Kickoff 2022: Hawley, Cisco vying for District 4-2A Division I title

District 4-2A I Prediction

1. Hawley

2. Cisco

3. Stamford

4. Olney

5. Anson

6. Winters

7. Colorado City

District 4-2A Division I has a chance to be one of the strongest in Class 2A.

Hawley, the defending state runner-up, is joined by Cisco after the latest realignment. Those teams went a combined 26-4 last year, and the Bearcats beat the Loboes 17-14 in the Region I-2A title game.

Hawley returns the majority of its skill players from 2022, including quarterback Rodey Hooper, running back Austin Cumpton and wide receivers Diontay Ramon, Chandlin Myers, Kason O’Shields and Will Scott. All of those guys are also defensive contributors.

The biggest question mark for Hawley is the line. Several lineman from a year ago, most notably Corley Williams, graduated, so there will be holes to fill.

Cisco brings back a high-powered offense, led by dual-threat quarterback Hunter Long, who combined for more than 3,000 all-purpose yards and 44 touchdowns. And with nine returning defensive starters, the Loboes should give Hawley a run for its money.

And after that, there are a handful of other playoff-caliber squads.

After missing the playoffs in 2021, Stamford has shown signs of growth.

The Bulldogs qualified for state in both 7-on-7 and the state lineman challenge, finishing second at the lineman challenge. They lose a handful of valuable skill players but should have one of the area’s more physical lines.

Olney took a step forward a year ago, reaching the 2A Division II playoffs. Running back Gatlin Guy rushed for 1,667 yards and 20 touchdowns as a sophomore, and he’ll look to build on those numbers and keep Olney in the playoff hunt as the Cubs move up a class.

Anson will undergo a reload this year, as the Tigers graduated Dylyn Pyle, Riley Pippin and several other key players. The Tigers also will have new leadership, as Cory McCombs steps in to replace Chris Hagler as head coach.

After a 2-7 season in 2021, Winters returns six starters on both sides of the ball. Key returners for the Blizzards include running back Aidan Leamon and quarterback Chris Martinez.

Like Anson, Colorado City is under new leadership as longtime head coach Dan Gainey retired. Monty Leaf takes over as the Wolves' head man, hoping to bring them back to the playoffs.

Colorado City went 1-8 last year and the Wolves bring back just 13 lettermen.

HAWLEY BEARCATS

Head coach: Mitch Ables

Last year’s record: 15-1 overall, 5-0 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2021/2021

Returning lettermen: 18

Returning off./def. starters: 7/7

Players to watch: Kason O’Shields, WR/DB/KR/PR/K/P, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Will Scott, WR/OLB, 5-11, 175, Sr.; Austin Cumpton, RB/LB, 5-11, 210, Sr.; Marc Salas, WR/DB, 5-7, 155, Sr.; Rodey Hooper, QB/WR, 6-1, 180, Sr.; Diontay Ramon, WR/RB/DE, 6-3, 190, Jr.; Chandlin Myers, WR/DB, 6-3, 170, Jr.; Keagan Ables, QB/OLB, 5-11, 185, So.; Jaydon Tatum, OL/DL, 6-0, 240, So.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 - Jim Ned

Sept. 2 - Lubbock Roosevelt

Sept. 9 at Albany

Sept. 16 at Eastland

Sept. 23 at Anson*

Oct. 7 - Colorado City*

Oct. 14 at Winters*

Oct. 21 - Olney*

Oct. 28 at Stamford*

Nov. 4 - Cisco*

*District

2022 results

Roscoe W 34-14

Hamlin W 62-0

Merkel W 41-7

Winters W 49-0

Bangs W 54-0*

Haskell W 43-0*

Stamford W 42-0*

Anson W 35-0*

Colorado City W 55-0*

Forsan W 24-21*

San Saba W 56-9

Sundown W 40-22

Coleman W 21-7

Cisco W 17-14

Marlin W 19-12

Shiner L 47-12

CISCO LOBOES

Head coach: Kevin Stennett

Last year’s record: 11-3 overall, 4-1 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2019/2021

Returning lettermen: 17

Returning off./def. starters: 6/9

Players to watch: Hunter Long, QB, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Trent Huston, RB, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Tre Brackeen, WR/DB,  6-2, 200, Sr.; Ethan Taylor OL/DL, Carter Holton WR/DB, 6-0, 170, Sr.; Timothy Cadenhead OL/DL, 5-10, 230, Sr.; Cade Gayle WR/DB, Jr.; Broderick Morton OL/DL, 6-0, 185, Sr.; Hunter Rangel OL/DL, 5-11, 256, Sr.; Talon Bruner OL/DL, Brayden Stoker FB/LB, Sr.; Brayden Andrews WR/DB, Hayden Rains OL/DL, Kannon Orsagh TE/DL, Cordell Harper OL/DL

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 - Clyde

Sept. 2 at Wall

Sept. 9 at Breckenridge

Sept. 16 - Jacksboro

Sept. 23 - Colorado City*

Sept. 30 at Winters*

Oct. 7 - Olney*

Oct. 14 at Stamford*

Oct. 28 - Anson*

Nov. 4 at Hawley*

*District

2021 results

Clyde W 49-7

Wall W 27-21 (2OT)

Breckenridge W 28-27 (OT)

Jim Ned L 28-14

Comanche W 41-14

Winters W 54-6

De Leon W 69-0

Coleman L 31-7

Goldthwaite W 46-13

San Saba W 46-7

Haskell W 55-28

Panhandle W 69-21

New Deal W 34-14

Hawley L 17-14

STAMFORD BULLDOGS

Head coach: Britt Hart

Last year’s record: 3-7 overall, 1-4 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2017/2020

Returning lettermen: 16

Returning off./def. starters: 8/9

Players to watch: Kaston Vega, RB/LB, So., 5-11, 175; Aaron Duran, OL/DL, Sr., 6-4, 315, Steven Cavasos, OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 325; Hayden Henager, RB/DB, Sr., 5-8, 155; Christian Duran QB/DB, So., 5'6, 155; Nate Watson, WR/DB, Sr., 5'8, 165.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 at Hamlin

Sept. 2 - Haskell

Sept. 9 at Ballinger

Sept. 16 - Pantego Christian

Sept. 23 - Winters*

Sept. 30 at Olney*

Oct. 14 - Cisco*

Oct. 21 at Anson*

Oct. 28 - Hawley*

Nov. 4 at Colorado City*

*District

2021 results

Hamlin W 38-6

Roscoe L 35-28

Rosebud-Lott L 40-14

Sudan W 46-20

Archer City L 43-20

Anson L 41-27*

Hawley L 42-0*

Colorado City W 22-14*

Forsan L 30-6*

Haskell L 37-20*

ANSON TIGERS

Head coach: Cory McCombs

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

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2016/2021

Returning lettermen: 8

Returning off./def. starters: 3/3

Players to watch: Damion Rollins, RB/LB, Sr.; Corey Lane, RB/DB, So.; Stryker Dillard, WR/DB, So.; Elias Ramos, OL/DL, So.; Josiah St. John, OL/DL, Jr.; Tyler Wilburn, QB, Jr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 at Seymour

Sept. 2 at Archer City

Sept. 9 - Dublin

Sept. 16 - Haskell

Sept. 23 - Hawley*

Sept. 30 at Colorado City*

Oct. 7 - Winters*

Oct. 14 at Olney*

Oct. 21 - Stamford*

Oct. 28 at Cisco*

*District

2021 results

Winters W 24-6

Coleman L 33-6

Dublin L 21-14

Hamlin W 54-7

Albany L 48-2

Stamford W 41-27*

Forsan L 50-27*

Hawley L 35-0*

Haskell L 35-18*

Colorado City W 42-14*

Coleman L 62-12

WINTERS BLIZZARDS

Head coach: Matt McCarty

Last year’s record: 2-7 overall, 1-4 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2014/2020

Returning lettermen: 11

Returning off./def. starters: 6/6

Players to watch: Aidan Leamon, RB/WR/LB; Chris Martinez, QB/DB; Alejandro Garcia, RB/LB; Zander Hadlock, OL/DL; Payton Cortez, OL/DL; Aidan Bryant, WR/DB; Ishmael Sanchez, OL/DL; Elijah Kelly, WR/DB.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 - Cross Plains

Sept. 2 at Eldorado

Sept. 9 at TLCA San Angelo

Sept. 16 - Miles

Sept. 23 at Stamford*

Sept. 30 - Cisco*

Oct. 7 at Anson*

Oct. 14 - Hawley*

Oct. 21 at Colorado City*

Nov. 4 - Olney*

*District

2021 results

Anson L 24-6

Crane L 27-13

Hawley L 49-0

Hico W 48-7

Cisco L 54-6

San Saba L 44-12

Goldthwaite L 49-13

De Leon W 55-21

Coleman L 42-0

COLORADO CITY WOLVES

Head coach: Monty Leaf

Last year’s record: 1-8 overall, 1-4 district

Last district title/last playoff appearance: 2017/2018

Returning lettermen: 13

Returning off./def. starters: 7/4

Players to watch: Christian Ashby, OL/DL, 6-4, 300, Jr.; Jordan Raschke, WR/DB, 6-5, 200, Sr.; Mayson Monroe, QB/DB, 5-8, 140, Sr.; Aedan Briseno, RB/LB, 5-6, 180, Sr.; Jordan Garza, RB/DB, 5-7, 155, Jr.; Ryan Hernandez, RB/LB, 5-8, 170, Sr.

2022 schedule

Aug. 26 at Roscoe

Sept. 2 at New Home

Sept. 9 - Christoval

Sept. 16 - Coahoma

Sept. 23 at Cisco*

Sept. 30 - Anson*

Oct. 7 at Hawley*

Oct. 21 - Winters*

Oct. 28 at Olney*

Nov. 4 Stamford*

*District 

2021 results

Crane L 28-6

Ballinger L 27-0

Coahoma L 26-12

Coleman L 63-13

Forsan L 27-7*

Haskell W 28-27*

Stamford L 22-14*

Hawley L 55-0*

Anson L 42-14*

This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Hawley, Cisco to battle for title in top-heavy district