State semifinal time

It's over. Cayuga falls, 28-26, in Game 3 and drop the match, 3-0.
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We're headed to extra points. Molly Griffey just hit an ace to give Cayuga an edge, 25-24.
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Wink has stormed back. Thanks to two Cayuga ball outs and an ace, Wink now trails by only one at 22-21 in Game 3.
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Wink just hit its third-straight ball out and Cayuga leads 22-17
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Cayuga was up by as many as five points at 17-12, but Wink has clawed back in and now Cayuga leads, 18-15. Timeout Cayuga.
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Taylor Wagner just smashed a kill off of a Molly Griffey set, and the Cats now lead Game 3 14-10. Time out Wink.

UPDATE: Volleyball playoff clarification

Apparently, I've gotten the playoff scenario wrong for District 20-3A's playoff situation, which will be resolved tonight and tomorrow in Fairfield.

Tonight, Palestine and Fairfield play for the chance to play Saturday. The winner of tonight's game moves on to Saturday at 3 p.m. to play Westwood for the district's second-place spot. The loser of the 3 p.m. match then moves on to play the loser of tonight's match for third place.

Sorry for the confusion, I just had the scenario re-explained to me today. I was under the impression that the loser of tonight's match is done. Not the case.

Where's the Cayuga love?

So, as I do every Tuesday when I get in from my weekend, I pulled up the Associated Press Top-10 High School poll today. And, as has been the case for the past nine weeks, there are still no local teams ranked. The closest thing to it is Cayuga, who's currently listed at No. 12 in 1A under the 'Others receiving votes' headings.

Which leads me to this question: What do the 'Cats have to do to crack the top-10?

Undefeated? Check.
Defending state champions? Check
Comparable schedule to other ranked teams? Check.

For instance, to keep it relatively local, let's compare Cayuga's schedule to Garrison, the No. 10 team in the poll, also at 8-0.

Pre-game notes

Both Terrance Simon and Ryan Pardue are in uniform tonight. With Fairfield's downhill style Pardue could play a huge role in a Wildcat win.
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Playoffs begin tonight in Fairfield, Groesbeck

While the actual postseason for Texas High School football is still almost a month away, it starts in all earnest tonight for both teams residing inside the Palestine city limits.

Needless to say, both the Palestine Wildcats and Westwood Panthers have had disappointing seasons in 2010 that once began with promise, but all that can be forgotten--at least for a week--with victories tonight.

The situation is a little complicated, but it boils down to this: Both teams have to win to keep hope alive. Now, winning out doesn't guarantee anything for either team, but losing even a single game from here forward officially ends the playoff dream.

Now, lets get to some predictions:

Cats lead at the half

Despite having some big-time players out due to injuries, Palestine leads Mexia, 24-19, at the half here at Wildcat Stadium. Kenny Green has run for two touchdowns to lead the Wildcats.

Across town, Westwood trails Fairfield, 35-0, while Cayuga led Rice at the half, 28-3.
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Big players out tonight

Ryan Pardue and Terrance Simon are both in street close as the game nears kickoff
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This is football weather

It can't be more than 65 degrees here on the field at Wildcat Stadium. Great weather for football, which is set to kick off in less than 14 minutes.

Also, things have gotten under way in Arlington, with Rangers taking on the New York Yankees in the ALCS. My pick: Texas in 7

Let's play ball.
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Do or die time in Palestine

With a couple of big games on the outskirts of the Dogwood Circe this week, things are a little more desperate inside the Palestine city limits, where both teams are looking to avoid 0-2 district holes. It won't get easier for either, as Palestine welcomes in preseason district favorite Mexia, while Westwood and new head coach Roger Mays host undefeated and unchallenged Fairfield.

Speaking of the outskirts, the Dogwood Circle Game of the Week has to be in Frankston, where the Indians (4-2, 1-0) welcome in the No. 7-ranked West Rusk Raiders (6-0, 1-0). Odds are, this ones for the district title.

In Elkhart, playoff positioning may very well be on the line when the Elks take on Teague. With a win, Elkhart will own wins over both the Lions and Trinity, the two other teams who seem to be able to fight for that third spot. Unfortunately for everyone in that district not Malakoff or Crockett, it seems third place is all that there is left to fight for.

Now, on to the predictions:

Halftimes abound

Here in Groesbeck, a late touchdown pass from Caleb Cargill to Kenny Green from five yards out cut the Goat lead in half headed into the locker room with PHS trailing, 14-7.

In Palestine, Madisonville jumped o Westwood early and often to the tune of a 29-0 Mustang lead.

In Cayuga, the Wildcats lead Riesel by a smidge, 7-6.
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