Javelinas to play host to playoff game

The Texas A&M-Kingsville football team found out Sunday they are going back to the NCAA Division II Playoffs for the first time since 2004.

The Javelinas (9-2) will play host to Lone Star Conference rival Tarleton State at 1 p.m. Saturday. Tickets for the game likely will go on sale to the public Tuesday.

The Javelinas finished the regular season in a three-way tie for the LSC title with Tarleton State and Midwestern State. They earned the No. 4 seed in NCAA Division II Super Region II. Central Washington is the No. 1 seed and is followed by Northwest Missouri State, Midwestern State, TAMUK, TSU and Abilene Christian.

The Javelinas entered the final week of the season in the eighth spot in the region, but a 35-32 win over Angelo State and losses by the No. 3 through No. 6 teams in the region opened the door for the team to move up in the rankings.

Four LSC teams advanced to the playoffs, tying the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference for most teams in the playoffs this year.

The Javelinas defeated Tarleton State earlier this year by a score of 34-20 on Oct. 3 at Javelina Stadium. The Midwestern State-Abilene Christian game also is a rematch. MSU defeated Abilene Christian 15-13 in the final game of the regular season at home.

The last time the Javelinas made the playoffs they defeated Southeastern Oklahoma 40-30 at Javelina Stadium in the first round and then lost to Northwest Missouri State 34-14 on the road.

This is the 15th time the Javelinas have advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs.

The Javelinas and Texans (9-2) have met once before in the playoffs. The Hogs won a 34-10 game at Javelina Stadium on Nov. 22, 2003.