Eight of the 20 area high school football teams survived the regular season to play in Week 11, the opening round of the playoffs and the first step toward securing the area’s first gold ball since 1986.

A look at their paths follows.

Class 4A

Wagoner (7-3) looks to continue its success on the road in the playoffs against Jay (7-3). The Bulldogs played their first playoff game on the road last year for the first time since beating Spiro, 27-0.

Then, if Wagoner wins, it gets tougher. The Bulldogs meet the Glenpool-Douglass winner in the quarterfinals. Glenpool is the defending state champion and knocked out Wagoner 26-7 in 2008. Wagoner has been beaten by the eventual state champion the last four years — including Bishop McGuiness in 2006 and 2007 and Clinton in 2005.

Class 3A

Checotah's trek will start on the road this year at Berryhill (8-2).

A win and the Wildcats could get Madill (10-0) and former Eufaula coach Kerry Roberts in the quarterfinals. Madill, the District 3A-2 champ, plays at home against Blanchard (7-3). Clinton, which ended Checotah's season in last year's quarterfinals, looms as a possible semifinal opponent.

Checotah (8-2) and Berryhill have two common opponents this season. The Wildcats edged Morris at home, 13-12, in week 1 and beat Kellyville 54-6 in week 6. The Chiefs beat Morris 27-6 and Kellyville 32-18 in weeks 2 and 3.

Class 2A