Educated Guesses: 1A DII/TAPPS
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 14 out 15 playoff picks correct in 1A Division II and TAPPS Six-Man Division II.
Blackwell enters the season as the team to beat in the district, and the battle for the second playoff spot could be a great one.
Loraine and Bronte both have to replace some key players lost to graduation, while Trent has slowly been building the program and the time may be right for the Gorillas to contend for a playoff spot.
Mark Weaver seems to have the Loraine program at the reload instead of rebuild level, and Iβll give the Bulldogs the edge over Bronte and Trent for the second playoff spot.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Blackwell
2. Loraine
3. Bronte
4. Trent
5. Olfen
Benjamin is down to just one Hayes brother, the dynamic Keegan, but he and key help from the likes of Elijah Trevino and Everett Cates should have more than enough in the tank to help the Mustangs win a sixth straight district title.
Guthrie, with four starters back on both sides of the ball, is expected to be the top contender for the crown, with Crowell, Harrold, and Chillicothe battling the Jaguars for the second playoff spot from the district.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Benjamin
2. Guthrie
3. Crowell
4. Harrold
5. Chillicothe
Jayton is the favorite to not only repeat as district champion, but as state champion as well as they enter the season at number one in the state polls.
The returning firepower the Jaybirds have make them hard to beat, but the rest of the district will give it their best shot.
Aspermont and Paint Creek look to be the top contenders for the second playoff spot. Rule has to replace a ton of talent, and Lueders-Avoca should be a lot better in year two under Donnie Waters.
The Aspermont/Paint Creek game in the season finale will be a huge one to likely decide who is postseason bound.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Jayton
2. Aspermont
3. Paint Creek
4. Rule
5. Lueders-Avoca
Strawn was impressive against Blackwell, Water Valley, and Westbrook in the scrimmage action I saw last week, and the preseason #6 Greyhounds will be favored to bring home the District 9 title again this season.
The second playoff spot is up for grabs, as Woodson has to replace a lot of talented graduating seniors, Throckmorton is battling low numbers, and Moran is very, very young.
Iβll go with Woodson as the pick to reach the playoffs as the two-seed from the district for the second year in a row.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Strawn
2. Woodson
3. Moran
4. Throckmorton
District 13-1A Division II is one of the tougher ones to pick this season, as I feel you could make a case for all five teams making the postseason.
Zephyr and Blanket made the playoffs last season, and I think they will again, but this time with the Tigers as the district champs and the Bulldogs as the two-seed.
Blanket returns a little more than Zephyr and will be fired up to get a little revenge against their close rivals on October 24.
Gustine welcomes back four starters on offense and defense under new head coach Landry Gunter. The Tigers could be in the mix for the playoffs as well when the season winds down.
Rising Star gets some key players back from injury, and theyβve been used to being a playoff team over the past few years.
Sidney was a top ten ranked team for part of 2024, and they, too, hope to be in top form and contend for a playoff spot when district rolls around.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Blanket
2. Zephyr
3. Sidney
4. Gustine
5. Rising Star
Richland Springs and Rochelle made the postseason from District 15 a year ago, and they are the favorites to get back to the playoffs in 2025.
The Coyotes are the #3 team in the state in the preseason, while Rochelle checks in at #25.
Brookesmith, under new head coach Blake Hood, hopes to be in playoff contention, while a very young Panther Creek team looks to bounce back after a winless 2024.
Lohn was a surprise 5-5 team a year ago and hopes to continue building the program.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Richland Springs
2. Rochelle
3. Brookesmith
4. Panther Creek
5. Lohn
Abilene Christian beat the eventual state champs from Fort Worth Covenant Classical a year ago, but a loss to Crowley Nazarene gave them a three seed in the playoffs and a very tough first-round game, which they lost, against Rockwall Heritage.
The Panthers and Cavaliers are likely the top two teams in the state in TAPPS 6-Man Division II, and their matchup in the season finale Nov. 7 will be a big one.
BIG COUNTRY BLITZ COACHES POLL
1. Abilene Christian
2. Fort Worth Covenant Classical
3. Crowley Nazarene Christian
4. Keller Harvest Christian
5. Weatherford Christian
