District 6 in 5A Division 1 looks like it’s going to have a photo finish because five teams are battling it out for four playoff spots. Even after last week’s results, things are still very muddy for all five teams. Let’s look at each team to see what scenarios could happen.
REEDY LIONS (8-0, 6-0)
GAMES REMAINING
VS FRISCO HIGH
VS FISCO HERITAGE
BYE WEEK
Even though the Lions are undefeated, they still technically haven’t clinched a playoff spot. A win on Friday against Frisco High would get them in. Win out and they clinch the number one seed. However, if Reedy stumbles in either of these last two games, they could end up second or even third. A fourth or fifth place finish would be mathematically impossible since several of teams still in contention must play each other. Reedy also has the good fortune of the week 11 bye, giving them a week to rest up before the playoffs start. If Reedy hangs on to win the district, they’ll have a layup in the bi-district, but could end up facing state ranked Lancaster in the area round.
FRISCO HIGH RACOONS (6-1, 5-0)
GAMES REMAINING
VS FRISCO REEDY
VS FRISCO LONE STAR
VS FRISCO WAKELAND
The Raccoons have the full gauntlet to finish the season, facing all the playoff contenders in a four-week span. They passed their first test on Thursday, beating Frisco Heritage despite losing two of their best players after an ugly brawl. The Racoons likely get in due to the win over Heritage, but could finish anywhere from first to fifth based on these last three games. It’s simple math, win out and you’re the one seed, lose out and you’re likely the fourth seed or possibly out. After a soft early season schedule, the Racoons have their work cut out for them.
FRISCO HERITAGE COYOTES (6-2, 5-1)
GAMES REMAINING
BYE WEEK
VS FRISCO REEDY
VS FRISCO LONE STAR
The bye week couldn’t come at a better time for the Coyotes. Coming off their first district loss to Frisco, they need to get healthy at the quarterback position. QB Devan Calvin has missed the last two games, and the Coyotes have rotated three different players through the position. Calvin had been impressive prior to the injury including leading Heritage to a big win over Frisco Wakeland early in the season. With games looming against Reedy and Lone Star, the Coyotes need to figure it out quickly. They could still win the district if they win out and Frisco loses two games. They could also finish out of the playoffs if they lose out and Reedy, Lone Star and Wakeland win out.
FRISCO LONE STAR RANGERS (5-2, 3-2)
GAMES REMAINING
VS SHERMAN
VS FRISCO HIGH
VS FRISCO HERITAGE
Lone Star found themselves with their back against the wall, starting 0-2 in district, with losses to Reedy and Wakeland. The Rangers have rallied with three straight wins, and should make it four straight against Sherman on Friday. After losing their top two quarterbacks to injuries, third string QB Bennett Fryman has played lights out the last three weeks, accounting for 15 touchdowns. The Rangers are in a precarious situation. They really can’t afford another loss. If they win out, they could still win the district, but like the others on this list, they are one bad night away from a fifth seed.
FRISCO WAKELAND (4-3, 3-2)
GAMES REMAINING
VS LEBANON TRAIL
AT SHERMAN
VS FRISCO
Wakeland also got off to a tough start in district, losing to Heritage and Reedy, but they’ve won three straight, including a huge win over Lone Star that will be big in a head to head tie breaker scenario. The Wolverines should win the next two weeks, and that would allow them to clinch a playoff spot. Then they’d have a crucial week eleven game against Frisco to determine playoff positioning. The Wolverines offense has been explosive the last four weeks, scoring 176 points with a balanced attack. The Wolverines don’t want to be the fourth seed and possibly have to face Mansfield Timberview in the first round, so we’ll see what they’re made of in that Frisco game.
With all the teams so close, it wouldn’t be shocking if some type of tie breaker comes into play. For example…
Let’s say Frisco, Heritage and Wakeland all finish 6-2. That would mean Wakeland would beat Frisco in the finale, Frisco has already beaten Heritage and Heritage has already beaten Wakeland. Frisco beat Heritage by 3. Heritage beat Wakeland by 6. In this scenario, it comes down to margin of victory. Heritage has a net points of plus 3, winning by 6 and losing by 3. We can’t determine Frisco or Wakeland yet, as they haven’t played, but Wakeland would need to beat Frisco by 10 in order to jump Heritage. This would give them a plus 4. In this scenario, Frisco would have a minus 7.
Bottom line, there is a lot to be determined in these next three weeks, and one of these teams will find themselves on the outside looking in.
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