Nothing that happens at Wildcat Stadium today will alter the postseason fate of Littlefield and Post. The Wildcats will be District 3-2A’s Division I representative, while the Antelopes will be the top seed in Division II.

Littlefield running back Patric Barrio, left, ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns against Idalou last month in a 35-16 Wildcat win. Tonight in Littlefield, it's Post's turn to try to stop him -- in a game that will decide the District 3-2A champion.

“That’s not going to make us play any less hard,” Post head coach Chris Jones said.

That’s because there’s plenty riding on today’s regular-season finale between the Wildcats and Antelopes. The winner is the district champion, and the loser must settle for second place.

Littlefield (8-1, 6-0 in district) is a half-game ahead of Post (7-2, 5-1) and is guaranteed to finish with at least the same district record, but per 3-2A rules, teams cannot claim shares of the league title. So the Wildcats must win to secure their second straight 3-2A crown, while a win for the Antelopes would give them their first district championship since 2004.

“It would mean the world to us,” said Post running back Giles Dalby, one of 17 seniors on the team. “We understand what we have to do, and this week was our best week of practice. We’re all focused and confident in what we’ve got to do (today).”

Littlefield, which has won seven straight games, is just as motivated. Head coach Bryan Huseman said accomplishing one of their primary goals this season would be a “big deal” for his Wildcats, who are trying to complete their second consecutive unbeaten run through district play.

“That would mean a lot to us seniors, and it’s pretty cool thinking it’s right here on our home turf and the last home game,” said Tyler Moss, a senior offensive lineman for Littlefield. “It’s what we all fought for.”

Huseman and Jones said they both expect a fight today, partly because the teams are mirror images of each other. Littlefield and Post are the only Class 2A teams in the area with more than 2,000 yards rushing, and both boast versatility in the running game.

Quarterback Tracy Huseman and running backs Patric Barrio and Cheeto Richardson have rushed for at least 540 yards apiece for the Wildcats. Dalby, fellow running back Ernie Saldivar and quarterback Clint Windham each has at least 439 yards on the ground for the Antelopes.

“Our kids know it’s going to be a battle. Our kids know it’s going to be a physical battle,” Bryan Huseman said. “We’ve had problems here and there overlooking people, but not (today). They know Post is going to get after us, and they know Post is playing good football.”

Jones said the Antelopes must play like they have during their four-game winning streak, which means winning the turnover battle, sustaining long drives offensively and getting key stops defensively. Dalby said Post also must cut down on the large number of penalties it’s committed in the last few games.

“Both of us are obviously run-oriented teams and both play good defense, so it’s a pretty neat matchup on paper,” Jones said. “It’s going to take a perfect game, I think, for us to go up there to their place and try to beat them.”
Both of us are

obviously run- oriented teams and both play good defense, so it’s a pretty neat matchup on paper. It’s going to take a perfect game,

I think, for us to go up there to their place and try to beat them.

‘

Chris Jones

Post head football coach

CLASS 2A District 3-2A Post at Littlefield

7:30 p.m., Wildcat Stadium, Littlefield

Radio: KZZN 1490 AM (Littlefield)

Records: Post 7-2, 5-1 in 3-2A; Littlefield 8-1, 6-0

Post vs. Littlefield

beat Slaton 48-12 Last week beat Denver City 48-28

332.4 Total offense 417.6

223.9 Total defense 244.6

27.6 Points scored 42.9

13.9 Points allowed 18.1

RB Ernie Saldivar Player to watch WR Barrick Hodge

(439 rushing yards, 5 TDs) (323 receiving yards, 9 TDs)

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