SIX-MAN LOOKAHEAD: Winner-take-all clash between Hermleigh, Westbrook headlines strong Week 11 slate

We’ve reached the final week of the regular season, and there are still district races and playoff spots to be decided.

That means we’ll see a number of games this week with postseason urgency, including our headlining matchup from District 7-1A Division I between Hermleigh and Westbrook.  

As we do this time every week, it’s time to take a peak at all of this week’s biggest and most meaningful matchups in our “Six-Man Lookahead” column. We hope you enjoy this preview of Week 11 action and encourage you to check out our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page for more information on your favorite team(s).

GAME OF THE WEEK

• Hermleigh (6-3, 3-1) at Westbrook (7-2, 3-1) — Our top game of the week is a winner-take-all matchup for the second playoff spot out of District 7-1A DI. Both of these teams lost to district champion Ira — Westbrook by a 56-34 margin in Week 8 and Hermleigh in a 68-62 nailbiter last week — so there’s no path to the playoffs without a victory in this high-stakes regular-season finale. The Wildcats, who are paced by Caleb Browne, Shawn Salazar and Trent Henderson, are considered a slight favorite here. But the Zaylan Delce-led Cardinals won’t be the least bit intimidated having already shared the field this season with DI No. 2 Water Valley, DII No. 1 Jayton and DI No. 10 Ira. Expect fireworks in this one.

OTHER TOP MATCHUPS

• Vernon Northside (7-1, 2-1) at Perrin-Whitt (6-3, 1-2) — Like our Game of the Week, this a “for all the marbles” matchup for two teams that are hoping to join Newcastle in the playoffs out of District 6-1A DI. Both teams have already lost to the district champion Bobcats, who will look to finish a perfect run through league play against Bryson this week, and need a win here to claim the league’s second seed. Perrin-Whitt has an extra loss in district play after being upset by Knox City last week. But that setback won’t cost the Pirates, as a win this week would still earn them a playoff spot by virtue of a tie for second place in the standings and a head-to-head tiebreaker over the Indians. The computer power rating services are split as to who the favorite is in this game, which often means we’re in for four quarters of competitive action.
• Blackwell (3-6, 2-1) at Trent (6-3, 1-2) — While Bronte has already locked up the championship in District 6-1A DII, this game will help decide the No. 2 playoff seed in that league. If Blackwell wins, it’s simple. the Hornets are headed to the playoffs. But if Trent wins, it would create a three-way tie for second between BHS, Loraine and the Gorillas, putting the district’s tiebreaker rules into play. Blackwell is a comfortable favorite here, and Trent is reeling after back-to-back losses to Loraine and Bronte. But the Gorillas are in the midst of a resurgent season and would like nothing more than to extend it with a big win.
• Zephyr (8-1, 3-0) at Gustine (6-2, 2-1) — With a win in hand over Blanket, Zephyr has already locked up at least a share of the District 13-1A DII championship. But the Bulldogs still need a win here to officially secure their playoff spot. A Gustine upset would likely create a three-way logjam atop the district standings between the Tigers, Blanket and Zephyr, creating chaos in one of the area’s most fun six-man leagues. The Bulldogs, who are led by Chayden Woodcock, are favored by multiple scores and likely don’t have any interest in seeing such chaos play out. But the they’ll have to play well to put away the Tigers, who come in on a two-game winning streak with victories in four of their last five games.
• Abilene Christian (7-2, 2-1) at Fort Worth Covenant Classical (5-3, 2-1) — Any time these two teams meet, you know you’re going to get both teams’ best effort. As a result, this series routinely yields thrilling — and often unexpected — outcomes. This year, these two are playing for second place rather than a district championship, as Crowley Nazarene Christian has already locked up the TAPPS Division II District 1 crown with wins over both of these teams. And even though the Panthers and Cavaliers both know they’re playoff bound (three teams per district advance in TAPPS), neither wants to cede an inch to the other it what has become one of the area’s best six-man rivalries. Covenant Classical comes in as the favorite, but that hasn’t meant much in this series’ history.

UNDER THE RADAR

While the sections above are meant highlight the week’s biggest, most meaningful and/or most high-profile matchups, here we’re looking for competitive games that might not draw the same level of attention. Here are some matchups we’re keeping an eye on:

• Roby (5-4, 1-3) at Rotan (2-7, 0-4)  — Any time a rivalry series has a name, you know it’s a good — and heated — one. While this year’s Fisher County War may not have any playoff implications riding on its outcome, fans can expect a fun experience any time these two teams meet.
• Irion County (2-7, 1-2) at Veribest (2-7, 1-2) — Both of these teams have had disappointing seasons, but they should end it with a competitive battle for third place in District 8-1A DI. 
• Mullin (1-8, 0-3) vs. Priddy (1-8, 0-3) — These two teams’ seasons have mirrored each other’s in a lot of ways. And while neither is happy with their record, the winner here can take some positive momentum into the offseason. 

PREDICTIONS

• LAST WEEK: 24-3, .889
• SEASON TOTAL: 237-39, .859

NEWCASTLE (6-2, 3-0) at Bryson (5-4, 1-2)

VERNON NORTHSIDE (7-1, 2-1) at Perrin-Whitt (6-3, 1-2)

HERMLEIGH (6-3, 3-1) at Westbrook (7-2, 3-1)

Highland (3-6, 1-3) at IRA (7-2, 4-0)

ROBY (5-4, 1-3) at Rotan (2-7, 0-4) 

Irion County (2-7, 1-2) at VERIBEST (2-7, 1-2)

Paint Rock (3-6, 0-3) at WATER VALLEY (9-0, 3-0)

Gorman (4-5, 3-0) at GORDON (8-0, 3-0)

Lingleville (0-8, 0-3) at RANGER (3-6, 0-3)

MAY (8-1, 2-0) at Jonesboro (4-5, 2-0)

Santa Anna (3-6, 0-2) at LOMETA (4-5, 0-2)

BLACKWELL (3-6, 2-1) at Trent (6-3, 1-2)

BRONTE (6-3, 3-0) at Olfen (0-9, 0-3)

BENJAMIN (7-0, 3-0) at Harrold (5-4, 1-2)

CHILLICOTHE (6-3, 1-2) at Crowell (0-9, 0-3)

Paint Creek (7-2) at ASPERMONT (8-1, 2-1)

RULE (0-8, 0-3) at Lueders-Avoca (1-7, 0-3)

THROCKMORTON (1-8, 0-2) at Moran (0-7, 0-2)

STRAWN (8-1, 2-0) at Woodson (2-7, 2-0)

BLUFF DALE (8-1, 3-0) at Kopperl (6-3, 1-2)

THREE WAY (8-1, 2-1) at Morgan (3-6, 0-3)

BLANKET (7-2, 2-1) at Sidney (2-7, 0-3)

ZEPHYR (8-1, 3-0) at Gustine (6-2, 2-1)

MULLIN (1-8, 0-3) vs. Priddy (1-8, 0-3)

RICHLAND SPRINGS (7-1, 3-0) at Lohn (3-6, 0-3)

Panther Creek (5-4, 2-1) at ROCHELLE (3-6, 2-1)

Abilene Christian (7-2, 2-1) at FORT WORTH COVENANT CLASSICAL (5-3, 2-1)

IDLE: Knox City (2-8), Robert Lee (9-1), Baird (3-7), Loraine (2-8), Guthrie (7-2), Jayton (10-0), Rising Star (5-5), Brookesmith (4-6)