11 points is the magic number for the Cubs when they take on Slaton

After some much-needed time off, the Brownfield Cubs head into their last game of the regular season taking on Slaton at Slaton. After a four-game slide, the Cubs got back into the win column beating Kermit 52-23. Brownfield now sits at 4-5 on the year and unfortunately 1-2 in district action. Prior to the Kermit win, the Cubs lost those four games with an average of 31 points, and the majority of those points against Brownfield came from running the ball. 

Slaton decided to start winning in district, although not before losing their first district game to Denver City 28-0, then all the sudden being 0-7, they would beat Lamesa 20-14 and Kermit 26-7. So now they sit at 2-7 and have clinched a playoff spot. The Cubs have also clinched a playoff spot, however on the other hand they are looking at the fourth seed in the playoffs and playing the number 5 team in the state, Bushland, for bi-district if they don’t bring home a victory Friday night. Coach Brantley said, “We must do everything in our power to win Friday night.”

When looking at the stats that are available, Brownfield’s run defense is not as good as Slatons’. Now against Denver City and Lamesa, the Cubs were without three starters on defense, and that could’ve led to their demise, especially when they played Lamesa and the Golden Tors put 511 total yards of offense on them, 409 of them yards were on the ground. Brownfield, Lamesa, and Slaton all three won over Kermit with the Cubs having the higher point difference winning by 29 points, Lamesa won by 25 points and Slaton by 19 points. All three teams also lost to Denver City. Lamesa with the biggest deficit of 41 points, Brownfield was next with 35 points, and Slaton with the least point difference of 28 points.

Coach Brantley and company have an opportunity of going 5-5 on the regular season and the potential of playing a bi-district game they can better match up with. In Dave Campbell’s Texas Football playoff projections, they have Brownfield taking on Dalhart. That very well could happen. Of course, Dalhart, Muleshoe, and Shallowater are in the same mess as Brownfield, Lamesa, and Slaton. Each one could end up 2-2 in the district, then it comes down to a point system to decide. Brownfield will need to win by 11 points to get the third seed, and with the amount of points Lamesa put on Brownfield, there is no way of getting the second seed. With all this being said, there is a scenario the Cubs could play Muleshoe, again. We believe they need to beat Dalhart by nine points, however, we won’t know till Friday night.

With this past week off, the Cubs are healthy, rested up, and ready to play. Three keys to the game tomorrow night. One is to continue to pass the ball. Slaton’s pass defense is not the best. The second thing is to limit the penalties. This is the final game of the regular season and district… offsides, false starts, holdings, and unsportsmanlike conduct calls should not happen. Finally, no turnovers. 

Brownfield Cubs (4-5) vs Slaton Tigers (2-7) at Slaton, Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, 7:00 p.m. kickoff