Big Country Notebook: Playoffs kick off with a bang this week

What teams have been working for all fall is here: playoff time.

While people will gripe about the number of teams that get in, something about the formula is working, because the first round of the postseason has some intriguing matchups.

After all, if fewer than four teams made the playoffs, there'd be high-quality group left out. Look no further than District 3-3A Division I, where Jim Ned is the fourth seed. The Indians would be district champions in some of the other leagues around the state.

With that in mind, here's a look at some of the top matchups of bi-district week.

Jim Ned, Clyde in compelling games

Let's start with those Jim Ned Indians.

Just a few weeks ago, the team was undefeated and surely on the cusp of a top-10 state ranking. The Indians fell to Wall, the current No. 1 team in the division, then Clyde, which is playoff-bound as the No. 3 seed.

Jim Ned put up a fight against state-ranked Eastland on Friday, showing they can hang with the best of them. This week will be another stern test.

The Indians (7-3) draw District 4 champion Pilot Point (9-1). Jim Ned should be the underdog to the Bearcats, whose only loss is to No. 5 Gunter (9-1), but the team isn't your typical fourth seed.

It just goes to show the strength of both districts.

Clyde's reward for finishing third? How about Brock?

The Bulldogs (7-3), one of the Big Country's best turnarounds, will face region power Brock down the road at Shotwell Stadium. That's another tantalizing matchup.

Rematches on the way

The first round also features a pair of playoff rematches.

Dublin (8-2), the runner-up in District 7-3A D-II, will face Holliday (7-3) for a second-straight year. The Eagles won last year's meeting 66-20, but that means little. The Lions have won seven of their last eight, the only setback 23-16 to district champion Jacksboro.

And if you like rematches, you'll love Cross Plains-Christoval Part IV.

The Buffaloes and Cougars will tangle for the fourth time in two seasons when they meet Thursday. Christoval has won the previous three meetings, including a 26-14 decision earlier this fall. Cross Plains (7-3) can put all that behind them with a win this week.

Gordon will get a chance to exact some revenge itself.

Fresh off its district championship-clinching win over rival Strawn, the Longhorns (9-1) will take on Ladonia Fannindel. Gordon coach Mike Reed felt his team should've won last year's meeting, and the Horns will get another shot Friday.

Quick hits

► The page has turned to the postseason, but there were some notable results in Week 11. Hawley beat Ozona 62-37 to win the District 3-2A D-II title. The victory clinched the Bearcats' first undefeated regular season in school history. It is also the first time Hawley has won consecutive district championships.

► Hamlin made a huge statement in its 66-20 win over Albany on Friday. The Pied Pipers (7-2) should be viewed as the favorite in the region. The victory was also big in terms of seeding and playoff matchups. Hamlin should reach the region final, where the team would likely face Wellington or Albany. That means the Lions would meet up with the Skyrockets a round earlier. I'd be shocked if a team outside those three won the region.