Cockroaches, Twinkies and Porters Chapel Academy’s playoff hopes.

All are things that seem capable of surviving a nuclear war.

Despite a 1-6 record, a six-game losing streak, and last week’s 51-14 blowout loss to Riverfield, PCA’s chances of reaching the postseason not only continue to cling to life support, they’ve actually improved.

PCA is currently seventh in the MAIS Class A wild card standings, and still might be able to salvage a playoff berth by beating Benton Academy (4-2) at home on Friday night.

“I’m not really focused that much on it,” PCA coach Wayne Lynch said. “I’m trying to stay away from that side of it and get the guys’ excitement back. A season like this takes the wind out of you, but they’re still fighting.”

PCA’s odd playoff hopes hinge on the MAIS’ power point system that is used to determine the six wild card teams in the 16-team Class A bracket.

Teams earn 12 points for each win over a Class A team, or 14 for wins over Class AA teams. They also get points for each game their opponents win. The total is then averaged over the number of games played, and the average is used to seed the wild card teams.

Despite losing big to Riverfield — an undefeated Class AA team — last week, PCA’s average improved by a full point. That allowed the Eagles to gain separation from several teams vying for the final wild card berth.

PCA’s average is 6.000, just behind Central Holmes Christian School which is at 6.143. CHCS also has a 1-6 overall record.

Central Holmes has three games left, while PCA only has one that counts. PCA has a bye next week, then finishes the regular season at Park Place on Oct. 24 in a game that won’t count toward the power point rankings because Park Place is playing as an independent.

What all of that fuzzy math boils down to is that PCA needs to beat Benton to shore up its power point average. A loss won’t kill its playoff hopes, but it might not help much either.

“Regardless of the playoffs or not, we’re still playing for pride, our program, and trying to finish on a high note,” Lynch said. “It is encouraging to know we still have a chance.”

The Eagles haven’t won since beating Union Christian in the season opener, and have largely had no one but themselves to blame for the losing streak.

PCA has lost three games in which they led or was tied going into the fourth quarter.

Last week’s rout at the hands of Riverfield was an exception, but even then the Eagles had some opportunities to make a game of it. An early fumble led to Riverfield’s first touchdown. A few moments later, a penalty wiped out a PCA touchdown and was promptly followed by a turnover.

Cleaning up the mistakes and finishing games has been the Eagles’ mission for most of the season. “The guys are going to have to figure out a way to play with the same intensity in all four quarters or we’re going to keep coming up short,” Lynch said. “It’s a matter of finishing. If we ever find it, we’ll have success and come out on top — even against a team like Benton.

“We’ve just got to want to win more than we want to be tired.”