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:
Palestine at Fairfield
The Fairfield Eagles appear to be the epitome of "What you see is what you get." What they want to do is run the football, and they make no effort to hide that. They plan to run in, most of the time between the tackles. To illustrate that point, their quarterback attempted four passes last week against Westwood, but the team ran for almost 450 yards. Palestine has been a little better stopping the run than the pass this season, and the Eagles physical style plays directly into the Wildcats strength in the middle of their defense. But, Fairfield is undefeated for a reason, and from here on out I'm afraid all Wildcat fans have to look forward to is ending on a solid note, basketball and the promise for 2011.
Fairfield 31, Palestine 24
Westwood at Groesbeck
Much like the above game, what Groesbeck does well is the exact thing that Westwood is decent at stopping on defense. The rushing attack has killed the Panthers all season long, but after their defensive secondary got torched by Chapel Hill, Westwood has been better as a pass defense. Well, Groesbeck wants to air it out and it'll be up to that secondary to make the stops. Offensively, Westwood has to get back to racking up the kind of yards they compiled in early parts of the season, and will try to do it while rotating quarterbacks. Not always a good combination.
Groesbeck 43, Westwood 17
Elkhart at Crockett
After falling to Teague in a heartbreaker, the Elkhart Elks have to find a way to pick themselves back up and travel to Crockett to take on what might be the best team in the district. The Elkhart playoff hopes took a hit last Friday, but they are far from eliminated from playoff contention, and a victory tonight would do big things for that cause. Crockett brings a talented offense to the table, and it'll be up to Elkhart's vaunted defense to make the necessary stops. The question is, is the Elk defense good enough?
Crockett 38, Elkhart 21
Frankston at Joaquin
After the Indians worst loss of the season to No. 7 West Rusk, Frankston now has to bounce back. Winning out guarantees the Indians the No. 2-seed out of their district, while a slip up could seriously derail playoff chances. But, coach Sam Wells seems to think that his team will respond the right way from last Friday's blowout loss, and right the ship heading toward the finish line.
Frankston 42, Joaquin 13
Cross Roads at Cayuga
It's homecoming in Cayuga and the Wildcats will also be receiving their Lone Star Cup from the UIL. With a matchup with top-10 team Kerens on the horizon next week, the Wildcats are primed for a game that sees them looking ahead rather then directly on the field. But, don't expect that to happen, not with Cross Roads coming in to town. If it were any other team there might be cause to worry, but as coach Greg Jenkins put it, they've never had to tell a kid to get up for the Cross Roads game.
Cayuga 44, Cross Roads 14
Grapeland at Garrison
Congratulations Grapeland, after winning your first district game and boosting playoff hopes, you get rewarded by travelling to Garrison, home of 1A's No. 10-ranked team. The Sandies have been playing well of late, and Garrison has won both of its playoff games by one point each, including opening week against the very Timpson team Grapeland beat last week, but the Bulldogs are ranked for a reason. This one should be close, but being on the road really dampers the Sandies chances
Garrison 24, Grapeland 20
Apple Springs at Oakwood
Expect the scoreboard operator in Oakwood to be plenty tired when its all said and done tonight. Apple Springs averages more than 60 points a game, while Oakwood coach Mike Heckathorn thinks his team is the more athletic of the two. Should be lots of fun for anyone that likes points, and it just may come down to who has the ball last. But, I expect the Panthers to make a stop or two along with way.
Oakwood 64, Apple Springs 51
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