High school football: District previews for Concho Valley six-man football teams
Each of the 40 teams in the Standard-Times coverage area began 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.
Six-man football is unique to Class A. While the other classes trot out 11 players on offense and defense, Class A plays with six athletes on both sides of the ball. A lot of matchups feature electric offenses that score points most fans would only see on a basketball scoreboard.
Here are the district previews for all the Class A teams in the Standard-Times coverage area:
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District 7-A Division I
Players to watch
Baret Jackson | Rankin | Running back
Alejandro Talamantes | Garden City | Defensive Linemen
Koda Bigham | Borden County | Quarterback
A closer look
Rankin is still one of the top teams in West Texas coming in at No. 7 in Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason ranking list. Garden City looks to reload with only one starter returning on either side of the ball. Borden County is looking to take a leap in the district and push for a playoff spot with a young team, while Sands and Grady aim to bounce back after tough district stretches last season.
Prediction
Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Rankin Red Devils | 11-2, 4-0 |
2 | Borden County Coyotes | 6-4, 2-2 |
3 | Garden City Bearkats | 8-3, 3-1 |
4 | Ackerly Sands Mustangs | 2-8, 1-3 |
5 | Lenorah Grady Wildcats | 2-8, 0-4 |
District 13-A Division I
Players to watch
Parker Posey | Irion County | Linebacker
Hunter Hallmark | Veribest | Quarterback
Ezra Gamboda | Eden | Quarterback
A closer look
Irion County comes into 2023 as the favorite to repeat as district champions after a run to the state semifinal. Robert Lee returns five starters on both sides of the ball including, Sherwood, who scored 27 touchdowns last year. Menard aims to grab another playoff spot this year, while Veribest tries to sneak in with quarterback Hallmark who made the first-team all-district offense in 2022. After a tough season last year, a young Eden team aims to be more competitive this year.
Prediction
Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Irion County Hornets | 12-1, 4-0 |
2 | Robert Lee Steers | 8-2, 2-2 |
3 | Veribest Falcons | 2-8, 1-3 |
4 | Menard Yellowjackets | 7-4, 3-1 |
5 | Eden Bulldogs | 1-9, 0-4 |
District 13-A Division II
Players to watch
AJ Williams | Loraine | Running back
Karter Cummings | Blackwell | Quarterback
Cole Knight | Bronte | Linebacker
A closer look
Coming off a state championship appearance, Loraine aims to repeat its performance from last season, while Blackwell chases close behind despite heavy losses to graduation. Bronte looks to make it back into the playoffs, but will have to do it with a new head coach. Trent had its most successful season in years earning five wins but struggled in district play.
Prediction
Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Loraine Bulldogs | 13-2, 3-0 |
2 | Blackwell Hornets | 7-5, 2-1 |
3 | Bronte Longhorns | 4-6, 1-2 |
4 | Trent Gorillas | 5-5, 0-3 |
District 14-A Division II
Players to watch
Dathon Morris | Rising Star | Defensive back
Ethan Croft | Panther Creek | Athlete
Jayden Hernandez | Paint Rock | Quarterback
A closer look
Rising Star returns most of its starters on both sides of the ball after making it to the bi-district round last season. Panther Creek and Paint Rock both finished at three wins with their matchup deciding who earned a playoff spot, but Paint Rock suffered the biggest losses to graduation in the district. Moran struggled in 2022, but returns 10 lettermen this season and could push for one of the playoff spots.
Prediction
Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Rising Star Wildcats | 9-2, 3-0 |
2 | Panther Creek Panthers | 3-7, 2-1 |
3 | Paint Rock | 3-7, 1-2 |
4 | Moran Bulldogs | 0-10, 0-3 |
District 16-A Division II
Players to watch
Billy Perry | Richland Springs | Running back
Vegas Gilliam | Brookesmith | Quarterback
Gunner Baugh | Cherokee | Runningback
Bobby Estes | Rochelle | Linebacker
Jayden Sutherland | Richland Springs | Wide Receiver
A closer look
Cherokee finished last season with only one loss after making it to the regional final. Richland Springs faces a tough road again this year without head coach Jerry Burkhart, but has plenty of talent to compete for the district title. Rochelle has a lot of questions to answer with new head coach Matt Maciel and losing six lettermen. Brookesmith retained a lot of talent from last year, while Lohn continues to build its program up to help withstand injuries.
Prediction
Ranking | Team | 2022 record |
|---|---|---|
1 | Richland Springs Coyotes | 8-2, 3-1 |
2 | Cherokee | 11-1, 4-0 |
3 | Rochelle Hornets | 7-3, 2-2 |
4 | Brookesmith Mustangs | 1-9, 1-3 |
5 | Lohn Eagles | 0-9, 0-4 |
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: District previews for Concho Valley six-man high school football
