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CARROLLTON – When the UIL decided to expand its playoff brackets in Class 4A and 5A, six-team districts were a big concern. Giving those districts four playoff teams, some coaches said, would probably mean some uncompetitive squads would get into the postseason.

They were right. But that won't happen this season in the six-team District 6-5A. When those teams finally opened district play Friday night, they knew that less than a month later, at least one playoff-worthy team from 6-5A wouldn't get there.

"It's going to be a murderer's row in our district," Lewisville coach Steve Gaddis said before his team's district opener against Flower Mound Marcus. "It's five weeks of the stuff that can take you to the next level. You better be ready."

And you better have some long fingernails. Coppell beat Southlake Carroll – the state's third-ranked 5A team – in two overtimes in one 6-5A opener, and Marcus needed three quarters to pull away from Lewisville. And at Hawk Stadium, kicker Byron Bell made a 21-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining to give Hebron a 24-21 victory over Flower Mound.

It's probably a sign of things to come in 6-5A, which might be the most balanced district in the area. Hebron and Flower Mound certainly were evenly matched, with neither team leading by more than a touchdown Friday.

Hebron (3-3) appeared to be in control when it drove 50 yards for a touchdown that gave it a 21-14 lead with 2:45 remaining. But Flower Mound (5-1) returned the ensuing kickoff to near midfield, and Hebron helped with a pair of 15-yard penalties: for a facemask and unsportsmanlike conduct.

That left Flower Mound just 22 yards from the Hebron end zone, and running back Hunter Lee got there on the first play to tie the score with 2:31 left. Hebron responded with a long drive to get in field goal position, including the biggest third-down conversion of the night.

Actually, it was the biggest play of the night. On third-and-11, Justin Iwuji threw 46 yards to Chad Barlow to give Hebron a first down at the Flower Mound 12-yard line with little more than a minute remaining. Hebron, which earlier this season lost to Wylie and Mesquite after leading in the fourth quarter, then set up for the winning field goal.

Opening district play with a win is important for any team, but especially in 6-5A, which will determine its playoff teams with just five district games apiece. That magnifies each week.

"We always talk about how the season is a marathon," Flower Mound coach Cody Vanderford said before the game. "Well, now it's a sprint. You better be ready to play each week or you're going to get beat."

And even if you are ready, you might get beat. That's what happens in a district like 6-5A.