Clearbrook-Gonvick barely qualified for the Minnesota Section 8 nine-man football playoffs, getting the sixth and final spot.
Yet the Bears can justify going into the postseason with confidence.
"We lost to the No. 3 seed, Climax-Fisher, by one point," C-G coach Casey Kroulik said. "We lost to the No. 2 seed, Goodridge-Grygla, by two points. And we beat the No. 1 seed, Kittson County Central, by 13. I don't think too many No. 6 seeds across the state have done that.
"The kids believe they can beat anybody in the section. But everybody else in the section I'm sure is thinking the same way. It's crazy."
Section 8 nine-man has been, literally, too close to call all season. Now the playoffs begin, with quarterfinal games Tuesday.
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The days of Stephen-Argyle dominating the section are past. For each of the six playoff qualifiers, just a few points could have swung their record. All six have played at least two games decided by eight points or less.
Top-seeded Kittson County Central (6-2) is 2-1 in games decided by eight or less. Goodridge-Grygla (6-2) is 2-0 in those games, twice winning by two-point margins. Climax-Fisher (5-3) has a pair of one-point wins and a pair of two-point losses. Badger-Greenbush-Middle River (4-4) and Clearbrook-Gonvick (4-4) both are 1-3 in those games, while Stephen-Argyle (4-4) is 1-2.
"It's been so many years -- probably since before Stephen and Argyle consolidated (in 1996) -- that the section has been this balanced," Climax-Fisher coach Darrin Byklum said. "It's usually been one, maybe two, dominant teams and everybody else battling for the middle spots. This year, the six teams in the tournament all could have been the No. 1 seed.
"It's confusing. And it's frustrating. You wonder from one Friday to the next when you're going to play consistent football. But then maybe it's not us, but the other team playing well. We're all just so even."
With that balance, Kroulik said, games often have come down to turnovers and injuries.
"A lot of teams are very thin as far as depth," Kroulik said. "And there may not be as much speed in the section as there has been in the past. But that hasn't affected the hitting. It's been as physical a section as it's been since I've been here."
The quarterfinals will be played Tuesday in Section 8AAA, 8AA, 8A and 9-man, with the semifinals Saturday. Games will be played at the highest seeds.
In other sporting events to watch in the area this week:
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Football
n North Dakota playoffs: State quarterfinal games will be played Saturday. Among area teams, Grafton, Devils Lake, Cavalier, North Star and Grand Forks Red River host games, while North Border is at Napoleon-Gackle-Streeter.
Volleyball
n North Dakota district tournaments: First-round matches will be played Thursday for District 3 in Larimore, District 4 in Grafton and District 7 in New Rockford. District 8 in Cando begins Friday.
Minnesota section tournaments: Opening play in the Section 8A and 8AA tournaments will be held Thursday.
Cross country
n Minnesota Section 8A meet: The Section 8A meet will be Friday, beginning at 4 p.m., in Bagley.
DeVillers reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1128; (800) 477-6572, ext. 128; or send e-mail to gdevillers@gfherald.com
