The Pike Liberal Arts Patriots backs are against the wall. In probably the most hazy playoff picture in the area, the Patriots find themselves in a place they haven’t been since 2006 … on the verge of missing the postseason.

Pike, who is 1-3 in region play, currently sits fifth in a region of seven and that’s only due to a technicality.

Macon-East is 1-4 in the region and is half a game behind Pike in the standings. The Knights defeated the Patriots 34-28 earlier this season.

Macon plays Lyman Ward, who is 0-7, to round out their region schedule.

Pike takes on Glenwood, who sits just above PLAS at 2-3 in the region. The Patriots must also play 4-0 Lee-Scott.

So what does all that tell us?

A loss to Glenwood finishes the Patriots hopes of the playoffs. That’s the easy one.

A Pike victory over the Gators coupled with a Macon win puts the Patriots in a win-and-your-in scenario going into the Lee-Scott game.

A win over Glenwood and loss to Lee-Scott combined with a Macon win means the Knights get in on the head-to-head tiebreaker.

If Macon-East loses to Lyman Ward and the Patriots beat Glenwood then Pike would advance on the head-to-head tie break with the Gators.

Tired yet?

Well, if PLAS beats Glenwood, loses to Lee-Scott and Macon-East tops Lyman Ward … yep, a three-way tie. According to the AISA Athletic Handbook “the team with the highest margin of points in the combined decisions versus the tied team will be selected and awarded the concerned berth.”

Points will be at a premium for the Patrots and the Gators this week which should make for an exciting game.