Well, Dave’s finally got here. We’ve got a nice wrap-up package on the sports cover tomorrow, but it’s really just a blitz package with not a lot of in-depth looks, so I thought I’d take a little closer look at 3-5A.

The mag has the four playoff spots going to 1. AHS, 2. Mojo, 3. MHS and 4. Lee. Looking in from the outside of the playoffs, then, would be No. 5 Cooper and No. 6 Odessa.

I see why they went the way they did and, for the most part, I agree. Abilene High has got to be considered the favorite at this point. Steve Warren’s got himself a little district streak going here, and for him to keep that going wouldn’t be all that surprising. Whichever QB gets the nod, I think they’ll be commanding a strong group. (As far as who should get the starting job … my vote is for Stephen Warren or a rotation. I’d put Lackey in the slot and use him as a receiver.)

But picking Cooper at No. 5 is, I think, a mistake. Now, again, I know why it happened. The Coogs have a completely unknown player at quarterback. But as far as I’m concerned, they’ve got a great QB and folks around the district and the state are going to be wondering just where he came from. Will Casey is going to be a stud. He’s been in the Spradlin system for a year already and he’s been in the varsity system since he joined the baseball team during his sophomore season. Now I don’t know if Zach Stewart’s records are in any danger, but I’ll say this before the season even begins – if it happens, don’t be surprised.

So what, then, would I say the district finish should be? I’ll give it a shot. (But I reserve the right to change my mind by the time the annual football tab goes to press.)

1. Abilene High
2. Permian
3. Cooper
4. Midland