Educated Guesses: 1A DI
Kickoff to the 2025 season is getting closer and closer, and the time has come to take a stab at how things will play out in each district featuring Big Country football teams.
I call them educated guesses, like your teachers used to, because I feel I have at least a little bit of knowledge about the upcoming season after speaking with area coaches for the 2025 edition of Big Country Blitz.
For the record, last season Big Country Blitz got eight out of eight playoff picks correct in 1A Division I.
Tenth-ranked Newcastle is the pick to win the district this season and return to the playoffs.
Perrin-Whitt had a great turnaround year in 2024 and, with nine starters back, looks to be the team in the district most likely to battle Newcastle for the title.
Knox City has to replace just about everyone other than Zander Abila, but the Greyhounds’ tradition makes them hard to pick to miss the postseason.
Bryson has three starters back on offense and defense, while Northside, under new head coach Derek Schlieve (formerly of Baird, most recently of 11-man Sanford-Fritch), hopes to make some waves as well in what will be a very competitive district.
Photo: Sheri Baty/Creative Ink
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Knox City
2. Perrin-Whitt
3. Knox City
4. Bryson
5. Northside
The always competitive District 7-1A Division I will be tough once again, as multiple playoff-worthy teams will do battle for two tickets to the postseason.
Hermleigh has been on the outside looking in the last few seasons, but our pick is for the Cardinals to break through and come out on top in 2025.
Westbrook and Ira are no slouches either, and Highland, Roby, and Rotan should be even better in year two under their respective head coaches.
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Westbrook
2. Hermleigh
3. Ira
4. Highland
5. Roby
6. Rotan
Robert Lee gave Water Valley all it could handle during the 2024 season, and the Wildcats will need to bring their A-game to knock off the Steers again in 2025.
Water Valley, ranked #3 in the preseason polls, was a state semifinalist a year ago and is poised to put another great run together.
Robert Lee, led by dynamic offensive star Brenner Sherwood, will test the Wildcats and should be able to make a return trip to the playoffs again.
Veribest returns six total starters, Irion County does the same as the Hornets look to bounce back after a rough 2024, and Paint Rock hopes to turn the corner after a winless ‘24 campaign.
Photo: Maranda Hood
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Water Valley
2. Robert Lee
3. Veribest
4. Irion County
5. Paint Rock
The two-time defending state champs are the easy pick to win the district again, but they’ll have a tougher than usual season playing every game away from home and even mixing in a pair of 11-man games.
Baird and Gorman look to be the two teams most likely to earn the second playoff spot, with the Bears getting the nod in year one under Jeremy Kirk.
Ranger, like Baird and Gorman with Brady Hibbitts, also has a new head coach in Mark Thomas. He hopes to help the Bulldogs rebuild after going just 2-8 in 2024.
Lingleville welcomes back just three total starters from a team that went 2-6 a year ago.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Gordon
2. Baird
3. Gorman
4. Ranger
5. Lingleville
May has not been able to get over the hump against Jonesboro the last two seasons, but they have a great opportunity to do so in 2025 under new head coach Jacob Brown.
The Tigers have earned a trip to the playoffs for the past 12 seasons, and their contest with the Eagles in the season finale should decide playoff seeding and the district champ.
Lometa has eight starters back and will be a good team as well after going 7-3 a year ago.
Santa Anna has some big holes to fill on both offense and defense in its fourth season with head coach Jose Luna.
Photo: May Tiger Teams Facebook
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Jonesboro
2. May
3. Lometa
4. Santa Anna
