Going into the final two games of the 2023 Texas high school football season, the Meridian Yellowjackets find themselves in unfamiliar territory – in a position to play for their first trip to the Class 2A, Division II postseason tournament since 2017. Facing a do-or-die situation in a District 10-2A, DII showdown two weeks ago, the Jackets looked ready for the challenge as Meridian smashed the winless Hubbard Jaguars, 66-12, at Jacket Stadium to set up the final two-game stretch.

Hoping to challenge for their first district title since 2019, the Clifton Cubs took the field with that mission firmly in mind. But with the defending District 133A, Division II champion Lexington Eagles keeping the Clifton offense out of the endzone, the Cubs came up short in their inspired upset bid, falling to the Eagles, 28-9, last Friday night at Cub Stadium.

After knocking off Maypearl and Whitney to secure the third-place playoff berth in District 17-3A, the Clifton lady Cubs refused to be satisfied and set their sights on district champion and 13th-ranked West last week. Despite coming up short in straight sets, 25-16, 2519, 25-21, against the Lady Trojans last Tuesday night in the Clifton High School Gymnasium, the Lady Cubs celebrated to contributions of four seniors – Kate Humphreys, Layla Gaona, Brianna Gonzalez and Alyssa Santillan – and began looking ahead to their third straight trip to the playoffs.

To capture their first trip to the Texas high school football playoffs since 2017, the Meridian Yellowjackets knew it would take three straight wins to close out the 2023 regular season. Facing a do-or-die situation in District 10-2A, DII action, the Jackets looked ready for the challenge as Meridian smashed the winless Hubbard Jaguars, 66-12, last Friday night at Jacket Stadium.

With the long-awaited district competition finally kicking off for the five Bosque County six-man football teams under the Friday night lights this week, every game carries postseason implications with it. After all, with the surprising Kopperl Eagles and defending district champion Morgan Eagles competing in the four-team District 10-1A, Division II, while the 14th-ranked Iredell Dragons.

Putting their disappointing District 133A, Division II opening loss to Rogers at home clearly in the rearview mirror, the Clifton Cubs hit the road to notch a defining victory in their hopes of winning their first district title since 2019. With senior fullback Riley Finney scoring a season-high three rushing touchdowns, the Cubs ran all over the Buffalo Bison for a dominating 32-8 victory last Friday night at Brewer Field.

Refusing to be frustrated by a disappointing loss to 18th-ranked Grandview, the Clifton Lady Cubs responded by posting backto- back dominating wins to clinch their third straight trip to the Class 3A volleyball state playoffs. But this season will be different.

Bouncing back from a disappointing loss to Covington last Tuesday, the Meridian Lady Jackets closed out the first round of District 18-1A competition with a hard-fought, five-set victory on the road against the upstart Morgan Lady Eagles, 25-21,24-26,22-25,25-23, 15-11, last Friday evening. The Lady Jackets knew going into the match that they needed a victory to keep their postseason hopes realistically alive.

It all begins with finding a way to post the elusive first District 10-2A, Division II victory. But even after losing three straight games opening district play against the top dogs, the Meridian Yellowjacket head into the final four weeks of the 2023 Texas high school football season with their postseason hopes still alive.

Although finally playing at home again didn’t turn out like they planned, the Clifton Cubs will go right back on the road again this week. And despite playing on foreign ground, the Cubs will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak to surge into the middle of the District 13-3A, Division II chase for playoff berths.