Canadian’s Grant McCook (10) fires the crowd up in last years Class 3A Division II state title game at AT&T Stadium. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]
Canadian Wildcats
The Wildcats have carried the torch as one of the state’s top programs since the turn of the century. Last season, Canadian came a touchdown away from stunning heavy favorite, Newton, and winning a fifth state title since 2007. The Wildcats are reloaded with 13 starters primed to make another run.
McLean’s Ben Crockett set a state record with nine rushing touchdowns against Milford during a 100-70 win in the Class 1A DI state title game. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]
McLean Tigers
The Tigers enter the season on a 15-game win streak after bringing home the school’s first state championship in school history last season. The question is, does McLean have enough firepower to make another run at AT&T Stadium. The Tigers lose some key pieces to graduation
However, they do return Class 1A Player of the Year in Ben Crockett. If the 6-foot-1, 220 pound truck can repeat last year’s historic season, and have help around him, the Tigers have a chance at a repeat.
Tascosa QB Joseph Plunk leads a forceful ground game that gained over 5,000 yards rushing last year. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
Tascosa Rebels
Nobody is riding momentum entering the 2019 season like the Tascosa Rebels. Fresh off a history making run to the Class 6A DII state semifinals, coach Ken Plunk and his staff have built the Rebels into a strong program that can contend at the big boy level. Quarterback Joseph Plunk is back to run the flexbone, and Tascosa is stacked in the backfield.
Wellington TE/DE John Michael Holcomb committed to Texas Tech in late July. [Provided Photo]
Wellington Skyrockets
Veteran coach Wade Williams shocked the community when he retired last April. So enter new head coach, Greg Proffitt from Goldthwaite, who inherits a team that did lose a big senior class. The good news for Proffitt, is the Skyrockets bring back 6-foot-5 tight end/ defensive end John Michael Holcomb, not to mention a host of players that have grown up in Wellington tradition.
Houston Heck does everything for the Panthers. He’s the teams top returning rusher, a standout linebacker, and one of the areas best punters. [Emily Jones/Press Pass Sports]
Panhandle Panthers
The Panthers are chomping at the bit to get the season going after falling to New Deal in the Class 2A Division I state quarterfinals last year. Head coach Dane Ashley has built a program and though graduation saw key losses, Panhandle has the offensive firepower and a stout defense to make noise in a wide open Region I.
Dark Horses
Gruver’s Jalin Conyers received 22 offers before deciding on committing to the University of Oklahoma. Before he heads to Norman, Okla., he’ll try to lead the Greyhounds back to December football. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]
Gruver Greyhounds
Expectation surrounds head coach Terry Felderhoff’s team in 2019 thanks to a history making playoff push that led the Greyhounds to the school’s first ever Class 2A Division II state title game a year ago. Gruver lost a very talented senior class but returns 4-star recruit Jalin Conyers.
White Deer is a team that has the potential to be a threat in the playoffs. [Bobbie Brown/Press Pass Sports]
White Deer Bucks
Hunter Warminski and John Perriman are two of the more two unheralded Six-man players in Texas. The Bucks are expected to push McLean in 1A Region I. The first meeting is more than likely for the District 1-1A DI crown on Oct. 25..