We’ve made it eight weeks into the season, kind of.

Sure, a ton of games have been canceled, but we’ve made it this far and hopefully by Sunday, every district will have at least begun play.

With this thought in mind, I figured I would give a quick rundown of a bunch of district races that are just getting started.

Let’s start with Division 1, District 5. This district includes Van Horn, Fort Davis, Buena Vista and Marfa. If you asked me in the preseason, I would say that it would definitely be Van Horn and Fort Davis. But this is 2020 and Van Horn has only had three games to get up-to-speed in six-man. This could mean trouble.

I still like the Eagles, but if they are going to have to be immediately ready to go with games against the two biggest contenders, Buena Vista and Fort Davis, over the next two weeks. If they can get by both, circle the Week 11 game between Fort Davis and Buena Vista for a playoff berth.

Right next door in Division 1 in District 6 we have Rankin beginning their district run on the road at Grady. The Wildcats have rolled off four straight wins after dropping their first three. The other team with playoffs hopes is Garden City. It is hard to tell exactly how good the young Bearkats are, having started the season with one of the toughest schedules in the state, but they seem to be getting their feet under them and next week’s trip to Grady will be with a playoff berth on the line.

Let’s jump to Division 2, District 2, where the Wilorado Wild Men are an incredible 6-1. Their mascot is not actually the Wild Men, but the Mustangs are playing like a bunch of them. For now, Wildorado has to take care of Silverton and Hart these next two weeks. But if things go as expected based on their rankings, then Week 11 will be a huge matchup between Groom and Wildorado.

In Division 2, District 5 we have the Balmorhea show. But who else will come out? Sierra Blanca is the highest-ranked, but they’ve only played three games. Sanderson is 1-5 and is riding a five-game losing streak. Then there’s Grandfalls-Royalty, who, at 3-4 hasn’t beat a team in the top-175 of the overall rankings. This week’s Sanderson at Sierra Blanca game looks to be a battle for a playoff spot, as crazy as that sounds.

Division 2, District 6 may be the weirdest district in the state. Despite being a five-team district, no actual games have been played. You can call them forfeits or cancellations; regardless, no games have been played on the field. It seems like the only two teams that will actually decide to play all of their games will be Blackwell and Loraine.

District 8 in Division 2 begins this week as well. Benjamin (3-1) hasn’t played since Week 4, and hosts Chillicothe (3-3). The winner of this game gets the inside track to a playoff spot. Rule is 5-2, but has a loss to Northside, who Benjamin defeated (if you like to look at comparables). The Bobcats finish the season with Benjamin and Chillicothe. Harrold has only played two games and is yet to score this season.

Hey, look! Another three-team district. In this one, Apple Springs only played one game before pulling the plug, leaving Oakwood (4-2) and Chester (1-3) to try to handle Calvert. The Trojans are the runaway favorite here with Panthers likely making the playoffs as well. This week it is Chester at Calvert, next week, Oakwood at Chester, then finally, Calvert at Oakwood in Week 11.

The final district getting into district play this week is Division 2, District 14. With Mt. Calm cancelling the rest of their season, it is now just a three-team race. Dime Box (3-1) and Oglesby (6-1) look to be the favorites, but Buckholts (2-4) looks to play spoiler. The Badgers host Dime Box this week, then head to Oglesby next week.