James Bowie in pivotal game

CLARKSVILLE, Texas—A showdown is imminent.

James Bowie (5-3, 3-0) takes on Clarksville (4-4, 3-0) in a battle of District 10-2A, Div. II unbeatens today at 7:30 p.m. at New Century Club Field.

“Clarksville is athletic and have a lot of speed,” Pirates’ coach Eddy May said. “Coach Dewaski Davis does a good job of getting them prepared. They have a good offensive scheme, the spread, and that is a good match with their kids. It’s going to be a tough game.”

The winner of the game will be in sole possession of first place in the district with a 4-0 record and will be the district champion. Veteran coach May is well focused on the challenge.

“Defensively, we have to contain their speed and tackle well,” May said. “If they aren’t able to run off on us, I think we’ll be fine defensively. On the offensive side, we are going to try to control the football and win the time of possession battle. We need to limit our penalties and turnovers.”

The Pirates play Overton (2-6, 0-3) in its last district game of the year next week, while Clarksville will face Mount Enterprise (5-3, 2-1). James Bowie powered past Mount Enterprise, 56-13, on Oct. 12.

Coach May, the team and the staff have been brainstorming about the district games since before the football season started.

“When the season started, I wrote our five district games on the board,” May said. “We talked about each game and what we would have to do to win each of them. The kids have bought in and responded. We had a big win last week against Maud; that was a big rivalry game. In district, we have to be able to control and move the football, and we have done that.

“It’s all about the kids and what they have done to get to this point. We tell our kids if we win, we will win district, but we know Coach Davis is telling his kids the same thing. I think it will come down to the fourth quarter, and the teams that makes the fewest mistakes will win the game.”