On Friday night, it will be Lufkin vs. The Woodlands for the District 14-5A title. That has been the case in each year since the teams joined the same district in 2004.
The Panthers have come out on the winning side each time in games that have usually been decided in the fourth quarter.
Lufkin has won the game as the favorite three times and also as the underdog last year. On Friday night The third-ranked Highlanders will look to reverse those fortunes as they bring a high-flying offense along with an aggressive defense to Abe Martin Stadium.
Meanwhile, Lufkin is coming off one of its better performances of the season in a 51-20 dismantling of the College Park Cavaliers.
That should lead to 14-5A's game of the year being a can't-miss contest.
But while Lufkin's game against The Woodlands is the most high-profile one of the week, the other four teams in 14-5A are still scrambling for playoff spots.
College Park, Conroe and Oak Ridge all have 1-2 records. With four teams going to the playoffs, at least one of those teams will be left out.
That makes Oak Ridge's game at College Park and Conroe's game at New Caney are also important ones.
Here is a look back at last week's action and a look ahead to this week's slate of games.
The Woodlands (8-0) at Lufkin (7-1) — These teams have easily been the best ones throughout the season and Friday night's game will decide the district champion.
Lufkin is coming off its most impressive win since a 28-14 win over nationally ranked Longview earlier this season.
Deauntre Smiley was stellar with 239 yards and three touchdowns on 19 of 19 passing. He also ran for 149 yards and two touchdowns on 10 carries.
The Panthers will look to duplicate that performance against a much tougher Highlanders' team.
The Woodlands continued to roll through its schedule with a 55-21 win over the Conroe Tigers. Trent Eckel threw for 237 yards and two touchdowns with one interception on 8-of-17 passing.
Daniel Lasco ran for 151 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries, and Jonathan Wilcher caught four passes for 85 yards and a touchdown.
While Friday's game will be for the district title, it will likely have no impact on the playoff picture. Barring some bizarre results over the last two weeks, Lufkin will go into the playoffs as the top Division II seed, while The Woodlands will be the top Division I seed.
Oak Ridge (4-4, 1-2) at College Park (4-4, 1-2) — In terms of playoff positioning, Friday's game at Woodforest Stadium may be the most important one of the week.
The winner of Friday's game will come close to clinching a playoff spot, while the the loser will have plenty of work to do.
Oak Ridge picked up its first district win with a 48-7 decision over New Caney. Ryan Cyr was almost perfect as he completed 15-of-17 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Torain Oakley ran for 100 yards on 14 carries.
College Park had a big day in yardage against Lufkin as Aaron Osborne and Paco Solano each ran for over 100 yards but College Park struggled in the red zone in only scoring 20 points.
Conroe (3-5, 1-2) at New Caney (2-6, 0-3) — The Tigers only have one district win but can come close to clinching a playoff spot with a win over 2-6 New Caney.
Conroe was a 55-21 loser against The Woodlands Friday, while New Caney was blown out by Oak Ridge.
Friday's game at New Caney is set for a 7:30 kickoff.
