Every game is important at this stage of the season, and that is especially true for MacArthur.
The Highlanders are currently tied with Altus for second in the District 5A-1 standings, and the two teams meet tonight at 7 p.m. at Hightower Memorial Stadium to break the tie.
The Highlanders control their own destiny in terms of a possible district title. If Mac wins out, it would clinch its third-straight league championship.
However, the Highlanders would need wins over the No. 5 Bulldogs tonight and No. 2 Ardmore next week to accomplish that. Going into tonight's contest, those teams have a combined record of 14-2.
Altus can lock up the second seed with a win over Mac, for it has lowly Western Heights to close out the regular season.
The Highlanders have bounced back from their early season losses, having won four of their last five. Their only district blemish was a 44-31 home loss to Del City on Oct. 5.
Mac coach Brett Manning said his team wishes it could have that loss back, but it also understands one loss doesn't knock it out of the race for the district crown.
"The way things have worked out with Del City now having two district losses, we're basically in the same boat as if we would've won that game," Manning said. "We need to take care of business, do what we're supposed to do and approach these next two games in a way that's going to give ourselves a chance to win."
This game also serves as a statement game for not only the Highlander players, but the coaching staff as well.
With three losses in a regular season for the first time since 2009, Mac hasn't received much of the respect it's become accustomed to over the years. With that in mind, Manning — being the seasoned coach he is — plans to use the skepticism as a way to motivate his players.
"More than anything, we're just looking at where we're going to go into the playoffs," Manning said. "We want to go in as high as we possibly can. I don't mind the fact that some people think we're not as good — that's fine with me. Let them keep thinking that."
As in most cases, history is on the Highlanders' side.
Mac has won 15-straight against Altus, outscoring the Bulldogs 514-234 during that span. Altus last bested the Highlanders in 2001 by a count of 38-6.
Of course, if Mac wants to catch Altus and the state off guard, it will have to stop the Bulldogs' potent flex bone attack.
The Highlanders have seen the offensive style once this season against Amarillo Tascosa, but it wasn't a successful outing. The Rebels rushed for 401 yards on only 43 carries — 9.32 yards per carry — on the way to a 65-21 win.
Mac has improved since that Week 3 contest, but even with the recent changes in certain defensive schemes, stopping Altus will be no easy task.
The Bulldogs average 38.5 points per game, while simultaneously holding opponents to less than 17 points. The Highlanders are 1-3 this season when giving up 35 points or more — the victory coming in a 64-35 demolition of El Reno.
"They're going to try to run the ball, and that's going to be the key to the game," Manning said. "We need to slow down their option attack, and they do a really good job with it. They're a very physical team, they always are, and I expect a tough game out of them.
"We're going to have to play really sound defense, we're going to have to have guys in position and have guys doing what they're supposed to do in order for us to have a chance."
Altus has possibly the best defense Mac has played this season, having allowed no more than 21 points through eight games.
The Highlanders prefer to run the ball, with nearly 56 percent of its offensive production coming on the ground. Moreover, 33 of the team's 42 touchdowns this season are of the rushing variety. Running back Nick Mahan hasn't been held under 100 yards all season, averaging 165.1 yards per game.
Manning said he wants to continue running the ball, but he isn't afraid to dial up a few more passing plays if the situation requires it. The weather could also be a factor in Mac's play selection.
"They've got a really tough defensive front, and I think it's going to be a challenge to run the ball," Manning said. "We've run the ball on some pretty good defenses this year, but Altus is every bit as good as some of those teams. The wind is going to be blowing pretty hard, too, so we'll have to figure out how we can throw the ball and see if we can get the ball to some of our skill guys out on the perimeter.
"I think we're going to have to be creative and find some different ways to move the ball and get some points."
However, perhaps the biggest key of the game comes down to home-field advantage.
The Bulldogs faithful always provide an unrivaled atmosphere, and it reflects in the team's success at home. Since the 2014 season, Altus holds a 19-2 record in games hosted at Hightower Memorial Stadium. One of those losses was a 28-26 decision to Mac in 2014.
Despite the disadvantage of being on the road, Manning said he anticipates many Highlander fans making the one-hour trip to the West.
"There's not a track, so everything is really close," Manning said. "There's not much of a sideline, so our fans are going to be right behind us. It's really loud, and the whole town shuts down — they're going to have a ton of people there. I'm sure there's going to be people standing along the fence because there's no more room left in the stands.
"I think everybody understands that we need them there, and I think they'll show up and be good."