Lions in must-win situation vs. Forney

Published 9:54 pm Wednesday, November 1, 2023

There are a number of scenarios in which the Lions can make the playoffs, but it all starts with a win by Tyler.

The Lions face Forney on Friday at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Earl Campbell Field.

The Jackrabbits (8-1) have already clinched a postseason berth with their 5-1 record in District 7-5A Division I. For the Lions (6-3, 3-3) they need to beat Forney and hope for some help from their Pineywoods buddy, Lufkin. The Panthers (5-4, 2-4) play at Lancaster (4-5, 3-3) at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Here is the playoff scenario:

Lancaster gets the district’s No. 4 seed with a win OR a loss by four points or less and a Tyler loss.

Tyler gets the No. 4 seed with a win AND a Lancaster loss.

Lufkin gets the No. 4 seed with a win by six points or more AND a Tyler loss. If Lufkin beats Lancaster by five AND Tyler loses, then there would be a three-way tie for fourth and Lancaster and Lufkin would be tied on the points tiebreaker, with Tyler being eliminated. Lufkin would get the No. 4 seed based on beating Lancaster in Week 11.

If McKinney North loses and Lancaster and Tyler both win, there would be a three-way tie for third between those three teams. In that case, McKinney North would be the No. 3 seed and Lancaster would be the No. 4 seed and Tyler would be eliminated.

Forney has clinched the No. 2 seed by virtue of its win over McKinney North last week (40-7).

Longview (8-1, 6-0) has clinched at least a share of the district title and the No. 1 seed. The Lobos have the top seed by virtue of their 13-7 win over Forney on Oct. 6. Longview plays at West Mesquite at 7 p.m. Friday (Mesquite Memorial Stadium).

McKinney North (6-3, 4-2) plays host to North Mesquite (1-8, 0-6) at 7 p.m. Friday.

Got all that?

First-year Tyler Coach Rashaun Woods knows all the scenarios, but his focus is on his Lions playing well. He said his team just needs to go out and win and see what happens.

“They guys are still practicing hard and do everything we are asking them to do,” Woods said. “… Having success early is very good (in his first season). It is definitely promising for the future. We are playing the long game. We want to continue to establish a program and build on it.”

Woods said Forney is a great team with a balanced attack.

The Jackrabbits have a 1,000-yard passer and runner (QB Kyle Crawford, 90-of-156 passing attempts for 1,315 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs; RB Javian Osborne (144 carries, 1,195 yards, 19 TDs).

The Lions counter with top guns sophomore quarterback Caden Granberry (124-of-195 passing attempts, 1,740 yards, 19 TDs, 4 INTs) and senior wide receiver Derrick McFall (47 receptions, 818 yards, 9 TDs; 9 carries, 60 yards, TD). McFall also played some running back last week against the Lobos.

SENIOR NIGHT

It will also be Senior Night with football players, cheerleaders, Lion guard, band members, managers, trainers and drill team honored.

Senior football players include: Derrick McFall, Zachaun Williams, La’Zaydrian Hinton, Ladarius Franklin, JaMichael Cooper, Micah Johnson, Aidan Keyes, Julian Dews, Daquevion Sellers, Jace Sanford, Emanuel Neal, Dedron Jackson, Marquette Martin, Ariel Alfaro, Michael Cooper, James Collier, Javian Harper, Riley Davis and Keyandre Fite.