2018 Class 2A Division II TXHSFB Hipster Picks

Photo by Ashley Wirz

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Every year when the summer edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football comes out, fans and media alike look at the teams we have at the top of the pre-season rankings to get an idea of who likely makes the trip to Arlington to play for a state title at AT&T Stadium in December.

While the teams ranked highly in the pre-season are there for good reason, we all know there are always a few “mystery guests” that pop up with deep playoff runs and sometimes state titles when the season wraps up. Who are those teams you need to keep an eye on in 2018? We’ve got you covered at DCTF as we bring you our 2018 “Hipster Picks” to keep in your back pocket as you casually drop them into conversation with your friends from time to time, so once they make that deep run, you can look like a TXHSFB genius!

Crosbyton: A late coaching change last off-season combined with a fairly young team derailed the usually tough Chiefs in 2017 as they posted a 4-6 mark in Colby Huseman’s first year at the helm. Don’t expect a repeat of that performance in 2018 as CHS welcomes back seven starters on both sides of the ball. The headliner is two way standout TE/DL Maurice Carr who is a major receiving threat and a pass rushing force off the edge. QB/DB Landon Clark also returns, he adds a major rushing threat to the Crosbyton offense in addition to being the leader of the secondary. The big key for Crosbyton will be overtaking Tahoka in 4-2A Division II, because the bi-district matchup looks tough as 3-2A Division II features three teams ranked in the top 13 of the DCTF Division II state poll.

Santo:  It was a strong debut for head coach Devon Mann who took over last off-season and led the Wildcats to a more than respectable 7-5 mark and a trip to the area playoffs. Don’t be surprised if his squad is in the mix for a district title in 2018 as Santo welcomes back six offensive and seven defensive starters in what looks to be a fairly wide open race in 6-2A Division II between Santo, Windthorst and Electra. Jett Bryan was solid on both sides of the ball a year ago and will take over at QB this season for the Wildcats. Grant Nemeth and Austin O’Hair will be a potent backfield combo giving Santo plenty of versatility and big play ability. As long as Santo can avoid powerful Wellington in the first round the bracket shapes up nicely for a multiple playoff win season in 2018 although winning the region may be a longshot with Wellington and Albany looming in the later rounds.

Maud: At first glance a team with just five wins in 2018 may not seem like a great pick to make some playoff noise but Maud could be the exception to that rule. One of the Cardinals five wins did come during the playoffs and on paper Coach Allen Cross’ squad looks to be the favorite to run the table in District 10-2A Division II. Maud brings back eight starters on offense and they bring to the table one of the better offensive lines in Region II. Seven are back on defense led by LB Rayne Bailey who also should be a major factor on offense at running back. That veteran experience could set Maud up for a multi-round playoff push in Region III provided they avoid the likes of Mart, Lovelady and Grapeland in the first two rounds.

Flatonia: The Bulldogs are flying low and off the radar and that’s just how head coach Chris Freytag likes it as all the attention in Region IV will center around district rival Burton, perennial power Bremond and always tough Falls City. However, with ten starters back on both sides of the ball from a playoff squad a year ago, expect FHS to make some major noise in 2018. FHS loves to run the ball and they’ve got two backs who can tote the mail in Juan Netro and DaKory Willis and they will operate behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in all of Class 2A. The potential playoff road is filled with a lot of potential land mines, but Flatonia with their experience and playoff pedigree could be a factor in Region IV.

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