Tony Venegas
6A newcomer Waco Midway came out on top of the district last year, but they weren’t the only ones making waves. Belton put together another strong season while Killeen made a late charge last season to get themselves into the postseason.
Those three teams could very well be the headliners in 2017, but I like what Waco Midway brings back. It goes beyond Oklahoma commit Tanner Mordecai at quarterback, they also bring back the district defensive player of the year, newcomer of the year and a host of other weapons. The Panthers got a tough draw in the playoffs having to play Cedar Hill in Round 1 last year, but depending on how things break, I can see Midway going at least a couple rounds deep in the playoffs in 2017.
Prediction: Waco Midway
Cody Daniel
In 2017, District 8-6A looks on pace to belong to Waco Midway and it doesn’t seem like there’s too much anyone else can do about it.
While several programs lose plenty of key contributors, especially Belton, which also loses head coach Bob Shipley, Waco Midway is returning the bulk of its better talent and now has the one key ingredient it didn’t in 2016 — experience.
As part of a loaded team headlined by Oklahoma quarterback commit Taner Mordecai, Waco Midway returns the district offensive player of the year in Mordecai, the district defensive player of the year in Jaxon Player, the district defensive newcomer of the year in Xavier Abalos, and first-team all-district running back in James Fullbright, two first-team all-district defensive players and three all-district defensive linemen.
So yeah, this team has the pieces to be really good in 2017 and shouldn’t have much of an issue capturing the district title.
Prediction: Waco Midway
Hunter Cooke
I like Waco Midway, and I like them a lot.
They bring back a ridiculous amount of talent, including Tanner Mordecai, who will have a legitimate shot at being a household name across the state. It’s going to be a good season for Midway, they might even have a shot at taking on some of those bigger city schools in deep playoff rounds.
Prediction: Waco Midway
Jonathan Rodriguez
Central Texas breeds a different type of football in my opinion as its more of in your face style that tests the amount of grit a team has. When you look at last year’s first and second place teams in Waco Midway and Belton, they are the epitome of Central Texas grit.
Midway lays claim to one of the best weapons in the state with quarterback Tanner Mordecai who just committed to Oklahoma last week. His 1,700 passing yards, 700 rushing yards and 24 total touchdowns will be instrumental once again to a team that went 8-3 last year, and let’s not forget offensive lineman Hakeem White and defensive tackle Jaxon Player that also hold Division I offers. Needless to say, Midway has a team full of tremendous athletes.
Belton has made the playoffs the past three seasons and matched their highest win total since 2011 with an 8-4 season last year. Belton should still be able to find themselves in a similar position even with a new and first time head coach in Sam Skidmore who was promoted from offensive coordinator to the head position. Belton set single-season scoring records the past two years under Skidmore and can be expected to continue to be a potent offense.
These two teams are my frontrunners for the district and they also provided a tight-knit overtime game which saw Midway escape with a 49-42 victory. These two will once again find themselves duking it out for district supremacy but I’m giving a slight edge to Midway and for them repeat as district champions.
Prediction: Waco Midway
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