The Race Is On

One year ago at this time, PSJA North was in the midst of an undefeated run through District 31-5A. Just goes to show what a difference a year makes.

The Raiders are 2-3 in league play after last week’s 23-7 home loss to Edinburg North (3-2) and need to defeat Harlingen High (3-2) on Friday night at Boggus Stadium to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Harlingen South (5-0) and PSJA High (4-1) already have clinched playoff berths, while Edinburg North secures one with a win against PSJA Memorial (1-4) on Friday.

The PSJA North at Harlingen contest essentially sets up as a playoff game. Harlingen is in with a win. PSJA North, meanwhile, needs to defeat the Cardinals then beat Edinburg High in Week 10. But if Edinburg North should lose either of its final two games against PSJA Memorial or Edinburg Economedes and there’s a three-way tie between Edinburg North, PSJA North and Harlingen, PSJA North will have to defeat Harlingen High by at least 12 points Friday.

The most likely scenario has Harlingen South, PSJA High and Edinburg North in the playoffs along with the winner of the PSJA North at Harlingen game.

30-5A playoff outlook

With their ugly 7-3 win last Saturday, the McAllen High Bulldogs (6-3, 4-1) clinched a spot in the state playoffs. They joined the Donna Redskins (6-2, 4-0), who clinched two weeks ago when they beat McAllen Rowe, as the only District 30-5A teams assured a spot in the playoff party.

That could change this weekend.

By beating rival Rio Grande City, the La Joya Coyotes (4-4, 3-1) would assure themselves a berth in the playoffs. After starting the season 1-3, coach Leonel Casas and his Coyotes have won three of four district games, most recently a thrilling 26-21 comeback win over Sharyland.

Clinching a playoff berth Friday would be a positive cap to one of the stranger stories of the season. On Monday, it was reported Casas’ car was vandalized by seven La Joya students, including five former players. Casas, though, isn’t saying much about how that story is affecting his team.

Other than La Joya, the Sharyland Rattlers (5-3, 2-2) can also gain a spot in the playoffs. Their scenario, however, is a little bit more complicated than La Joya’s 2007 playoff situation.

If the Sharyland Rattlers beat Rowe, Sharyland will get to 3-2 and send Rowe down to 1-4. A Sharyland win, combined with an RGC (1-3) loss clinches a spot for Fred Sanchez’s team. If RGC and Rowe lose while Sharyland wins, the best the RGC Rattlers and Warriors can do is finish 2-4 in district play, while Sharyland’s worst possible finish is 3-3. Sharyland also would own the tiebreaker over both, having defeated RGC and Rowe earlier this season.

Memorial (0-5) is mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.