Preseason predictionsAfter failing to make the playoffs the last 26 years Princeton will look to get back into the postseason picture in 2008.
Dave Campbell’s 2008 Texas Football magazine projects the Panthers to finish fifth in the District 13-3A standings.
The remaining picks are as follows: Farmersville (first), Emory Rains (second), Community (third), Lucas Lovejoy (fourth) and Quinlan Ford (sixth).
The program made a big change during the offseason by hiring Stacy Dillard as the new head coach.
He replaces Jim Staley.
This year’s team returns 21 players after only losing a mere nine players to graduation.
On the offensive side of the ball the Panthers bring back six while the defense also returns six players.
Unlike the run-based offense of last season, the Panthers will use a spread offense, which has become popular around high school football.
According to Dave Campbell’s, the athletes to watch out for are Lance Larsen, Derek Fort, Tim Clark, Zach Rice and Stephen Young.
Farmersville’s expectations for the 2008 season are pretty high, to say the least, after winning the Class 2A Div. I state championship last season.
Farmersville picked to win 13-3A
The Farmers will be put to the test in District 13-3A, which consists of cross-lake rival Princeton, Community, Emory Rains, Lucas Lovejoy and Quinlan Ford.
Despite the move to 3A competition, Dave Campbell’s expects them to once again capture another district title.
The Farmers return 10 players (they lost 22) from last season. In addition, there’s a new head coach, Ross Dodson, who replaces South Garland’s Keith Wright.
According to Dave Campbell’s the players to watch this season are Michael Thompson, Austin Brooks, Chase Wiggins, Payton Adams, Danny Laastad and Nickevian Taylor.
Like last season the Farmers will look to continue their strong defensive play, despite returning just two players.
Six players are back on the offensive side, led by Brooks, the quarterback. He will have help from a massive offensive line (with returnees Thompson, Laastad and Adams) that dominated the second half of games last year.
Also, a strong running game will feature John Cates, Wiggins and Taylor.
Community tabbed for third
After just missing the 3A playoffs last season, the senior-laden Braves are picked to make the postseason this year.
The 2008 team has a new head coach in Bryan O’Neal, who takes the reins from Davy Dubose.
Community returns 22 players (seven on offense, eight on defense) while graduating only seven.
The Braves will have the service of quarterback B.J. Dale, who missed six weeks in 2007 due to a non-football injury. He will get protection returning linemen Caleb Montgomery, James Hooks and William Kaake.
Players to keep an eye on during the upcoming season, according to Dave Campbell’s magazine, are Tanner Marshall, Tim Underwood, Collin Strahan, Chance Crosetti, Sam Powell, Charles White, Keondre Jermany, Troy Graves, Cory Navors, Phillip McEntyre, Randall Barber, Clint Titlow, James Zahnow, Dale, Montgomery, Hooks and Kaake.
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