Despite having losing records, a handful of Dallas-area teams have punched their tickets to the playoffs, proving that a challenging regular season doesn’t always rule out a postseason run.
While these four teams face long odds in their opening matchups, an upset victory isn’t out of the question.
Mansfield Legacy
Mansfield Legacy (3-7) made the playoffs thanks to three teams in District 3-6A combining for a 4-26 record. Legacy faces the toughest challenge among area teams with losing records, going up against undefeated Southlake Carroll (10-0). Carroll has only been in one one-score game all season. Legacy, which scored a season-high 55 points against Weatherford (2-8), will need its best performance yet to pull off an upset at Dragon Stadium.
Lancaster
Lancaster played in a tough district with reigning state champions DeSoto and Duncanville, losing to both by a combined score of 86-20. However, junior running back Izayah Lee has been a standout performer for Lancaster, rushing for 971 yards and 18 touchdowns on 176 carries. He is joined by three-star wide receiver Emmanuel Choice, an Oklahoma commit, who has 46 catches for 737 yards and six touchdowns. The talented duo gives Lancaster a shot at defeating Killeen Harker Heights (8-2).
Seagoville
All four of Seagoville’s wins came in district play. Seagoville (4-6) secured a playoff spot with a 22-17 victory over Adamson in its regular-season finale. Standout wide receiver Adam West scored two touchdowns in the win, bringing his season total to six. West has 36 catches for 604 yards, while no other Seagoville receiver has more than 13 catches or 135 receiving yards. Seagoville will face Midlothian Heritage (7-3), which boasts the No. 18 passing defense (123.0 yards per game) among area 5A teams.
Dallas Pinkston
Dallas Pinkston (4-6) faces a tough matchup against Frisco Panther Creek (9-1), a team that won six games this season by 30 or more points, including a 48-13 victory over Dallas Carter, who defeated Pinkston earlier this year. For an upset, Pinkston will need a standout performance from running back Coleman Oby, who has rushed for 1,100 yards and 16 touchdowns.
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