Saturday, April 20, 2024
Returning from a playoff appearance, the young 2020 Granbury Pirates will compete again for a postseason berth.
That’s the forecast by longrunning “Dave Campbell’s Texas Football” magazine in its 60th year of publication.
The magazine predicts the Pirates to finish sixth in new eight-team District 3-5A Division I. Four teams qualify for the playoffs.
Granbury returns four starters on offense and two on defense from last year’s 6-5 bi-district finalist. The Pirates lost to Denton Ryan 56-19 in Granbury’s first playoff appearance in six years.
The magazine had this to say about this year’s Pirates:
“Expect (Chad) Zschiesche’s squad to lean on a solid group of juniors to keep GHS in playoff contention. Look for junior QB (Austin) Jinkerson , who started one game as a sophomore, to lead the offense.
“He’ll lean on RB (Zachariah) Watson (1,068 yards, 14 TDs rushing) while a young group of receivers adapts to varsity competition. OL (Zachary) Eminger returns to anchor a young offensive line.
“The defense has a lot of holes to fill as just a pair of starters return, led by LB (Tate) Baker (25 tackles, 3 TFL (tackles for lost yards), 1 INT) and DB (Blake) Rodriquez (46 tackles).”
District newcomer Abilene Cooper, 11-2 regional semi-finalist last year, is expected to win the district crown.
Next in order of finish are Azle, Crowley and Justin Northwest. Saginaw is below Granbury at seventh, and Arlington Heights brings up the rear at eighth.
TOLAR
The Rattlers dropped down a dass, but it won’t be an easy road to the playoffs.
However, Tolar is expected to nail down the fourth and final playoff spot in District 7-2A Division I.
The Rattlers advanced to the playoffs last season, losing to 53-7 to Gunter in the first round to finish 5-6.
The Rattlers return five offensive and four defensive starters.
The magazine said, “(Coach Jeremy) Mullins is extremely high on his sophomore class. LB (Brock) Owens (112 tackles, 1 INT) is just a sophomore, as is QB (Jackson) LeCluyse. DL (Luke) Willmon (3 sacks) is the team’s best pass rusher.”
Crawford, 9-4 regional semifinalist last year, is the district favorite with six offensive and seven defensive regulars returning.
Other district teams and predicted order of finish: Bosqueville, Hamilton, Valley Mills, Rio Vista and Itasca.
NCTA
The North Central Texas Academy Pioneers is forecast to finish fifth in a private school 6-man 10-team district.
editor@hcnews.com 1 817-573-7066, ext. 245
