Gunter and its secluded North Texas community experienced a fantastic run by the Tigers football team in 2016. The Tigers had a slick offense and suffocating defense that led the school to a 16-0 record and Class 3A Division II state title.
After a convincing season-opening win over nearby Howe, the Tigers had much tougher games with non-district victories over Pottsboro, Whitesboro and Pilot Point. No team in District 6-3A DII came close to the Tigers.
The first three rounds of the playoffs even looked ho hum for Gunter with blowout wins over Jacksboro, Hooks and a surging Henrietta team. They took down Winona, 45-22, in the state quarterfinal and then outslugged two-time defending state champion Canadian, 44-34, in the semifinal.
Gunter then had the task of stopping Boling and their big, fast quarterback in the state title game. No problem. Gunter rolled to a 43-7 win to hoist the state championship trophy.
Gunter averaged nearly 42 points a game last season while allowing just 12.4 per outing.
Key Losses
QB Trey Carr, MLB Carlos Rodriguez, DL Dwayne Alford
Carr was the leader of the offense and 6-3A DII Player of the Year. Rodriguez was the leader of the defense and Alford was arguably the best defensive lineman in the district.
Key Returners
LB Zach Lowe, WR/DB Braiden Clopton, QB/DL Daylan Bower, FS/WR Dylan Jantz
Defense will be paramount in another run to Jerry World, and Zach Lowe leads that effort. The linebacker had 100 tackles in 2016 and he’s joined by all-state defensive back Braiden Clopton, state title game MVP Peyton Lowe (DB) and Daylan Bower, who’s slated to play defensive line.
Bower was the district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year while playing wide receiver, and defensive line in 2016, but he’s projected to be the starter at quarterback this year. As the Tigers return just five starters on offense, having stability and experience at key positions will be vital in another deep playoff run.
The Verdict
Despite losing seven starters on offense, the coaches in Class 3A Division II picked Gunter as the No.1 team in preseason. Because that’s what coaches do. Most typically rank the reigning state champion as the best until someone knocks them off.
Sure, Gunter lost a plethora of talent to graduation, but there are several key pieces back to make another deep playoff run. And it all starts with defense. The Gunter defense that allowed just 12 points a game last season returns seven starters. Bower may not have the games under his belt at quarterback, but he knows the offense very well and should make a seamless move to signal caller.
The schedule hasn’t changed this season, nor have the expectations. The only thing that’ll be much different this season will be the uniforms, which this year will have a big target on the back.
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