Tyler Coach Rashaun Woods encourages his Lions during a game against Burleson Centennial on Oct. 18 at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. (John Murphy/For the Tyler Morning Telegraph)

Although the postseason officially begins next week, the Tyler Lions are essentially in a playoff game this week.

The Lions need a win against Red Oak on Friday by four or more points and Tyler will return to the postseason for the first time 2021. A loss more than likely means Cujo is home for the holidays.

Tyler (4-5, 2-3 District 7-5A Division I) tangles with Red Oak (5-4, 3-2) on Friday at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium. Kickoff on Earl Campbell Field is scheduled for 7 p.m. Due to weather concerns, it is possible for the game to start earlier.

Highland Park (8-1, 5-0) and Midlothian (8-1, 5-0) met for the district title on Thursday. The other league game has Joshua (5-4, 1-4) at Burleson Centennial (4-5, 2-3), 7 p.m. Friday. Cleburne (0-10, 0-6) has completed its season.

HP and Midlothian have clinched playoff berths with Joshua and Cleburne eliminated. The final two slots will be filled by Tyler, Red Oak or Burleson Centennial.

The winner of Highland Park vs. Midlothian is the No. 1 seed, while the loser is the No. 2 seed.

“We just need to win by four or more (to make the playoffs,” Tyler Coach Rashaun Woods said.

The remainder of the playoff scenarios according to Reese Lannon, Media and Broadcast Specialist at Tyler ISD, include:

— If Tyler High beats Red Oak by four points or more, Tyler High would be in fourth place and in the playoffs since the Lions would be tied at minus 2 point differential with Red Oak, and would revert back to head-to-head.

— If Tyler High beats Red Oak by 11 points or more, Tyler High would be in third place and in the playoffs, since that would put their point differential at plus 5, which would be one point ahead of Centennial (BC owns the tiebreaker.)

— Tyler clinches the No. 3 seed with a win AND a Centennial loss. Centennial clinches the No. 4 seed with a Tyler loss. Red Oak clinches the No. 3 seed with a win. Red Oak clinches the No. 4 seed with a loss AND a Centennial loss.

— If Joshua beats Centennial, the Lions are in even with a loss as all three teams would be 2-4. That would create a three-way tie between Joshua, Centennial and Tyler. The Lions would win the tiebreaker. Tyler is plus 15 vs. Joshua and minus 6 vs. Centennial for a total of plus 9. Joshua is a minus 15 against Tyler and even with a blowout win vs. Centennial, the Owls cannot make up more than 15 points in one game for tiebreaker purposes so the best they could get is 0. Centennial is plus 6 vs. Tyler and with a loss to Joshua the Spartans would get negative points for that game and could not catch the Lions.

Got that? There will be a written test after the game.

Woods said Red Oak is a solid team just as all the other schools in the stacked district.

“Red Oak is a good team. We are in a pretty good league,” Woods said. “This is a difficult league and Red Oak is no different. They have lost some close ones just like we have. They lost a close one to Midlothian just like us.”

It is also Senior Night for Tyler High as cheerleaders, drill team, Lion Guard, band and football players will be honored.

Football seniors include — 1: Jeremiah Taylor (defensive back); 2: Caden Drummer (defensive back/running back); 6: Nicholas Collins (wide receiver); 10: JB Williams (linebacker); 11: Keondré Powers (H-back, tight end); 12: Amarion Spencer-Hood (defensive back); 13: D’Crystian Sueing (linebacker); 14: D’Canaan Sueing (linebacker); 15: Zyamari Bussey (defensive line); 17: Ken’Trevyon Quinsey (wide receiver); 18:Jordan Choice (wide receiver); 23: Aven Blaylock (defensive back); 26: A’Dareyon Veasey-Golden (defensive back); 28: William Dail (linebacker); 31: Jhayden Perry (defensive line); 36: Javon Bennett (H-back); 45: Cambraylon Mills (H-back/tight end); 46: Kymani Sanders (linebacker); 48: Jordan Taylor (linebacker); 52: Kabren Edwards (offensive line); 66: LaTravious Lewis (offensive line); 70: David Lopez (offensive line); 76: Adrian Crispin (offensive line); and 77: Joseph Young (offensive line).

LIONS TALES: The Tyler Lady Lions basketball team has their home opener on Friday. The Lady Lions are 1-1 after defeating Plano and falling to Lancaster. Tyler meets Crandall at 6 p.m. Friday. The Lady Lions play host to Class 2A No. 1 Martin’s Mill at 6 p.m. Tuesday. … The Tyler Lions open their season on Saturday in a 2:30 p.m. game at Mount Pleasant Chapel Hill. The Lions are home on Tuesday, hosting Longview in a 7:15 p.m. contest.