Week 10 matchups to help sort out playoff picture
With two weeks left in the regular season, the playoff picture is starting to take shape.
But with four teams advancing to the postseason from most area districts, many schools and fan bases still have rooting interests. Don’t be surprised to see many situations next week in which three teams are vying for one spot, or four are fighting it out for two.
Here are some of the more intriguing districts and their outlooks heading into Week 10: 15-6A
Despite a three-headed monster atop the standings, only Klein Collins (5-0) is locked into a playoff spot. Spring (4-1), which faces the Tigers on Saturday, and Westfield (3-2) are in good shape, though.
In all, six teams are mathematically in the hunt. Montgomery, Klein Oak and Klein are all 2-3, but the Bears are in the best position to claim that fourth spot. If Montgomery beats Klein Oak this week, it will own wins over the Panthers and Klein. 17-6A
A 10-team district means at least one playoff spot will come down to the last week. That’s the case in Cy-Fair ISD, where five teams are vying for three spots. Cypress Ranch (7-0) already is in.
Cypress Creek (6-1) and Cy Falls (5-2) are in with wins or a Cypress Woods loss (a Cy-Fair loss also puts Cy Creek in the playoffs). However, Cy Creek ends the year against Cy Falls and Cy Ranch. That easily could leave the Cougars with three 17-6A losses, but they do own wins over Cy Woods (4-3) and Langham Creek (3-4). 19-6A
Katy (5-0), Cinco Ranch (5-0) and Strake Jesuit (4-1) are in.
For the second week in a row, Morton Ranch (23) is part of the district’s noteworthy game. If the Mavericks beat Katy Taylor, a complicated playoff picture comes down to a Week 11 matchup between Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes. The winner claims the fourth spot.
A Katy Taylor (1-4) win keeps alive both teams plus Tompkins (2-3) and Seven Lakes (1-4). 21-6A
North Shore (4-0) and La Porte (4-0) are in and play for the league title Friday.
Based on upcoming opponents, the rest of the district has almost sorted itself out. Port Arthur Memorial (1-3) needs to win out against West Brook (32) and North Shore and also have Channelview (2-2) lose to both winless Baytown Sterling and La Porte. 19-5A
First place will be decided Thursday between Magnolia West (5-0) and Stratford (5-0), while Magnolia (4-1) is in good shape.
That leaves five teams — even winless Spring Woods is mathematically alive — vying for one spot. Tomball Memorial (2-3) is in the best position, ending the year against Spring Woods (0-5) and rival Tomball (1-4). Waller (2-3) draws Brenham (1-4) this week but likely need help, as its season finale is against Stratford. 20-5A
Yates (3-2) hasn’t missed the playoffs since 1976, which is the state’s longest streak. But the Lions go into Week 10 with work to do. They’re just ahead of Waltrip (2-3) but lost to the Rams 26-0 earlier in the year and would lose out in a head-to-head situation.
It could come down to the schedule. Yates ends the year with Sharpstown (4-1) and Madison (4-1), who both trail first-place North Forest (5-0). Waltrip ends with Austin (1-4) and winless Lee. 23-5A
A four-team tie for fourth place is definitely possible, which then would come down to point differential before getting to head-to-head scenarios.
Galveston Ball (2-3) controls its fate if the Tors can win out over Fort Bend Marshall (1-4) and Bush (23). Ball already has bounced Willowridge (2-3).
Willowridge beat Bush, but only by two points, if that tiebreaker comes into play. The Eagles take on Ridge Point (4-1) before ending against Fort Bend Marshall.