Zephyr

LINGLEVILLE at Santa Anna

LORAINE at Moran

Lueders-Avoca at JAYTON

Paint Rock at ROBERT LEE

Rising Star at SIDNEY

SPUR at Hermleigh

Trent at BLACKWELL

Water Valley at WESTBROOK

WOODSON at Benjamin