Oladipo Awowale/The Wylie News
Wylie head coach Bill Howard leads the Pirates in a post-game prayer following their three-point victory last Thursday at Lovejoy. The triumph improved Wylie’s record to 4-2 in District 10-5A, and it will clinch a playoff spot this Friday by beating McKinney North.

By Greg Ford
Sports Editor
[email protected]

The Pirates’ mission this week is simple; win and they’re in the playoffs.
Standing in the way are the McKinney North Bulldogs, who also have postseason aspirations, and after 48 minutes this Friday at Wylie Stadium, either they or the Pirates will be sitting pretty when it comes to postseason.
Each put themselves in this position with victories last Thursday over 10-5A competition; the Bulldogs improving to 3-3 in district play by thumping Sherman 59-28. Meanwhile, Wylie pulled off its biggest victory of the season by winning 34-31 at Lovejoy, a victory that improved the Pirates’ record to 4-2 in 10-5A.
“We took some really big strides as a team,” head coach Bill Howard said of the Lovejoy victory. “The defense played well in the first half, and the offense (did well) in the second half … I think it’s a huge accomplishment when we play together as a team.”
(To view the complete story, check out the Nov. 4 edition of The Wylie News)