Educated Guesses: 2A

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 2A today.

Cisco LB Dawson Hearne

2A DIVISION I

3-2A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Hawley
2. Anson
3. Forsan
4. Stamford
5. Haskell
6. Colorado City

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Hawley
2. Forsan
3. Anson
4. Stamford
5. Haskell
6. Colorado City

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/8 Anson at Stamford
10/15 Forsan at Anson
10/15 Hawley at Stamford
10/22 Anson at Hawley
10/29 Forsan at Stamford
11/5 Hawley at Forsan
11/5 Stamford at Haskell

The Bearcats are once again the team to beat and their trip to Forsan in the final game of the season may very well determine the district championship. Anson and Stamford look to be just a step below those two, but a step ahead of rebuilding Haskell and Colorado City squads.

4-2A D1 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Cisco
2. Coleman
3. San Saba
4. Winters
5. Goldthwaite
6. De Leon

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Cisco
2. Coleman
3. San Saba
4. Winters
5. Goldthwaite
6. De Leon

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/15 Winters at San Saba
10/22 Cisco at Coleman
10/29 Coleman at San Saba
11/5 San Saba at Cisco
11/5 Winters at Coleman

I have to agree with the coaches in this district. Cisco is probably in a class of its own and a legit state title contender, but look for Coleman to make a big jump this season. The Bluecats game at San Saba in week ten will likely be for the number two seed in the district, while a Winters home game against Goldthwaite in week nine could go a long way in deciding the final playoff spot out of the district.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Anson UT/DB Dylyn Pyle
Anson RB/LB Riley Pippin
Anson OL/DL Haygen Garcia
Cisco TE/LB Dawson Hearne
Cisco QB Hunter Long
Coleman RB/LB Ryland Gentry
Coleman WR/DB Braxton Smith
Colorado City WR/DB Chris Green
Colorado City OL/DE Mason Randle
Haskell WR/DB Jerm Silvas
Haskell RB Artem Brendle
Hawley RB/LB Austin Cumpton
Hawley WR/DB Kason O’Shields
Hawley WR/LB Aeneas Segura
Hawley DL Corley Williams
Hawley RB/LB Hez Parker
Stamford WR/S Dylan Faulks
Stamford QB/DB Isaiah Gonzales
Stamford RB/LB Kolbie Proffitt
Winters QB/LB Jon Kullen Busher
Winters OL/DL Trent Hamilton
Winters RB/LB Cannon Collins

Albany RB Jaheim Newton (Photo courtesy: Gary Ford)

2A DIVISION I

5-2A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Ralls
2. Hamlin
3. Roscoe
4. Lockney
5. Crosbyton

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Ralls
2. Roscoe
3. Hamlin
4. Lockney
5. Crosbyton

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/8 Ralls at Hamlin
10/15 Roscoe at Ralls
10/22 Lockney at Hamlin
11/5 Hamlin at Roscoe

The Pied Pipers lose too many starters to see their district title streak continue, and Ralls, the runner-up a year ago, is the likely successor to the crown. Roscoe should be much better with an older bunch coming back and will challenge Ralls. Hamlin, Lockney and Crosbyton will battle it out for the final two playoff spots.

8-2A D2 COACHES’ PICKS
1. Albany
2. Santo
3. Cross Plains
4. Hico
5. Meridian

EDUCATED GUESS
1. Albany
2. Santo
3. Cross Plains
4. Hico
5. Meridian

CIRCLE THE CALENDAR
10/15 Cross Plains at Santo
10/29 Santo at Albany
11/5 Albany at Cross Plains

The Lions are as close to a lock to win a district as you can get while making guesses in August. Santo visits Albany in week ten in a game that should decide the district, if they can get by Cross Plains the week before. Hico and Meridian will likely decide the final playoff team from the district when they meet on October 29.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Albany RB Jaheim Newton
Albany OL Monte Cauble
Albany LB Brooks Neece
Albany DB/WR Coy Lefever
Albany QB/DB Cole Chapman
Cross Plains QB/DB Cason Allen
Cross Plains DL/OL Riley Conlee
Hamlin LB Colten Spalding
Hamlin OL Cole Claterbaugh
Roscoe UT/DB Antonio Aguayo
Roscoe RB/LB Jake Gonzales
Roscoe OL/DL Davis Diaz