Educated Guesses: 3A DII
Kickoff to the 2024 season is getting closer and closer, and the time has come to take a stab at how things will play out in each district featuring Big Country football teams.
I call them educated guesses, like your teachers used to, because I feel I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the upcoming season after speaking with area coaches for the 2024 edition of Big Country Blitz.
For the record, last season I got six out of a possible eight playoff picks correct in 3A Division II.
Wall has a new head coach (Craig Slaughter replaces Houston Guy) and a new offensive scheme (the spread replaces the flexbone), but the same expectations.
The Hawks are the heavy favorites to claim yet another district title, which would be their third straight and 12th in 14 years.
Coahoma and Merkel are the two teams expected to put up the biggest fight, but Stanton and Grape Creek both have a high number of returning starters as well.
The Badgers ended up with a winning record but did not make the playoffs last season, and that should change in year one under Wes Wood.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Wall
2. Coahoma
3. Merkel
4. Stanton
5. Grape Creek
DISTRICT DECIDING GAMES
10/11 - Wall at Merkel
10/18 - Coahoma at Wall
11/8 - Merkel at Coahoma
Tolar made a run all the way to the 2A Division I state championship game a year ago, now they move up to 3A with a new head coach in Blake Mauser.
The Rattlers lose some key pieces, but with 14 starters coming back they are the early favorites to win District 5-3A Division II.
Eastland and Early will be among the teams that have something to say about that. Both were playoff teams a year ago and bring back some key players. The Mavericks are moving from the spread to the Wing-T this season to fit their personnel, while the Longhorns have a new head coach in Randall Case who hopes to keep the program on the right track.
Brady was a playoff team a year ago as well, and with 18 starters back the Bulldogs could make some noise in the district.
Clifton made the postseason as well a year ago, and Dublin looks to snap a two-year streak of missing out on the playoffs.
I see this district as a very competitive one where playoff spots won’t likely be decided until the final week of the season.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Tolar
2. Eastland
3. Early
4. Clifton
5. Brady
6. Dublin
DISTRICT DECIDING GAMES
10/11 - Early at Tolar
10/11 - Eastland at Clifton
10/18 - Clifton at Early
10/25 - Early at Brady
11/1 - Eastland at Early
11/1 - Brady at Tolar
11/8 - Tolar at Eastland
