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For one of these teams it could be “If We Only …” week.

When the regular season is over the loser of this week’s games could be thinking that when they’re turning in their equipment at the end of the year. “If we only beat them, we could have been in the playoffs.” If we only punted the ball on fourth down; If we only ran the ball instead of throwing it for an interception; If we only kicked the field goal instead of going for two; etc. …

It’s a pivotal week, no doubt, with playoff hopes on the line. For some, it’ll be do-or-die the rest of the way, but they’ll need to be in that position by winning this week.

MERCEDES AT WESLACO EAST: These Mid-Valley neighbors will no doubt make this an interesting game this weekend. The Wildcats (7-0 overall, 4-0 in 32-4A) are tied with Mission atop the district standings. Among one of the few Valley schools with an umblemished record, the Wildcats will face their biggest test of the season in Mercedes. East has played just one team all year with a winning record (Roma), and should find some heavy resistance in the rolling Tigers. This game will tell just how good East is. MERCEDES 20, East 13

BROWNSVILLE RIVERA VS. BROWNSVILLE PORTER: This isn’t the greatest matchup on the schedule, but for BISD it sure does make for some interesting … nevermind. Both teams hover near the bottom half of District 32-4A, having won one conference game and lost three. There’s some outside shots that the winner of this game could possibly make the playoffs. This game, however, could be just a way to get out of the winless doldrums for either team. PORTER 12, Rivera 6

DONNA AT RIO GRANDE CITY: Both teams stand at 2-2 in 30-5A play and both need these wins to stay in playoff contention. As it stands Donna and RGC are tied for the final playoff spot, and both have winnable games to close out the season. Donna has a good balance on offense and defense, but RGC prefers to keep things on the ground offensively. If there were still ties in high school football, this could have been one of them. DONNA 17, Rio Grande City 16

MISSION VETERANS AT EDCOUCH-ELSA: It’s been a rough year for the ’Jackets. They’ve score 66 points all year (the lowest since 1979’s 42 points), and have been shut out three times in 2009 — including the last two games (Mercedes, Mission High) — the first since 2001. E-E already has given up its 32-4A winning streak, and its undefeated record against Weslaco East in the same game. Can they lose to Mission Veterans for the first time ever, too? MISSION VETERANS 10, Edcouch-Elsa 8

LOS FRESNOS AT BROWNSVILLE PACE: This one should be a good game. The Falcons are a familiar face perched atop the 32-5A standings. Save last week’s hiccup against San Benito (it was more of a loud belch judging from their 52-27 loss to the Greyhounds which yours truly picked the other way around) proved Los Fresnos to be mortal again. They head into this one against a Pace team that has lost just once all year earlier this season. They’ve been on a roll ever since. PACE 21, Los Fresnos 20

Oscar Gonzalez Jr. is Mr. Pregame for Valley Freedom Newspapers. You can reach him at oscar@themonitor.com

All of Mr. Pregame's winners below are bolded:

La Joya Palmview at McAllen Rowe

PSJA North at Edinburg High

Brownsville Hanna vs. Brownsville Lopez

McAllen Memorial vs. McAllen High

Donna at Rio Grande City

La Joya High at Sharyland

Edinburg Economedes at Harlingen High

Harlingen South at Edinburg North

PSJA High vs. PSJA Memorial

Brownsville Rivera vs. Brownsville Porter

Weslaco High at San Benito

Mission Veterans at Edcouch-Elsa

Valley View at La Joya Juarez-Lincoln

Mercedes at Weslaco East

Mission High at Roma

Rio Hondo at Raymondville

La Feria at Progreso

Lyford at Hidalgo

Zapata at Port Isabel

Hebbronville at Santa Rosa

Santa Maria at La Villa

Brownsville St. Joseph at St. Michael

Holy Cross at MMA

Los Fresnos at Brownsville Pace