Wildcats enter playoff bracket at #9

The regular season has come to a close for the Wildcats of Fleming. The final regular season contest brought a tough league loss to the Caliche Buffaloes last week, but a 7-3 overall record has allowed the Wildcat team to advance into the playoff bracket as the number nine seed according to Colorado High School Activities' Association rankings.

Friday's 45-30 loss against the North League's top contender, the Caliche Buffaloes, marked the lone league loss of the season for the local team. Caliche completed the regular season with an undefeated league record and a 9-1 overall record. They move into playoffs as the seventh ranked six-man squad.

Individual stats and scores by quarter were not reported for the season closer against Caliche.

The 16-team opening round playoff bracket lists Cheyenne Wells in the top spot. Also sitting above the ninth-ranked Wildcats are Stratton, Otis, Idalia, Granada, Sierra Grande, Caliche and Arickaree. Of that list, Idalia and Caliche are the only teams Fleming met during the regular season. Both of those contest resulted in a Wildcat loss.

As the lower seeded team in the upcoming playoff game, the Wildcats are set to travel to the home of the Arickaree Bison. The eighth-ranked Bison are 6-3 overall with a 2-3 record in their league.

Both teams defeated Prairie, Hi-Plains and Peetz this season; and both teams fell to Idalia. Stats on MaxPreps show that Fleming's offense averages about 50 more yards per game than Arickaree. Arickaree's defense out-tackles Fleming's defense by over 20 tackles per game. On the scoreboard, the Wildcats have averaged about two more points than the Bison throughout the regular season.

Fleming is set to meet Arickaree on Saturday afternoon at Arickaree High School. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. The winner of the contest will advance into quarterfinals; the loser's season will come to a close.