Assessment of 10-3A teams for 2018

Though realignment is just a few weeks away now, I want to go ahead and look at all of the teams from 10-3A and what to expect for 2018. Though there may be some minor shifts, I would expect a large majority of these teams to be placed in the same district for the next two football seasons.

What we will be looking at today is how each of these teams fared, what they have coming back, and how I believe the district may stack up.

The Teams

Academy

2017: 3-7/1-5: No Playoffs

Number of seniors lost: 13 (Maxpreps)

Number of all-district players lost: 4 1st team defense; 2 2nd team offense

Number of all-district players returning: 1 2nd team offense; 1 2nd team defense

Cameron Yoe

2017: 4-7/3-3; Bi-District Finalist

Number of seniors lost: 20 (Maxpreps)

Number of all-district players lost: Offensive MVP: 2 1st team offense; 2 2nd team team offense; 3 2nd team defense; 3 1st team defense

Number of all-district players returning: 2 1st team offense; 2 2nd team offense; 1 1st team defense; 1 2nd team defense

Franklin

2017: 10-3/6-0: Regional Semifinalist

Number of seniors lost: 11

Number of all-district players lost: 4 1st team offense; 2 2nd team offense; 3 2nd team defense

Number of all-district players returning: District MVP; Co-Defensive MVP; Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year; 3 1st team offense; 7 1st team defense; 4 2nd team offense; 2 2nd team defense

Jarrell

2017: 0-10/0-6: No Playoffs

Number of seniors lost: 9

Number of all-district players lost: 1 2nd team defense

Number of all-district players returning: None

McGregor

2017: 6-5/4-2; Bi-District Finalist

Number of seniors lost: 21

Number of all-district players lost: 5 1st team offense; 4 2nd team offense; 3 1st team defense; 4 2nd team defense

Number of all-district players returning: Co-Defensive Newcomer of the Year; 1 2nd team offense; 2 1st team defense; 1 2nd team defense

Rockdale

2017: 13-3/5-1; STATE CHAMPIONS

Number of seniors lost: 22

Number of all-district players lost: Co-Defensive MVP: 5 1st team offense; 4 2nd team offense; 4 1st team defense; 2 2nd team defense

Number of all-district players returning: 1 1st team offense; 2 2nd team offense; 2 1st team defense; 3 2nd team defense

Troy

2017: 3-7/2-4; No Playoffs

Number of seniors lost: 8

Number of all-district players lost: 2 1st team offense; 1 1st team defense; 1 2nd team offense; 1 2nd team defense

Number of all-district player returning: Offensive Newcomer of the Year; 1 1st team offense; 2 2nd team offense; 2 1st team defense; 2 2nd team defense

Josh Pratt’s Predicted Finish

1. Franklin, 2. Rockdale, 3. Cameron Yoe, 4. McGregor, 5. Troy, 6. Academy, 7. Jarrell

Franklin and then everyone else?

Though it was Rockdale that turned it on in the playoffs and proved to be the best team when it counted the most, Franklin will enter 2018 as the reigning 10-3A champions, with a perfect 6-0 run through the district this past season. The Lions will be favorites in most polls simply because they have most of their talent returning, while others may have question marks across the board.

Can Rockdale reload and make another run?

Rockdale was expected to be somewhat down heading into 2017, but this Tiger team was simply not going to be denied. The big move-in of Torry Locklin really changed the complexion of that offense. Without him, they would have had a sophomore at the position or would have had to move JaQualyn Crawford away from receiver. Rockdale does have good talent coming up in the system, as they managed to beat Cameron in all but one of the sub-varsity games this past season.

Can Cameron finish better than 3rd or 4th?

Can the Yoemen rebound after what was a frustrating 2017? That will be the question that Yoe fans should have answered pretty early. Cameron’s non-district will not be quite as daunting as it has been in the past, but Mexia, Whitney, Gatesville and Giddings will collectively be tough. If  

Cameron ends up in an 8-team district, Giddings would be dropped.