High school football's regular season comes to an end tonight in East Texas, and the playoff hopes for many area teams are still in limbo.
Class 4A will send four teams to the playoffs for the first time, while the remaining classifications will still send three.
Here's a breakdown of some notable area districts.
-- -- --
In District 14-4A, Lindale (8-1, 3-1) and Kilgore (7-2, 3-1) have clinched berths. The teams will tie for the district title with wins, but Lindale owns the tie-breaker by virtue of its 35-17 win over the Bulldogs.
All four remaining district members -- Whitehouse (6-3, 2-2), Nacogdoches (6-3, 2-2), Henderson (1-8, 1-3) and Jacksonville (2-7, 1-3) -- are still alive.
It could get complicated.
Perhaps the most muddled scenario: If Henderson and Jacksonville win, and Nacogdoches falls to Kilgore, there would be a four-way tie at 2-3.
Should that happen, Henderson and Nacogdoches would clinch the last two spots.
What each team needs to advance:
Whitehouse has to win. It would be eliminated with a loss.
Henderson needs to win and Jacksonville or Nacogdoches to lose.
Jacksonville needs to win, plus a Whitehouse win and Nacogdoches loss.
Nacogdoches just needs to win.-- -- --
In 14-3A, Eustace (5-4, 3-1) and Van (8-1, 4-0) have wrapped up berths. The only remaining spot will be taken by the winner between Canton (5-4, 2-2) and Kemp (4-5, 2-2).
-- -- --
In 17-3A, Gilmer (8-1, 4-0) and Chapel Hill (7-1, 3-1) are playoff bound.
Gladewater (6-3, 2-2) and Tatum (4-5, 2-2) are also in the fold, but this league could get complicated.
The craziest scenario would occur if Gladewater and Tatum lose, and Bullard is victorious. In this instance, the final spot would be determined by a plus-minus point system.
If all three teams sport 2-3 district records, Gladewater would be the district's final representative due to being plus-3 against Tatum and Bullard (3-6, 1-3). Bullard would be minus-1 and Tatum minus-2.
What each team needs to advance:
Gladewater would advance with a win and a Tatum loss. But the Bears would also advance with a loss, a Tatum loss and a Bullard win.
Tatum just needs to win or Chapel Hill to beat Gladewater.
-- -- --
In 20-3A, Palestine Westwood (6-3, 4-0) and Crockett (5-4, 3-1) are in.
Athens (5-4, 2-2), Brownsboro (5-4, 1-3) and Fairfield (3-6, 1-3) have lasted until the final week.
What each team needs to advance:
Athens just needs to win against Brownsboro.
Brownsboro needs a win and a Fairfield loss to Crockett.
Fairfield needs a win, a Brownsboro win and a Palestine loss.
-- -- --
In 13-2A, Lone Oak (9-0, 6-0) has clinched.
Caddo Mills (8-1, 5-1), Winnsboro (7-2, 5-1) and Quitman (4-5, 4-2) will compete for the final two spots tonight.
There could be a three-way tie if Winnsboro and Caddo Mills lose, which would lead to a tie-breaker between the teams. However, Quitman's 34-point loss to Caddo Mills could be detrimental in a plus-minus point system.
-- -- --
In 19-2A, Arp (8-0, 4-0) and West Rusk (8-1, 3-1) are in.
Frankston (5-4, 2-2) and Troup (3-6, 2-2) will duke it out for the final spot.
Should each team finish 3-2, West Rusk and Troup would advance. West Rusk would be a plus-11, Troup a minus-4 and Frankston a minus-7.
What each team needs to advance:
Frankston needs a win or a Troup loss.
Troup needs a win and a Frankston loss.-- -- --
In 17-1A, Maud (9-0, 4-0) has clinched.
Big Sandy (4-5, 3-1), Simms Bowie (6-3, 2-2) and Hawkins (3-6, 2-2) remain playoff eligible. If all three end up 3-2, Simms Bowie and Hawkins would get in.
What each team needs to advance:
Big Sandy needs a win or a loss by either Simms Bowie or Hawkins.
Hawkins needs a win or a loss by Simms Bowie.
Simms Bowie needs a win and a Hawkins loss.
By CLINT BUCKLEY And SHANE STARK
Staff Writers Tyler Morning Telegraph
