Blytheville is in a must-win situation tonight when the Chicks travel to Paragould to take on the upset-minded Rams.
The Chicks (4-4, 2-3 5A-East) have to win out to have a shot at either the third or fourth East playoff spots. They also need Nettleton (4-3-1, 3-2 5A-East) to lose one of its final two games. The Raiders host Beebe tonight and travel to Wynne next Friday night. They will be the underdog in both games.
Meanwhile, Blytheville has the road game with Paragould (1-7, 1-4 5A-East) and a home game with Forrest City (0-7-1, 0-5 5A-East) remaining.
On paper, Paragould appears to be the tougher of the two opponents.
The Rams can run the ball, but they don't have near the athleticism of Blytheville.
The Chicks have owned Paragould since the two teams began playing conference games back in 2004.
Blytheville has won all seven meetings, outscoring the Rams 305-78, including the 41-12 rout last season.
Normally, there would be concern of a team overlooking an opponent it has dominated so long. But with Blytheville having to win for a shot at the postseason, the Chicks will likely be focused and ready to play.
They should avoid a letdown and spoil the Rams' Senior Night, instead of Paragould spoiling their playoff bid.
Blytheville 28, Paragould 20
Gosnell at Jonesboro Westside
The Pirates (5-3, 2-2 3-4A) will try to bounce back from a costly loss to Pocahontas last week.
The 42-28 defeat sent the Pirates from a likely repeat as conference champs to finishing, at best, third, at worst, fifth, in the 3-4A.
Gosnell plays a good opponent to try to rebound from the loss -- the 3-4A's favorite punching bag, Westside.
The Warriors (1-7, 0-4 3-4A) have been outscored by an average of 38-9.6 this season. The Pirates have beaten Westside 11 straight times by a combined 514-137.
They should make it 12 straight.
Gosnell 42, Westside 7
Trumann at Osceola
The Seminoles (3-5, 3-2 3-4A) wrap up the regular season tonight looking to halt a two-game skid and jockey for its best possible playoff position on Senior Night.
Osceola is eying a three seed, and a win over the Wildcats should make that happen.
Injury-plagued Trumann (2-5, 1-3) is likely out of the playoff picture. It would take a win and some help for the Wildcats to play past Week 10.
Osceola 35, Trumann 20
Rivercrest at Harrisburg
The game is a rematch of last year's Class 3A State quarterfinals, a game the Colts won, 44-28, on their way to a state championship.
Rivercrest (6-2, 4-1) has won 16 of the 18 meetings with the Hornets (5-2, 3-2).
Rivercrest is currently second in the 3-3A standings, while Harrisburg is tied for the fourth and final playoff spot with Bald Knob. The game is key for both teams as the Colts are trying to secure a first-round home playoff game and the Hornets are trying to be one of the four 3-3A representatives.
Rivercrest 21, Harrisburg 19
Corning at Manila
Manila (2-5, 1-4 3-3A) is coming off its first conference victory of the season, a 30-22 win over Piggott.
Corning (1-7, 0-5) is still looking for its first league win.
Look for the Lions to win back-to-back games for the first time this season.
Manila 12, Corning 8
Last week: 3-2, 3-2 points
Season: 26-7, 24-9 points
mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com