NEDERLAND — The Nederland Bulldogs cannot clinch a playoff spot tonight, but the team can get real close to doing so.

Nederland takes on Lumberton at Bulldog Stadium in yet another crucial District 22-5A game for the Bulldogs. They are 3-3 in the standings, tied with the Livingston Lions, who are at Central tonight in the other game that will help decide the fourth playoff seed.

The Lions are the only team to control its own destiny.

If Livingston beats Central and Lumberton defeats Nederland, the Lions clinch. Nederland gets in if the Bulldogs win out and the Lions go either 1-1 or 0-2 to finish the year.

The final scenario comes down to points if Central, Nederland and Livingston all finish 4-4.

Nederland comes into tonight’s game riding a two-game winning streak and fresh off a bye. The Bulldogs three weeks ago beat Central before knocking off Ozen the following Saturday.

Lumberton defeated Ozen 41-18 last week to snap a three-game losing streak. The win over the Panthers was not enough to save the Raiders playoff hopes as Lumberton has been eliminated.

The 2015 playoff trip for the Raiders was only the third in the school’s history, which dates back to 1966. Lumberton’s first-ever trip to the playoffs came in 2007.

Nederland is on the other side of the spectrum. The Bulldogs have played in the postseason eight straight seasons and 20 times since Larry Neumann took over in 1993.

To get the win tonight, Nederland must find a way to contain Lumberton’s senior quarterback Brett Marcantel. He has 1,630 combined yards this year and he means a lot to the Raiders who have 2,435 yards as a team.

He has 20 combined touchdowns, 13 on the ground and seven in the air.

Nederland counters with a defense that is second in District 22-5A by allowing 254.6 yards a contest.

Sophomore defensive back Noah Lewis is second in the district with four interceptions and senior teammate Ty Sheppard has two.

Nederland’s offense goes through the legs of running back Devon Simmons. The junior, who missed three games with an injury, is eighth in District 22-5A with 638 yards on 99 carries. He has scored six touchdowns.

The Raiders’ defense is seventh in the district after giving up 357.8 yards a game, 205.6 coming on the ground.

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Gabriel Pruett: 721-2436. Twitter: @PaNewsGabe

22-5A FOOTBALL

LUMBERTON (3-5) AT NEDERLAND (3-5)

• When: 7 tonight

• Where: Bulldog Stadium

• Radio: KLVI-AM 560

• 22-5A standings: Nederland 3-3, Lumberton 2-4

• Series record: Nederland leads series 14-3; last meeting, Nederland won 51-21 in 2015