Educated Guesses: 5A DI

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 four out of a possible four playoff picks correct in 5A Division I.

Abilene High is poised for a second straight district title, and a pair of Amarillo schools seem to be their biggest obstacle to getting the job done.

Tascosa returns 15 starters, ten on defense, and 57 lettermen after finishing 5-7 a year ago, which is a down year for their standards.

Amarillo High went 6-6 and welcomes back 12 starters.

The Eagles will be young, but talented on defense and the offense should be high-flying once again this season with the return of Brayden Henry, Ryland Bradford and the entire starting offensive line.

The battle for the fourth playoff spot will be between Monterey, Coronado and Caprock. Monterey just missed the playoffs a year ago and returns some key pieces that should be better this time around. Coronado won just two games a year ago, and Caprock only one. They’ll both have to be much better to contend.

Lubbock High is up from 5A Division II. The Westerners went just 2-8 a year ago and did not win a district contest.

BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL

1. Abilene High
2. Tascosa
3. Amarillo High
4. Monterey
5. Coronado
6. Caprock
7. Lubbock High

DISTRICT DECIDING GAMES

9/27 - Amarillo High at Monterey
10/4 - Abilene High at Amarillo High
10/25 - Tascosa at Abilene High
11/8 - Tascosa at Amarillo High