The Herald-Zeitung

New Braunfels coach Chuck Caniford isn’t surprised that the playoff picture for District 26-5A is coming down to the final night.

“This just shows you what kind of talent there is in this district,” Caniford said. “You can’t take any team lightly.

“Most people didn’t expect Johnson to be in the hunt, but we were in a 48-minute battle with them last week.”

The Unicorns (6-3, 4-3) came away with a 17-7 road win over the Jaguars to keep their playoff hopes alive, and New Braunfels will face another dangerous team in San Antonio MacArthur tonight in the regular season finale at Unicorn Stadium.

Caniford knows about the backdoor playoff scenarios that see the Unicorns making the postseason even if they lose, but he isn’t keen on those options.

“We’d like to take care of our own business and worry about someone else giving us a hand,” Caniford said. “You’ve got three teams fighting for two playoff spots, so it is going to be a dogfight. I like the fact that we control our own destiny.”

MacArthur was a preseason team that many were looking at to contend for the district title, but the Brahmas have struggled this season, as they were shutout 21-0 against Madison last week.

In week four, MacArthur (5-4, 3-4) shocked then-undefeated Madison 34-30 before being thumped by Smithson Valley 21-6 at home and losing back-to-back district games to Roosevelt and Reagan to fall out of playoff contention.

That’s what should frighten a team like New Braunfels.

“MacArthur is going to come out with nothing to lose and that is what is scary about a team like that,” Caniford said. “They have the freedom to just play. They don’t have to worry about wondering about playoffs. They just can go out and play.”

New Braunfels was able to rebound last week against Johnson after district-leading Reagan defeated the Unicorns 31-14 at home on Oct. 16 that put their playoff hopes on notice.

But Caniford has his team clicking on all cylinders, as the running game gave a dominant performance (252 yards) last week against the Jaguars.

Senior Jeremy Garcia had 110 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown, while quarterback John Simmons ran 10 times for 80 yards to control the clock and limit the Jaguar offense.

A similar showing by the Unicorn backfield should give them the edge against MacArthur in front of the wild home fans.

Intense preparation has been the calling card of the Unicorns this season. Win or lose, they come out and prepare like it is their last game of the season.

“We don’t wait until Friday to win a football game,” Caniford said. “You win a football game during the time between Monday-Thursday.