Time to push for the playoffs

After a week that saw only Oakwood hit the field for some Friday night action, all seven teams return to field tonight from the Dogwood Circle.

What makes tonight even more special is that for everyone except the Panthers of Oakwood, district play begins tonight. As I said in last Sunday's column, start winning now and no one will remember or care what happened in the first half of the season.

So, without further adieu, let's get to the games.

Palestine at Groesbeck
The Wildcats enter this game with a completely different look now that Caleb Cargill has taken over under center for Kenny Green. While Green did an admirable thing by offering to play quarterback for PHS when no one else stood out, his talent at both wide reciever and cornerback or better suited to help the Wildcats win. In Cargill, Palestine has a player who seems to be full of confidence and can throw the ball a mile. But, he's also a freshman. Luckily he got some solid reps in during the PHS loss to Athens before the bye week, meaning that his first snaps won't be on the road in a district game. Groesbeck comes in with a 3-2 mark and a high-powered passing game, but I think the QB move rejuvenates the Wildcats and kicks them into a new gear.
PHS 31, Groesbeck 24

Madisonville at Westwood
The Panthers desperately need a win to help instill some confidence in the team. While the players felt really good after the heartbreaking loss to Rusk, nothing feels quite like a win. Lucky for Westwood, the schedule makers did them a favor with Madisonville, a 1-4 team that can't seem to score very many points. If the Westwood defense, which has been shaky at times this year, can hold a time or two, the Panther's high-powered attack should be able to take over.
WHS 46, Madisonville 21

Elkhart at Trinity
While the Elks headed into the bye week with a loss AND face off against a 4-1 Trinity team this week, things aren't near as dire as they may seem for Elkhart fans. For instance, according to coach John Adair the Elks played well in the first half in the Mildred loss, only to see that play fade down the stretch. Second, Trinity doesn't really score, which plays into the Elkhart defense's hands. The strength of this EHS club, I look for them to make a difference tonight.
EHS 17, Trinity 10

Arp at Frankston
The tough road through a tough district begins tonight for Frankston, and expect a tired scoreboard operator when it's all said and done between the Indians and Arp. Both teams like to move the ball up and down the field, and I'm  not sure if either defense can consistently make stops. This one may come down to who gets the ball last, but I'll take my chances with the first of Allen, Allen and Coleman for the Indians.
FHS 45, Arp 38

Riesel at Cayuga
If you're reading this, not planning on attending a game yet for whatever reason, do two things for me. First, finish reading. Thanks. Then, get up, get ready and head on out to Cayuga to watch the Wildcats take on the Riesel Indians. Get there early and enjoy the Fox Sports Southwest Road Tour's interactive village, then watch an uber-important game for District 8-A. With four teams currently at 4-1 or better, and only three playoff spots, this could be the strongest district in the state.
Cayuga 28, Riesel 19

Grapeland at Shelbyville
The good news for the Sandies is that the bye week came at a perfect time, and let quarterback Cameron Boyd heal up in time for the district opener. Even without Boyd, the Sandies went the distance and then some against Buffalo, a 2A team with playoff aspirations. But, Shelbyville isn't an easy to place to go and play, and while Boyd has been great for the Sandies, it's the defense the last three or four weeks that worries me.
Shelbyville 27, Grapeland 14

Karnack at Oakwood
Last time Oakwood lost, they came out the next game and lambasted Bloomburg, 60-13. That spells trouble for the 0-4 Wildcats, who give up an average of 62 points per game this season. It's homecoming in Oakwood, and the crowd should see a good one, and perhaps go home early.
Oakwood 63, Karnack 12

Returning to the rivalry conversation between the two schools here in Palestine, blog reader D. Carter added his idea to reader C.X.'s "Holy City Rivalry." D. thinks we should go with the "Dogwood Circle Rivalry", or some form of that. I'm telling you, I could go for the "Dogwood Duel."

What do you guys think?

Remember, check out the scores at www.fridaynightcentral.com after the games, and check back here occasionally tonight to see how Palestine is fairing in Groesbeck.