What makes it tricky is this: It remains to be seen whether the postseason-bound team will earn that trip with a win or a loss.
Salado must win the 7:30 p.m. game at Merk Field by four points or more to secure a playoff spot. Rogers, on the other hand, can get in with a win or a loss by three points or less.
In either case, both teams are treating tonight as a must-win.
"We're treating this week as a playoff because it basically is," Salado coach Jeff Cheatham said.
Said Rogers coach Jeff Walker: "We have to win to get in."
The added bonus for Rogers (7-2 overall, 4-1 in 25-2A) is a win tonight would clinch at least a share of its second straight District 25-2A championship. A highly unlikely Jarrell upset of co-leader Lago Vista would give the Eagles the outright crown.
But before any of that, Rogers has to get past surging Salado (3-6, 3-2), which still is riding the momentum from a wild win over Academy two weeks ago, sealed by junior Hunter Ward's 71-yard interception return for a touchdown.
"I knew coming back and getting into Bell County (opponents), our kids always play well," Cheatham said. "I felt like if we still had a chance going into those last two weeks that anything could happen."
What works in Rogers' favor tonight is its run-heavy offense has scored in bunches and chewed up clock all season. That unit averages 33 points and 373 yards per game on the legs of tailback E.J. Larkin, halfback Ryan Pierce and fullback Cody Weir.
rschneider@temple-telegram.com
