A bountiful feast for Scurry County football fans is coming Friday with the Snyder Tigers seeking to finalize their postseason plans and the District 7-1A Division I shootout between the Hermleigh Cardinals and Ira Bulldogs.
The Tigers are still alive and kicking for a postseason berth, even after last week’s 42-7 loss at Wylie. It’s one of those games that a team must forget quickly as it moves forward.
Snyder can clinch a playoff spot with a victory over Brownwood and earn the district’s No. 2 seed. The Tigers also would become postseason bound with a loss and a Wylie win over Big Spring.
With an open date on the final Friday night, Snyder fans will be able to keep an eye on the final district match-ups before learning the team’s playoff seed. The opponent will come from District 4-4A Division I.
Snyder may be playing less than 100 percent against the Lions. Defensive lineman Luis Cruz, the team’s third-leading tackler, left Friday’s game with a concussion and most likely will not play. Running back Jaden Zamora, who leads the Tigers in rushing, sat out last week’s game with a sprained ankle and is listed as questionable.
Head coach James Polk said after Friday’s game that Logan Tate remains the starting quarterback. Tate didn’t play during the second half, a move Polk said was a coaching decision.
If you plan to attend the Hermleigh-Ira game at Bulldog Stadium, it might be a good idea to arrive early. The game will decide the district champion and the district’s No. 1 seed for the playoffs.
The Cardinals have won seven in a row since their season-opening loss to Rockwell Heritage Christian Academy. Ira has won all eight of its games this season and leads the all-time series 23-16.
Hermleigh took the first step to the playoffs with last week’s 54-8 victory at Highland. Ira started the district schedule with a 46-0 shutout of Westbrook.
Remember 2008 when all three county teams qualified for the playoffs? I do and that will raise area football to a higher level if it occurs again this year. Depending on the outcomes, we may know Friday night.
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Three District 2-4A volleyball teams are among the Top 25 squads in the latest Texas Girls Coaches Association poll.
Levelland, which clinched at least a share of the district championship, is No. 12. Snyder, currently in third place in the district, is ranked No. 21. Fourth place Big Spring, which trails the Lady Tigers by one game, is No. 18. Sweetwater, which is one game ahead of Snyder and in second place, is unranked.
The regular season will conclude today with the Lady Tigers playing at Levelland, Big Spring hosting Sweetwater and Lamesa at Lubbock Estacado.
Larry McCarty is the sports editor of the Snyder Daily News. He may be contacted at mccarty@snyderdailynews.com. Results of local teams and breaking news will be posted on the Snyder Daily News Facebook page.