By Mike Craven
Cameron Yoe and Waskom won the Class 3A state titles in 2014. Each team should be in the mix this season, and with football starting officially this week, we took a look at the top five teams in each division of Class 3A.
Division I
1. Cameron Yoe
The defending champions return eight starters on offense and defense, giving Rick Rhoades’ program a chance to tack on another state title run in 2015. The added experience from last year can only serve the Yoemen well this season. All-state running back Traion Smith is back to put up big numbers behind an experienced offensive line.
2. Mineola
Quarterback Jeremiah Crawford is back to lead the Yellow Jackets towards a championship. Getting past Cameron Yoe will not be easy, but Joe Drennon’s team will put up a lot of points in 2015. Mineola will sport the best offensive line duo in the smaller classifications, as twin brothers and Texas A&M commits Riley and Austin Anderson provide size and athleticism rare for offensive linemen in Class 3A.
3. Brock
The Brock Eagles return nine starters on offense and seven on defense from a 2014 team that went 12-2 and reached the regional finals. Running back Leddy French returns after a District 4-3A Div. I MVP season last year. It is Brock’s second season playing UIL football, and it could be one that ends with a title.
4. Shallowater
Running back Cooper Ogle returns to lead a Shallowater offense that also returns all five offensive linemen for the 2015 season. Linebacker Brenton Burgett was the state’s leading tackler in 2014, and he is back to anchor the defense. It’ll be interesting to see how the Mustangs juggle proven quarterbacks Westin Elliot and Chris Contreras.
5. Kirbyville
The running back duo of Ty Dennis and Pat Beaty should propel the Wildcats towards a deep run in the state playoffs. Nine offensive starters return from a team that went 11-2 last season. The defense has seven starters returning.
Division II
1. East Bernard
The Brahmas are ready to make another run at a state title with a team loaded with talent and experience. Head coach Jerry Long has 10 starters on offense and nine starters on defense returning from the 2014 team. The best of the bunch may be running back Charles Chapman. Linebacker Allen Anderson is the leader of the defense.
2. Newton
The Eagles came within one game of winning a state title in 2014. Newton will be out to win that final game and hoist a trophy in 2015 thanks to a talented and athletic roster on both sides of the football. Linebacker Tanner Holmes is one of the best defenders in Class 2A, and the offense will be led by running back Corbin Foster. The only question mark for the Eagles is at starting quarterback.
3. Blanco
Head coach Danny Rogers has a ton of pieces to replace heading into 2015, but running back Adrien Dominguez gives Blanco a chance to win every game this season. He had over 1,600 yards rushing last season and added 24 touchdowns. It’ll be hard to get past East Bernard in Region IV, but the running game of Blanco will be tough for anyone to stop.
4. Cisco
Cisco is a powerhouse in Class 3A, and that won’t change in 2015—despite head coach Brent West only returning three starters on offense and four starters on defense. Quarterback Taylor Massey leads the offense while linebacker Carson Teaff returns to anchor the defensive side of the ball. Offensive playmakers need to step up around Massey for Cisco to make a run at a title.
5. Elysian Fields
District 8-3A Div. II is loaded once again in 2015. It will be a three-team race for a district title between Elysian Fields, Arp and defending state champion Waskom. Elysian Fields gets the nod because of running back Kyree Ratliffe. The Yellow Jackets return eight offensive starters and six starters on defense
