Eastland, Dublin, Merkel, Comanche all hoping to compete in wide-open District 5-3A II
District 5-3A Division II Prediction
1. Eastland
2. Dublin
3. Jacksboro
4. Millsap
5. Merkel
6. Comanche
In a realignment session that saw major changes in nearly every Texas high school football district, District 5-3A Division II remained unchanged — it features the same six teams it had in the previous cycle.
The district was one of the most competitive in the state last year, and that should be the case again in 2022.
Eastland narrowly won the district, finishing 4-1 in league play. Dublin, Millsap and Jacksboro tied for second at 3-2. Comanche and Merkel both went 1-4, tying for fifth and missing the playoffs.
The Mavericks graduated several skill players, so they will have lots of spots to fill on both sides of the ball. Their leading rusher (Jud Beard), receiver (Jared Cruz) and passer (Keaton Hicks) graduated.
Dublin brings back Chris Teten, one of only three quarterbacks in the state to surpass 4,000 passing yards in 2021. Teten will have one of his favorite targets, Dalan Rasberry, back.
Jacksboro should also compete for the district title. The Tigers return nine starters on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Lando Belcher.
Millsap went two rounds deep in the playoffs, finishing 6-6 overall. The Bulldogs, however, graduated most of their skill players, including their leading passer, rusher and receiver.
More than likely, Millsap will compete with Merkel and Comanche for that coveted fourth playoff spot.
Merkel had a young team a year ago, and the Badgers could improve with a more-experienced group around dual-threat quarterback Joey Zink, who will be a senior. This will also be the team’s second year under head coach Will Kates.
Comanche’s offense will be different, as the Indians replace starting quarterback Hudson Welch and starting running back Luke Wilson. They do, however, return one of the area’s best linemen in Dominique Rios, who had 35 pancakes as a junior. Comanche returns seven starters on both sides of the ball.
EASTLAND MAVERICKS
Head coach: James Morton
Last year’s record: 6-6 overall, 4-1 district
Last district title/playoff appearance: 2021/2021
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning off./def. starters: 6/6
Players to watch: Jesus Lopez, DL/RB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Derek Harris, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Sr.; Grady Galyean, WR/DB, 6-0, 165, Jr.; Preston Rose, WR/DB, 5-9, 155, Jr.; Jay Osnick, WR/DB, 6-0, 150, Jr.; Nathan Taylor, OL/DL, 5-11, 175, Sr.
2022 schedule
Aug. 26 - Wall
Sept. 2 at Clyde
Sept. 9 = Hawley
Sept. 16 Breckenridge
Sept. 23 at Jim Ned
Oct. 7 at Jacksboro*
Oct. 14 - Merkel*
Oct. 21 at Millsap*
Oct. 28 - Dublin*
Nov. 4 at Comanche*
*District
2021 results
Wall L 28-21
Holliday L 52-7
Jim Ned L 48-20
Breckenridge W 28-19
Sweetwater L 70-54
Millsap W 48-27*
Comanche W 21-20*
Jacksboro L 51-48*
Merkel W 45-21*
Dublin W 40-39*
Wichita Falls City View W 42-21
Bells L 67-37
DUBLIN LIONS
Head coach: Greg Hardcastle
Last year’s record: 9-4 overall, 3-2 district
Last district title/playoff appearance: 1983/2021
Returning lettermen: 12
Returning off./def. starters: 4/3
Players to Watch: Chris Teten, QB, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Dalan Rasberry, WR/CB, 6-4, 185, Sr.; Cooper Pickett, OL/DL, 5-10, 210, Sr.; Cameron Patton, RB/OLB, 5-7, 145, Jr.
2022 schedule
Aug. 26 at Fort Worth Christian
Sept. 2 - Albany
Sept. 9 at Anson
Sept. 16 Brady
Sept. 23 - Florence
Oct. 7 at Merkel*
Oct. 14 - Millsap*
Oct. 21 at Comanche*
Oct. 28 at Eastland*
Nov. 4 - Jacksboro*
*District
2021 results
De Leon W 43-7
Albany L 48-21
Anson W 21-14
Brady W 38-12
San Saba W 38-24
Comanche W 26-21*
Jacksboro W 21-20*
Merkel W 28-20*
Millsap L 44-41*
Eastland L 40-39*
Callisburg W 38-33
Palmer W 41-35
Gunter L 62-20
MERKEL BADGERS
Head coach: Will Kates
Last year’s record: 4-6 overall, 1-4 district
Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2011/2019
Returning Letterman: 16
Returning off./def. starters: 9/7
Players to Watch:Ryan Link, WR/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Jack Travis, WR/OLB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Joey Zink, QB/WR/RB/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.; Elijah Olivarez, FB/LB, 5-9, 185, Jr.; Maddox O'Malley, QB/WR/CB, 6-4, 185, So.
2022 schedule
Aug. 25 - Clifton
Sept. 2 - Stanton
Sept. 9 at Clyde
Sept. 16 - Bangs
Sept. 23 at Coahoma
Oct. 7 - Dublin*
Oct. 14 at Eastland*
Oct. 21 - Jacksboro*
Oct. 28 - Comanche*
Nov. 4 at Millsap*
*District
2021 results
Big Lake Reagan County W 24-15
Stanton W 19-0
Hawley L 41-7
Early L 48-13
Coahoma W 37-20
Jacksboro L 20-14*
Millsap L 25-21*
Dublin L 28-20*
Eastland L 45-21*
Comanche W 34-20*
COMANCHE INDIANS
Head coach: Jake Escobar
Last year’s record: 1-9 overall, 1-4 in district
Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2017/2020
Returning lettermen: 14
Returning off./def. starters: 7/7
Players to watch: Ethan Morin, LT/DL, 6-2 260, Sr.; Dom Rios, MLB/G, 6-0, 210, Sr.;Miguel Martinez, WR/DB, 5-10, 145, Sr.; Cade Bauman, FB/LB, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Kyler Beaty, WR/DB, 6-1, 155, Jr.; Layden Welch, QB/DB, 6-0, 150, Jr.; Diego Gutierrez, WR/DB, 5-10, 145, Jr.; Pierson Sorrells, OL/DL, 6-2, 210, Jr.; Zeke Medrano, RB/LB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Sawyer Wilkerson, RB/LB, 6-1, 180, So.
2022 schedule
Aug. 26 - Brady
Sept. 2 at Bangs
Sept. 9 - Early
Sept. 16 at Tolar
Sept. 23 at Albany
Oct. 7 - Millsap*
Oct. 14 at Jacksboro*
Oct. 21 - Dublin*
Oct. 28 at Merkel*
Nov. 4 - Eastland*
*District
2021 results
Mason L 34-13
Brady L 49-16
Early L 58-14
Tolar L 42-25
Dublin L 26-21*
Eastland L 21-20*
Millsap W 49-34*
Jacksboro L 41-34*
Merkel L 34-20*
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Eastland enters competitive District 5-3A Division II as favorite
