Going into Thursday night’s regular-season finale, the Whitesboro football team knew it was headed to the postseason for the sixth straight year.
The Bearcats just didn’t know whether they would be the second, third or fourth seed.
Whitesboro (6-3, 2-2 in District 5-3A Division I) closed out the regular season on the road against Dallas A+ Academy (2-7, 0-4).
With a win, Whitesboro would claim the No. 2 seed if Gunter (8-1, 4-0) defeated Pilot Point (7-2, 3-1). Gunter and Pilot Point also played Thursday night.
If Pilot Point won, or if Whitesboro lost and Pottsboro defeated Dallas Life Oak Cliff on Friday night, the Bearcats would be the No. 3 seed. If Whitesboro lost and Dallas Life Oak Cliff defeated Pottsboro, the Bearcats would fall to the No. 4 seed.
The points tiebreaker in District 5-3A Division I is capped at 17 points per game. Whitesboro defeated both Pilot Point and Pottsboro by at least 17 points and lost to Dallas Life Oak Cliff by seven.
As a result, the Bearcats hold the tiebreaker for second place if they finish tied with Pilot Point and Dallas Life Oak Cliff. Whitesboro has a plus-10 point differential, while Pilot Point, which defeated Dallas Life Oak Cliff by at least 17 points, stands at zero. Dallas Life Oak Cliff has a minus-10 differential.
Whitesboro also holds the tiebreaker if it finishes tied with Dallas Life Oak Cliff and Pottsboro for third place, even if Pottsboro defeats Dallas Life Oak Cliff by 17 or more points. In that scenario, Whitesboro would have a plus-10 differential, Pottsboro would be at zero and Dallas Life Oak Cliff would be at minus-10.
The Bearcats secured their playoff berth with last week’s victory, led by quarterback Colt Fagan, who passed for 311 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 105 yards and two scores on 15 carries. Fagan led Whitesboro in both passing and rushing.
Ian Bruce led the receiving corps with five catches for 120 yards.
Ayce Nelson added two rushing touchdowns and a 33-yard touchdown reception, while Wyatt Winchester caught six passes for 77 yards and Rhett Fagan hauled in eight receptions for 76 yards. Korbin Ross contributed 24 yards and a touchdown on six carries.
Whitesboro’s first-round opponent will depend on its final district standing.
If the Bearcats secure the No. 2 seed, they will face Grandview in the bi-district round. A No. 3 finish would set up a matchup with Mexia, while a No. 4 seed would send Whitesboro against Whitney.
