Friday night, coach Don Deweber and the Bulldogs can end that drought and seal a trip to the playoffs with a victory over Jacksboro along with a Boyd victory over Paradise. Alvord (5-3, 2-1) and Jacksboro (3-5, 1-2) will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bulldog Stadium.
Deweber, who took over for Mike Chaney over the summer, said it would be a big step for the program to make the playoffs.
"I don't know if we've been to the playoffs in Class 2A," Deweber said. "It would be quite an accomplishment.
"I'm pretty sure a win [Friday] would put us in," he said.
A win over Jacksboro would net Alvord a third victory in District 9-2A. If Boyd beats Paradise, then Millsap, which plays Chico on Friday, is the only other league team that could get to three wins. Even with a loss Friday, Alvord could still earn a playoff spot with a victory over Paradise in week 10. But Deweber doesn't want it to come down to that scenario.
"We just need to take care of business," he said.
Alvord will catch a Jacksboro team that is coming off a pair of losses to Millsap and Boyd. Jacksboro fell to Boyd 33-22 last week.
Deweber said Jacksboro will give their best effort Friday to keep its playoff hopes alive.
"It's a must-win for them," he said. "They have a good quarterback, who runs and throws the ball well. It's going to be a challenge for us."
Jacksboro quarterback Kole Weldon threw for 78 yards and completed eight of his 19 attempts for two touchdowns last week against Boyd. He rushed for 127 yards. Weldon threw for 145 yards Oct. 16 against Millsap and added 61 yards on the ground.
"We have to put pressure on him," Deweber said. "Hopefully we can disrupt his rhythm."
Alvord rebounded from its lone district loss to Boyd Oct. 16 last week with a 38-0 victory over Chico. Alvord chewed up 352 yards. Dylan Barclay rushed for 176 yards and two scores. Quarterback Trevor Hartfield also found the end zone twice.
Hartfield has rushed for 692 yards and 10 touchdowns this season.
