Two 6A districts may be keeping a closer eye on the race for fourth place than they are the race for first. That’s because the fourth-place finishers in Districts 19-6A and 26-6A could deliver seismic shifts in the playoff landscapes.

Katy Tompkins’ 24-19 win over third-ranked Katy –snapping the Tigers 75-game district winning streak – aside, the drama may be between 7 Lakes and Cinco Ranch. If we assume that Katy (2-1 in district play; enrollment 3,466.5), Tompkins (4-0, enrollment 4,018) and Katy Taylor (4-1, enrollment 2,915) qualify for the playoffs, that leaves Seven Lakes (enrollment 3,767) and Cinco Ranch (enrollment 3,257) as the leaders for the final spot.

If Seven Lakes beats Cinco Ranch on Nov. 20 and go on to make the playoffs, the Spartans would push the Tigers into Division 2.

In District 26-6A, fourth-ranked Westlake (2,833), seventh-ranked Lake Travis (3,401) and Hays Consolidated (2,351) hold the top three playoffs spots. Austin Bowie (2,848) and Austin High (2,359) are battling for the fourth spot. By virtue of Austin High’s 57-56 win over Bowie earlier this season, Westlake, last year’s 6A, Division II champion is all but locked into Division I.

For Westlake to head back to the Division II bracket, Bowie would need to beat San Marcos and Hays in the Nov. 27 regular season finale AND get help, most logically in the form on a Del Valle upset of Austin High, also on Nov. 27.

If both Westlake and Katy end up in Division I, the Division II bracket becomes wide open. Expect teams like Converse Judson, Vandegrift and Vista Ridge to keep at least one eye trained on how District 26-6A shapes out. A playoff path without the likes of Katy and Westlake becomes much more manageable.