There’s good news and bad news for the Wylie football team heading into Friday’s home matchup against fifth-ranked Lubbock Cooper.

The good news: The Bulldogs still control their playoff destiny.

The bad news: They’ve lost all margin for error.

If Wylie is to reach the playoffs, its best — and perhaps only — path is through the Pirates this week and the Plainview Bulldogs in their District 3-5A Division II finale next Friday. With wins over both, coach Clay Martin’s Bulldogs will reach the postseason for the second consecutive season. With losses to either, they’ll very likely miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.

With those circumstances accepted and the stakes known, the Wylie players and coaches are treating each game as though the playoffs have already begun. And while the challenge before them is a steep one, they’re determined to tackle it head on.