Educated Guesses: 1A

Scrimmages are in the rearview mirror and real football is back across the Lone Star state this week.

If you read the 2021 edition of Big Country Blitz you saw the only predictions were how the area coaches felt their districts would shake out.

Now it’s time to take it a step further and give you my picks for the 2021 season. They are guesses, for the most part, but, as the title says, educated because I did speak to all the area coaches to get their feel for the upcoming season.

So roast me, praise me and let me know what you think as we move along to class 1A today.

May RB/S Kaden Halk

1A DIVISION I

7-1A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Ira
2. Roby
3. Hermleigh
4. Rotan
5. Aspermont

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Ira
2. Hermleigh
3. Rotan
4. Roby
5. Aspermont

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/15 Rotan at Ira
10/22 Aspermont at Roby
10/29 Ira at Hermleigh
11/5 Roby at Rotan

Ira is the clear choice to repeat as district champ, but the next four could go any way. Hermleigh made the playoffs last year and have plenty coming back, but they have gone through two coaching changes this offseason. Jim Holloway took over but then stepped down in August, so Sam Winters is back for his second stint as head coach. His familiarity with the Cardinals should give them a slight edge over the rest of the pack in what should be a very interesting district.

8-1A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Westbrook
2. Sterling City
3. Highland
4. Bronte
5. Robert Lee

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Sterling City
2. Westbrook
3. Highland
4. Bronte
5. Robert Lee

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/8 Highland at Westbrook
10/15 Sterling City at Highland
10/22 Westbrook at Sterling City

Just like a year ago, Westbrook, Sterling City and Highland will likely be in a three-way battle for the two playoff spots. The defending state champs lose a lot but still look like the team to beat, while Westbrook hopes to build on their breakthrough season and Highland wants to break through to the playoffs after missing out, despite a winning record, in each of the past three seasons.

13-1A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. May
2. Baird
3. Gorman
4. Santa Anna
5. Lingleville

EDUCATED GUESS
1. May
2. Baird
3. Gorman
4. Santa Anna
5. Lingleville

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/8 Santa Anna at Baird
10/8 Gorman at May
10/15 May at Santa Anna
10/22 Baird at May
10/29 Gorman at Santa Anna
11/5 Baird at Gorman

The Tigers have to replace a lot of talent from their state runner-up team, but should still have enough in the tank to hold off Baird for the district championship. The Bears , Gorman and Santa Anna should be in the mix for the second playoff spot.

15-1A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Jonesboro
2. Lometa
3. Zephyr
4. Evant

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Jonesboro
2. Evant
3. Lometa
4. Zephyr

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/22 Lometa at Evant
10/22 Zephyr at Jonesboro
10/29 Lometa at Jonesboro
11/5 Jonesboro at Evant

Jonesboro is the pick to claim back-to-back district crowns, while Evant and Lometa will be the biggest challengers. Zephyr hopes to bounce back after a rough 2020, but likely won’t have the numbers to make a serious playoff run.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Aspermont WR/S Wesley Koening
Aspermont C Justin Martin
Aspermont CB Calob Castaneda
Baird RB/LB Cedar Cauble
Baird TE/LB Hunter Rogers
Hermleigh SB/LB Jonathan Digby
Hermleigh SB/LB Stetson Digby
Highland QB/RB Kort Sargeant
Highland RB/DB Crae Chapman
Ira RB/DB Cody McCowen
Ira FB/DE Shayden Hatley
Ira DE Holden Rios
Ira UT/CB Ike Weaver
May RB/S Kaden Halk
May QB/DE Blake Harrell
Roby RB/LB Gunnar Helm
Roby TE/LB Eric Ragan
Rotan QB/LB Zac Flores
Rotan RB/DE Jaxon Warren
Rotan RB/CB Jordan Daniel
Santa Anna RB/LB Silas Lara
Santa Anna SB/LB Kellen Evans
Westbrook FB/LB Jimmy Roberts
Westbrook SB Shammah Stark
Westbrook CB/RB Cedric Ware
Zephyr RB/LB Ethan Gowin
Zephyr RB/LB Jayden Millican

Loraine QB/LB Davion Walthall (Photo courtesy: Dency McClure/Texas 1A Fan)

1A DIVISION II

6-1A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Loraine
2. Blackwell
3. Trent
4. TLCA Abilene
5. Olfen

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Loraine
2. Blackwell
3. Trent
4. TLCA Abilene
5. Olfen

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/22 Trent at TLCA Abilene
10/29 Blackwell at Trent
11/5 Loraine at Blackwell

The Bulldogs have the talent to finally get the best of Blackwell and win the district championship. The Hornets have to replace a very good senior class, but should still have the edge over the rest of the teams in the district to grab the second playoff spot. Trent is making strides, while TLCA Abilene and Olfen look for the first varsity wins in program history

8-1A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Benjamin
2. Rule
3. Chillicothe
4. Harrold

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Benjamin
2. Rule
3. Chillicothe
4. Harrold

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/29 Rule at Benjamin
11/5 Chillicothe at Rule

Rule has made significant strides under Kade Kittley and they should be able to take the next step and reach the playoffs this season. A trip to Benjamin on October 29 will likely decide the district championship.

9-1A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Throckmorton
2. Lueders-Avoca
3. Woodson
4. Moran
5. Paint Creek

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Throckmorton
2. Lueders-Avoca
3. Woodson
4. Moran
5. Paint Creek

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/8 Lueders-Avoca at Throckmorton
10/15 Moran at Woodson
10/29 Woodson at Lueders-Avoca
11/5 Throckmorton at Woodson

Lueders-Avoca hopes to challenge Throckmorton for the title this season as those two squads seem to be the most likely playoff contenders out of the district. Woodson and Moran are just a step below, while Paint Creek hopes to get the program going in what is their first season of football since 2017.

15-1A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Blanket
2. Brookesmith
3. Sidney
4. Rising Star
5. Panther Creek

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Blanket
2. Brookesmith
3. Sidney
4. Rising Star
5. Panther Creek

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/22 Blanket at Sidney
10/29 Blanket at Brookesmith
11/5 Sidney at Brookesmith

Blanket and Brookesmith both have new coaches in 2021 and have high hopes of claiming the 15-2A Division II championship. Their matchup at Blanket on October 29 should decide the title, but Sidney may have something to say about it as well. Rising Star begins building the program under Derek Stevens, while Panther Creek is coming off a one-win 2020.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Blackwell QB/S Blade Wood
Blackwell DL Sam Meier
Blackwell WR Kyler Cummings
Blanket RB/NG Braden Day
Blanket C/DE Hayden Rodgers
Brookesmith RB/LB Avery Williford
Brookesmith LB Tristen Slayton
Loraine QB/LB Davion Walthall
Loraine TB/DB AJ Williams
Loraine TE/CB Malaki Williams
Lueders-Avoca DE Wyatt Moreland
Luders-Avoca QB/LB Jacob Gaspar
Moran SB/LB Arren Hawley
Rising Star SB/DB Jake Bell
Rising Star RB/DB Dathon Morris
Rule QB/S Chris Pannell
Rule RB/LB Bryson Silvas
Rule WR/S Rue Dancer
TLCA Abilene OL Zaidryn Moreno-Nobles
Trent SB/DB Chris Simpson
Trent WR Brayden Lewis

Abilene Christian G/DB Owen Fisher

TAPPS 6-Man Division III

1-6-MAN D3 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Lubbock Kingdom Prep
2. Wichita Falls Christian
3. Abilene Christian
4. Lubbock All Saints
5. Lubbock Christ the King

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Lubbock Kingdom Prep
2. Wichita Falls Christian
3. Abilene Christian
4. Lubbock All Saints
5. Lubbock

The Panthers welcome a new head coach this season and hope he can help them return to the playoffs once again. Kingdom Prep enters as the district favorite after knocking off ACS in the quarterfinals a year ago on their way to a state runner-up finish. Wichita Falls Christian will be a playoff contender as well.

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/2 Kingdom Prep at Abilene Christian
10/15 Wichita Falls Christian at Kingdom Prep
10/29 Abilene Christian at Wichita Falls Christian

PLAYERS TO WATCH
ACS G/DB Owen Fisher
ACS RB/LB Charlie Lee-Alliston
ACS C/DL Isaac Presley
ACS WB/S Davis Patteson

INDEPENDENT

Ranger is the only team in this category this season as the Bulldogs enter the six-man ranks for the first time. They have good numbers, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in their first season.