PLAINVIEW — Nobody expected coach Mitch McLemore’s squad to be in Friday’s Region I-4A Division I area round after back-to-back winless campaigns in 2016-17.

When the UIL’s biennial realignment came about in February, Big Spring was placed in a four-team district guaranteeing the Steers a playoff berth.

After wins over Sweetwater (33-7) and Pecos (39-20) in the first four weeks of the year, the Steers appeared to have turned a corner before losing six straight to end the year — including all three district games to enter the playoffs as the fourth seed out of District 2.

Then came the bi-district upset of District 1 champion Clint (28-22) and a matchup Friday against Hereford, an overtime winner last week against Springtown.

The Steers’ season came to an end Friday as the Herd knocked Big Spring off 57-13 at Bulldog Stadium.