Week three is in the books now and for teams like Caprock, Littlefield and Brownfield, things are looking up and for teams like Monterey, Slaton and Roosevelt, there may be some cause for concern early. Let's not forget it's really not how you start the season, but how you finish in district play and the playoff run! Here are my bump-and-run notes I've gathered so far.
CAPROCK LOOKS GOOD EARLY.
I'd say the Longhorns, so far, have been the best surprise this season. Coach Sherwood always has solid teams and this year's version is no different. Not a lot of ranked players but that's how C-Rock wants it to be as they play together and hustle hard on every snap. Now, with teams like Canyon Thursday and at Coronado next Friday on their homecoming to open up 2-5A DI district play, the Longhorns will need to rely on those concepts to keep winning.
WE HAVE 12 UNDEFEATED TEAMS LEFT IN 806 FOOTBALL.
Here are the 3-0 teams in the 806:
Caprock, Shallowater, Canyon, Bushland, Brownfield, Littlefield, Stratford, Farwell, Lubbock-Christian, Panhandle, Olton and Floydada. Out of those 12 teams, I feel as if we will have two or three of those teams finish unblemished. Can these teams keep it rolling? Have they faced stiff competition yet? Will all make the playoffs? We will find out soon.
LITTLEFIELD'S HERE AGAIN... WHAT WILL THE OUTCOME BE THIS TIME?
Well, here comes Littlefield and Coach Thomas' new offense! Chip Green, the sensational sophomore for the Wildcats broke the school record for passing yards and also had two touchdown jaunts in Littlefield's 61-6 win over Post Friday. But, here we are again; the place where the Wildcats were last year with a 3-0 record before losing seven-straight games and missing the playoffs altogether.
I personally think this year is different because those young men have Coach Thomas' offense under their belt in the second year and they have players like Major McNeese on defense, who is an interception machine! The 'Cats will go for a 4-0 start with a game against Lamesa Friday; a game that they will win, and that will set up our game of the week for week five, a matchup with Brownfield; a team that will also be undefeated coming into that game as they should take care of business against Dimmitt on Friday.
MONTEREY, ROOSEVELT HAVE YET TO FIND THEIR FOOTING.
Roosevelt is 0-3 on the year. Let's put that into context here. The Eagles didn't lose their first game last year until December in the 3A DII State Semifinals against Gunter; who went on to win the title last year. Losing players like JJ Diaz and Alex Trevino hurt their team as those two guys only come around once every ten years.
There is hope for the Eagles as their district can yield them a playoff spot if they can get by Coahoma and Stanton. They may end up playing their game against Littlefield for a playoff spot, depending on how the season goes. I trust Coach Landers and that staff: The Eagles will fly again soon.
Now, Monterey has also gotten off to a rough start as they are 0-3 under first year Head Coach, Judd Thrash. All isn't gloomy for the Plainsmen though as they have some spectacular players like Jayden Hibbler who is ready to turn things around in a hurry.
Monterey just needs to be ready for their district as it is one of the toughest in the state and they will need a great showing to get a playoff spot with teams like Tascosa, Lubbock-Cooper, Abilene and more in there trying to get a shot at the postseason as well! The Plainsmen have the tools to make it happen, they just have to lock in every play as they can't afford any mistakes right now.
FINAL THOUGHT:
Lastly, there are a ton of 2-1 teams that have promise and may end up being better than a lot of those 3-0 teams in the 806. Tascosa lost to Odessa Permian Friday but they will still make a deep playoff run in 5A DI. Frenship should be 3-1 after Friday night as I expect a win for them over Abilene and Lubbock-Cooper is 2-1 as well. Keep an eye out for those teams as the season progresses; as they say in our parts, cream always rises to the top!
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Jasone Pearson: 806.559.9996