Bartlett and Rockdale clinched spots in the state playoffs. Jarrell and Rogers did as well as they remained undefeated in 25-2A to set up a game for the ages.
Bartlett (7-3, 5-1) defeated Thorndale (4-5, 3-2) 21-14 in District 27-A action. Bartlett running back David Jones ran for two touchdowns and passed for another.
The Bulldogs will return to the postseason after a two-year absence.
Bartlett, however, will not play another game for three weeks. The Bulldogs have their open date on Friday and there is no District 28-A to create a bi-district matchup, meaning their next game will be Nov. 21 at the earliest.
Rockdale received two treats. The Tigers got 230 yards and three touchdowns from running back Jamal Williams and (5-4, 3-1) continued their tear through District 18-3A with a 25-22 win over Cameron Yoe (1-8, 1-3) in the Battle of the Bell.
Rockdale gained possession of the coveted Bell for the first time in seven years and punched a playoff ticket at the same time.
The Tigers got shut out in their 18-3A opener against Marlin, 41-0 and have since rebounded to gain three straight wins over Caldwell (6-3, 2-2), Lorena (6-3, 2-2) and Yoe. This week, Rockdale hosts Troy (1-8, 0-4).
One of the week’s biggest games will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Merk Field as Jarrell (9-0, 5-0) travels to Rogers (8-1, 5-0) for a battle of two playoff teams vying for the outright District 25-2A crown.
“It feels good going into the last game of the season knowing you are in the playoffs,” Jarrell coach Randy Franklin said. “Knowing you get to play another week — that’s a good feeling.”
Added Franklin about the matchup with Rogers, “both of us are in (the playoffs) so we’re just going to let the kids get after each other. We are excited — it should be a good football game.”
Both teams are coming off blowouts.
Jarrell quarterback Kyle Lloyd scored on five consecutive touchdown runs in a 49-7 stomping of Somerville (3-6, 2-3).
Rogers, winners of eight straight, pounded out 373 rushing yards to flatten Florence (1-8, 0-5), 61-14.
