Luke Blackwell certainly has his work cut out for him. The new coach at Mineola is certainly up to the task of the lofty expectations set in the small East Texas town just north of Tyler.
Mineola finally got over the hump to win a state championship in 2016 when they knocked off Yoakum, 35-14, for Class 3A Division I.
The Yellowjackets lost their first two games of the season to 4A state quarterfinalist Van and to 4A Kaufman, which went to the area round. Mineola won its next two non-district games and then swept through 7-3A DI with six wins.
The journey to Jerry World happened with playoff wins over Sabine, Whitesboro, Howe, Pottsboro and Wall.
Mineola compiled a 40-7 record over the last three years that included a 14-1 state semifinal appearance in 2015 and 12-4 state runner-up finish in 2014. Coach Joe Drennon departs along with so many graduating seniors.
Blackwell was a coordinator and now takes over the reins with only six total starters from last year’s squad. The non-district schedule is tough, but the Yellowjackets should be back in the playoffs again.
Key Losses
QB Jeremiah Crawford, DL Drason Tenner, DE Kourtland Sinches
Crawford was the district MVP after guiding the Yellowjackets offense to 45.5 points a game. Sinches was the defensive player of the year and Tenner was the best interior defensive lineman in the district.
Key Returners
OL Hugo Sanchez, DB Cameron Sorenson, RB/DB Curtis London
Sorenson has the opportunity to be the best defensive back in the district, and he was also the best kicker in the district last season. London will be a force on both sides of the ball, most notably on offense while the Yellowjackets search for their new quarterback.
Whoever gets the snaps on offense will operate behind offensive linemen Hugo Sanchez and Cameron Wise.
The Verdict
Drennon set the template for success at Mineola, and Blackwell knows what it takes to get Mineola deep into the playoffs.
The Yellowjackets begin the season with Van and Kaufman — two salty 4A programs — and play against two more 4A teams in Wills Point and Brownsboro before starting district Oct. 6 at Quitman.
The 7-3A DI championship could be decided when Farmersville goes to Mineola on Oct. 13. The following week Mineola will travel to a good Mt. Vernon squad before closing the regular season out with Grand Saline, Commerce and
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