Division I
District 1-2A
1. Stratford: Jonathan Murphy ushers in a new era for Stratford football after head coach Matt Lovorn departed to be the offensive coordinator at Canyon. Steeped in tradition, don’t expect a change in Elk country under Murphy’s watch especially with junior quarterback/ linebacker Bryce Braden (6-foot-3, 215 pounds) leading the way.
2. Farwell: Â As always expect the Steers to be a physical football team that never backs down from a challenge. This could also be a special season for four-year two-way starter Corey Stancell, who has chewed up over 3,500 yards the past two years.
3. Panhandle: It’s a very different look for the Panthers who are going to have to replace a huge offensive asset in all-world talent Landyn Hack. While trying to find an identity in the skill position, head coach Dane Ashley is extremely optimistic that his big boys in the trenches will carry the load.
4. Highland Park: There have been major strides taken in a positive direction under second-year head coach Ty Stout and his staff who are bringing a buzz to the community. Quarterback Brady Thompson is a talent to keep an eye on that has all the tools for a monster year.
5. Sanford-Fritch: With five starters returning on each side of the ball, head coach Phillip Wiggins and his Eagles have aspirations of making the postseason.
6. West Texas High: Head coach and Dalhart graduate Jeff Smith returns to Comanche land after spending the last five years at Hale Center. It’s been a rough couple of years for WT High, but Smith is ready to get things turned around.
Division II
District 1-2A
1. Sunray:Â Expectations are sky-high for the Bobcats heading into the football season with 10 starters returning on both sides of the ball. Sunray boasts one of the state’s most prolific passers in junior Armando Lujan (4,476 yards, 51 TDs), and a talented receiving duo of Kagan Davis and Damian Barragan, who both eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving.
2. Gruver: Head coach Kurt Haberthur makes the move from Perryton to Gruver to inherit a Greyhound team that returns plenty of experience. Look no further than running back Pratt McLain to be the bell cow for the offense.
3. Vega: As always, Jason Porton has imprinted his teams to be extremely physical and this year isn’t any different. The offensive line certainly passes the eye test with 6-foot, 250-pound Cole Blassingame paving the way.
4. Boys Ranch: The Roughriders snapped a 14-year playoff drought last season and thanks to a four-team district Boys Ranch can already print the playoff shirts for 2023. However, that’s not good enough for first-year coach Louis Kelley III, who wants his team to fight for a district title.
District 2-2A
1. Wellington: Tradition-rich Wellington made another deep playoff run last year with expectations of a December push this season. The Skyrockets return 12 starters with a loaded backfield of Gatlin Guy, Dakota Marshall and Travon Lewis.
2. Clarendon: Aaron Wampler left Boys Ranch to take over as the new head coach of the Broncos. Yes, Clarendon lost the very talented Jmaury Davis to Texas Tech, but Lyric Smith is back and will be a very dangerous weapon.
3. Wheeler: The Mustangs are a year older with plenty of veteran experience returning on both sides of the ball. QB Creed Newkirk and running back Julius Atherton are two leaders for coach Matt Hoover to count on.
4. Shamrock: The Irish have to find ways to fill the void left by Caden Peevey and Kit Macina. First-year head coach Nate Skelton will rely heavily on wide receivers Braxton Allen and Rodney Holmes to fill those shoes.
5. Quanah: With eight starters back the Indians will need to find leadership behind wide receiver Cy Jones.
6. Memphis: The Cyclones made the playoffs a year ago but to able to repeat that feat, running back Charlie Sepeda has to have a huge year.
District 3-2A
1. Ralls: The always dangerous Jackrabbits return 12 starters off a team that won nine games and made it two rounds deep a year ago.
2. Sudan: Dual-threat quarterback Trent Wilson is a very tremendous athlete that can always keep the Hornets in the district hunt.
3. Bovina: Ramiro Carmona takes the helm at head football coach replacing Coby Emory who took the same position at district rival Crosbyton. Carmona inherits 11 returning starters that are capable of keeping the Mustangs in the district title picture.
4. Hale Center: The Owls have plenty of veteran leadership returning with 14 starters back. Expect Hale Center to always compete.
5. Lockney: Look for the Longhorns to show improvement with 15 starters back from a year ago.
6. Crosbyton: Well-known Coby Emery, enters as the new Chieftains head coach after leaving Bovina. If anyone can get Crosbyton on the right track, it’s Emery.