Yoe ranked 11th, pegged to rebound by DCTF

Elite football program normally do no have two bad years in a row. That is exactly what the folks over at Dave Campbell’s Texas Football were thinking when they were compiling their rankings for the 2018 season. The Yoemen, which finished 2017 with a 4-7 record and bi-district playoff finish, have been ranked 11th in the state by the publication in their annual preseason summer magazine.

Cameron was chosen by the magazine to win a state championship just last season, earning the coveted number one preseason ranking. Things didn't turn out like anyone would have liked, as the Yoemen struggled to a fourth place district finish and suffered a big loss to the Teague Lions in the opening round of the playoffs.

The complete top 20 rankings: 1. Brock, 2. Goliad, 3. Rockdale, 4. Atlanta, 5. Yoakum, 6. Franklin, 7. Wall, 8. Kemp, 9. Malakoff, 10. Grandview, 11. Cameron Yoe, 12. Woodville, 13. Hallettsville, 14. Bushland, 15. West Rusk, 16. George West, 17. West, 18. Mount Vernon, 19. Teague, 20. Jefferson.

Brock, which defeated Cameron in the 2015 state championship game and fell to Rockdale this past season at state, is predicted to get back to Arlington yet again and win it all for the second time in program history.

District 20-3A Predictions

The Rockdale Tigers, which are returning four offensive and five defensive starters from their state championship team, are predicted to win 20-3A this season and go back to the state semifinals. Rockdale is having to deal with the loss of explosive playmakers such as quarterback Torry Locklin and receiver JaQuayln Crawford, which are both now at the college level.

Cameron, which has 10 total starters returning, is selected for the second spot, with Troy and Lago Vista predicted to make the playoffs.

The Trojans are returning more starters than any team in the district, with eight back on each side of the ball, while the Vikings have no offensive starters and five defensive players returning.  

Little River Academy (fifth), Jarell (sixth) and Manor New Tech (seventh) are predicted to be out of the playoff picture.

Academy is returning five on each side of the ball, Jarrell just have five combined starters coming back from a winless team and Manor New Tech is playing their first year of varsity football.

Preseason All-State Team

Local notables on the preseason all-state team are Lexington running back Ja’Kobe Cooper, Lexington linebacker Aaron Albert, Franklin linebacker Will Fannin, Rockdale defensive lineman Cayden McBride, Franklin defensive back Jared Pedraza and Lexington defensive back Caleb Meyer.

Lexington’s Ja’Kobe Cooper selected as 3A cover boy

The Eagles are ranked number five in the 3A division two rankings, and the return of running back Ja’Kobe Cooper is a big reason why. The soon-to-be senior rushed for over 3,000 yards a season ago to go along with 39 touchdowns.

Other locals ranked

6A: Lake Travis (2), Austin Westlake (4), Hewitt Midway (18), Pflugerville Hendrickson (20), Temple (21), Round Rock Cedar Ridge (24); 5A DI: College Station (6), Hutto (7), Cedar Park (9), Georgetown (19); 5A DII: A&M Consolidated (4), Brenham (15); 4A DI: La Vega (4), Liberty Hill (5), Navasota (13), China Spring (14); 4A DII: Madisonville (18); 3A DII: Lexington (5); 2A DI: Bosqueville (5), Hearne (8), Crawford (13); 2A DII: Mart (1), Burton (4), Bremond (8); 1A DII: Calvert (4).

Coaches Poll

In the 3A coaches poll, Brock comes in at number one, Rockdale is number two, Atlanta comes in at three, Yoakum sits at four, and Franklin rounds out the rankings at five.