Playing in East Texas is tough, so why not schedule some beasts in non-district as well, right? Gladewater did just that in this two-year cycle and the Bears handled business in 2016.
First, they knocked off Kilgore, 29-27, to open the season. Then they took down Center, Chapel Hill and Lindale to start off 4-0.
They beat Spring Hill and then fell to Gilmer by a touchdown to start district, and then reeled off wins against Atlanta and Pittsburg before a loss to Pleasant Grove.
Gladewater beat Tatum, 35-7, in the bi-district round and lost a heartbreaker to Celina, 44-41, in the area round. The Bears ended the season 8-3.
Key Losses
WR Cameron Callaway, RB Darnell McKnight, ILB Myles Chumley
Callaway was the district’s Offensive MVP last year and McKnight was a first-team all-district selection at running back. Chumley and fellow linebacker Bryston Oliver both were seniors.
Key Returners
OL Andrew Williams, FB Isaiah Davis, DT Dre’Ka Ransom
Andrew Williams and Collin Keller, who both made first-team all-district last season, return to lead the Bears offensive line.
Ransom will anchor the defensive line and Austin Hawley returns to patrol the defensive backfield.
The Verdict
The schedule doesn’t look forgiving for Gladwater in 2017 with a trip to defending state champion Carthage to open the season. Carthage has perhaps the state’s best running back and is a prohibitive favorite early on to win the 4A Division I state championship.
Then there’s Kilgore, who won Carthage’s district last year. Then there’s Center and Tyler Chapel Hill, who are threats to make the playoffs every year. Gladewater gets a well-deserved bye week before opening District 7-4A DII at home against Spring Hill. The Bears then get Gilmer at home before a trip to Atlanta.
Gladewater returns a big, experienced offensive line and the Bears have playoff pedigree. The winning expectations are there, and Gladewater should be in the playoffs a fifth-consecutive year.
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