Abilene, Big Country schools well-represented in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football rankings
Overall, the 2021 season was an overwhelmingly successful one for the Big Country.
Four area schools made it to Arlington and three won state championships. Stephenville (Class 4A Division I), Westbrook (Class 1A Division I) and Strawn (Class 1A Division II) won their title games, while Hawley finished state runner up in Class 2A Division I.
If the Dave Campbell's Texas Football preseason rankings are any indication, 2022 will be another strong year for the Big Country.
Four Big Country schools enter the year ranked No. 1 in their respective classes. Two of those – Stephenville and Albany — are 11-man squads, while two — Westbrook and Benjamin — are six-man teams.
Here is a breakdown of where area teams are ranked, by class:
Class 5A
Abilene High steps down from Class 6A to 5A Division I, and the magazine expects the Eagles to perform well. Ranked No. 12 in the class, they are projected to finish second in District 2-5A Division I.
The Eagles return 12 starters from last year’s team, which finished 7-4 and second in their 6A district.
In Division II, Abilene Cooper is ranked No. 24, also projected to finish second in its district (2-5A Division II). Wylie, also in Cooper’s district, comes into the year unranked.
The Cougars finished 6-5 last year and reached the playoffs, whereas Wylie went 4-6.
Class 4A
Stephenville went 16-0 en route to winning the Class 4A Division I title a year ago. The Yellow Jackets beat Argyle, Melissa and Wichita Falls Hirschi in the playoffs before defeating LBJ Austin 38-21 in the state title game.
Stephenville enters not only as the defending champion but also the No. 1 team. The Yellow Jackets return several key players, including quarterback Ryder Lambert, running back Tate Maruska and lineman Creece Brister, among others.
Their road to repeat won’t be easy, however.No. 2 China Spring is in the same district as the Yellow Jackets, as well as a consistently strong Waco La Vega squad. Stephenville also faces Abilene Wylie, Brownwood and Wichita Falls Rider in its rigorous non-conference slate.
Class 3A
Jim Ned comes into the year ranked No. 3 in Class 3A Division I.
The Indians lose several key offensive players like running back Xavier Wishert and wide receiver Blaine Palmer but bring back a handful of veterans on defense and the line. The biggest question marks for them lie at skill positions.
Jim Ned’s schedule includes district foes Clyde, Breckenridge, Iowa Park, Vernon and Bowie, as well as tough non-conference games against Hawley and Rockdale.
In Division II, Early and Eastland are ranked outside the top 25 at No. 15 and No. 23, respectively.
Early moves down from Division I with several of its impact players returning, including quarterback Jaxyn Price and utility man John-Stewart Gordon. Eastland replaces personnel at every skill position but should still compete for a District 5-3A Division II title.
Class 2A
The Big Country has a heavy presence in the Class 2A rankings.
Hawley, last year’s 2A Division I runner up, comes in at No. 5. The Bearcats defeated Cisco, Coleman and Marlin before falling to Shiner in the state title game and ending the year 15-1.
They bring back almost all of their skill players, including quarterback Rodey Hooper, running back Austin Cumpton and receivers Chandlin Myers, Kason O’Shields and Diontay Ramon, among others.
Not far behind them are Coleman and Cisco, ranked ninth and 10th, respectively. Both teams fell to Hawley in the playoffs in 2021 and will be back with vengeance.
Coleman returns quarterback Jadin Jackson and star defensive back Braxton Smith, while Cisco has its two-headed rushing attack of Hunter Long and Trent Huston returning.
Albany comes into the Division II rankings at No. 1.
The Lions made it to the Class 2A Division II semifinals before falling to Stratford in 2021. Though they graduated key rushers Jaheim Newton and Brooks Neece, they have one of the most physical lines in the state and an experienced passer in senior Cole Chapman.
Just cracking the Division II top 25 is Roscoe at No. 24.
The Plowboys went 9-2 in 2021 just a year after finishing with one win. With Seth Wilcox, Ivan McCann and Trace Guelker returning to the team, Roscoe brings back an athletic squad that could surprise some people.
Class 1A
Both top-ranked squads at the six-man level hail from the Big Country. Westbrook is No. 1 in Class 1A Division I, while Benjamin is No. 1 in Division II.
Westbrook defeated May 72-66 in the 1A Division II title game a year ago, and the Wildcats bring back several key playmakers from that squad, including senior tailback Cedric Ware. The Wildcats went 11-4 and finished the year on a nine-game winning streak.
May is expected to be similarly strong, ranked third by the magazine. The Tigers, 13-2, graduated several starters but will bring up players from a junior varsity squad that went undefeated in 2021.
Benjamin comes in at No. 1 in Division II.
The Mustangs are led by new head coach Jamie Rigdon, who has 27 years of coaching experience. He will also bring his sophomore son, Grayson, to the school. Rigdon, who previously played for Strawn, scored nine touchdowns in the Greyhounds’ state title win over Motley County in 2021.
Benjamin went 10-1 in 2021.
Also ranked in Class 1A Division II are Jayton (No. 3), Strawn (No. 5) and Throckmorton (No. 8). Those three squads combined for 39 wins last year.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Several area schools highly ranked in DCTF preseason rankings
