Jim Ned, Breckenridge, Clyde all look to compete in strong District 3-3A I

Carson Field, Abilene Reporter-News
·5 min read

District 3-3A I Prediction

1. Jim Ned

2. Breckenridge

3. Iowa Park

4. Clyde

5. Vernon

6. Bowie

After seeing serious changes in the most recent realignment cycle, District 3-3A Division I doesn’t have a clear frontrunner entering this football season.

Jim Ned's Brayden Shipman sacks Peaster quarterback Gunner McElroy on Nov. 12, 2021.
Jim Ned's Brayden Shipman sacks Peaster quarterback Gunner McElroy on Nov. 12, 2021.

Jim Ned easily comes off the best season of the six-team district, finishing 12-1 and reaching the regional quarterfinals following its state championship season. The Indians lost several key players — both skill guys and linemen — so this year’s team will look much different.

Still, Jim Ned comes in with high expectations, ranked No. 5 in the Class 3A Division preseason rankings. They have experienced lineman and a couple of running backs, Brayden Shipman and Sergio Hernandez, who showed flashes of excellence while backing up standout tailback Xavier Wishert.

Though Jim Ned is the favorite, expect others in the district to compete for the title.

Breckenridge brings back a handful of electric players such as quarterback Chase Lehr, fullback Jerry Lawson and receiver Zeke Castillo. The Buckaroos went 4-7 a year ago, but three of losses were by single digits.

Breckenridge receiver Zeke Castillo catches a touchdown pass on Oct. 15, 2021 against Early.
Breckenridge receiver Zeke Castillo catches a touchdown pass on Oct. 15, 2021 against Early.

They should take a step forward this year.

And Clyde may have gone 1-9 in 2021, but the Bulldogs should be much more competitive in 2022.

Last year was the first for head coach Danny Dudgeon and starting quarterback Blake Carr. With those two — and the nine returning starters on both sides of the ball  — a year more experienced, don’t count Clyde out of the race.

Clyde High School head coach Danny Dudgeon speaks to the Bulldogs after a three-way scrimmage at home against Eastland and Hawley August 13, 2021.
Clyde High School head coach Danny Dudgeon speaks to the Bulldogs after a three-way scrimmage at home against Eastland and Hawley August 13, 2021.

Jim Ned, Breckenridge and Clyde make up a trio of strong Big Country teams in the district, but the list of competitive squads doesn’t stop there.

Iowa Park moves down from Class 4A Division II after making the playoffs in 2021. The Hawks are consistently competitive, and this year shouldn’t be an exception.

The other two new teams, Bowie and Vernon, combined for just three wins in 2021 and Bowie will be playing its first season under new head coach Hugh Farmer. It’s possible those teams could surprise people, but the other four teams will likely be ahead of them in the playoff race.

Jim Ned Indians

Head coach: Matt Fanning

Last year’s record: 12-1 overall, 5-0 in district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2021/2021

Returning lettermen: 14

Returning off./def. Starters: 5/7

Players to watch: Gage Stanaland, OL/DL, 6-5, 260, Sr.; Sergio Hernandez, RB/LB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Tanner Hussman, LB, 6-1, 195, Sr.; Troy Doran, WR/DB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Brayden Shipman, RB/LB, 5-11, 190, Jr.; Maddox Cooper, OL, 5-11, 250, Jr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 at Hawley

Sept. 2 - Holliday

Sept. 9 at Wall

Sept. 16 - Rockdale (at Gatesville)

Sept. 23 - Eastland

Oct. 7 at Bowie*

Oct. 14 - Clyde*

Oct. 21 at Breckenridge*

Oct. 28 - Vernon*

Nov. 4 at Iowa Park*

*District

2021 results

Ballinger W 42-7

Sweetwater W 56-14

Eastland W 48-20

Cisco W 28-14

Snyder W 22-15

Early W 48-7*

Wall W 37-20*

TLCA San Angelo W 70-0*

Breckenridge W 35-12*

Clyde W 35-7*

Peaster W 49-12

Muleshoe W 49-20

Brock L 70-25

Breckenridge Buckaroos

Head coach: Casey Pearce

Last year’s record: 4-7 overall, 3-2 district

Last district title/playoff appearance: 2017/2021

Returning lettermen: 16

Returning off./def. starters: 7/7

Players to watch: Chase Lehr, QB/DB, 5-10, 165, Sr.; Jerry Lawson, FB/TE/ DL, 6-2, 250, Sr.; Zeke Castillo, WR/DB, 5-10, 190, Sr.; Anson Rodgers, RB/DB, 5-10, 185, Sr.; Isaiah Lehr, OL/DL,  6-0, 250; Adrian Ruiz, WR/DB, 5-9, 175, Sr.; Adler Loftis, OL/DL/LB, 6-2, 240, Sr.; Erick Williamson, OL/DL, 6-0, 230, Sr.; Marco Jaramillo, OL/DL, 6-0, 215, Sr.; Alexis Franco, WR/DB, 6-0, 175, Jr.; Caiden Marin, FB/TE/LB, 6-0, 210, Jr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 - Jacksboro

Sept. 2 at Childress

Sept. 9 - Cisco

Sept. 16 - Eastland

Sept. 23 at Benbrook

Oct. 7 at Iowa Park*

Oct. 14 at Vernon*

Oct. 21 - Jim Ned*

Oct. 28 at Bowie*

Nov. 4 - Clyde*

*District

2021 results

Jacksboro W 49-28

Bells L 41-20

Cisco L 28-27 (OT)

Eastland L 28-19

Holliday L 34-12

Clyde W 44-29*

Early W 37-20*

Wall L 29-26*

Jim Ned L 35-12*

TLCA San Angelo 61-0*

Whitesboro 56-14

Clyde Bulldogs

Head coach: Danny Dudgeon

Last year’s record: 1-9 overall, 1-4 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2008/2020

Returning lettermen: 30

Returning off./def. starters: 9/9

Players to watch: Blake Carr, QB, 6-2, 190, Jr.; Garis Gray, WR/DB, 6-2, 170, Sr.; Austin Hastings, WR/DB, 5-9, 165, Sr.; Luke Burson, RB/LB, 5-9, 195, Jr.; Billy Deel, OL/DL, 5-8, 240, Sr.; Connor Hawk, WR/DB, 6-4, 170, So.; Pedro Altamirano, WR/DB, 5-8, 185, Sr.; Axten Fish, WR/DB, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Jacob Louder, WR/LB, 5-10, 170, Jr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 at Cisco

Sept. 2 - Eastland

Sept. 9 - Merkel

Sept. 16 at Ballinger

Sept. 23 - Sweetwater

Oct. 7 - Vernon*

Oct. 14 at Jim Ned*

Oct. 21 - Iowa Park*

Oct. 28 Bowie*

Nov. 4 at Breckenridge*

2021 results

Cisco L 49-7

Idalou L 24-6

Windthorst L 52-7

Ballinger L 21-13

Sweetwater L 42-21

Breckenridge L 44-29*

TLCA San Angelo W 61-22*

Early L 34-15*

Wall L 35-0*

Jim Ned L 35-7*

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Jim Ned, Breckenridge, Clyde all look to compete in strong district