By: Nathan Bloechl — [email protected]
Humboldt, Iowa — The Humboldt Wildcat football team has their sights set on beating Carroll this Friday, as they most certainly should.
But as it stands today, the horizon may just be getting brighter and brighter.
Humboldt, with a pair of wins in their final two games over Carroll and Perry, would receive an automatic qualification into the Class 3A playoffs.
The IHSAA instituted the RPI ruling into this year’s playoff system, however if multiple teams tie for the district championship they all receive automatic qualification.
Right now, Humboldt is tied for 2nd in the district trailing only Carroll, their opponent Friday.
Boone, likewise to Humboldt, is 2-1 in district play.
With a win over Carroll this Friday, Humboldt would almost certainly set up a do or die winner take all scenario in the final week at home versus Perry.
Win that one, be crowned as co-district champions, and then try your might in a talented 3A field.
With a loss versus Carroll on Friday, Humboldt would be eliminated from playoff contention as a whole.
Even with a loss versus Perry in the final week, Humboldt could still qualify for the playoffs after beating Carroll this Friday, although you or I might have a better chance at winning the lottery.
With a Humboldt win over Carroll and loss versus Perry, Humboldt would qualify if:
- Webster City beats Boone (presuming Boone wins over Perry this week).
- Carroll falls to Dallas Center-Grimes.
Under that scenario, it would be a bizarre four-way tie for 1st in the district.
Carroll (L, at Humboldt; L, vs. DC-G) (4-5, 3-2)
Humboldt (W, vs. Carroll; L, vs. Perry) (4-5, 3.-2)
Webster City (W, @ DC-G; W, @ Boone) (5-4, 3-2)
Boone (W, @ Perry; L, @ Webster City) (5-4, 3-2)
The simple math is this: just win, baby.
If Humboldt can win out, they’ll qualify for the playoffs.
Of course, in Jim Mora fashion — “PLAYOFFS? WE TALKING ABOUT PLAYOFFS?” — Humboldt is just set on winning the next game, the next series and the next play.
But it’s cool to wonder.
Kudos to head coach Derrick Elman, his staff, and the players who have bought into the system.
Pack Mason Maach Field on Friday, this group might just shock us all.