Cowboy's Six-Shooter — Looking ahead to the six-man playoffs

Photo by Brandi Parks

The final week of the regular season is behind us. Most teams are putting away their pads and preparing to hit the hardwood. The teams still playing know every game could be there last, so mistakes will be critical. Due to the importance of all games this coming week, I'm looking forward to this week's matchups. 1. Veribest defeated Water Valley in a 105-60 shootout. The win earned them second place in district, and their first playoff berth in school history. 2. On a muddy home field, Avalon earned their first district championship with an upset win over Blum. With a 28-22 score, Blum made a valiant attempt to score as time expired but were stopped inches short of the goal line. We're going to forgo the usual final six thoughts and instead break down each first-round game of the Class 1A playoffs! 1A Division IRegion IHappy vs. Anton - The Cowboys are undefeated, and I don't see Anton changing that. Meadow vs. Paducah - Meadow was solid in week 1, and they have improved. The Broncos will be too much for Paducah to handle. Knox City vs. Ropes -I'm picking Ropes in this one, but Knox City has the ability to pull an upset. Nazareth vs White Deer -The Bucks have proven they can put a lot of points on the board, but their defense is suspect. Nazareth wins in a high scoring game Region II Borden County vs Sterling City - Both are top 10 teams, but Borden County will win big - and possibly end it at halftime. Veribest vs Buena Vista -Veribest's first playoff run ends in round one. Buena Vista's talent and playoff experience gets them the win. Santa Anna vs Marfa -Santa Anna wins this one, and sends Marfa home by mid-3rd quarter. Garden City vs Ira -Two top 10 teams with big game experience should make for a good game, but Garden City slowly pulls ahead and wins by 16+. Region III Zephyr vs Medina -Medina won their first district title since returning to six-man, but they haven't faced a team of Zephyr's caliber. Zephyr gets an easy win. May vs Bryson - May has proven that an established program doesn't need flashy players. The Tigers will still be undefeated when this game is over. Newcastle vs Gorman - Newcastle is doing better than I expected, while Gorman hasn't lived up to expectations. Plan for a barn-burner with Gorman getting a last minute win. Jonesboro vs Lometa - Jonesboro is the Division 1 East powerhouse this year, so this is a very bad match for Lometa. Jonesboro ends it at the half. Region IV Avalon vs Coolidge -This will come down to who wants it more. Although Coolidge appears to have a talent advantage, I think desire will give Avalon the win. Tioga vs Leverett's Chapel - Tioga has done better against mutual opponents, but Leverett's Chapel seems to be peaking at the right time. Leverett's gets the win. Union Hill vs Savoy - Union Hill wins this one without breaking a sweat. Simply put, Savoy doesn't have the talent to compete. Abbott vs Blum - Abbott has won the last three meetings with Blum, including a narrow week 4 victory. Both teams are hungry for another win, but Abbott's program wins out in the end. 1A Division I Region IFollett vs Groom -This isn't a good match up for Groom. Follett wins big. Amherst vs Motley County - The Matadors are good, but not good enough to beat Amherst. The Bulldogs will be 11-0 after this one. Petersburg vs Whitharral - The Buffs will be too much for Whitharral. Petersburg gets a decisive win. Valley vs Lefors - Lefors has had a good season, but Valley will come out on top. Region IIBalmorhea vs Dawson -Dawson has had a good season, but Balmorhea is better than any team they have faced. The Bears easily win this one. Loraine vs Jayton -This should be one of the most competitive games in round one, and could go either way. I'm going with the underdog Jayton. Guthrie vs Highland -Guthrie has all players healthy again, and I believe they will be more than Highland can handle. Sands vs Grandfalls-Royalty -A nail-biter with Sands coming out on top. Region IIICrowell vs Rule -Crowell's passing game is probably the best in six-man, and Rule won't be able to shut it down. Crowell continues their winning ways and moves on to the second round. Strawn vs Brookesmith -Possibly the worst matchup of round 1, Strawn gets an easy win. Panther Creek vs Moran -These teams are so closely matched that picking a winner is tough. I'm going with Panther Creek, but won't be surprised if Moran wins. Chillicothe vs Aspermont -Chillicothe will put up a fight, but comes up short. Aspermont wins and moves on to the next round. Region IVRichland Springs vs Walnut Springs - Richland Springs is a fundamentally sound machine, and should win this with ease. Milford vs Oglesby -Oglesby is solid this year, but they are no match for the Bulldogs. Milford wins the right to face Richland Springs in round two. Calvert vs Oakwood -Both teams are offensively strong, but their defenses are inconsistent. Calvert wins, but triple digit scores are possible for both teams. Iredell vs Cherokee -Cherokee has low numbers and a lot of heart, but Iredell's offense will be too much for them. The Dragons will move on. Cowboy's Top 5DIVISION I 1. Happy 2. Jonesboro 3. Borden County 4. Garden City 5. May DIVISION II 1. Richland Springs 2. Balmorhea 3. Calvert 4. Valley 5. Crowell