If the Eastland Mavericks are to keep their current streak of nine straight playoff berths alive, they’ll have to negotiate a minefield to get there.

A combination of graduation losses and a difficult realignment have placed the Mavs in the unusual position of facing uncertainty.

With a modest 11 of 22 positions occupied by returning starters and only 12 lettermen to choose from, a young Eastland group will need to wade through the new District 3-3A Division I to get a playoff spot.

That’s easier said than done in a league featuring perennial power Wall (12-1), a Breckenridge team expected to be its best in years, and rapidly improving groups from Jim Ned, Clyde and Early.