Belton's matchup with Temple at 7 tonight at Wildcat Stadium is a critical District 12-5A matchup. It's the Bell County rivalry. Revenge may be on the mind of the Tigers, who have lost three straight in the series and the last two by a combined score of 102-21.

And, oh yeah, ESPNU television cameras will be positioned all around the field.

But even with those distractions, the Tigers remain focused on their mission of clinching their first playoff berth since 2003.

"That's been on the line for the last three weeks," Belton coach Rodney Southern said of the postseason. "The hype and all that other stuff is important, but I think it's the next ballgame and that's how we're going to prepare them. The only difference is we have one less day to prepare. And we try to be that way, but you also have to prepare them for some things that might happen.

"I think the intensity level is higher, but I think that's when you have to rely more on what you've been told and how you've been told to do it instead of letting your emotions get out."

Even with a loss to the Wildcats (3-5 overall, 2-3 12-5A), the Tigers still could clinch a postseason berth next week with a win against Bryan in the regular-season finale. But Belton (7-1, 4-1) wants to avoid the unnecessary drama.

During the last three weeks, the Tigers have gone 2-1 against preseason playoff picks College Station A&M Consolidated, Copperas Cove and Killeen Ellison without quarterback David Ash, who was sidelined with an injured right ankle.

Temple was the fourth preseason pick, but Belton could receive a lift tonight if the junior standout returns. Ash had his protective boot removed last Wednesday, began throwing Monday and will be a game-time decision.

cmeister@temple-telegram.com