July 20, 2019 -
Texas high school football will be starting anew as teams are allowed to start practicing on August 5 with non-contact practice. Conditioning drills will be top priority until full contact is allowed on August 10.
Dave Campbell’s Football Magazine has made bold predictions as to what local and statewide teams may do this season.
Teams can hold their first scrimmage on August 15. Their second scrimmage is slated for August 21.
The first regular season, non-district game will be between August 29-31.
The Center Roughriders are picked second for District 9-4A Division II. Jasper is picked to win the district and is ranked #2 in the state. Shepard is picked third. Huntington fourth, and Cleveland Tarkington fifth.
The Roughriders will be coached by Scott Ponder who will be looking to improve on a CHS team who went 6-5 overall last season and 3-1 in conference action. Center’s season ended when they fell in Bi-District by a 55-38 score to Liberty High School.
The ‘Riders have a veteran kicker in Alexis Lopez returning as well as Wide-outs Zacc Smith and Jakerrion Watson. Sophomore Jake Hanson will be looked at as an option at quarterbacking duties.
The Shelbyville Dragons are picked third in District 12 2A Division I. San Augustine, ranked 5 in the state is ranked #1. Groveton 2, West Sabine 4, Hull-Daisetta5, and Deweyville 6.
Coach David Benbow returns as the team comes back from a 5-6 2018 season. They went 4-1 during conference play last year but fell 49-18 to Tenaha in bi-district playoff action.
Runningbacks AJ Cartwright, Jaylon Brinson, and Kel Wilson will be looked at to pull a lot of the Dragon’s offensive load.
District 11 2A-I has Garrison picked as the number 1 team. Number 2 is Tenaha, 3 Joaquin, 4 Timpson, 5 Linden-Kildare, 6 Beckville, and 7 Harleton. Three District 11 teams are in the state’s Top 20. Garrison is ranked 8th , Tenaha 9th and Joaquin 18th.
Robert Tamplin has taken over head coaching duty at Tenaha. The Tigers went 10-4 last season and were regional finalist. Hayden Jenkins will be looked at to quarterback and Erik Smith will be returning as receiver. Runningback Jordan Marshal will also return as an offensive weapon for the Tigers.
The Joaquin Rams, and Head Coach Wade Lawson posted a 9-3 season a year ago. Joaquin went 4-2 in conference action and were area finalist. The Rams fell 47-33 to the Carlisle Indians.
The Timpson Bears are Coached by Kerry Therwhanger. They went 4-7 (3-3) a year ago before being eliminated in bi-district with a 40-12 loss to the San Augustine Wolves.
They will be looking to linebackers Jarrett Page and Braden Courtney to help the Bear’s defense keep them in games this season. Defensive back Tre’ Davis will also be looked to for veteran leadership.
