Playoff Picture and Predictions
Since we are down to just two weeks left in the regular season, it’s time to start looking ahead to the playoffs.
Below you’ll find what I know about who is in, who is out, and who has work to do, plus how I think things will look when the regular season comes to an end.
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Abilene High has clinched at least a share of the district title and will earn the outright championship with a win over Amarillo High in the Warbirds’ regular season finale Friday at Shotwell Stadium.
Abilene High Potential bi-district matchups: El Paso Hanks (5-5) or El Paso Parkland (4-4). Hanks and Parkland play this week and the winner will have the upper hand for the four-seed from District 1.
Ysleta (4-4) and Bel Air (7-1) come into play if the Eagles fall to Amarillo on Friday.
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Abilene High
2. Lubbock Cooper
3. Amarillo High
4. Tascosa
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
The Cooper Cougars are well on track to reach the playoffs for the 17th straight season after beating Plainview last week, but I think they have to beat Lubbock High Thursday night to officially punch a ticket.
The Cougars could end up anywhere from one to four, still, as far as seeding goes. If they win out and Rider is upset by Plainview or Lubbock, then Cooper could end up tied for first and be the two-seed because of their loss to the Raiders earlier in the season. If Cooper wins out and Rider somehow loses both then the Coogs would be the top seed. If they win out, they would be the two-seed regardless of how Rider does, which gets you a home bi-district game instead of a road trip to El Paso.
Cooper Potential bi-district matchups: Canutillo (6-2), El Paso Andress (3-5) El Paso Chapin (5-3), El Paso Burges (1-7) or El Paso Jefferson (1-7).
The Wylie Bulldogs have another key matchup this week against Palo Duro and would be in for sure with a win.
Wylie, like Cooper, could still finish anywhere in the top four, depending on how things go. The most likely scenario if Wylie wins out would be getting the two seed, as I don’t see Rider losing to Plainview or Lubbock High.
Two losses and a combination of other results could keep the Bulldogs home.
Wylie Potential bi-district matchups: Canutillo (6-2), El Paso Andress (3-5) El Paso Chapin (5-3), El Paso Burges (1-7) or El Paso Jefferson (1-7).
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Rider
2. Wylie
3. Cooper
4. Plainview
In this scenario, Plainview would have to beat Palo Duro in the last game of the season to earn the four seed.
DISTRICT 2-4A DIVISION I
The Lions already have the top seed in the playoffs from the district courtesy of their win over Estacado last week and will earn the outright district title with a win over Andrews this week.
Brownwood Potential bi-district matchups: El Paso Irvin (1-7) or El Paso Austin (3-5).
Big Spring’s win over Lake View last week will more than likely get the Steers in the playoffs.
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Brownwood
2. Estacado
3. Andrews
4. Big Spring
DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II
Hirschi and Graham look to be locks, with Greenwood, Snyder, and Sweetwater battling it out for the final two spots.
If Sweetwater loses at Hirschi this week, then their Week 11 matchup with rival Snyder could decide a playoff spot.
Greenwood is still in the mix but has to play at Graham this week and host Hirschi in Week 11.
Snyder is off this week but could still sneak into the playoffs with a win over Sweetwater in the finale.
Sweetwater Potential bi-district matchups: Glen Rose (4-4), Benbrook (6-2), Godley (3-5) or Hillsboro (4-4)
Snyder Potential bi-district matchups: Glen Rose (4-4), Benbrook (6-2), Godley (3-5) or Hillsboro (4-4)
Graham Potential bi-district matchups: Benbrook (6-2), Godley (3-5) or Hillsboro (4-4)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Hirschi
2. Graham
3. Sweetwater
4. Greenwood
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I
Clyde, Jim Ned, Vernon, and Iowa Park are all just about playoff locks at this point.
The Bulldogs have a potentially tough game at Iowa Park this week. They’ll need to win out to win an outright district championship, but they would have at least a share with a win in one of their last two games (at Iowa Park, vs. Breckenridge).
Jim Ned, Vernon and Iowa Park need to win out and hope Clyde loses to have a shot at the one seed in the playoffs.
Breckenridge is not technically eliminated but would have to beat Bowie and Clyde and get a lot of help to make the postseason.
Clyde Potential bi-district matchups: Ponder (4-4), Boyd (1-8) or Peaster (2-6)
Jim Ned Potential bi-district matchups: Whitesboro (4-4), Paradise (8-1), Ponder (4-4) or Boyd (1-8)
Breckenridge Potential bi-district matchups: Brock (5-3)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Clyde
2. Jim Ned
3. Vernon
4. Iowa Park
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II
Wall and Early meet this week to decide the district championship and see who is the one-seed and who is the two-seed in the playoffs.
Brady has a winnable game against 0-8 Grape Creek this week and would be in with a win.
The four-seed will come down to TLCA San Angelo and Ballinger.
If the Bearcats can win at home against the Eagles this week and at Grape Creek in Week 11, they’d be in. They could even end up in the playoffs with a win this week and a loss in the finale, but I believe the Eagles are in with a win over Ballinger this week.
Early Potential bi-district matchups: Odessa Compass (3-5) or Tornillo (0-7)
Wall Potential bi-district matchups: Odessa Compass (3-5) or Tornillo (0-7)
Ballinger/Brady/TLCA Potential bi-district matchups: Crane (5-3) or Alpine (4-4)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Wall
2. Early
3. Brady
4. TLCA San Angelo
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II
This district race will be fascinating to watch over the final two weeks.
Jacksboro and Millsap meet this week, with the winner likely getting the top seed in the playoffs. The Tigers look like the team to beat the big favorites to win out and take the title.
Eastland, Comanche, and Merkel will be in a fight for the final two spots, and Millsap could even miss out if they lose to both Jacksboro this week and Merkel in Week 11.
The Mavericks have a very winnable game at Dublin this week and will host Comanche in the finale.
Merkel will have to find a win, or two, at Comanche and at home against Millsap, and Comanche hosts Merkel this week and goes to Eastland in Week 11. The Badgers best chance is to win both, as they’d lose a tie-breaker with Eastland.
Jacksboro Potential bi-district matchups: Callisburg (4-4) or Valley View (2-6)
Millsap/Eastland/Merkel/Comanche Potential bi-district matchups: Holliday (7-1), Henrietta (4-3) or City View (5-3)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Jacksboro
2. Millsap
3. Comanche
4. Eastland
DISTRICT 4-2A DIVISION I
Stamford will visit Hawley this week in a huge matchup that will decide the district championship.
Cisco and Anson are both in the playoffs as well, and the winner of their game will see who avoids the four-seed.
The Loboes could still end up as the two-seed if they win out and Hawley loses out.
Stamford Potential bi-district matchups: Ozona (4-4) or Anthony (3-4)
Hawley Potential bi-district matchups: Ozona (4-4), Anthony (3-4), Sonora (8-0) or Forsan (7-1)
Cisco Potential bi-district matchups: Ozona (4-4), Anthony (3-4), Sonora (8-0) or Forsan (7-1)
Anson Potential bi-district matchups: Ozona (4-4), Anthony (3-4), Sonora (8-0) or Forsan (7-1)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Stamford
2. Hawley
3. Cisco
4. Anson
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION I
Besides Tolar at the top, the race for the rest of the playoff spots in District 5 will be fun to watch over the last two weeks.
Tolar finishes with Goldthwaite and San Saba and is well on its way to winning the district again.
Coleman and De Leon have a big matchup this week in De Leon, with the winner more than likely ending up as the two-seed.
De Leon already has wins for potential tiebreakers over Bangs, Goldthwaite, and San Saba, but those three plus Hamilton are still all in the playoff mix with two weeks to play.
There are still a lot of things to sort out in this one.
Tolar Potential bi-district matchups: Alvord (4-3) or Trenton (4-4)
Coleman/De Leon Potential bi-district matchups: Tioga (5-3), Tom Bean (5-3), Alvord (4-3) or Trenton (4-4)
Bangs/San Saba/Goldthwaite/Hamilton Potential bi-district matchups: Nocona (7-0), Tioga (5-3), or Tom Bean (5-3)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Tolar
2. Coleman
3. Hamilton
4. De Leon
DISTRICT 6-2A DIVISION II
Albany, Miles, and Roscoe look like the clearcut top three teams in the district, with Cross Plains’ win over Hamlin last week likely giving the Buffs the edge in the race for the final spot.
Miles visits Roscoe this week, with the winner most likely earning the two-seed out of the district.
Cross Plains finishes at TLCA Abilene and Miles and could open the door for the Pied Pipers with a pair of losses. However, Hamlin closes with Albany and Roscoe in two tough games over the last two weeks.
Albany Potential bi-district matchups: McCamey (3-5), Eldorado (5-3) or Water Valley (2-6)
Roscoe/Miles Potential bi-district matchups: Sterling City (6-2), Wink (8-1), Eldorado (5-3) or McCamey (3-5)
Cross Plains/Hamlin Potential bi-district matchups: Sterling City (6-2) or Wink (8-1)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Albany
2. Roscoe
3. Miles
4. Cross Plains
DISTRICT 7-2A DIVISION II
Seymour and Windthorst meet this week to decide the district championship. The winner gets the one-seed and the loser the two-seed.
Haskell can lock in the three-seed with a win over Electra on Friday, but if they lose, it opens up a lot of what-if scenarios between the Indians, Tigers, Petrolia, and Archer City.
Archer City plays at Petrolia this week. If the Pirates win they are in, but if they lose they open the door for the Wildcats and Electra to nab the final spot.
Seymour/Windthorst Potential bi-district matchups: Lindsay (4-5) or Celeste (6-2).
Haskell/Petrolia/Electra/Archer City Potential bi-district matchups: Collinsville (7-1), Muenster (5-3) or Celeste (6-2)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Seymour
2. Windthorst
3. Haskell
4. Archer City
DISTRICT 4-1A DIVISION I
Knox City and Valley look like they’ll be the two playoff teams, with the winner of their matchup Thursday night taking the district championship.
Knox City/Valley Potential bi-district matchups: Springlake-Earth (5-3) or Kress (4-5)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Knox City
2. Valley
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I
Westbrook got past Hermleigh last week to stay on top with Ira. Those two meet in Ira this week, with the winner sitting alone in first place with a week to go.
Hermleigh and Highland still have a shot at the postseason as well.
The Cardinals can eliminate the Hornets with a win over them this week, while Highland can potentially earn the two-seed if they win and Ira loses both of their remaining games against Westbrook and Hermleigh. In that scenario, it would come down to points between 3-2 Hermleigh, Highland and Ira squads.
Hermleigh and Westbrook wins this week would set up a playoff to make the playoffs next week between the Cardinals and Ira.
Wesbrook/Ira/Hermleigh/Highland Potential bi-district matchups: Borden County (6-1) or Rankin (6-2)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Westbrook
2. Hermleigh
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION I
This one comes down to a three-horse race (Baird, Bryson and Gordon) for the two playoff spots from District 9.
Baird will challenge unbeaten and top-ranked Gordon for the district lead this week, and the winner will clinch a playoff spot.
With a loss, the Bears and Bryson would meet in a playoff game before the playoffs in Week 11 if Bryson wins at Gorman this week.
Baird/Bryson/Gordon Potential bi-district matchups: Union Hill (8-0), Saint Jo (4-4), Campell (2-6) or Savoy (3-5)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Gordon
2. Bryson
DISTRICT 14-1A DIVISION I
May hosts Jonesboro for the district championship this week. Both teams will be in the playoffs.
May/Jonesboro Potential bi-district matchups: Irion County (6-2), Robert Lee (7-2) or Veribest (8-1)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Jonesboro
2. May
DISTRICT 5-1A DIVISION II
Jayton continues to dominate and will most likely wrap up a perfect season and a district title with a win over Patton Springs in Week 11.
The Motley County at Aspermont game in that same week should decide the second playoff spot, but the Hornets will have to beat Guthrie at home this week to make that happen.
Jayton Potential bi-district matchups: Crowell (7-1) or Paducah (5-4)
Aspermont/Motley County Potential bi-district matchups: Benjamin (8-0)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Jayton
2. Motley County
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II
Benjamin is seemingly on cruise control to another district title, but will have to beat Crowell in Week 11 to make it happen.
Crowell visits Paducah this week, with the winner staying in the playoff race and the loser likely staying home.
Benjamin Potential bi-district matchups: Aspermont (5-3) or Motley County (4-4)
Crowell/Paducah Potential bi-district matchups: Jayton (9-0)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Benjamin
2. Crowell
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION II
Throckmorton is in control of District 7 and is well on its way to winning the district championship.
Woodson has the upper hand for the second playoff spot courtesy of a win over Rule and can wrap up the second playoff spot with a win at Lueders-Avoca Thursday.
The Bobcats have to hope for a Raiders upset win then pull off an upset win at Throckmorton in Week 11.
Throckmorton Potential bi-district matchups: Strawn (5-3) or Gold-Burg (6-2)
Woodson/Rule Potential bi-district matchups: Newcastle (7-1)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Throckmorton
2. Woodson
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION II
Loraine got past Blackwell last week and will likely end up as the district champion.
Blackwell faces Bronte this week, with the winner most likely grabbing second place and a trip to the postseason.
Loraine Potential bi-district matchups: Panther Creek (4-2) or Paint Rock (4-4)
Blackwell/Bronte Potential bi-district matchups: Rising Star (6-2)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Loraine
2. Blackwell
DISTRICT 14-1A DIVISION II
Rising Star hosts Panther Creek this week, and the winner probably will claim the district championship and avoid Loraine in the first round.
Panther Creek will visit Paint Rock in Week 11. If the Indians can get past Moran this week that game will decide the second playoff spot from District 14.
Rising Star Potential bi-district matchups: Blackwell (3-4) or Bronte (2-6)
Panther Creek/Paint Rock Potential bi-district matchups: Loraine (1-7)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Rising Star
2. Panther Creek
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II
Lots of intrigue over the final two weeks here.
Zephyr took a huge step towards the playoffs with a 21-20 win over Sidney next week and will sit back and watch the Eagles host Blanket this week.
A Tiger win would set up a district championship showdown for the second straight season between Blanket and Zephyr, but a Sidney victory keeps all three teams in the mix in Week 11.
Blanket/Sidney/Zephyr Potential bi-district matchups: Cherokee (6-1), Richland Springs (9-0) or Brookesmith (4-4)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Zephyr
2. Sidney
DISTRICT 16-1A DIVISION II
Richland Springs is headed towards a district championship as they visit winless Lohn this week and are off in Week 11.
Brookesmith can reach the playoffs with upset wins over Cherokee and Rochelle over the final two weeks.
Rochelle would need to beat Brookesmith in Week 11 and hope for very unlikely Cherokee losses to Brookesmith and Lohn to get in.
Cherokee/Richland Springs/Brookesmith/Rochelle Potential bi-district matchups: Blanket (5-3), Sidney (5-3), or Zephyr (7-2)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. Richland Springs
2. Cherokee
TAPPS 6-MAN DISTRICT 1 DIVISION II
Fort Worth Covenant Classical is headed towards the district title thanks to beating Abilene Christian last week.
Four teams per district make the playoffs in TAPPS D2, so the Panthers are good to go as the likely two-seed.
Denton Calvary, Keller Harvest, and Midland Trinity will duke it out over the final two weeks for the last two playoff spots.
Calvary has a tough road to the playoffs as they visit both FWCC and ACS over the next two weeks.
FWCC Potential bi-district matchups: Wylie Prep (4-4) or Dallas Lutheran (3-4)
ACS Potential bi-district matchups: Plano Coram Deo (5-2), Wylie Prep (4-4) or Dallas Lutheran (3-4)
Denton Calvery/Keller Harvest/Midland Trinity Potential bi-district matchups: Dallas Lakehill (7-0) or Lucas Christian (6-2)
Predicted Playoff Teams
1. FWCC
2. Abilene Christian
3. Midland Trinity
4. Keller Harvest
