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District 9-A predictions
August 21, 2008I will start off my preseason district predictions with what I consider the best district in the area.
It is tougher than nails and has backed up the talk in the playoffs. Plus, all six schools are from this neck of the woods, adding even more excitement come Friday night.
The general consensus among coaches is than while this district will not play at such a high level (no teams are pegged to go to the title game this year), it will still be just as competitive.
Here is the order I see the district playing out, with a sentence or two about each team:
1. Archer City: With all of their returning players, there is no doubt Archer City has the most potential on paper. I will be absolutely shocked if the Wildcats fail to make the playoffs. An experienced QB, an entire o-line and lots of skill guys - What is not to like?
2. Windthorst: Trojans could give Wildcats run for their money in quest of 9-A title. Frankly, I think these two teams are the only ones with a realistic chance of winning district. Never count out Trojans, who play great defense. If they can get the offense back on track after a down year, then watch out.
3. Munday: Seymour is also in the hunt for the last playoff spot, but I am picking the Moguls for a couple reasons. First, they do not have to undergo the transition that the Panthers do with a new coach. Also, Munday has a QB (Rob Dillard) who took some snaps during the season, even playing in two playoff routs. And the Moguls have more seniors than the Panthers. Really, it could go either way. Would not surprise me a bit if that happens.
4. Seymour: Panthers found good last-minute coach in Rider assistant Josh Castles. Still, they lost so much to graduation. Replacing a guy like Hayden Holub is impossible. Last time I talked to Castles, four guys were competing for the QB spot. And it sounds like Castles expects Seymour to take some non-district lumps along the way.
5. Petrolia: Can the Pirates make the playoffs? They have tied for third each of the last two seasons, so it is definitely possible. They will be a tough victory for the aforementioned teams on Fridays (just ask Archer City about that last year), but here is something important to remember. Say they end up battling Munday and Seymour for the last playoff spot. Those other two schools got an extra month of practice last fall because of their deep playoff runs. Even if most of those backup guys never played, they a) were on winning teams that tasted success and b) had a lot of more reps, thus maybe feeling more comfortable stepping into starting roles this year.
6: Electra: There is no doubt the Tigers will be better this year. But considering they scored only 32 points all last season and allowed around 500, there is nowhere to go but up. Electra should win a couple of non-district games, which will help morale and give them something positive to take into the district season (something they did not have a year ago). Electra has a lot of returning starters, and obviously this district may not be as stout, but it is hard for me to think a team that averaged losing by 47 points every game in 2007 will suddenly be in the playoff hunt. Lots of juniors on this team, so they could be a real factor next year. But I cannot see it happening now.
Coming up Saturday: District 9-2A preview
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