Paul WitwerSan Angelo Standard-Times
Each of the40 teams in theStandard-Timescoverage areabegan practices earlier this month before the first game on Aug. 24. As football inches closer, teams and fans alike are eagerly anticipating the start of a new journey for their program in 2023.
Rankings: Concho Valley Teams on Dave Campbell's Texas Football
More:The 2023 All-Concho Valley preseason team
Coaching:West Texas Coaching Changes
Here are the district previews for all the Class 2A teams in theStandard-Timescoverage area:
District 3-2A Division I
Players to watch
- Jaime Buitron | Sonora | Quarterback
- Edgar DeLuna | Sonara | Athlete
- Dustin Spalla | Forsan | Defensive back
- Kason Brown | Reagan County | Quarterback
- Ethan Busch | Christoval | Defensive back
A closer look
Sonora, fresh off a run to the regional semifinals, can make another deep push into the playoffs with Buitron and DeLuna taking on bigger roles. Reagan County returns nine starters on offense including quarterback Brown who is healthy after missing time last season. Spalla is one of the seven returning stars on Forsan's defense that can carry the team to another playoff run. Christoval expects running back Manuel Riojas to carry a majority of the offense while having a dominant defensive secondary. Ozona returns 17 lettermen after its young team fell short of expectations last season, while Anthony will have to stave off injury to compete in the district.
Prediction
| Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sonora Broncos | 10-3, 4-1 |
| 2 | Reagan County Owls | 7-4, 4-1 |
| 3 | Forsan Buffaloes | 9-3, 4-1 |
| 4 | Christoval Cougars | 4-7, 2-3 |
| 5 | Ozona Lions | 3-7, 1-4 |
| 6 | Anthony Wildcats | 4-6, 0-5 |
District 5-2A Division I
Players to watch
- Peyton Brown | Tolar | Runningback
- Jaidin Jackson | Coleman | Quarterback/Defensive back
- Ethan Gonzales | San Saba | Runningback
- Ethan Ethridge | Bangs | Linebacker
A closer look
Tolar was dominant in 2023 but lost a lot of talent to graduation, while Coleman, led by Jackson on both sides of the ball, can push Tolar for the top spot in the district. The middle of the division — Bangs, Hamilton and San Saba — will be tightly contested again in 2023. Bangs promoted Jason Cole to head coach, while Hamilton returns 23 lettermen off a regional semifinal run, and San Saba has an experienced squad that returns 12 starters. DeLeon is an ascending program with talented underclassmen, while Goldthwaite tries to find its footing after a rough 2022.
Prediction
| Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tolar Rattlers | 13-1, 6-0 |
| 2 | Coleman Bluecats | 9-3, 5-1 |
| 3 | Hamilton Bulldogs | 7-6, 3-3 |
| 4 | Bangs Dragons | 7-5, 4-2 |
| 5 | San Saba Armadillos | 6-4, 2-4 |
| 6 | DeLeon Bearcats | 4-6, 1-5 |
| 7 | Goldthwaite Eagles | 0-10, 0-6 |
District 14-2A Division I
Players to watch
- Ryne Todd | Mason | Running back
- Aidan Cardwell | Junction | Running back
- Camden Derricoatte | Stockdale | Quarterback
A closer look
Mason is coming off 12-straight district championships and aims to win its 13th behind running back and Concho Valley preseason Offensive Player of the Year Ryne Todd. Stockdale and Johnson City fought for the second and third spots in the district in 2022 and plan on competing for the top spot this season. Junction returns 18 starters and is poised to take a leap this season, while Harper hopes to lean on its strong senior class.
Prediction
| Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mason Punchers | 9-3, 4-0 |
| 2 | Stockdale Brahmas | 8-3, 3-1 |
| 3 | Johnson City Eagles | 7-4, 2-2 |
| 4 | Junction Eagles | 2-8, 1-3 |
| 5 | Harper Longhorns | 0-10, 0-4 |
District 5-2A Division II
Players to watch
- Johnny Monreal | Sterling City | Running back
- Creed Frerich | Wink | Tight end/Defensive lineman
- Tony Kmiec | Eldorado | Linebacker
- Anthony Quintana | Water Valley | Quarterback
A closer look
Regional finalist Wink returns 10 starters on defense, while McCamey hopes that quarterback Aiden Torres can stay healthy after missing time last year. In Sterling City's return to 11-man football, they finished third in the district and made it to the area round of the playoffs behind Monreal. Entering Chad Tutle's second season as the head coach, Eldorado targets a deeper playoff push. Iraan returns 20 starters from last year's squad and Water Valley returns 18 led by Quintana after the move from six-man.
Prediction
| Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wink Wildcats | 12-1, 6-0 |
| 2 | Sterling City Eagles | 7-5, 4-2 |
| 3 | McCamey Badgers | 9-3, 5-1 |
| 4 | Eldorado Eagles | 4-7, 3-3 |
| 5 | Iraan | 4-6, 2-4 |
| 6 | Water Valley Wildcats | 3-7, 1-5 |
District 6-2A Division II
Players to watch
- Adam Hill | Albany | Running back
- Hayven Book | Miles | Quarterback
- Cooper Ellison | Miles | Wide receiver
A closer look
Last year's state champion Albany returns 12 starters including Hill who finished with 1,526 yards rushing. Miles looks to compete with Albany for the top spot led by Book who is the All-Concho Valley preseason quarterback after throwing 38 touchdowns last year. Cross Plains, Roscoe and Hamlin fought for the remaining two playoff spots in 2022 and it looks like that will be the case again. TLCA Abilene will try to bounce back from a tough first year in 11-man football.
Prediction
| Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany Lions | 14-2, 5-0 |
| 2 | Miles Bulldogs | 8-3, 4-1 |
| 3 | Cross Plains Buffaloes | 7-4, 2-3 |
| 4 | Roscoe Plowboys | 5-5, 3-2 |
| 5 | Hamlin Pied Pipers | 5-5, 1-4 |
| 6 | TLCA Abilene Eagles | 0-10, 0-5 |
