For Lometa, it's a good news, bad news situation.

The good news is the Hornets will not have to worry about facing Richland Springs during this year's playoff run. The bad news is the only four teams sitting ahead of Richland Springs in the state's standings all reside on Lometa's side of the bracket.

In four of the previous six years, Lometa's season ended at the hands of Richland Springs, but that will not be the case this time around after No. 4 Strawn bested the fifth-ranked Coyotes in an 83-72 shootout last week.

"At least we know we can't get beat by them (Richland Springs)," head coach Wendell Bradley jokingly said.

Unfortunately, the Hornets might prefer having their postseason arch-enemies in the mix considering a trek to the title will now likely meander through state powerhouses Abbott (third), Calvert (first) and either Gordon (second) or Strawn. And the murderous stretch does not even include the state championship game.

"We know what is out in front of us," Bradley said. "You've got to beat them all.

"Richland Springs lost, but that just means that now, if you are going to get to the championship, you got to beat the team that beat them."

But before the 40th-ranked Hornets can even contemplate writing a six-man Cinderella story, they must focus on the task at hand: tonight's 7:30 p.m. matchup against undefeated Abbott in Hico.

Lometa is a perfect 3-0 alltime when facing the Panthers, but the teams have not collided since 1997, a year Abbott sported a 1-9 record. The Panthers come into tonight's "win or go home" contest with 11 consecutive victories, thanks to an explosive offense producing 58.27 points per game and a stingy defense allowing an average of less than nine points.

Lometa needs to pack an extra bag of offensive firepower for the road trip if they expect to exchange punches with Abbott on the neutral field. The Hornets scored 58 points just once this season.

"When you get to this level, you have to score," Bradley said. "Of course, we're going to have to play good defense, but our offense is going to have to pick it up and be able to match scores with them or you just get left behind."

On the year, the Hornets are averaging a hair over 39 points while giving up 27.67, making them a 45-point underdog in their playoff opener following last week's first round bye.

While the Panthers will be donned in black and gold, Bradley knows the physical bunch could leave his Hornets black and blue if they are not careful.

"They come out and try to attack you on both sides of the ball as hard and as fierce as they can," Bradley said. "They try to jump out and get that 30-point lead on you just as quick as they can.

"It's like they aren't even saving [their energy] for later."

If Lometa can withstand the initial offensive onslaught then it could exploit Abbott's over aggressiveness on defense as the game continues. Otherwise, the Hornets might find themselves on the wrong end of a 45-point ruling at halftime.

For Lometa, it's a good news, bad news situation.