If there's one thing that can still make a coach's head spin even after 28 years in the business, it's playoff scenarios.
On Tuesday, however, Burleson coach Mel Maxfield seemed to have it all pretty well figured out. The most important thing for him and his Elks football team to know is this: win and they're in.
After that, it's not that simple, and Maxfield admitted that figuring it out sometimes really makes him think.
"A little bit," he said. "Especially when there's points involved."
Behind Abilene (8-0, 5-0 in District 3-5A) and Haltom (4-5, 3-2), which have both clinched a playoff berth, Richland (6-3, 3-2), Weatherford (5-4, 3-2) and Burleson (6-3, 2-3) all still have a shot at the final two playoff spots. And Richland and Haltom play Friday, as do Weatherford and Burleson.
Here's the breakdown for District 3-5A:
If Weatherford beats Burleson, then Weatherford and Richland are in.
If Burleson wins and Richland loses but Burleson wins by 12 points or less, Burleson and Richland are in.
If Burleson wins and Richland loses but Burleson wins by 13 points or more, Burleson and Weatherford are in.
This all puts Weatherford in a unique position -- win and you're in, but, if you lose, make sure to lose big because if they lose big (by 13 points or more) and Richland loses, they make the playoffs.
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Jeff Andrews
Jeff Andrews covers north Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. He covered high school sports for four years at the Denton Record-Chronicle. Andrews is a graduate of UNT.
Randy Jennings
Randy Jennings covers south Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. His 34-year career as a sports writer includes eight years at the Dallas Morning News. Jennings is a graduate of UT-Arlington.
Mercedes Mayer
Mercedes Mayer covers west Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. Mercedes has covered DFW-area sports for the last six years, including a 5 1/2 year stint with the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Mayer is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Ethan Szatmary
Ethan B. Szatmary covers east Metroplex high schools for ESPNDallas.com. Ethan covered colleges and high schools for the Denton Record-Chronicle for eight years and graduated from Emory University.
