What's trending in high school football? Tuloso-Midway punches rare playoff ticket

Tuloso-Midway’s 13-year playoff drought is over.

With Friday’s 29-10 win against Hidalgo, the Warriors clinched their spot in the postseason for the first time since the 2009 season.

T-M has also secured third place in District 16-4A Division I ahead of Friday’s season finale against Zapata.

“It’s very satisfying that our program and principles have played out on the field,” Tuloso-Midway coach Kris O’Neal said. “Our kids were able to unify against overwhelming odds and come together to do something that’s only been done three times in the history of the school.”

Since 1948, T-M has made the playoffs in 1966, 1975, 2008 and 2009.

O’Neal, who is in his second season as head coach of the Warriors, said the biggest difference this season compared to last year is the players believing in one another.

“The biggest difference is people believing in each other, putting in the offseason work and improving every game, regardless of the outcome," O'Neal said. "That’s been the big difference.”

Watch that man

There is no understating the value of special teams in football.

A big play can change the complexion of a game and even add to or reverse momentum.

More often people think of the impact of a return, but there are other ways to impact the kicking game, as Gregory-Portland has seen.

G-P junior Gabriel Juarez blocked his fifth punt of the season, returning his second for a touchdown last week in the Wildcats win against Valley View.

Earlier this season Juarez blocked two punts against Brownsville Porter and had multiple blocks last season as a sophomore.

The All-South Texas linebacker has again found ways to make an impact beyond just his role as one of the best defenders in the area.

Watching the scoreboard

The four playoff teams in District 16-3A Division I are set but the seeding will depend on the outcome of games on Friday in this six-team district.

Falfurrias, Lyford, Rio Hondo and San Diego all enter week 11 with 3-1 district records and all four of those teams play each other. Falfurrias will take on San Diego and Lyford faces Rio Hondo.

Here's how things break down

If Falfurrias and Lyford win: No. 1 Falfurrias; No. 2 Lyford; No. 3 San Diego; No. 4 Rio Hondo

If Falfurrias and Rio Hondo win: No. 1 Rio Hondo, No. 2 Falfurrias; No. 3 Lyford; No. 4 San Diego

If San Diego and Rio Hondo win: No. 1 San Diego; No. 2. Rio Hondo; No. 3 Falfurrias; No. 4 Lyford

If San Diego and Lyford win: No. 1 Lyford; No. 2 San Diego; No. 3 Rio Hondo; No. 4 Falfurrias

District 15-4A Division I still not set

Other than La Vernia being the district champion, the final three playoff spots in District 15-4A Division I are still up for grabs.

For Beeville and Port Lavaca Calhoun, a win will make the Sandcrabs the No. 2 seed and Beeville No. 3. If Beeville wins and Calhoun loses, the Trojans are the No. 2 seed. If Beeville loses, then it will be the fourth seed and will have to rely on points to learn its fate.

Rockport-Fulton can still make the playoffs with a win against La Vernia, a Beeville win and a Port Lavaca loss.

"I told the kids we control our own destiny," Beeville coach Chris Soza said. "That's all we're thinking about right now."

Two-way threat

Lonnie Adkism’s talent as a receiver was unquestioned going into the season. The Sam Houston State commit continues to put up numbers and be one of the focal points when teams line up against the Miller offense.

But teams will soon have to keep an eye on where he is on defense after pulling in his fourth interception in the last two weeks last Friday against Victoria West.

The senior returned the pick 40 yards for a game-breaking touchdown for Miller, which clinched its fourth consecutive playoff appearance with a 41-18 win.

Adkism now has seven interceptions on the season, including two returned for touchdowns to go with his 866 yards and 13 touchdowns receiving as he continues to move up the all-time receiving lists in Texas.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: What's trending in high school football: T-M prepares for playoffs