Big Spring Steers wide receiver Sidney Parker (4) leaps in an effort to make a receptions over an Andrews defender Oct. 5 in the Steers’ 33-29 loss to the Mustangs. The Steers host Lubbock Estacado Friday at Memorial Stadium with the opportunity to clinch a playoff spot. (Herald photo/Bruce Schooler)

Big Spring’s Steers (1-1, 1-7) is one of the teams in that situation when they face a Lubbock Estacado Matadors (2-0, 4-4) team in a matchup filled with playoff inclinations. A Steers’ win, along with some help from Plainview, clinches a playoff spot for Big Spring.

“It’s a playoff game. We can really put ourselves into great shape as far as a playoff spot if we can beat Estacado,” Big Spring Head Coach Mike Ritchey said. “It would give us the tiebreaker over them and if Plainview can do us a favor and beat Lake View Friday, then we could clinch the top spot in the Division II, Class 4A playoff bracket.”

While a loss wouldn’t eliminate the Steers from playoff contention, it would definitely set them back and place them in a must-win situation against San Angelo Lake View in their regular season finale.

Estacado has already clinched a playoff spot — its first in 10 years. After winning just two games in the past two years, the Matadors have made a substantial turnaround courtesy of a senior laden team.

“They have a lot of seniors on this year’s squad. I think that’s one of the key reasons for their turnaround,” Ritchey said. “Experience is huge. I think the new coaching staff they have has helped a lot as well.”

The Matadors offense is averaging more than 30 points a game and led by quarterback Kyle Jackson. Jackson has topped 1,500 yards passing already this season. His favorite target is Jeremy Watson, who is the district’s receiving leader.

“Estacado always has a lot of speed and this year’s team is no different. They’ve got a tailback and quarterback that are very fast,” Ritchey said. “They’ve also got a wide receiver that is leading our district in every receiving statistical category. We’re going to have to play good football, but we feel like we match up with their size and speed well.”

The two teams have played two common opponents so far this season — Andrews and Plainview. The Steers went 1-1 against the two teams, dropping a heartbreaker to Andrews on homecoming night.

Estacado, however, is 2-0, including a 41-6 thrashing of Plainview last week. The Steers defeated Plainview, 26-16.

“We do share those two common opponents. They beat both of them. We split our games with them,” Ritchey noted. “We played well against Andrews, though. It’s a game we should’ve won.”

The Steers are trying to rebound from a disheartening 49-14 loss to Frenship’s Tigers. Big Spring does have some momentum to build off of on the offensive side of the ball.

“We moved the ball well on Frenship in the second half. The first half was a disaster. We just couldn’t get anything going consistently,” Ritchey said. “Things started to click in the second half and it gives us something to build on heading into this week’s game.”

The offense was focused around the play of sophomore quarterback Tyler Tannehill, who saw the most playing time of the season. Tannehill threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. Ritchey says that Tannehill’s performance has earned him more playing time.

“We were very happy with what Tyler did against Frenship,” Ritchey noted. “(Nathan) Doporto has been pretty beat up this season. He’s had several different injuries. Tyler has figured out the speed of the varsity game and it’s starting to show on the field. He’s incredibly accurate. If he has the time in the pocket and the presence to know when he needs to get rid of the ball, then he’s a very dangerous passer.”

Last year, Tannehill’s older brother Ryan — now redshirting in his freshman year at Texas A&M — led the Big Spring offense to 53 points against Estacado. That loss killed any hopes of a playoff spot for the Matadors last season.

Contact Sports Editor Jonathan Hull by calling 263-7331, ext. 237, or by e-mailing him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it