It couldn’t be simpler for Dallas County Friday night. If the Hornets beat Central Tuscaloosa, they’ll earn the No. 3 seed in class 5A, region 3 and secure a playoff spot. With a loss, things could get complicated.

Dallas County (4-4, 3-2) has won back-to-back games over Marbury and Jemison to get into this position. Central Tuscaloosa (2-6, 2-3) also enters Friday on a two game winning streak after victories over Sumter Central and Marbury.

The Hornets can clinch a playoff spot one of two ways on Friday — beat Central Tuscaloosa or if Demopolis defeats Jemison. If the Falcons win and Demopolis beats Jemison, both Dallas County and Sumter would be in, with Sumter becoming the third seed. There’s only one scenario where the Hornets could end up missing the playoffs entirely and it’s fairly complicated.

Jemison would need to beat Demopolis and have Dallas County lose, creating a three-way tie for third. Then, Jemison and Central would also have to win games next week.

SOUTHSIDE

Southside can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Central Coosa on Friday night. If the Panthers (6-2, 3-2) win, they’ll clinch the third seed in class 3A, region 3. If Southside slips up, there’s a chance it could miss the playoffs entirely.

The Panthers enter Friday off a 44-16 win over Central Hayneville that clinched a winning season. Now, they’ll look to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2004.

Central Coosa (4-4, 2-3) not only could spoil the party, but also clinch its own playoff spot. The Cougars lost their last game at Montgomery Academy.

If Southside loses, the Panthers would miss the playoffs if Prattville Christian defeats Montgomery Academy. The Panthers could also find themselves in a three-way tie with a loss. If Southside and Prattville Christian lose, it’d join Central Coosa at 3-3 and in a three-way tie for third in class 3A, region 3.

Southside would likely be in the playoffs in that scenario, since the Panthers have six non-region wins.