FREDDY GONZALEZ | Staff Writer
With the end of the regular season on the horizon, it can only mean it’s time for one thing: mathematics.
High school football coaches and assistant coaches from across the country are busy analyzing statistics and prognosticating playoff scenarios that may help there respective schools earn a highly coveted postseason birth.
STILL IN THE PICTURE: In District 16-4A DI, last year’s district champs Kingsville King has taken control of this years district title march. After beating La Feria 19-14 last week, only Grulla and Hidalgo stand between the Brahmas and repeating.
With a record of 6-2, 2-1, the Lions are at least assured a playoff spot, but La Feria can claim a second seed with a victory over Zapata (6-2, 1-1) this week. However, the Hawks can do the same if they can manage to win their remaining two games (La Feria, Hidalgo).
All eyes will be on Grulla and Hidalgo to see if one of them can pull an upset.
PHOTO FINISH: In District 16-4A DII, it’s a fight to the finish.
A return to the win column also meant a return to the RGV Sports’ top 10 poll for the Port Isabel Tarpons. After defeating West Oso 42-24 the Tarpons moved back into the poll after a loss to Rio Hondo saw them crash out.
With two colossal games left, Port Isabel will have the opportunity to capture a share of the district title if they can manage to win out.
But that’s easier said than done.
This week the Tarpons travel to Orange Grove and take on a team few opponents have been able to decipher let alone stop.
Rio Hondo (6-2, 2-1) and Raymondville (5-3, 2-1) meet up for an enticing matchup that will have seeding implications. The Bobcats sit in second place in the district standings after losing a heartbreaker to Orange Grove last week. A victory for Rio Hondo could assure them a second-place finish with Progreso (1-7, 0-3) rounding out the season.
For the Bearkats a victory would push them into the second spot, with a huge game against Port Isabel to finish out the season.
However, Port Isabel could do everybody a favor by knocking off Orange Grove, thus busting the district title race wide open.
TWO GAMES TO GO: In District 16-3A DI, San Diego (6-2, 3-0) sits atop the district standings after beating Aransas Pass 23-21 last week. The Vaqueros can claim the district title by winning out.
However, there’s a three-way tie for the second seed with Aransas Pass (4-4, 2-1), Santa Rosa (5-3, 2-1), and Lyford (3-5, 2-1) all waiting for San Diego to slip up.
INJURY BUG: In District 16-2A DI, Santa Maria has gone through a rough spell as of late. The Cougars (3-5, 0-3) have lost six players to injuries in recent weeks.
“It’s very difficult to replace six young men, four of which go both ways, especially at a smaller school where we only have 30 players on the team,” said Santa Maria head coach Mark Aguero. “We have called upon several young players to step up and perform the duties of those that have been injured.”
The district title however remains pretty clear. Three Rivers has taken control of the district race with a record of 8-0, 3-0 and travel to Santa Maria this week followed by Riviera Kaufer (6-2, 2-1) the next.
La Villa (2-6, 1-2) is tied with Corpus Christi London (6-2, 1-2) for the fourth and final playoff spot, and will face second place Ben Bolt (6-2- 2-1) this week followed by Santa Maria the next.