Educated Guesses: TAPPS
We are getting closer to the kickoff of another season, and it’s time to reveal my picks for 2023.
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 2023 edition of Big Country Blitz.
Here goes with our only private school district, TAPPS District 1-6 Man Division II.
Abilene Christian is entering a new era as it opens its new football stadium this year. Finally getting to play on campus under the Friday Night Lights instead of at Shotwell Stadium or in Trent on Saturday afternoon is a big deal, and the Panthers are proud, as they should be, of their new digs.
The brand new facilities have already played a role in helping Abilene Christian add a pair of transfers from AISD to the program, joining a great group of returning players that made it all the way to the state semifinals in 2022.
Fort Worth Covenant Classical has been the Panthers roadblock recently, beating them in the playoffs in 2021 and beating them twice in 2022. The Cavaliers are back-to-back defending state champs and will be a formidable foe for ACS again this year.
Abilene Christian, under first-year head coach Kirk Wade, put a lot of thought into their matchup with FWCC in the offseason, and they feel like this is the year they can get past their new rivals.
The 2023 contest is in Fort Worth this season, but this Panther squad narrowed the gap in a big way in 2022 and is ready to get over the hump in 2023.
BIG GAMES
8/25 — Lubbock Titans at Abilene Christian: the first game at Crain Field at Panther Stadium
9/8 — Benjamin at Abilene Christian: The Panthers welcome the defending 1A DII state champs to Abilene
10/20 — Abilene Christian at Fort Worth Covenant Classical: likely will decide the district championship
BIG NAMES
Abilene Christian TE/DE Bryce McGlothlin
Abilene Christian OL/DL Isaac Presley
Abilene Christian RB/LB Davis Patteson
Abilene Christian QB/DB Brooks Armstrong
UPCOMING EDUCATED GUESSES SCHEDULE
Monday, 8/14 - 1A DII Educated Guesses
Tuesday, 8/15 - 1A DI Educated Guesses
Wednesday, 8/16 - 2A DII Educated Guesses
Thursday, 8/17 - 2A DI Educated Guesses
Friday, 8/18 - 3A DII Educated Guesses
Saturday, 8/19 - 3A DI Educated Guesses
Sunday, 8/20 - 4A DII Educated Guesses
Monday, 8/21 - 4A DI Educated Guesses
Tuesday, 8/22 - 5A DII Educated Guesses
Wednesday, 8/23 - 5A DI Educated Guesses
Thursday, 8/24 - Week 1 Blitz Picks
Friday, 8/25 - College Football Educated Guesses
