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With the state tournaments starting this weekend, here’s highlighting the top five playoff games followed by a rapid-fire look at the rest:

McALLEN HIGH VS. EAGLE PASS: This year Eagle Pass has been as erratic as Sally Field playing Sybil. They’re up and they’re down, they’re in then they’re out … a walking Katy Perry song. I the Bulldogs will begin the playoff season with a lot more focus than their opponent. McALLEN HIGH 28, Eagle Pass 14

ALICE AT MISSION HIGH: This one’s gonna be rough for Mission. The Coyotes have a good team (don’t let the 6-3 record fool you), and Alice put up some good fights in some key losses. But I predicted a Mission victory to a lady at Wal-Mart who stopped me earlier this week and asked me about this game. I can’t let her down now. MISSION 24, Alice 21

LYFORD AT MATHIS: The Pirates are on a four-game winning streak, and the Bulldogs have a string of 10 wins. It’ll be a tough game on the road, but the Bulldogs play better on land than sea anyway. LYFORD 21, Mathis 20

DONNA VS. DEL RIO: Everytime I think of Del Rio I think of the 1980s Lone Ranger movie (which was set there). In that movie the Native American sidekick Tonto bailed the Lone Ranger out of plenty of jams. This warrior won’t be so quick to lend a hand. This time you’re on your own Kimo Sabe. DONNA 27, Del Rio 20

MERCEDES AT TULOSO-MIDWAY: The Warriors are a tough team that have made the playoffs two years straight after a long pause. They really are a good football team. But I just don’t expect them to get past Mercedes this year. The Tigers are better than that. MERCEDES 26, Tuloso-Midway 18

The rest:

FLOUR BLUFF VS. MISSION VETERANS: The Hornets have become a Coastal Bend Power. There’s always basketball season. FLOUR BLUFF 33, Mission Veterans 14

SAN BENITO AT HARLINGEN HIGH: The Cardinals just look too powerful right now — and all season for that matter. HARLINGEN 36, San Benito 13

EDINBURG HIGH AT BROWNSVILLE HANNA: The Golden Eagles soar in this one. HANNA 42, Edinburg High 21

S.A. SOUTHWEST VS. RIO GRANDE CITY: Southwest remains undefeated on the season. SOUTHWEST 31, RGC 20

BROWNSVILLE PACE AT PSJA NORTH: This should be a good one, but the Raiders are a fine ball club. PSJA NORTH 28, Pace 21

EDINBURG NORTH AT LOS FRESNOS: This one is hard to tell, but I’m gonna flip a coin. LOS FRESNOS 30, Edinburg North 28

LAREDO ALEXANDER VS. SHARYLAND: The Rattlers are rolling and this is merely a speed bump. SHARYLAND 44, Alexander 20

CALALLEN AT WESLACO EAST: East couldn’t get past 32-4A unscathed, and this is a tougher test. CALALLEN 32, East 20

INGLESIDE VS. ZAPATA: Ingleside continues its unblemished record. INGLESIDE 47, Zapata 16

RIO HONDO AT SINTON: The Pirates are good, but not unbeatable. Still … SINTON 28, Rio Hondo 14

FALLS CITY VS. LA VILLA: Yikes! FALLS CITY 49, La Villa 14

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