Two Brown County squads and five from the nearby area have set their sights on Arlington as the first round of the playoffs begin Thursday. The following are previews of the seven games involving teams followed by BrownwoodNews.com:

Region IV-1A Division I Bi-District

May (7-3) vs. Irion County (8-2)

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Robert Lee

The District 14-A Division I runner-up May Tigers look to avenge last year’s 104-91 first-round playoff loss to the District 13 champion Irion County Hornets. Friday’s meeting will actually be the third in a row in the opening round of the postseason for both teams, as May knocked off Irion County, 68-20, in 2021 en route to the state championship game.

May enters the contest averaging 42 points and allowing 36 points per outing.

The Tigers’ ground game is led by Braden Steele (1,385 rushing yards, 22 TDs), Mikey Scheriger (285 rushing yards, 5 TDs) and Ben Harrell (210 rushing yards, 7 TDs). Through the air, Steele is 62 of 98 for 953 yards with 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions, while Cayson Dail is 14 of 23 for 186 yards. Leading receivers include Jackson Lusk (24-418, 4 TDs), Harrell (13-231, 5 TDs) and Scheriger (12-121, 2 TDs).

Irion County, which is coming off a run to the state semifinals a year ago, is generating 60 points and yielding 26 per game on average. The Hornets have scored at least 77 points in three of their last four outings.

Players to watch include Trevin Coffell, Jordan Harrison, Bo Morrow, and Parker Posey.

According to sixmanfootball.com, May is an 18-point underdog.

Friday’s winner will face either District 15 champion Leverett’s Chapel (7-2) or District 16 runner-up Leakey (6-4) next week in the Region IV semifinals.

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Region IV-1A Division II Bi-District

Zephyr (8-2) vs. Cherokee (8-1)

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at San Saba

The back-to-back District 15-A Division II champion Zephyr Bulldogs are hoping for a better result in the opening round of the playoffs this year, though they have again drawn a Top 10 opponent in the District 16 runner-up Cherokee Indians.

The Bulldogs are averaging 44 points and allowing 18 per game this season.

Standouts on offense include Karsen Floyd (402 rushing yards, 5 TDs; 24-465, 7 TDs receiving); Tripp Ballard (609 rushing yards, 17 TDs; 9-179, TD receiving); Wyatt Stevens (712 passing yards, 14 TDs; 3-24, TD receiving); Jimmy Evetts (306 passing yards, 3 TDs; 288 rushing yards, 4 TDs; 1-16, TD receiving); Chayden Woodcock (204 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 6-97, 2 TDs receiving); Trapper Schoenhals (5-67, 3 TDs receiving); and Rhett Williams (6-69, 3 TDs receiving).

Leading the charge on defense are Floyd (104 tackles, 6 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, 4 touchdowns); Ballard (107 tackles, 1 fumble recovery); Stevens (42 tackles, 1 fumble recovery); Evetts (24 tackles); Woodcock (64 tackles, 3 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown); Schoenhals (67 tackles, 1 fumble recovery); Williams (1 interception return for a touchdown); Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins (32 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery); CJ Byers (52 tackles, 1 interception); and Corben Gosnell (26 tackles).

The only loss of the season for No. 9 Cherokee was a 40-32 decision to No. 4 Richland Springs in a game that decided the District 16 champion.

Players to watch for Cherokee include Rode Ligon, Joey Bond, Joel Valdez, Gunner Baugh, Caden Houston, and Caleob Houston.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 35-point underdog.

Friday’s winner will face either District 13 champion Loraine (3-7) or District 14 runner-up Paint Rock (6-4) next week in the area round of the playoffs.

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Region IV-1A Division II Bi-District

Richland Springs (10-0) vs. Sidney (7-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Comanche

The District 16-A Division II champion and fourth-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes put their undefeated record on the line Friday night in first round action against the District 15 runner-up Sidney Eagles.

The Coyotes are coming off a bye in Week 11 with their most recent outing being a 68-0 victory over Lohn to wrap up the regular season.

In that contest, Richland Springs required just 187 total yards – 98 rushing and 89 passing – as the Coyotes defense recovered six fumbles which led to short fields.

Among the highlights, Billy Perry completed all four of his pass attempts for 79 yards with two touchdowns, while rushing for a 28-yard score on his only carry. Jayden Sutherland hauled down three receptions for 49 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and Cohen Ethridge threw a 10-yard touchdown pass and caught a 30-yard scoring reception.

Perry also led the defense with 6.5 tackles, including 4.5 for loss, and recovered a fumble, while Sutherland tacked on 3.5 tackles and booted 5 of 6 two-point kicks.

The lone loss in district play for Sidney came to Zephyr by a 21-20 count.

In that contest, the Eagles finished with 261 total yards – 198 yards on the ground and 63 through the air – while allowing 264 yards – 154 rushing and 110 passing.

The Eagles received 93 yards rushing and a touchdown from Lehman Lindeque, along with 75 yards on the ground and two scores from Cameron Grant. Sidney completed 5 of 11 passes for 63 yards with a pair of interceptions.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.

Friday’s winner will face either District 14 champion Rising Star (8-2) or District 13 runner-up Bronte (3-7) next week in the area round of the playoffs.

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Region IV-1A Division II Bi-District

Rising Star (8-2) vs. Bronte (3-7)

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Winters

The District 14-A Division II champion Rising Star Wildcats target a bi-district championship against the District 13 runner-up Bronte Longhorns Friday night.

Rising Star is averaging 56 points and allowing 17 per game.

Leading the way on offense for the Wildcats are Blake Wilson (485 rushing yards, 9 TDs; 8-190, 4 TDs receiving), Pacey McGinn (341 rushing yards, 5 TDs), Dathon Morris (288 rushing yards, 8 TDs; 225 passing yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT), Manning Miller (197 rushing yards, 3 TDs); Payton McGinn (189 rushing yards, 6 TDs); Anthony Pollard (171 rushing yards 2 TDs); Kobey Morris 789 passing yards, 21 TDs, 3 INTs); Dakota Higgins (17-457, 12 TDs receiving); Emerson Helmuth (8-96, TD receiving); and Brayden Cook (7-102, 4 TDs receiving).

Defensive standouts are Kobey Morris (66 tackles, 4 interceptions, 3 fumble recoveries), Pollard (49 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 fumble recovery), Higgins (40 tackles, 5 fumble recoveries), Pacey McGinn (38 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 interception), and Wilson (36 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery).

For Bronte, which has scored 29 points and allowed 40 per game, the Longhorns are coming off a 55-8 loss to Loraine in the district championship game. The Longhorns have defeated Trent (54-6), Blackwell (46-42) and Rule (52-0) this season.

Players to watch for Bronte include Jeff Jackson, Teegan Minjarez, Aiden Beck, Jayton Galvan, Cole Knight, and Parker Bearden.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Rising Star is a 45-point favorite.

Friday’s winner will face either District 16 champion Richland Springs (10-0) or District 15 runner-up Sidney (7-3) next week in the area round of the playoffs.

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Region II-2A Division II Bi-District

Cross Plains (4-6) vs. Wink (9-1)

2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at San Angelo ISD Stadium

The District 6-2A Division II fourth seed Cross Plains Buffaloes will attempt to avenge last year’s bi-district loss to the District 5 champion Wink Wildcats in a first-round playoff rematch.

Wink ended Cross Plains’ season by a 61-0 count in 2022.

The Buffaloes are coming off a 49-19 loss to Miles in last week’s regular season finale as Cross Plains finished with 265 yards of total offense – 226 rushing and 35 passing – and committed three turnovers, while allowing 372 yards – 202 through the air and 170 on the ground – with no takeaways.

Dusty Wyatt rushed for 112 yards for Cross Plains and completed 2 of 8 passes for 30 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Kevin Hopkins added 73 yards on the ground and a rushing touchdown, while Coltyn Barron completed his only pass attempt for 5 yards a score. Barron also hauled in a 30-yard scoring reception, and Wyatt caught a 5-yard touchdown pass.

Wink, which averages 41 points per game and allows 17, is led by running back Kemyd Faciane (1,458 rushing yards, 14 TDs), quarterbacks Jeremiah Gallardo (611 passing yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs; 787 rushing yards, 6 TDs) and Jayden Tally (458 passing yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs), and receivers Zachary Yactayo (23-515, 6 TDs receiving) and Creed Frerich (17-212 receiving).

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 38-point underdog.

Friday’s winner will face either District 8 second seed Muenster (6-4) or District 7 third seed Haskell (4-5) next week in the area round of the playoffs.

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Region II-2A Division I Bi-District

Coleman (8-2) vs. Alvord (6-3)

7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 at Breckenridge

The District 5-2A Division I runner-up Coleman Bluecats will attempt to duplicate last year’s opening round playoff performance as they face the District 6 third seed Alvord Bulldogs in a bi-district rematch.

Coleman, which cruised past Alvord, 46-7, a year ago, is coming off a 42-0 victory over rival Bangs in its regular-season finale – a game in which the Bluecats scored all their points in the first half.

The Bluecats finished with 422 yards of total offense – 225 rushing and 196 passing – and one turnover, while surrendering just 120 yards – 60 through the air and 60 on the ground.

Quarterback Braden Torres completed 9 of 11 passes for 183 yards with three touchdowns while also rushing for 91 yards and two more scores. Jadin Jackson caught two passes for 43 yards and a touchdown, Hunter Lackey added two grabs for 42 yards and a score – and rushed for a 58-yard touchdown – and Kelan Sikes hauled in a 30-yard scoring toss. Blaze Hronek led Coleman with three catches for 69 yards.

Alvord, which averages 22 points per game and allows 25, is led by quarterback Dalton George (980 passing yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs), running back Zane Fuentes (228 rushing yards, 2 TDs; 33-483, 6 TDs receiving), and receivers Cayson Stainton (20-158) and Dylan Henderson (15-141, 2 TDs).

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 32-point favorite.

Thursday’s winner will face either District 8 champion Marlin (8-2) or District 7 fourth seed Kerens (6-4) next week in the area round of the playoffs.

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Region II-3A Division II Bi-District

Comanche (5-5) vs. Henrietta (7-3)

7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10 at Springtown

The Comanche Indians defeated the Henrietta Bearcats in the first round of the playoffs last year, with Comanche coming in as a district champion and Henrietta as the fourth seed. In this year’s rematch, the Indians are the No. 3 playoff seed from District 5-3A Division II while the Bearcats are the runners-up in District 6.

The Indians won their first three games of the season, dropped four straight, and are riding another three-game winning streak into the postseason.

Comanche’s most recent outing was a 46-7 victory over Eastland as the Indians manufactured 384 yards of total offense with 295 coming on the ground.

Colt Schwertner led the way with 125 yards and two rushing touchdowns, Sawyer Wilkerson chipped in 109 yards on the ground and quarterback Layden Welch rushed for 39 yards and a score.

Through the air, Welch connected on 6 of 8 passes for 89 yards with two touchdowns – a 29-yarder to Kyler Beaty and one to Ayden Fishback, who finished with two catches for 16 yards. Cayden Davis (22 yards), JJ Davis (12 yards) and CT Buford (10 yards) also caught passes.

Henrietta, which averages 35 points and allows 20 per game, is led by quarterback Garrett Blevins (1,059 passing yards, 13 TDs, 3 INTs; 790 rushing yards, 8 TDs), running back Blaze Deaton (645 rushing yards, 9 TDs), and receivers Klein Essler (21-489, 5 TDs) and Cannon Cody (12-137, 4 TDs).

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 21-point favorite.

Friday’s winner will face either District 7 champion Scurry-Rosser (10-0) or District 8 fourth seed Blue Ridge (4-6) next week in the area round of the playoffs.