Dexter McDaniel isn’t saying two-time defending champion Fort Sumner got a bad draw in Jal in the first round of the Class 1A state playoffs, but he believes the Panthers’ 2-7 record is deceiving. Fort Sumner (8-1) begins its bid for a three-peat as the No. 1 seed, taking on Jal in a 7 p.m. kickoff today at Fort Sumner. “Their record is misleading because of their schedule,” McDaniel said. “They’re as tough as anyone in 1A.” Other first-round playoff games involving area teams this weekend have Melrose (7-3) hosting Valley Christian (6-4) in 8-man at 7 p.m. today and Texico (7-2) entertaining Laguna-Acoma (5-4) in 2A at 2 p.m. Saturday. Five of Jal’s losses have come to teams in either the Class 1A or 2A playoffs, including top-seeded Dexter and fourth-seeded Tularosa (2A) and second-seeded Carrizozo (1A). The Panthers also lost to Texas small-school power Wink. Top players for Jal include junior running back-inside linebacker Kevin Soto and freshman quarterback Mario Camunez. McDaniel said Jal runs a spread offense and will put the ball in the air. Fort Sumner regained the services of senior running back Cass Dimitroff last week after a five-game absence due to injury, but the Foxes lost junior Anthony Griffin in their District 2-1A-clinching 49-9 rout of Clayton with a broken leg. “The big thing for us is to eliminate mistakes and turnovers, and trying to stay healthy,” McDaniel said. “It’s do or die from here.” Melrose and Valley Christian played earlier this season, with the Buffaloes winning 18-6 at home. Melrose coach Dickie Roybal said the teams have similar styles. “They try to run over you, like we do,” he said. “It’s going to be a physical game. Both teams have improved, and the team making the fewest mistakes will win the ballgame.” The Lions’ key players include senior tailback-linebacker Jesse Leonard, freshman quarterback linebacker Logan Rader and senior wide receiver-safety Skye Wentland. Melrose is coming in with a six-game winning streak. Seeded fourth in 8-man, the Buffs’ losses came early to the three teams seeded ahead of them. “Our kids are playing with a lot of confidence,” Roybal said. “This team has been enjoyable to coach.” Melrose’ District 4 rival, Floyd, earned a No. 6 seed in the bracket and travels to defending champion Gateway Christian on Saturday. Texico, idle last week, nearly had another open date as a top-four seed but comes in No. 5 in the 12-team 2A playoffs. Wolverines coach Mike Prokop said it’s just as well his team is playing. “We’re tired of practicing already,” he quipped. “It’s good for us to go ahead and play.” The Hawks come in as the last seed in the bracket. Their top players include Colton Baca and senior wide receiver-defensive back Wayne Aragon. “They do some good things, but we just have to worry about us,” Prokop said. “I think we’re in the best part of the bracket for us. Our kids know what they have to do.”