Snyder Tigers
Once the football season finally begins, the Snyder Tigers are tabbed to grab District 1-4A’s final playoff spot, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
With seven offensive starters returning and eight on defense, the Tigers’ strength is returning experience and team-wide agility, the magazine reported.
The magazine listed several players to watch: linebacker Bryce Ford, athlete Cameron Smith, lineman Nathan Beaver, quarterback Leeroy Tavarez, running back Derek Dominguez, defensive back Maverick Hernandez and kicker Jorge Olivares.
“Wood says ATH Smith can play any skill position on the field, including QB,” the Snyder preview stated. “QB Tavarez (1,272 yards, 9 TD passing) and RB Dominguez are back on offense and all-district LB Ford (112 tackles, 14 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 INT) will spearhead the defense. K/P Olivares averaged 45.3 yards per kickoff and 30.8 yards per punt last year.”
The magazine picked Midland Greenwood, Pecos and Sweetwater to finish ahead of Snyder in the district race, with Monahans on the outside of the playoff picture.
Ira Bulldogs
Pre-season offensive MVP Cody McCowen, Ira’s running back, is expected to help lead the pre-season No. 10 Bulldogs to the District 7-1A title when the 2020 football season gets underway.
According to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football (DCTF), Ira will rely on a junior-heavy roster in 2020 to improve on last year’s 11-1 record.
“Region II’s biggest mystery may be Ira, as the traditionally strong Bulldogs are in a full changeover after graduating all but two starters. But Toby Goodwin is one of IA’s finest coaches (just ask the 201 teams he’s beaten) and he’s sure to get his junior-heavy squad ready for Friday night,” DCTF’s Brandon McCauliffe wrote.
The magazine predicts that Rankin will defeat the Bulldogs for the Region II title.
Among the players the magazine highlighted were running back Cody McCowen, athlete Holden Rios, athlete Shayden Hatley, running back Ike Weaver, running back Zack White and quarterback Bryton Partain.
“Sophomore QB Partain takes over the offense and will rely on a junior-heavy roster to help ease his transition to being the starting signal-caller,” according to the magazine.
Hermleigh Cardinals
The magazine predicts Hermleigh will finish one spot out of post-season play, finishing ahead of Rotan and Roby in District 7-1A.
New head coach Heath Gibson will welcome five returning starters on both offense and defense.
“The Digby brothers should be stars, as QB Stetson Digby will have top targets OL/DL (Tyler) Thompson and WR/LB (Mateo) Clement to find in the passing game,” the magazine stated.
Players to watch this season, according to the magazine, are lineman Tyler Thompson, quarterback/defensive lineman Stetson Digby, running back/defensive back Jonathan Digby and wide receiver/linebacker Mateo Clement.
Aspermont is projected to finish second in the district race.