Week 10 Preview
Playoff Preparation
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
EAST TEXAS – The final two weeks of the regular season should be interesting. Some teams will the final two weeks to fine tune areas that need work. Some will play not to get anyone injured heading into the playoffs and some will still be battling it out for a shot at the postseason.
Grapeland Sandies (7-2, 4-0) vs. West Hardin Oilers (4-5, 2-2) – The Grapeland Sandies have already locked up the district championship and will be looking to make quick work of the Oilers. Last week’s loss against a tough Woodlands Christian Academy team exposed some areas the Sandies need to work on, but mainly Grapeland will be trying to avoid any injuries in their last game of the regular season.
The Oilers are also in the postseason but will be entering the playoffs as the fourth seed. They will be playing for pride and a shot at getting to .500 on the season.
Look for the Sandies to win by 30+ and to have the starters on the bench after the first half.
Crockett Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1) vs. Westwood Panthers (2-6, 1-3) – The Crockett Bulldogs secured a playoff spot last week with the win over Elkhart and still have a shot at a district championship, if everything breaks just so.
If the Bulldogs beat Westwood and then turn around and beats Franklin and if Franklin beats Diboll this week, there will be a three way tie for first place.
First things first, however. Crockett was forced to go to the ground because of weather conditions against the Elks last week but should be able to air it out against the Panthers.
That’s bad news for Westwood as the Bulldogs should be able to pick up an easy win and put the starters on the bench by the midway point of the third quarter.
Lovelady Lions (4-4, 3-1) – BYE
Coldspring-Oakhurst Trojans (3-4, 1-3) vs. Elkhart Elks (5-4, 2-3) – For the Elks, it’s simple. Win and they’re in. Elkhart has had a bounce back season this year and should be able to take care of Coldspring.
The Elks have two major plusses on their side. The first is the game is at home. The second is it has been a few years since Elkhart made it to the postseason in football so the team should be fired up.
There is one big question headed into the game and that’s the status of Elkhart QB Cade Starr. Starr was injured in last week’s game against Crockett and his status for the Coldspring game is questionable.
If Starr can’t go, the Elks should still win but the game will be closer than expected.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
