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Class 4A: Estacado chasing Andrews, Brownwood in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football projections

stephen garcia, lubbock avalanche-journal
·2 min read
Estacado’s Bobby Ross (20) runs the ball during the team’s high school football game against Levelland Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park in Lubbock, Texas.
Estacado’s Bobby Ross (20) runs the ball during the team’s high school football game against Levelland Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park in Lubbock, Texas.

The Estacado football team went through a few changes in the offseason, and the Matadors will start as underdogs for a district title, according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.

The outlet predicts Estacado will finish behind Andrews and Brownwood in the new-look District 2-4A Division I. The Matadors are coming off a 7-4 campaign in which Monahans upset the district champions 31-28 in the first round.

Last season, Estacado was perfect in district. Now, the Matadors are up in D-I with new coach William Blaylock and new foes that also include Big Spring and San Angelo Lake View.

Estacado graduated a talented group and has seven returning starters. The defense, which spurred the Matadors in 2021, has a slight experience advantage with four starters back, including all-district defensive back Raheim Ross.

Estacado’s Raheim Ross (3) catches an interception during the team’s high school football game against Levelland Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park in Lubbock, Texas.
Estacado’s Raheim Ross (3) catches an interception during the team’s high school football game against Levelland Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021 at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park in Lubbock, Texas.

Still, Andrews, which is ranked No. 22 in 4A D-I to start the season, gets the nod as the favorite. The Mustangs, who finished 5-7, beat Estacado 14-7 in a nondistrict contest last year at Lowrey Field/PlainsCapital Park. Andrews has 15 returning starters.

Brownwood, which is also adjusting to new district opponents, is DCTF’s runner-up pick. The Lions return 17 starters from a 4-7 playoff team.

Seminole, one of Estacado’s former league rivals, is expected to rule District 2-4A D-II. Recent SMU commit Rikter Connally, a two-way lineman, and quarterback Blake Flowers lead a group of 11 starters back. Six of those returners are on offense.

The Indians got the preseason pick ahead of Perryton, Borger, Canyon West Plains and Levelland. The Lobos went 1-9 in coach Lyle Leong’s first season but bring back 14 starters.

Snyder had a breakout season in 2021 but will replace most of its starters. The Tigers have nine starters back to contend with three ranked foes in district. DCTF has No. 3 Wichita Falls Hirschi winning District 3-4A D-II ahead of No. 22 Midland Greenwood and No. 23 Graham.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football projections

CLASS 4A DIVISION I

DISTRICT 2

1. Andrews

2. Brownwood

3. Estacado

4. Big Spring

5. San Angelo Lake View

CLASS 4A DIVISION II

DISTRICT 2

1. Seminole

2. Perryton

3. Borger

4. Canyon West Plains

5. Levelland

DISTRICT 3

1. Wichita Falls Hirschi

2. Midland Greenwood

3. Graham

4. Snyder

5. Sweetwater

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Estacado a district underdog in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predictions