The sleepers, the dark horses, the under rated…call them what you will, but here are some of my picks for team that might not be on your radar in 2018, but they should be!
DI
Leakey – Making the move to six-man from eleven-man can be a tough one, but Leakey has a history in six-man as well as in the defunct eight-man ranks, which helps in the transition. Add to that the hiring of a very successful six-man head coach in Shannon Williams (leading Sidney, Rankin and Zephyr to winning records under his tutelage), a new football field and facilities, and a winnable district, and you have the perfect storm for something special at Leakey if the kids and the community will buy into the new program. Leakey has only had one winning season since 1985 which was in 2016 when they went 6-5.
Morton – The Indians won the first even Independence Bowl championship last season and will be looking to expand on that success in 2018. They return several skilled players and should be an instant contender for a playoff spot in their new six-man district.
Spur – In maybe the toughest top to bottom district in 1A DI, Spur may shock some teams this year and are a very real threat to win their district as they return all but one starter from last year’s 5-6 playoff team. Running back Ethan Parsons and quarterback Francisco Hernandez are a dangerous one-two offensive combo for the Bulldogs.
DII
Wilson – The Mustangs are in one of the few three team district in the state of Texas and returning all six of their starters and retaining their head coach Randy Maskew, former Texas Tech assistant under Spike Dykes by the way, is a big boon for Wilson. The Mustangs finished with a 6-4 record last year (two wins coming via non-district forfeits/cancelations) which was their first winning season since 2011 (6-4) and the second since the mid-1980s! I wouldn’t be shocked if Wilson managed to win their district title and now you shouldn’t be either! Last time they made the playoffs was 1988!
Dell City – The return of their QB Reilly Czubinski (1,543 yards, 31 TDs passing in 2017) as well as three other starters make Dell City a dark horse for the district five title and give them a legit chance at a playoff berth. 25 years ago Dell City was the state runner-up in six-man losing to Panther Creek in the state championship game.
Blackwell – The Hornets matched a school best last season as they went 11-0 before falling to Balmorhea in the second round of the playoffs. Expectations are high as they will look to improve and even with a tougher schedule this season, Blackwell is expected to make a deeper run into the playoffs. No Blackwell team has advanced past the quarter-final round and the 2018 squad may change that.
DI
Leakey – Making the move to six-man from eleven-man can be a tough one, but Leakey has a history in six-man as well as in the defunct eight-man ranks, which helps in the transition. Add to that the hiring of a very successful six-man head coach in Shannon Williams (leading Sidney, Rankin and Zephyr to winning records under his tutelage), a new football field and facilities, and a winnable district, and you have the perfect storm for something special at Leakey if the kids and the community will buy into the new program. Leakey has only had one winning season since 1985 which was in 2016 when they went 6-5.
Morton – The Indians won the first even Independence Bowl championship last season and will be looking to expand on that success in 2018. They return several skilled players and should be an instant contender for a playoff spot in their new six-man district.
Spur – In maybe the toughest top to bottom district in 1A DI, Spur may shock some teams this year and are a very real threat to win their district as they return all but one starter from last year’s 5-6 playoff team. Running back Ethan Parsons and quarterback Francisco Hernandez are a dangerous one-two offensive combo for the Bulldogs.
DII
Wilson – The Mustangs are in one of the few three team district in the state of Texas and returning all six of their starters and retaining their head coach Randy Maskew, former Texas Tech assistant under Spike Dykes by the way, is a big boon for Wilson. The Mustangs finished with a 6-4 record last year (two wins coming via non-district forfeits/cancelations) which was their first winning season since 2011 (6-4) and the second since the mid-1980s! I wouldn’t be shocked if Wilson managed to win their district title and now you shouldn’t be either! Last time they made the playoffs was 1988!
Dell City – The return of their QB Reilly Czubinski (1,543 yards, 31 TDs passing in 2017) as well as three other starters make Dell City a dark horse for the district five title and give them a legit chance at a playoff berth. 25 years ago Dell City was the state runner-up in six-man losing to Panther Creek in the state championship game.
Blackwell – The Hornets matched a school best last season as they went 11-0 before falling to Balmorhea in the second round of the playoffs. Expectations are high as they will look to improve and even with a tougher schedule this season, Blackwell is expected to make a deeper run into the playoffs. No Blackwell team has advanced past the quarter-final round and the 2018 squad may change that.
