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5-3A predictions
August 24, 2009We're at the second installment of my district predictions.
But before we look at District 5-3A, I promised more info on "Sack Zach," a pick-em contest that we're doing via the TRN website.
Well, a meeting is scheduled tomorrow to hammer out the details, so I have no new updates. Check out the blog Tuesday night, and you'll get answers.
Now onto 5-3A:
First, I think this is the most up-in-the-air district by far. There's no clear-cut winner, first off.
The top three teams in 2009 (Bridgeport, Burkburnett, Vernon) probably lost more than any other team. And the bottom three are expected to be much-improved.
I can honestly see five different teams having a legit shot at the postseason, and if Hirschi keeps on improving, you could make it six.
Given that, here are my picks that will appear in the tab section:
1) Bridgeport -- They lost a ton of offensive players, but may have the district's best defensive guy in Blake Waldrep. They lost their QB, but the new one has the same last name as the coach. That's proven to not be a bad thing through the years.
2) Iowa Park -- Why would I choose a team that went 1-9 last year as this year's runner-up? In this district this year, why not? The Hawks have a very talented backfield, most of their line back and they gave Vernon and Decatur good games last year. Even Burkburnett was close for a while.
3) Burkburnett -- I think when Dalke left, Burkburnett made the right choice going with Scott Boswell. The Bulldogs shouldn't miss a beat because of it. They will miss Jay Gould and the Beaches, but I have a feeling people will step up at the skill positions. And Lorenzo Barnes is a dominant force on the line. The defense will be very good again. If you flop IP and Burk, I'd be fine with that too.
4) Vernon -- Don't count out the Lions. They made the playoffs last year even though the offense averaged 18 points a game. No more Whitesides are around, but Coach Hall does a great job and gets the most out of his team.
5) Decatur -- I might have given the Eagles a higher spot if QB Tim Metts hadn't gone to Bowie (from what I heard, he wasn't going to be allowed to play anyway at Decatur). The Eagles will bounce back and could even make the playoffs. Just goes to show you how crazy this district can be.
6) Hirschi -- I'm not even comfortable the Huskies will finish here, but they have lost 17 straight games, so it's hard to rank Hirschi higher than this now. But they are better right this moment than they were at this point a year ago. I guess we'll see.
A couple years ago (2006), this district was a mess. Burk looked to have the title sewn up, Graham looked to be out, then Hirschi upsets the Bulldogs to get in and Graham wins out; eliminating Burk from the mix. It was crazy. That's what I think will happen here again too.
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