New Braunfels is on the outside looking in on the playoffs going into Saturday night’s huge District 26-5A matchup against San Antonio Johnson at Heroes Stadium.
The Unicorns (5-3, 3-3) sit tied with San Antonio Roosevelt for fifth in the district with two games remaining. Two games that New Braunfels must win to keep in the playoff mix.
New Braunfels is coming off the bye week and will need to rebound from the 31-14 home loss to San Antonio Reagan, but that has been a huge asset for the Unicorns in their ability to not make too much of any win or loss.
Senior quarterback John Simmons has scored 11 touchdowns (6 throwing, 5 rushing) and has completed 64.9 percent of his passes, but was picked off three times by a stiff Reagan defense.
Unicorn running back Jeremy Garcia was held to 66 yards on the ground and no touchdowns after the senior scored six touchdowns in the previous two games.
Johnson (5-4, 4-3) has what New Braunfels wants — the fourth and final playoff spot — and have played solid for most of the season before last week’s 31-21 loss to Reagan.
The Jaguars are primarily a running team with Daniel Warren and J.J. Latu combining for 169 carries, 933 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
But against Smithson Valley, Johnson’s secondary was exposed, as Parker McKenzie threw for three touchdowns, including a 46-yard strike to Garrett Renken.
A shaky secondary could give Simmons plenty of chances to complete the long ball to any compliment of Unicorn wideouts.
New Braunfels’ defense should be the most helped by the off-week, as the overall health of the team should improve. Defensive back/kicker Aaron Hayduk should be near 100 percent and several other Unicorns could return to the lineup against Johnson.
A wild card for New Braunfels could be running back Karimu Osman, who turned out to be a bright spot against Reagan.
The junior back had three carries for 76 yards — a 25.3-yard average — and has shown signs of brilliance when given the playing time. His blend of speed and agility gives New Braunfels a much-needed weapon on the road.
