Defending champion Bishop Garrigan will get a taste of what the postseason is going to feel like.

The top-ranked Golden Bears (6-0 overall, 4-0 8-Man, District 2) will host seventh-ranked GTRA (6-0, 4-0) who is gaining steam in the AP prep rankings.

Bishop Garrigan has put together a remarkable two-year stretch, winning 18 straight games and claiming the school’s first ever eight-man state championship a year ago.

This week has tons of playoff implications for Messenger-area teams.

In Class 3A top-ranked Algona and fifth-ranked Humboldt have more than likely locked up playoff spots.

Garrigan, Emmetsburg and Manson Northwest Webster have locked up playoff spots.

The E-Hawks (6-0, 4-0) are on their way to a district crown, as are the Golden Bears. The Cougars (5-1, 3-0) have earned a spot with three district wins. East Sac County (3-3, 2-1) is a frontrunner for the third district spot.

Pocahontas Area (0-6, 0-3) has an outside chance with a victory over Sioux Central this week and a win against Eagle Grove next week.

With a win against Panorama (1-5, 1-3), South Central Calhoun (3-3, 2-2) will lock a spot in Class A.

West Bend-Mallard (3-3, 2-2) needs a win over Northwood-Kensett (2-4, 2-3) and a win in the final week to stay ahead of Harris-Lake Park.

No. 7 GTRA (6-0, 4-0) at No. 1 Bishop Garrigan (6-0, 4-0)

The Golden Bears will have their first true test since the opening week when they beat St. Edmond (48-22) in their closest game of the year.

Sandwiched with a forfeit victory, Garrigan has scored 70 points two weeks in a row. Last week they beat Siouxland Christian (71-20).

Quarterback Tate Foertsch threw for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Trayton Cink had 162 yards on the ground and three trips to the end zone. Ethan Mason and Andrew Lichter had a touchdown each.

Daniel Meis, Wyatt Rosemeyer, Michael Joyce and Owen Murphy had touchdowns.

Foertsch has 556 yards passing, seven scores and one on the ground.

Cink has been the groundhog, running for 652 and 16 scores. Ethan Marso has six rushing touchdowns.

Joyce has three receiving scores, while Rosenmeyer and Murphy have two each.

The Titans are coming off a 58-8 win over Harris-Lake Park where they threw for 338 yards. Teagan Hanson had 223 yards and three scores, while Kasey Hough threw for 115 and a touchdown.

Hough also had three rushing touchdowns, while Kenny Ness had one. Jaxon Schnell and Hough had two receiving touchdowns each.

Hough had six touchdowns total, three rushing, two receiving and one passing.

On the season Hough has 28 total touchdowns, 14 receiving, 12 on the ground and two in the air. He has thrown for 888 yards and ran for 549.

Manson NW (5-1, 3-0) at East Sac County (3-3, 2-1)

With a 3-0 start in the district, Manson Northwest Webster has locked up a playoff spot and can earn a home win with a runner up showing in the district.

With two district wins, East Sac County is more than likely in the playoffs.

Last week, the Cougars topped Sioux Central (24-14), their third straight win. Logan Moline threw for 125 yards and a touchdown. Kamden Birkey and Moline had rushing scores, while Cooper Harman had the receiving touchdown.

Moline has thrown for 599 yards and four scores and has run for two scores. Birkey has been a monster on the ground, running for 696 yards and nine scores.

The Raiders won their second straight with a 38-6 win over Eagle Grove. Sam Julin threw for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Landon Grindle had two rushing scores and Jack Gullett had one. Gullett, Landon Grindle and Dawson Allen had touchdown catches.

Julin has thrown for 819 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Grindle has seven rushing scores and Julin has reached paydirt four times.

West Bend-Mallard (3-3, 2-2) at Northwood-Kensett (2-4, 2-3);

Pocahontas Area (0-6, 0-3) at Sioux Central (3-3, 1-2)

West Bend-Mallard will lock a playoff berth with two straight victories or one win and one Harris-Lake Park loss.

The Wolverines have won two straight, knocking off North Iowa 69-26 last week. Cole Fehr (131 yards) and Austin Schmidt (128) had four and three touchdowns each as the Wolverines ran for 351 yards. Cesar Falcon also had a touchdown.

Schmidt returned an interception 66 yards for a score as well.

Through the season, Schmidt has three passing touchdowns and 11 rushing with 804 yards. Fehr has run for 11 touchdowns and 576 yards.

The Indians have not won a game this season, but with a victory this week and a win over Eagle Grove in the final week, they will earn the fourth district spot.

Eagle Grove (0-6, 0-3) at No. 3 Emmetsburg (6-0, 3-0)

Third-ranked Emmetsburg is awaiting a showdown with Manson Northwest Webster in the final week of the season, as the E-Hawks and Cougars look to go into the contest unbeaten.

Emmetsburg is coming off a 51-6 win over Pocahontas Area where they ran for 406 yards. Ten different running backs carried the ball, with four reaching the paydirt.

Carson Baak had 17 carries for 131 yards and a score. Gavin Swanson and Bradyen Yates had two touchdowns each. Owen Householder and JJ Fiene had scoring runs as well.

Emmetsburg has three running backs over 500 yards, led by Baak (641). Yates (594) and Swanson (500) are their other leaders. Baak (11), Swanson (9) and Yates (8).

Panorama (1-5, 1-3) at South Central Calhoun (3-3, 2-2)

South Central Calhoun has their playoff hopes in their own hands. With a win over Panorama, The Titans will earn a playoff spot.

South Central Calhoun is coming off a 47-0 loss to West Hancock and Panorama lost to Earlham 42-7.

Andrew Anderson has thrown for 711 yards and three touchdowns and also has run for three.

Luke Patterson has thrown for three scores as well.

The Titans have run for 1,004 yards. Cole Higgins is the leader with 241 yards. Caleb Juhl has three rushing scores, while Kaden Dorman and Cole Higgins have two each. Mike Trott also has a score.

Garrett Krause has three touchdowns while Charlie Nattress has two.

Other area games: Charles City (3-3, 0-2) at Webster City (2-4, 1-1); Okoboji (4-2, 2-1) at Clarion-Goldfield/Dows (1-5, 0-3); Greene County (2-4, 1-2) at Southeast Valley (3-3, 1-2); Mason City Newman (4-2, 3-1) at North Union (1-5, 1-4); Ar-We-Va (3-3, 2-2) at Newell-Fonda (2-4, 1-3).