Thursday, March 28, 2024

Expert opinions

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Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine has released its annual preview edition, breaking down the projected performances of over 1,400 high school football teams in the state.

And if the magazine’s writers are correct, neither Granbury or Tolar will make the postseason this year.

Granbury is picked to finish seventh out of nine teams in District 3-5A Division I, while Tolar is projected fifth out of the six-team District 7-3A Division II.

GRANBURY IN TOUGH DISTRICT

Granbury is projected to return eight starters on offense and six on defense from a team that went 2-8 (1-7 in district) last year. Those returners include defensive star Keeton Derouen and the offensive backfield of Kyler Gibson at quarterback, and Zachariah Watson and Clayton Kracy at running back.

But in head coach Chad Zschiesche’s fourth year with the team, Granbury will be playing a strong opponent nearly every week the Pirates take the field.

Azle, which DCTF predicts to repeat as district champions, returns seven starters on offense and six on defense and is ranked No. 17 in Class 5A D1.

Crowley is projected to finish second in the district, and features preseason All-State defensive back Bryson Bonds along with star linebacker Elijah Deering.

Saginaw Boswell and Fort Worth Brewer are predicted to earn the third and fourth playoff spots, respectively. Both teams made the postseason last year.

In non-district play, Granbury will open up against Weatherford before taking on Dallas Seagoville. Weatherford is predicted to finish No. 6 in a tough District 3-6A, but does return highly-rated quarterback Ken Seals, who is committed to Vanderbilt. Seagoville is predicted to earn the fourth seed in District 6-5A Division II.

Statewide, Highland Park will begin as the No. 1 team in Class 5A D1 after winning the state title last year.

Denton Ryan, Richmond Foster, Frisco Lone Star and Alvin Shadow Creek round out the top five.

NEW CORE FOR TOLAR

The Rattlers went 4-6 (1-4 in district) and missed out on the playoffs last year in head coach Jeremy Mullins’ second season.

Injuries ravaged what should’ve been a senior-laden Tolar team in 2018, and now those seniors have graduated, leaving a young core to build around. The Rattlers are projected to return three starters on the offensive side of the ball and five on defense.

James Marshall will anchor the offensive and defensive lines. Braegen Berry was a standout at linebacker last year, but also played running back, and could see more carries at that position in 2019.

Wesley Miller is listed as a quarterback after primarily playing receiver last season. He’ll have a tall target in Brett Jackson to throw to, along with leading returning receiver Reese Robinson.

Jacksboro and Comanche, two teams that run the Wing-T offense, are projected to finish one-two in the district. Dublin is projected to finish third behind quarterback Cy Wing in the spread offense, and Wing is the preseason offensive MVP of the district.

Millsap is projected to take the fourth seed in the district.

In non-district play, Tolar will take on Crawford, the projected winner of District 7-2A D1 and the No. 16 team in its classification. The Rattlers also take on De Leon and Goldthwaite out of Crawford’s district.

Early is one division higher than Tolar, but the Rattlers’ third opponent is projected to finish last in District 3-3A Division 1. Willow Park Trinity Christian, Tolar’s final non-district opponent, is predicted to finish second in TAPPS DIII-1.

Statewide, Newton leads off the Class 3A Division II rankings after winning the 2018 championship. Canadian is right behind, followed by East Bernard, Gunter and Daingerfield.

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

In six-man football, North Central Texas Academy is projected to finish third in TAPPS Six-Man DII-1. The Cornerstone Christian Academy Pioneers are expected to finish fifth in TCAF District 1.

grant@hcnews.com | 817-573-7066, ext. 254