Week Nine Preview: Postseason Berths at Stake
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
EAST TEXAS – This is what it all comes down to. After the hot and miserable conditions of August, the 2019 UIL football season only has one week left after Friday. Some teams – like the Grapeland Sandies – have already wrapped up at least a share of the district title. Others – like the Elkhart Elks – are fighting for a shot at the playoffs.
Grapeland Sandies (7-1, 4-0) vs. Woodlands Christian Academy (8-0) – The Grapeland Sandies will hit the road on Friday as they take on the Woodlands Christian Academy Warriors in a non-district matchup.
The Sandies are coming off of a District 12-2A victory over the Lovelady Lions which clinched at least a share of the District Championship. This is a tough game for the Sandies as they want to stay sharp heading into the playoffs but they also want to stay healthy coming out of a non-district game.
The Warriors are 8-0 on the season and have scored an average of 50 points a game while giving up less than nine on defense. This should be an interesting game to watch but in the end, the Sandies speed should secure the victory.
Elkhart Elks (5-3, 2-2) vs. Crockett Bulldogs (5-2, 2-1) – This should be a good game as the Elks travel to Monte Jack Driskell Stadium to take on Crockett. The Elks are coming off of a 48-0 loss to the Diboll Lumberjacks but are still in hopes of securing a third seed heading into the playoffs.
It will be Homecoming for Crockett which should give the Bulldogs enough of an edge to pull out the game. The Bulldogs won a big game last Friday against the Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans and are still in the running for a shot at the District Championship.
Size-wise, the Bulldogs and Elks are fairly well matched but the Crockett speed should allow the Bulldogs to pick up the win this Friday.
West Hardin Oilers (4-4, 2-1) vs. Lovelady Lions (3-4, 2-1) – The West Hardin Oilers will make the journey to Lovelady on Friday night for a crucial game against the Lions. The Lions and Oilers are both 2-1 in district and looking up at the Grapeland Sandies.
A win puts you on the inside track for the second seed coming out of District 12-2A, while a loss might drop you down to the fourth seed.
The Lions should pick up the W but look for a closer game than expected.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
