FRIDAY

Central Catholic (4-4, 2-1) at Antonian (7-1, 3-0), 7:30 p.m.

This could be an opportunity for a signature win for Central Catholic, if the Buttons are equal to the task.

Obviously, signature wins are not supposed to come easily, and TAPPS District 2-I leader Antonian will be a handful – especially on its cozy home field. In Don Byrd’s second year at Central Catholic, it might be time for that kind of accomplishment.

Buttons will need to get running game established early so quarterback Joseph Nava can look downfield to Will Barr and others for potential big plays. Avoiding turnovers, of course, also will be a key.

Central Catholic is on track for the postseason regardless of the outcome. The question at stake is whether it can contend for the district title. 2012 score: Antonian 21, Central Catholic 0.

East Central (3-5, 1-2) at South San (2-6, 0-3), 7:30 p.m.

East Central quarterback Jeremy Jones returned from an injury last Friday in a loss to Steele. The Hornets need to establish their passing game out of the spread offense to complete their playoff push and advance beyond.

The passing game also is key for South San, but the bigger issue is whether Christian Morales is able to  have a big day on the ground. Juan Zamarripa’s development as a possession receiver has helped alleviate some of the pressure on Morales.  

South San must win its last two games to have a chance at the playoffs. The Hornets likely need to win either here or at home against Corpus Christi King, with whom they share fourth place, next week. Their destiny is in their hands.

East Central leads the series 17-8, and has won the last six games. South San last won in 1998. The series goes back to 1966. 2012 score: East Central 28, South San 0.

Harlandale (7-1, 4-1) at Uvalde (5-3, 4-1), 7 p.m.

Harlandale has won its last two games since being tripped up by Kennedy, but hasn’t seemed to regain its previous performance level since the loss of big-play receiver James Mendoza. They’ll need to summon the fires within on the long road trip to Uvalde, because the Coyotes have been pretty feisty this year  – although somewhat inconsistent.

This is a chance for the winner to maintain a share of first place and clinch a playoff berth. The loser likely will get in, too, but will face a very difficult bi-district game.

The Indians need to find a way to generate the long touchdowns they were getting with regularity earlier in the season and a turnover-free night will help. They must control the line of scrimmage and limit Uvalde’s big-play potential. 2012 score: Harlandale 48, Uvalde 13.

Kennedy (6-2, 3-2) at Floresville (6-2, 4-1), 7 p.m.

Not to slight next Friday’s showdown against Memorial in any way, because that promises to be a barnburner, but this is Kennedy’s moment of truth. If it loses, the door to the playoffs isn’t likely to crack open again.

Floresville has been increasingly looking like the best team in District 29-4A, even though the Tigers are currently sharing first with Harlandale and Uvalde.

The Rockets have had a winning record the last three years but not made the playoffs. Undoubtedly Kennedy is tired of that.

Both teams like to control the ball. Kennedy’s defense will need to prevent that, and some of those opportunistic turnovers it’s been forcing this year would come in handy. The offensive line is going to need a big night as well, to open holes for workhorse Matthew Avalos. 2012 score: Floresville 38, Kennedy 14.

Lanier (3-5, 3-1) vs. Brackenridge (5-3, 3-1) at SAISD Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m.

The winner can rest assured it will be in the playoffs this year.

For a Lanier team that missed the postseason a year ago, that would be a major accomplishment. It’s expected of Brackenridge, and a big part of the reason is quarterback Ramon Richards.

In Richards, the Eagles have a potential game-changing playmaker. The Voks have an effective and varied offense, but no one who fits that description – and that might be the difference in this year’s game.

The Voks will need a big game from back Joe Orta and likely one from quarterback Nicholas Garcia to keep pace with the high-flying Eagles.

Brackenridge has a 21-6-1 record in the series and has won the last six meetings. The Voks won back-to-back games in 2005 and 2006. 2012 score: Brackenridge 32, Lanier 20.

LaVernia (7-1, 2-0) vs. Sam Houston (1-7, 0-2) at Wheatley Heights Sports Complex, 7:30 p.m.

La Vernia takes a six-game winning streak into this contest and vanquished Poteet 70-0 last Friday.

The mission for Sam Houston is to end its District 28-3A losing streak that spans two seasons. In order to do that, the Hurricanes will need a big game from Erin Mack, whom Pleasanton was able to control last Friday.

If the Hurricanes can succeed at that task, and give quarterback Raymonte Prime, they will be dangerous – as they were in the district opener against Somerset.2012 score: La Vernia 50, Sam Houston 6.

Medina Valley (5-3, 3-2) vs. Memorial (3-5, 1-4) at Frank Mata Stadium, 7 p.m.

Time is running out on Memorial’s slim playoff hopes and the District 29-4A schedulemaker has done te Minutemen no favors. After a loss to Uvalde last Friday, Memorial draws a Medina Valley team still smarting from its loss to Floresville, which knocked the Panthers out of first place.

Fortunately, Memorial is back at its friendly confines.

Memorial still will need a big game from back Raul Rangel so that quarterback Alfred Ramos has room to operate and find his targets. Floresville was able to shut down Medina Valley’s ground game. Memorial will need to do the same, and get some early points to vocalize the crowd.

Medina Valley has won all three games in the series. 2012 score: Medina Valley 65, Memorial 17.

Southside (0-8, 0-5) vs. McCollum (3-5, 1-4) at Harlandale Memorial Stadium, 7 p.m.

McCollum needs to win this game and the Frontier Bowl, and get some help from its district rivals to make the playoffs. Southside played like a relative equal to Harlandale last Thursday, not a winless team. The energized Cardinals seem capable of garnering their first win here, but they’ll need a strong start.

Complicating matters for the Cowboys is the questionable health of junior quarterback Ralph Vidal, who was injured late in last Friday’s loss to Kennedy. His passing could be a difference maker.

McCollum leads the series 11-2, but its most recent win was 2009, before a three-year gap in the series. 2012 score: Southside 39, McCollum 36.

Southwest (4-4, 2-1) vs. Corpus Christi King (3-5, 1-2) at Cabaniss Stadium, Corpus Christi, 7:30 p.m.

Southwest was upset by Corpus Christi Carroll last week, and they can weather that storm, as long as they don’t lose to another Corpus team this week. Then they’d fall into the lost world of factors they can’t control, as Steele looms next Friday.

King is coming off a big win over South San, but lost to Carroll convincingly a week earlier. The Mustangs clearly are improving and will bring confidence into this home game.

The Dragons should have this, but will need a better performance from their defense some help from backs not named Nathaniel Scott, who went for 289 yards on 39 carries last week – amazing numbers in both departments.2012 score: Southwest 38, Corpus Christi Carroll 26.