Just one week remains in the Texas high school football regular season, and there is a lot on the line from district titles to playoff seeding.
For some teams, however, the playoffs will begin a week early. 29 games across Texas this week will see the winner advance to the playoffs and the loser eliminated from postseason contention.
Here is a look at every “win or go home” game across the state this week.
6A
District 1-6A: El Paso Coronado (3-6; 2-3 in district) at El Paso Eastlake (4-5; 2-3 in district)
Coronado is just one win away from its first playoff appearance since 2018. However, it won’t come easy against an Eastlake team that was the district champion a year ago.
It could well be a battle of the quarterbacks. Coronado’s Ben Wilson went a perfect eight-for-eight with 213 passing yards in the Thunderbirds’ win over Socorro last week. Eastlake’s Julian Williams leads the Falcons in both passing and rushing on the season. He racked up 143 yards and a touchdown in Eastlake’s 19-14 loss to Pebble Hills in the Falcons’ last game.
Eastlake won this matchup 42-28 in 2024.
District 7-6A: Richardson Berkner (5-3; 4-2 in district) at Richardson Pearce (4-5; 3-3 in district)
Berkner currently occupies the final playoff spot in District 7-6A, so Pearce is hoping to create a tiebreaker scenario on Friday.
Pearce started district 0-2, but the Mustangs have won three of their last four to get back into contention. Defense could be a decider in this one. Berkner has been stingy, giving up just 16.2 points per game, while Pearce allows just over 31 points per contest.
Berkner missed out on the playoffs a year ago, while Pearce made it for the first time in four seasons.
District 22-6A: Dobie (5-4; 4-3 in district) at Manvel (6-3; 5-2 in district)
Both Dobie and Manvel have proud playoff traditions. Dobie has made the postseason in each of the last seven years, while Manvel has punched a ticket in 14 of the last 15 seasons.
Someone will be sitting home on the couch next week. Both teams come into this game riding high. Dobie has won its last three, while Manvel is on a four-game win streak.
Manvel is coming off one of its strongest rushing performances of the season, racking up 347 yards in a 38-31 win over Dawson. Quarterback Cam Renfro and running backs Eric Mosley III and Kenneth Malone Hayes all eclipsed the century mark.
Dobie won this matchup 53-33 in 2o24.
District 31-6A: La Joya (4-5; 1-3 in district) at PSJA (1-8; 1-3 in district)
It took double overtime, but PSJA picked up its first win of the year last week in a 33-27 double overtime thriller over Edinburg North. La Joya had a nail-biter of its own last week, falling just short to Economedes 59-56.
Now, the winner of this one will get District 31-6A’s final playoff spot. Statistically, La Joya will be favored with its offense that averages 36.4 points per game. PSJA’s doesn’t quite have the same explosivness, putting up just under 15 points a contest.
If there’s one player to know, it’s La Joya running back Mauricio Mendoza. He rushed for 375 yards a week ago and has 1,748 yards now on the season.
La Joya hasn’t made the playoffs since 2022, while PSJA is a two-time defending district champion.
5A
District 2-5A Division I: Caprock (3-6; 2-3 in district) at Lubbock Monterey (4-5; 2-3 in district)
No one on Caprock’s football team has ever tasted the playoffs before. The Longhorns last made the postseason in 2021. Monterey, meanwhile, was a co-district champ in 2024.
The Plainsmen’s offense could be the difference in this one. They average 34.6 points per game, while Caprock puts up just 16 points per contest. The Longhorns have scored more than 34 points just once in nine games.
Monterey won this matchup 49-0 a year ago.
District 5-5A Division I: McKinney North (3-6; 3-4 in district) at Frisco (5-3; 4-3 in district)
McKinney North suffered a surprising 49-46 loss to Frisco Heritage a week ago, but in the whole scheme of things, it didn’t really matter. The Bulldogs were always going to have to beat Frisco to make the postseason this year.
Frisco is led by Cobyn Harbert at quarterback. He threw for 142 yards and two touchdowns last week in a loss to Reedy. McKinney North quarterback Brooks Nelson is coming off a strong showing himself as he torched Heritage for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Frisco won this matchup 43-29 last year, but McKinney North still finished a game above the Racoons to claim the final playoff spot.
District 15-5A Division I: Harlingen South (5-4; 4-3 in district) at Weslaco East (4-5; 4-3 in district)
Weslaco East hasn’t had a losing season since 2007. Harlingen South hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2020. Someone’s streak is coming to an end on Friday.
These two teams have a different way of getting after it. Weslaco East is going to look to ground and pound its way to victory with senior running back Elias Rodriguez (1,081 rushing yards) and junior Jay Herrera (659 rushing yards). Harlingen South’s offense is spearheaded by dual threat, playmaking quarterback Austen Shroyer (1,892 passing yards, 573 rushing yards).
Harlingen South won this matchup 42-23 in 2024.
District 3-5A Division II: Arlington Seguin (6-3; 4-3 in district) at Mansfield Summit (6-3; 5-2 in district)
Arlington Seguin kept its season alive with a 22-21 win over Everman before its bye week. Now, it will need to find a way to beat Mansfield Summit if it wants to make the playoffs for the second-straight season.
It will probably take some points to win this one. Summit averages 31.1 points per game while Arlington Seguin has scored on average over 36 points per contest.
Summit is looking to get back to the postseason after missing out last year for the first time since 2018. Arlington Seguin beat the Jaguars 36-28 a year ago.
District 15-5A Division II: Alice (1-8; 0-3 in district) at Roma (4-5; 0-3 in district)
A five team district means either Alice or Roma is going to both win their first district game of the year and clinch a playoff spot on Friday.
Roma last won on October 3, while Alice’s lone win came back on September 18 over PSJA.
Roma’s junior running back Ruben Garcia Jr. will be the difference maker to watch. He has 1,261 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns on the season.
Roma missed out on the playoffs a year ago, while Alice is a two-time defending district champion.
4A
District 6-4A Division I: Lake Worth (1-8; 1-3 in district) at Carrollton Ranchview (3-5; 1-3 in district)
Both Lake Worth and Ranchview’s lone district win came against Life Waxahachie. Ranchview beat them 35-12 last week. Lake Worth’s 54-7 victory came back on October 10.
Both teams will look to get after it through the air. Lake Worth junior quarterback Lucas Davis has 1,844 passing yards and 11 touchdowns this season, while Ranchview is led by junior quarterback Rushil Allada. He has 1,917 passing yards and 25 touchdowns this season.
These two programs have been on different trajectories recently. Ranchview made the playoffs last year for the first time since 2019, while Lake Worth missed the postseason in 2024 for the first time in 13 years.
District 16-4A Division I: Pharr Valley View (1-8; 0-3 in district) at Hidalgo Early College (0-9; 0-3 in district)
Hidago and Valley View may have one win between them this year, but all that matters is what happens across 48 minutes this Friday night.
These two enter the week tied for fourth in their five team district. It was the same exact situation a year ago, and Hidalgo won that meeting 28-14 to make the playoffs.
The Pirates will look to do that again on their home turf this season. Valley View, meanwhile, is seeking to its second playoff berth in three years.
District 2-4A Division II: Borger (0-9; 0-3 in district) at Perryton (3-6; 0-3 in district)
Another five team district means another meeting of 0-3 teams will decide a playoff spot. Borger has an uphill climb. The Bulldogs have been outscored 185-39 in district play. Perryton has been a lot more competitive, scoring 108 points in its three district games. However, its defense has allowed at least 53 points in all three district losses.
If Perryton is to win, qjarterback Cooper Ryan Schilling will likely play a big role. Not only has he thrown for 2,258 yards and 22 touchdowns, he also leads Perryton with 780 rushing yards on the season.
Perryton defeated Borger 41-7 in 2024.
District 3-4A Division II: Burkburnett (1-8; 1-3 in district) at Mineral Wells (3-6; 1-3 in district)
Burkburnett picked up its first win of the season last week with a 42-25 victory over Bridgeport. Quarterback Brody Boyd was slinging it, finishing with 296 yards and four touchdowns. Now, the Bulldogs are just one more win away from their first playoff berth in two years.
Mineral Wells nearly had its spot locked up last week, but came up just short to Eagle Mountain 35-30. The Rams are aiming for back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2020-21.
A year ago, Mineral Wells knocked off Burkburnett 27-17 in the season finale.
District 6-4A Division II: Ferris (3-6; 1-3 in district) at Wills Point (3-6; 1-3 in district)
Both Ferris and Wills Point have had their lone district wins come against Kemp. Ferris knocked off the Yellowjackets 42-0 last Friday, while Wills Point beat them 36-7 two weeks ago.
Now, these two will battle for fourth for the second-straight year. Last season’s showdown delivered as Ferris edged Wills Point in a 42-40 thriller.
This time around, Wills Point is gunning for just its second playoff appearance in the last five years. Ferris, meanwhile, has missed the playoffs just once since 2017.
District 7-4A Division II: Spring Hill (2-7; 1-3 in district) at Pittsburg (6-3; 2-2 in district)
Pittsburg is in the midst of its winningest season since 2018. Now, the Pirates just need one more win to punch their first ticket to the playoffs in three years. Senior quarterback Kord Johnson has been their leader this year with 1,216 passing yards, 364 rushing yards, and 20 total touchdowns.
On the other sideline, Spring Hill has won just one of its last seven games. They lost to Gilmer 55-28 last Friday. The Panther defense will need to rally on Friday as it has been allowing over 48 points per game. If Spring Hill can win, the Panthers will earn their third-straight playoff berth.
Spring Hill did win this game a year ago in a blowout 45-7.
3A
District 8-3A Division I: Jefferson (5-4; 2-3 in district) at Tatum (3-6; 2-3 in district)
Tatum barely kept its playoff hopes alive last week with 1 50-49 overtime win against White Oak. However, scoring might be tougher this Friday against a Jefferson defense that only allows 17.2 points per game.
The Bulldogs lost to Liberty-Eylau 35-12 last Friday, but their other two district losses were by just eight combined points.
Friday will see someone stuck with an earlier end to the season than they are used to. Tatum has made the playoffs the past five years, while Jefferson hasn’t missed the postseason since 2020.
District 13-3A Division I: Universal City Randolph (3-6; 1-3 in district) at Luling (1-7; 1-3 in district)
Luling will need to find another gear on Friday. The Eagles knocked off Florence 17-6 two weeks ago, but they haven’t scored in any of their other three district losses.
Randolph’s lone district win also came against Florence. The Ro-Hawks smoked them 55-8 last week. Quarterback Cody Howard had four touchdowns in the first half, two through the air and two on the ground.
Randolph has made the playoffs the last eight years, while Luling hasn’t been dancing since 2022.
District 16-3A Division I: San Diego (3-6; 3-3 in district) at Lyford (6-3; 3-3 in district)
Both San Diego and Lyford have some confidence coming into this week. Lyford just punted Progreso 66-0 while San Diego edged Falfurrias 34-32 last week.
For San Diego, junior quarterback Francisco Villagran had his best game of the year in that win with 179 passing yards and two touchdowns.
This one should be a dogfight. Both programs have proud traditions. San Diego has made the playoffs every year since 2017, while Lyford’s streak dates all the way back to 2014.
San Diego knocked off Lyford 36-19 in this matchup a year ago.
District 9-3A Division II: Prairiland (4-5; 2-3 in district) at Harmony (3-6; 2-3 in district)
Will Friday be the night Prairiland snaps a nine-year playoff drought or can 
Harmony make the playoffs for the 11th-straight year?
They have pretty similar resumes. All three of their losses were by at least two scores against Edgewood, Lone Oak, and Grand Saline. They’ve both beaten Quitman and Chisum. Prairiland beat Chisum by a wider margin, while Harmony had a bigger win against Quitman.
All signs point to a great game this Friday. It was a close one a year ago too as Harmony edged Prairiland 27-21 for one of the final playoff spots.
2A
District 9-2A Division I: Como-Pickton (5-4; 2-3 in district) at Bogota Rivercrest (3-6; 2-3 in district)
Como-Pickton and Rivercrest each had a win over Quinlan Boles in their last game. Como-Pickton picked up a 34-18 victory before its bye week, while Rivercrest barely beat the Hornets 31-28 last week.
This year has been a huge deal for Como-Pickton no matter what happens on Friday. After three-straight one win campaigns, the Eagles have already had their winningest season since 2017. Now, they’re hoping to soar to their first postseason appearance since 2020.
Rivercrest went 8-3 last season, which included a 34-6 win over Como-Pickton.
District 14-2A Division I: Johnson City (4-5; 1-3 in district) at Harper (4-5; 1-3 in district)
Neither Johnson City or Harper have a ton of momentum heading into this week. Johnson City has lost its last two games, while Harper has dropped its last three.
The good news is whoever wins on Friday can put those struggles behind them. Both teams are looking for their first playoff berth in two years.
A year ago, Johnson City defended its home turf with a 31-14 win over Harper.
District 1-2A Division II: Vega (3-6; 0-3 in district) at Bovina (2-5; 0-3 in district)
Both Vega and Bovina will be looking to kickstart their offenses on Friday night. Bovina has scored just 26 points in its three district games. Vega has put up just 19.
These two teams had this exact same scenario a year ago, and Bovina won a 12-7 slugfest to punch a ticket to the playoffs.
Vega has already had its winningest season in three years. Despite their struggles in district this season, both programs have been pretty consistent over the years. Vega has made the playoffs in 14 of the past 15 seasons, while Bovina has punched a ticket in eight of the past nine years.
District 9-2A Division II: Simms Bowie (2-7; 2-3 in district) at Detroit (4-4; 3-2 in district)
Detroit’s first playoff berth in five years is within reach. The Eagles have won back-to-back games over Linden-Kildare and Clarksville to set themselves up nicely for Friday. They already have reached their most wins in a season since 2020.
On the other sideline, Simms Bowie has been a playoff regular. The Pirates have made the postseason in each of the past seven years. They drilled Linden-Kildare 56-16 last week to keep their hopes of playoff football alive.
Last year, the Pirates beat Detroit 42-22 to decide one of the final playoff spots.
1A
District 6-1A Division I: Northside (7-1; 2-1 in district) at Perrin-Whitt (6-3; 1-2 in district)
Northside bringing in head coach Derek Schlieve has been a home run hire. He has the Indians just one win away from their first playoff berth since 2013. The seven wins Northside has on the year are already its most in a season since that 2013 season.
Perrin-Whitt has a nearly six-year drought itself. That 2019 season is the only time the Pirates have made the playoffs since dropping down to six-man football in 2018.
Expect Perrin-Whitt to be extra motivated. The Pirates originally made the playoffs last year with a win on the field over Northside, but had to forfeit that game and their playoff position due to playing an ineligible player.
District 7-1A Division I: Hermleigh (6-3; 3-1 in district) at Westbrook (7-2; 3-1 in district)
Westbrook and Hermleigh are regarded as top 20 teams in the state, but someone is missing the playoffs thanks to their district of doom.
Westbrook made a run to the state quarterfinals in 2024 and hasn’t missed the playoffs since 2019. Hermleigh has won at least six games the past three seasons, but the Cardinals haven’t made the playoffs since 2021.
Westbrook won this matchup 75-46 in 2024.
District 12-1A Division I: Apple Springs (4-4; 0-1 in district) at Burkeville (2-5; 0-1 in district)
With High Island forfeiting its district schedule, Burkeville and Apple Springs will meet on Friday for the district’s final playoff spot. Both teams were 45’d by Chester in their lone district game. Apple Springs lost 66-0 and Burkeville fell 59-0.
Burkeville won this matchup 75-28 a year ago to make the playoffs in just its third year of six-man football. Apple Springs is searching for its first postseason appearance in two years.
District 8-1A Division II: Aspermont (8-1; 2-1 in district) at Paint Creek (8-1; 2-1 in district)
Paint Creek and Aspermont have just two losses between them, but the cruel reality is one of them will be sitting at home next week.
Both of Aspermont’s wins in district play have come by mercy rule, while Paint Creek 45’d Rule and beat Lueders-Avoca by 38.
Aspermont 45’d Paint Creek a year ago, and will be a heavy favorite on Friday. However, if Paint Creek can find a way to pull the upset, it would be the Pirates’ first playoff berth in 30 years.
District 12-1A Division II: Mount Calm (7-2; 1-1 in district) at Bynum (2-7; 1-1 in district)
It’ll be a battle of the sophomore backs on Friday as Mount Calm battles Bynum for the final playoff spot. Trey Walker had just six carries in Mount Calm’s 62-12 win over Trinidad last week, but racked up 138 yards and three touchdowns. He now has 25 rushing touchdowns on the year. Bynum will lean on Anthony Arango. He’s rushed for 586 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024.
This game was well worth the price of admission a year ago. Bynum edged Mount Calm 55-52 to claim the district’s final playoff spot. If Mount Calm can get revenge on Friday, it would be the Panthers’ first playoff berth in four years.
District 15-1A Division II: Panther Creek (5-4; 2-1 in district) at Rochelle (3-6; 2-1 in district)
Panther Creek is just happy to be back playing football this year. The Panthers had to forfeit their district games a year ago.
Now, they’ll look to complete the ultimate turnaround by making the playoffs for the first time in three years. It won’t be easy against a Rochelle team that went dancing last year. The Hornets have momentum too. They have won three of their last four games.
These two last met on the field all the way back in 2018 with Panther Creek winning 55-6.
