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Things are clearing up (for the most part)
October 15, 2007Maybe I'm going out on a limb with this statement, but after the first week of district play (or three weeks, for some ones), I think I have a pretty good idea on who is going to make the playoffs.
And for three of the four main districts in the area, I'm ready to go out on a limb and tell you which teams have a date with the postseason.
I am not sure of what order, but Graham, Burkburnett and Vernon will go in 6-3A. I thought as much before last week, but wanted to see Iowa Park play first.
The Hawks play with such a thin margin for error that they cannot afford to have any turnovers. And they aren't a big-play threat on offense, either. I just don't think right now they can beat Graham or Vernon. And let's face it -- Hirschi is falling apart. No way the Huskies get in unless there is a magical turnaround.
Rider and Denton Ryan are easy 5-4A picks. The WFHS-Sherman winner is also in. It is that simple.
And after what we witnessed in the first week of District 9-A, how could one not agree that there is a separation between the top three and bottom three teams.
I am not sure which order Munday, Seymour and Windthorst will finish in, but I think they are the top three teams.
I am going to be frank here. Electra is a young, rebuilding team who is just looking to be competitive (they have only scored one TD all year), and I am afraid Petrolia - who probably had a better team last year and did not make the playoffs - can't beat those top three (they already lost to Munday).
So that leaves Archer City. Only problem is the Wildcats are really banged up (RB Blaine Willett is out for the year) and get the Moguls this week. That is the last team they want to play after being whipped by Seymour. It just sounds like it won't be their year.
Now we are down to 9-2A, the one district that I don't know what will happen. Here are the four teams I think have a good shot of making it, and where they stand:
Holliday (3-0): Must play Henrietta and Olney
Henrietta (3-0): Holliday and Nocona
Nocona (2-1): Olney and Henrietta
Olney (2-1): Nocona and Holliday
The winner of Holliday-Henrietta will be in first after this week and will make the playoffs (barring no upsets).
The winner of Olney-Nocona should make the playoffs, as long as they don't stumble along the way. And the loser most likely would need to win its other big game.
I can see this going one of many ways. If Holliday runs the table, which isn't a guarantee by any means, then Henrietta-Nocona could be for a playoff spot or possibly there could be a three-way tie for second and third (like last year).
There also could be a two-way tie for first and a two-way tie for third before it is all said and done. There are a number of possibilities.
But with two of the four biggest games remaining occurring this week, the 9-2A picture should be clearer in the next few days.
Posted by at 10:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
