Regardless of what happens this week, the Palo Duro Dons’ fate will be determined in the final game of the regular season. The Dons control their own destiny in every sense as they need to beat Plainview in the regular season finale to end their eight-year playoff drought. Lose, and it’s another year at home during the postseason.
Before they get there, however, the Dons have to get through a tough test this week against Abilene Wylie.
Wylie is currently atop the District 2-5A Division II standings at 5-3 overall and 3-0 in district play. PD, on the other hand, is 2-6 overall and 1-2 in district. It’s a tough draw for the Dons who will look to pull off the upset in the rare afternoon game at Dick Bivins Stadium.
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“It’s another big one,” Dons coach Eric Mims said. “Wylie leads the district right now and they’re playing extremely well. Their quarterback and receiver are two of the best in the district so we’re going to have to go out and play well this week and leave it all on the line.”
While Palo Duro has had its struggles on offense, the Dons are capable of putting points on the board. They scored 70 on Lubbock High earlier this month and 31 against Estacado earlier this season. They’ll hope for that kind of performance this week.
On defense, Palo Duro has two of the best pass rushers in the Panhandle. Swiss Army Knife Kameron Brown leads the area in sacks with 9.5, while defensive lineman Triston Moore is tied for second with seven. The two form a formidable duo that can do some damage to opposing offenses.
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“They do a good job upfront,” Mims said. “Kameron has a really good knack for sacking the quarterback and Triston has as well. Putting those guys on opposite sides and forcing quarterbacks to move back and forth has really worked well for us.”
Mims credits the development of the line to assistant coach Ziggy Hood, a former first round NFL draft pick.
“Coach Hood has done a great job,” Mims said. “It’s always great to have a NFL defensive lineman coaching up pass rush moves.”
The Dons have had to face some resiliency this year, no doubt.
Expectations were quite high entering the season and things haven’t gone according to plan. With that said, Palo Duro has a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2014 if they beat Plainview next week.
The Dons are not looking past Wylie this week, though. Their minds are focused on the task at hand. Still, the players know how close they are to the playoffs. That’s motivation enough to keep giving it their all.
“In a six-team district with four teams making it (the players) understand that a win could solidify that spot,” Mims said. “That’s our hope and that’s what we’ll keep pressing towards. We’re working hard every day and we’re a band of brothers. We know we still have the opportunity to be a playoff team and these guys are in it together.”
District 2-5A Div. II Football
When: 4 p.m. Friday
Where: Dick Bivins Stadium, Amarillo
Records: Wylie 5-3, 3-0; PD 2-6, 1-2
Coverage: Follow @Hpisani91 on Twitter for live updates, plus post game video, stories and photos to appear on amarillo.com.