For the first time since 2011, three teams from the state of Texas are in the NCAA Division III playoffs. Mary Hardin-Baylor, Trinity, and Hardin-Simmons found out where they slotted when the NCAA released the Division III playoff bracket on Sunday.
The reigning national champion, Mary Hardin-Baylor, earned the automatic bid from the American Southwest Conference and will host Huntingdon at noon on Saturday afternoon. The Cru finished the regular season with a 9-1 record, with their only loss on the road to Wisconsin-Whitewater.
The Trinity Tigers repeated as champions of the Southern Athletic Association and enter the playoffs on the heels of their second consecutive perfect regular season. Trinity will host Hardin-Simmons at noon on Saturday.
The Cowboys received an at-large bid to the playoffs following a 9-1 campaign and a second-place finish in the ASC. Hardin-Simmons fans were naturally hesitant to believe the Cowboys would receive an at-large spot after being left out of the playoffs last year. However, a 41-0 road win over Wisconsin-Platteville in Week 2 propelled the Cowboys into the playoffs.
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