Demons earn playoff spot, but the pairings could be tricky

By Matt Bryant, The JOURNAL

The high school football regular season concludes Friday with Washington heading to Fort Madison. The Demons, by virtue of last Friday?s win over Oskaloosa, have secured their spot in the playoffs, but what does that mean?

To earn a guaranteed spot in the Class 3A playoffs, a team must finish first or second in its respective district. Solon (8-0, 6-0) has clinched one of the spots in District 5 with an undefeated record, including a win over Washington. Even with a Solon loss Friday to Fairfield (2-6, 2-4), the Spartans are guaranteed a playoff spot and the district title.

A Washington (7-1, 5-1) win at Fort Madison (4-4, 2-4) and a Solon loss puts both the Demons and the Spartans at one district loss, but Solon would clinch the top seed in the district by virtue of its head-to-head win over the Demons. Washington would be in the two spot.

Oskaloosa (5-3, 4-2) sits at two district losses heading into its game with West Burlington (2-6, 2-4). An Indian win and a Demon loss put both teams at two district losses, but Washington owns the head-to-head victory and still will secure at the No. 2 seed.

Mount Pleasant (5-3, 3-3) looks to finish with a winning record, but is not in the playoff discussion. Keokuk (0-8, 0-6) has had a rough year.

Every scenario has Solon as the one seed and Washington as the two in 3A District 5.

Class 3A has seven districts. The top two teams in each district get guaranteed entry in to the playoffs. There also are two at-large teams in 3A, determined by a complicated scenario involving point differentials, an alphabetical system and other factors, which may give Oskaloosa an outside shot at a playoff spot.

As a two seed, Washington will in all likelihood travel to a one seed from another district. With games still to be played Friday, possible destinations include:

? Cedar Rapids Xavier has the top seed locked up in District 3.

? West Delaware (Manchester), Marion and Davenport Assumption all sit at 5-1 in District 4. Marion and Assumption play Thursday, which will determine the final standings. West Delaware owns the head-to-head over Assumption. Marion defeated West Delaware last week.

? Pella sits at 6-0 in District 6 and will emerge as the top seed.

? The potential exists that an at-large team could come out of this area and would factor in to pairing assignments.

First-round games are at 7 p.m. on Oct. 27. Winner advances to play in the quarterfinals on Nov. 3. Semifinals for Class 3A begin Nov. 9 at the UNI-Dome. The championship game is Nov. 16.