Final Week Drama: What's at Stake for Pineywoods Football Teams?

We are down to the final week of the regular season for high school football, but there's still a lot to be decided when it comes to the playoffs. Here's a look at what's at stake for over 20 area football teams in the Pineywoods

Lufkin Panthers

The Pack has a record of 4-3 in District 9-5A (Div I). If Lufkin wins Friday night at La Porte, they'll advance into the playoffs as the 3rd-place team. La Porte is undefeated in district and ranked #10 in the state. If Lufkin loses, it's likely that 4 teams will be tied for 3rd (Lufkin, Westbrook, Goose Creek, and either United or Sterling). The district will then implement tie-breaking rules to determine which 2 of the 4 teams will advance to the playoffs.

Rusk Eagles

Rusk and Van will do battle this Friday for the final playoff spot of District 9-4A (Div II). Whoever wins Friday night in Van will be the district's 4th-place team.

Diboll Lumberjacks/Trinity Tigers

Diboll is undefeated in District 9-3A (Div I) and playing some impressive football. They can clinch the outright championship with a home win this Friday against Westwood. A loss will likely cause a 3-way tie for the district title between Diboll, Westwood, and Fairfield. In this case, the district's tiebreaking metrics will determine the playoff seedings of those teams. The Trinity Tigers have already earned a playoff berth (4th). If they upset Fairfield on Friday, the Tigers could jump into a tie for 2nd or 3rd.

Woodville Eagles/Newton Eagles

District 12-3A (Div II) will likely end up in a 3-way tie for the championship. Under the points-based tie-breaker system, Newton would get the top playoff seed, followed by New Waverly and Hardin. Woodville gets into the playoffs as the 4th seed unless they upset Newton on Friday night; then Woodville goes in as the 3rd seed.

San Augustine/Shelbyville/Garrison/Joaquin/Timpson

District 12-2A (Div I) is one of the state's toughest 2A leagues. Let's start simple -- San Augustine vs. Shelbyville this Friday is for the championship. The winner gets the trophy; the loser gets the number 2 seed in the playoffs. If both Garrison and Joaquin win on Friday, the Bulldogs get the 3 seed, and the Rams get the 4 seed. If Timpson upsets Garrison, then Timpson, Garrison, and Joaquin are tied for 3rd, and the district's point-differential tie-breaker system would decide which two teams make the playoffs.

West Sabine Tigers/Colmesneil Bulldogs

This one's easy. Whoever wins the showdown on Friday is the champ of District 12-2A (Div II), the loser will get the number 2 seed into the playoffs.

Cushing Bearkats/Tenaha Tigers/Grapeland Sandies

Overton, Cushing, Grapeland, and Tenaha are all going to the playoffs from District 11-2A (Div II). The Tigers will go as the 4th-place team. If Overton defeats Cushing and Grapeland defeats Mt. Enterprise, the Bearkats will finish 3rd in the district, and Grapeland 2nd. An upset victory by Cushing would create a 3-way tie for the district title.

Lovelady Lions/Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs/Groveton Indians

We know that Leon, Lovelady, and Corrigan-Camden have secured playoff berths, but there are still a number of scenarios in play. This Friday, predictions show that Lovelady should win over Corrigan-Camden, Leon should beat Groveton, and Centerville should win handily over Iola. If that all happens, Leon and Lovelady will be co-champs (Leon getting the number-one playoff seed), Corrigan-Camden gets the third seed, and Centerville gets the 4th seed.

If Leon loses and Lovelady wins, then Lovelady wins the title and Leon and Corrigan-Camden tie for second, with Leon getting the 2nd seed. Groveton would tie with Centerville for 4th, but Groveton would advance due to its win over the Tigers.

If Leon loses and Corrigan-Camden wins, then Corrigan-Camden wins district and Lovelady and Leon tie for second, with Leon getting the 2nd seed. Once again, Groveton advances in a 4th-place tie with Centerville.

If Leon wins and Corrigan-Camden wins, then those two will be co-champs, with Leon getting the #1 seed. The Lions would be 3rd and Centerville 4th.

Chester Yellowjackets

With last Friday's loss to #1 Union Hill, the Yellowjackets face a must-win game against Leverett's Chapel to make the playoffs as the #2 seed (only two teams advance to the playoffs in Class A football).