There are years when entering district play with one or no wins would leave a team with little hope of making the playoffs. That’s not the case this season in District 4-1A, where five of the six teams enter Friday’s opening district contests under .500. That gives hope to Bovina (1-4) and Farwell (0-5). The Mustangs visit Sudan (2-3) this week, while the Steers entertain Claude (1-4). In the other game, district favorite Nazareth (4-1) plays at Springlake-Earth (1-4). Second-year Farwell coach Mark Anglin acknowledges that his team has its work cut out trying to earn one of the district’s three playoff berths, making this week’s game all the more important. “I think us and Claude are probably the two ‘darkhorses,’” Anglin said. “This game is huge for us.” For Bovina, a win at Sudan would set the Mustangs up pretty well in the district. “Definitely, it would help us,” Mustangs coach Hector Guevara said. “But if we lose, we’re not out of the picture. “I’m pretty confident our kids will play well.” Guevara said his team has faced a challenging early schedule, adding that last week’s open date helped give players a chance to heal some injuries. “It’s been kind of rough, but hopefully (the pre-district schedule) will help us,” he said. “The week off has helped us big-time. Hopefully, we can get things rolling our way.” Claude dropped football for a couple of years, then restarted it last season. Looking for games, the Mustangs picked up Farwell and lost to the Steers 40-14. This season, Claude was added to the district. Its only win was at the expense of Smyer, a team which beat Farwell, while the Mustangs have also lost a couple of close games. “They’re a decent team,” Anglin said. “Offensively, they come at you with a bunch of different formations. Defensively, they’re in a split-six and they’ll bring it.” Anglin said the Steers could have won a couple of games by now had the ball bounced their way. “I think we’re a pretty good football team,” he said. “I think we have a chance to be in the hunt for the playoffs, and maybe contend for the district.” AREA SCHEDULE All Times MDT Today * Capitan at Texico, 7 p.m. * Loving at Fort Sumner, 7 p.m. * Melrose at Springer, 3 p.m. * Clovis Christian vs. Dora at Portales, 7 p.m. * Claude at Farwell, 6:30 p.m. * Bovina at Sudan, 6:30 p.m. * Muleshoe at Tulia, 6:30 p.m.