There is no shortage of playoff football games for schools in the KOXE listening area. Derrick Stuckly of Brownwoodnews.com previews the games below.
Class A Division II Region IV Bi-District
Brookesmith (7-2) vs. Cherokee (7-3)
6:30 p.m. Thursday at Zephyr
After securing their first district title since 1985, the 15-A Division II champion Brookesmith Mustangs now set their sights on their first postseason victory since 1955 as they tangle with the District 16-A Division II runner-up Cherokee Indians.
The Mustangs are producing 47 points and 285 yards – 236 rushing and 49 passing – per game.
Thursday’s winner will face either District 13 champion Calvert (7-2) or District 14 runner up Dime Box (5-2) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 4-point underdog.
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Class 2A Division I Region I Bi-District
Goldthwaite (3-7) vs. Hawley (8-2)
7 p.m. Thursday at Brownwood
A wild finish propelled the Goldthwaite Eagles past De Leon, 47-43, last week and into the playoffs for the first time since 2017, representing District 4-2A Division I as the fourth seed after Coleman had to cancel its season due to COVID. Awaiting in the bi-district round are the District 3-2A Division I champion Hawley Bearcats.
In order to reach the playoffs, Goldthwaite’s Aaron Anzua scored on an 18-yard run in the closing seconds after the Eagles forced a De Leon fumble as the Bearcats attempted to run out the clock.
Hawley enters the contest averaging 32 points and 340 yards – 196 rushing and 144 passing – per game, while giving up 18 points. The only blemishes on the Bearcats’ record came at the hands of Bangs (39-15) and Hamlin (35-6).
Thursday’s winner will face either District 2 runner-up Sundown (8-2) or District 1 third seed Farwell (7-3) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 31-point underdog.
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Class A Division II Region IV Bi-District
#5 Richland Springs (8-0) vs. Blanket (7-3)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Zephyr
The Class A Division II No. 5 Richland Springs Coyotes’ run at a repeat and 10th state championship overall kicks into high gear Friday night with a postseason opener against the District 15-A Division II runner-up Blanket Tigers.
District 16 champion Richland Springs, which last played on Oct. 23, is averaging 60 points and 312 yards – 203 rushing and 109 passing – per game, with seven turnovers.
Blanket enters the contest averaging 42 points and 300 yards – 229 rushing and 71 passing – per game.
Friday’s winner will face either District 14 champion Oglesby (9-1) or District 13 runner up Oakwood (5-3) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
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Class A Division I Region IV Bi-District
#4 May (9-1) vs. Irion County (9-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Robert Lee
The Class A Division I No. 4 May Tigers, coming off a fifth straight district championship, are shooting for their first state appearance since 2014, but a tough playoff road awaits. First up for the District 13 champion is District 14 runner-up Irion County.
The Tigers enter the playoffs averaging 58 points and 316 yards per game – 220 rushing and 96 passing.
Irion County’s only blemish on its schedule was a 62-16 loss to No. 10 Water Valley. The Hornets – who average 58 points per game and give up 23 – have defeated Panther Creek (54-0), Robert Lee (67-8), Fort Davis (51-6), Grandfalls-Royalty (52-6), Cherokee (73-28), Paint Rock (56-6), Veribest (57-8), and Eden (78-52).
Friday’s winner will face either District 15 champion Jonesboro (9-1) or District 16 runner up Nueces Canyon (4-5) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Class 3A Division II Region II Bi-District
Comanche (8-2) vs. Wichita Falls City View (6-4)
7 p.m. Friday at Joshua
The Comanche Indians, the third seed from District 5-3A Division II, look to avenge last year’s season-ending one-point playoff loss to District 6 third seed Wichita Falls City View Friday night.
Comanche enters the playoffs generating 27 points and 322 yards – 250 rushing and 72 passing – per game, while allowing 12 points on average. The Indians have also recorded 19 takeaways – including 15 interceptions – and 22 sacks.
City View is averaging 32 points per game, while giving up 20 per outing.
Friday’s winner will face either District 7 champion Palmer (9-1) or District 8 fourth seed Leonard (5-4) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 10-point favorite.
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Class 2A Division I Region I Bi-District
San Saba (7-2) vs. Forsan (5-4)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Wall
The San Saba Armadillos will attempt to rebound from a surprisingly one-sided loss to Cisco in the District 4-2A Division I finale and begin another deep postseason run as they tangle with Forsan Friday night.
San Saba, the District 4 runner-up, averages 35 points and 439 yards – 290 rushing and 149 passing – per game, while giving up 13 points per contest with three shutouts.
The Forsan Buffaloes average 25 points and surrender 17 per outing.
Victories have come against Stanton (27-6), McCamey (31-30 in OT), Colorado City (43-6), Haskell (56-14), and Stamford (42-14), with losses to Coahoma (15-13), Post (39-7), Anson (27-23), and Hawley (14-8).
Friday’s winner will face either District 1 champion Panhandle (7-2) or District 2 fourth seed Hale Center (6-4) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 20-point favorite.
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Class 2A Division II Region II Bi-District
Cross Plains (8-2) vs. Petrolia (6-3)
7 p.m. Friday at Breckenridge
The Cross Plains Buffaloes picked up their first on-the-field victory in more than a month last week as they pummeled Meridian, 57-0, to secure the No. 2 playoff berth from District 8-2A Division II. Next up is an opening-round playoff showdown with the District 7 third seed Petroila Pirates.
Petrolia has produced 21 points per game while allowing 22 points on average this season. The Pirates generate 329 yards – 216 rushing and 113 passing – per outing.
Friday’s winner will face either District 5 champion Hamlin (9-0) or District 6 fourth seed Olney (5-4) in the second round of the playoffs.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 13-point favorite.