Last but certainly not least in the Standard-Times’ series of analyzing Dave Campbell’s Texas Football’s predictions for the West Texas, San Angelo area is Class 1A.
In contrast to larger classifications 2A-6A, 1A plays a different brand of football with six players on either side of the field rather than the traditional 11. The playoff field is also slightly altered as only the top two teams in each district make the postseason, as opposed to the top four in the other classifications.
Similar to 2A, 1A is widely spread throughout the West Texas area, encompassing six districts in both divisions and three regions.
Four local teams made the 1A Division I preseason top 25, starting with Water Valley at No. 3, trailing only Whiteface and reigning champs Gordon. Westbrook was the next highest at No. 13, then Robert Lee at No. 15 and Menard at No. 19.
In Division II, Richland Springs is the highest-ranked squad at No. 3, trailing Klondike and reigning state champions Jayton. The next highest ranked squad is Blackwell at No. 15, then Rochelle, making the cut at No. 25.
Robert Lee wide receiver Nate Samaniego, Water Valley linebacker Boston Weise and Richland Springs utility athlete Cohen Ethridge were the three local standouts to make the preseason all-state team.
Here is what the statewide publication analyzed and predicted for the West Texas, San Angelo-area 1A high school football districts.
District 3-3A DI
Preseason Offensive MVP – RB Brody Walts, Garden City
Preseason Defensive MVP – LB Caden Valdez, Buena Vista
1. Imperial Buena Vista Longhorns
Attendance – 93
Coach – Jacob Benavidez
Lettermen – Returning 22, leaving 6
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 4
2024 – Bi-district finalist, 9-1 overall; 4-0 district
2. Rankin Red Devils
Attendance – 78
Coach – Garret Avalos
Lettermen – Returning 6, leaving 4
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 4
2024 – Bi-district finalist, 6-5 overall; 3-1 district
3. Garden City Bearkats
Attendance – 98
Coach – Open
Lettermen – Returning 16, leaving 3
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 5
2024 – 6-4 overall; 2-2 district
4. Lenorah Grady Wildcats
Attendance – 74
Coach – Open
Lettermen – Returning 7, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 4
2024 – 6-4 overall; 1-3 district
5. Marfa Shorthorns
Attendance – 62
Coach – Kevin Pippen
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 2
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – 2-8 overall; 0-4 district
District 7-1A DI
Preseason Offensive MVP – QB Chance Morris, Westbrook
Preseason Defensive MVP – DL Justin Smith, Hermleigh
1. Westbrook Wildcats
Attendance – 91
Coach – Homer Matlock
Lettermen – Returning 8, leaving 7
Starters returning – Offense 2; Defense 2
2024 – Region finalist, 10-3 overall; 5-0 district
2. Hermleigh Cardinals
Attendance – 77
Coach – Sammy Winters
Lettermen – Returning 12, leaving 3
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 5
2024 – 7-3 overall; 3-2 district
3. Ira Bulldogs
Attendance – 68
Coach – Jess Wall
Lettermen – Returning 6, leaving 4
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – Bi-district finalist, 7-4 overall; 4-1 district
4. Roscoe Highland Hornets
Attendance – 65
Coach – Bryson Oliver
Lettermen – Returning 12, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 3
2024 – 4-6 overall; 2-3 district
5. Roby Lions
Attendance – 82
Coach – Zane Graves
Lettermen – Returning 12, leaving 2
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – 4-6 overall; 1-4 district
6. Rotan Yellowhammers
Attendance – 66
Coach – Julian Menchaca
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 1
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – 3-7 overall; 0-5 district
District 8-1A DI
Preseason Offensive MVP – SB Brenner Sherwood, Robert Lee
Preseason Defensive MVP – LB Boston Wiese, Water Valley
1. Water Valley Wildcats
Attendance – 93
Coach – Trey Sisco
Lettermen – Returning 6, leaving 6
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 4
2024 – State semifinalist, 11-3 overall; 4-0 district
2. Robert Lee Steers
Attendance – 80
Coach – Lee McCown
Lettermen – Returning 10, leaving 6
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 4
2024 – Bi-district finalist, 7-4 overall; 3-1 district
3. Veribest Falcons
Attendance – 85
Coach – Justin Morris
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 7
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – 6-4 overall; 1-3 district
4. Irion County Hornets
Attendance – 87
Coach – Tell Rutledge
Lettermen – Returning 6, leaving 6
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – 4-6 overall; 2-2 district
5. Paint Rock Indians
Attendance – 62
Coach – David McAbee
Lettermen – Returning 15, leaving 4
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 5
2024 – 0-9 overall; 0-4 district
District 15-1A DI
Preseason Offensive MVP – RB Jayden Payton, Menard
Preseason Defensive MVP – DE Blake Teeple, Eden
1. Menard Yellow Jackets
Attendance – 92
Coach – Clay Holland
Lettermen – Returning 9, leaving 2
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – Area finalist, 9-2-1 overall; 4-0 district
2. Medina Bobcats
Attendance – 73
Coach – Mark Coley
Lettermen – Returning 16, leaving 1
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – Area finalist, 5-7 overall; 3-1 district
3. Eden Bulldogs
Attendance – 71
Coach – Jeff Shelton
Lettermen – Returning 11, leaving 3
Starters returning – Offense 6; Defense 5
2024 – 6-4 overall; 2-2 district
4. Leaky Eagles
Attendance – 104
Coach – Ryan Heard
Lettermen – Returning 10, leaving 4
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 4
2024 – 5-5 overall; 1-3 district
5. Nueces Canyon Panthers
Attendance – 82
Coach – Todd Lawdermilk
Lettermen – Returning 12, leaving 1
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – 1-9 overall; 0-4 district
District 6-1A DII
Preseason Offensive MVP – SB Ray Williams, Bronte
Preseason Defensive MVP – DB Jacob Rivera, Blackwell
1. Blackwell Hornets
Attendance – 55
Coach – Wiley Cummings
Lettermen – Returning 7, leaving 4
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 4
2024 – Area finalist, 5-7 overall; 3-1 district
2. Bronte Longhorns
Attendance – 57
Coach – Open
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 3
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 3
2024 – 5-5 overall; 2-2 district
3. Loraine Bulldogs
Attendance – 44
Coach – Mark Weaver
Lettermen – Returning 7, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 2; Defense 2
2024 – Area finalist, 7-5 overall; 3-1 district
4. Trent Gorillas
Attendance – 41
Coach – Slater Isbell
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 1
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 5
2024 – 4-6 overall; 1-3 district
5. Olfen Mustangs
Attendance – 43
Coach – Reese Wilson
Lettermen – Returning 5, leaving 3
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 4
2024 – 0-7 overall; 0-4 district
District 15-1A
Preseason Offensive MVP – ATH Billy Perry, Richland Springs
Preseason Defensive MVP – DE Jayce McCormick, Rochelle
1. Richland Springs Coyotes
Attendance – 57
Coach – Open
Lettermen – Returning 12, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 4; Defense 3
2024 – Region finalist, 12-1 overall; 4-0 district
2. Rochelle Hornets
Attendance – 52
Coach – Matt Maciel
Lettermen – Returning 8, leaving 8
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – Bi-district finalist, 5-5 overall; 3-1 district
3. Brookesmith Mustangs
Attendance – 55
Coach – Blake Hood
Lettermen – Returning 1, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 1; Defense 1
2024 – 5-4 overall; 2-2 district
4. Lohn Eagles
Attendance – 29
Coach – Open
Lettermen – Returning 9, leaving 5
Starters returning – Offense 3; Defense 3
2024 – 5-5 overall; 1-3 district
5. Panther Creek Panthers
Attendance – 50
Coach – Gary Beam
Lettermen – Returning 9, leaving 1
Starters returning – Offense 5; Defense 5
2024 – 0-8 overall; 0-4 district
Statewide postseason picks
Division I
Region I – Whiteface over Borden County
Region II – Water Valley over Westbrook
Region III – Aquilla over Union Hill
Region IV – Gordon over May
State Champion – Gordon
Division II
Region I – Klondike over Whitharral
Region II – Jayton over Benjamin
Region III – Strawn over Oakwood
Region IV – Richland Springs over Oglesby
State Champion – Jayton
Paul Witwer covers high school sports and Angelo State University sports for The San Angelo Standard-Times. Reach him at sports@gosanangelo.com. Follow him on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, @Paul_Witwer.
This article originally appeared on San Angelo Standard-Times: See What Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts for six-man West Texas high school football
Reporting by Paul Witwer, San Angelo Standard-Times / San Angelo Standard-Times
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