It’s a big week for soccer, and not just because Season 3 of Ted Lasso premieres on Wednesday.
Down to the final week of the regular season, just five points separate second place and fifth place in District 13-6A.
With just one game left on the schedule for second place Grand Oaks and two games apiece for Conroe and College Park – both tied for third place – and fourth place Caney Creek, the final three playoff games hang in the balance.
It’s been musical chairs over the past month or so for the four programs as each has either held second place or been on the outside looking in at different times.
Here’s a quick guide to how things shape up for each contender in the league.
1. The Woodlands (13-0-2 – 41 Points)
Things are cut and dry for the already-crowned District 13-6A champions.
The Highlanders round out the regular season Tuesday night at seventh place and out of playoff contention Willis.
Coming off its run to the state final four last April, The Woodlands clinched the district title back on March 3 against Cleveland.
The Highlanders recently played to a 1-1 draw with Caney Creek this past Friday.
The Woodlands will be able to rest its legs some as bi-distrct doesn’t start until March 23 at the earliest.
2. Grand Oaks (9-3-3 – 30 Points)
Speaking of rested legs, Grand Oaks will be doing just that Tuesday night.
The Grizzlies are off on their bye before traveling to Cleveland Friday night.
Grand Oaks is in the driver’s seat in second place, but haven’t technically clinched a playoff spot as its five points ahead of fifth place Caney Creek.
Grand Oaks won a thriller this past Friday night and earned a massive three points on the road at playoff-contending Conroe. Nathaniel Velasquez netted a hat trick to lift Grand Oaks from a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 win over the Tigers.
Grand Oaks is seeking its second-ever playoff berth.
T3. Conroe (8-4-2 – 26 Points)
Conroe took a tough loss at home Friday night to Grand Oaks but are still in the mix to extend its playoff streak to three straight seasons.
The Tigers play winless Cleveland on the road Tuesday night and will need all three points on the win to keep pace.
After Tuesday, Conroe will host College Park in what could be a massive match with high stakes for both teams.
Conroe beat the Cavaliers 4-3 back on Feb. 13.
T3. College Park (8-4-2 – 26 Points)
On Friday night, College Park won a big 4-3 decision over Oak Ridge. That not only kept the Cavaliers in contention, but it eliminated another threat in the War Eagles.
The Cavaliers will face eighth place New Caney at home Tuesday night before heading up I-45 to play Conroe.
The Cavaliers have won four out of five with arguably their biggest win coming against Caney Creek on Feb. 28.
College Park is seeking its eighth consecutive playoff appearance dating back to 2015.
5. Caney Creek (7-3-4 – 25 Points)
The Panthers sit five points from being tied for second and are currently one point out of making the postseason.
This week, the Panthers play two teams who are lower than them in the district standings.
Caney Creek hosts Oak Ridge in its las home game of the season Tuesday night.. The War Eagles are in sixth and seven points behind Caney Creek. The Panthers defeated the War Eagles 4-1 on Feb. 10.
From there, head coach Andrew McGregor’s squad travels to eighth place New Caney on Friday.
Caney Creek enters the week unbeaten in seven of its last eight games (lone loss to College Park).
The Panthers, new to Class 6A, reached the playoffs the past five seasons in Class 5A.
rtate@houstonchronicle.com
