Temple produced a strong start this season, winning all four non-district games with first-year head coach Chad President. However, when the Wildcats departed Panther Stadium after a 27-7 loss to Hewitt Midway on Oct. 10, they were 0-2 in District 12-6A and facing an uphill climb to earn a second straight playoff berth.

Four weeks later, it’s accurate to describe Temple as a resilient bunch.

In must-win mode, the Wildcats (7-2) allowed 28 combined points while ripping off three consecutive victories and moving to 3-2 in district play entering their league finale against three-time defending champion Harker Heights (7-2, 5-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday at Killeen’s Leo Buckley Stadium.

Temple absorbed an agonizing 31-28 home loss to Killeen Shoemaker in the 12-6A opener then was outplayed at nemesis Midway. But the Wildcats have regained their winning form, punctuated by their thorough 32-0 romp over Copperas Cove last Friday.