Playoff Football Preview!

YESSIRRRRRRRR! IT’S PLAYOFF FOOTBALL BABY! <strong>Everything</strong> is turned up a notch during this time: the players, the practices, the atmosphere, the stakes! I love every moment of it! And there are some good matchups in Round 1 alone! Unlike baseball and basketball, there is no "multi-game series" in football. <em>Win or Go Home</em>! That is the mindset for <em>every</em> single player and coach across American right now! One costly play can/will end a team’s season. There have been upsets in the past, and I expect to see a couple throughout this years playoffs. Some of the best high school players are playing in these games this week. And some have played their last down until next season. There have already been a couple of close games so far, and I’m just sending this article out on Saturday! In a competitive sport of any kind, with winners, unfortunately means there are losers. Some of these young men will go on to play in college, earning awards and other accolades, and potentially play in the NFL or other professional teams! Others will not have that luxury. The cold truth for most of these guys: they will not get to strap on a helmet again. That’s the <em>only </em>downside of playoff football, and it is a hard downside to accept initially. Here are a couple of games I’m looking forward to! <strong>Shadow Creek (9-2) v Clear Creek (3-8)</strong> Now I know what your guys are thinking: 1. How is there a team with a losing record in the playoffs? B. Why would you have this game as one to highlight Tee? Well I’ll tell you dear readers. They were the 4th team in their District, <em>earning</em> that spot in the playoffs! Clear Creek has been a feisty team all season, losing some fairly close games. Remember when I said when I said there could be upset? Well (and no shade to the Kings football team) I have a feeling Clear Creek will make it a closer game than people think. In no way, shape, or form guaranteeing a Wildcats win, I just believe you should not sleep on them <strong>Update: Shadow Creek 45, Clear Creek 38</strong> WHAT I SAY??? I CALLED IT! Clear Creek made it a competitive game! Heavily considered underdogs, they almost pulled out a victory. Each player should hold their heads up high! Great game and season to the Wildcats! I hope they can return next season better and more energized than ever! <strong>Dawson (8-3) v Clear Falls (9-2)</strong> Here’s a game I can admittedly say makes more sense. Two teams who have not lost much this season. Both are run heavy squads who want to punish the defense. Lead by Bryce Burgess (So) (Dawson) and David Smith (Jr) (Falls), both non-seniors, have an opportunity to run their team all the way to state! <strong>Update: Dawson 35, Clear Falls 31</strong> Another close one, Falls gave it their all but came up short. Good luck to Dawson for the rest of the playoffs, and best wishes to the coaches, fans, and players of Clear Falls! <strong>St. Pius X (5-5) v Prestonwood Christian (6-4)</strong> I had to put my alma mater on my list of games I’m excited for! It’s been a couple of years since Pius has been to the championship and it’s about time we...I mean <em>they </em>(<em>stay professional Tee</em>)...dominate again! Prestonwood is a good team that thrives in the passing game. Junior [player_tooltip player_id="121949" first="Maguire" last="Martin"] has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards and 22 touchdowns! The Panthers have struggled against the pass all season. Prestonwood will look to attack a struggling Panther’s defense and advance to the next round, Good luck to the both squads...but more good luck to SPX (<em>you’re doing it again Tee!</em>)! <strong>Lamar (7-3) v Cy-Fair (7-3)</strong> When you’re consistently one of the best teams in your district, you tend to face one another in the playoffs. Well that’s happening here. Lamar and Cy-Fair have seen plenty of one another and could probably tell you the trainer’s spouses’ cousin’s best friend’s name! Lamar does not have any a player that is head and shoulders above his teammates, but they do have great weapons to spread the ball to! Cy-Fair is a talented bunch that flat out plays solid football. I expect senior Landon Arrington to make a couples plays in the running and passing game. Best of luck to both schools! <strong>Update: Cy-Fair 16, Lamar 14</strong> Lamar v. Cy-Fair was the first game my colleague and I attended, so be on the lookout for my <em>Stand Out Players of the Game</em> article dropping Tuesday! I’m excited to watch more games and I’m excited for the players. Good luck young men, continue to play with passion, energy, and toughness! &nbsp;