DCTF previews upcoming high school football season

DCTF previews upcoming high school football season News Staff Tue, 07/16/2024 - 5:49 pm The Buckaroos will take on district rival Jim Ned at home Friday, Oct. 15. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts the Bucks to finish fifth. Archive photo Clyde is one of two schools that remain in the district with the Bucks following UIL’s 2024-2026 Reclassification and Realignment. The two teams will meet to open the district schedule Friday, Oct. 11. Archive photo X By Mike Williams news@breckenridgeamerican.com Football season is quickly approaching and the annual edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football is reaching the mailboxes of its subscribers. Each year the publication previews each high school football team and district in Texas. Following the UIL’s 2024-2026 Reclassification and Realignment, the Buckaroos will competed in District 3-3A Division I with Sweetwater, Jim Ned, Clyde, Comanche, and San Angelo TLCA. DCTF predicts that Breckenridge will be on the outside looking in when the playoffs begin in November with a fifth place finish in district. SweetwaterThe Mustangs, who are dropping into the district from 4A Division II are predicted to win the district championship, led by DCTF Preseason Offensive MVP quarterback Caiden Ortiz. With 23 returning lettermen, including nine retiring starters on both sides of the football, DCTF predicts a successful season for the mustangs. The Mustangs finished 7-5 last year after losing to Monahans in the area playoff.This season, the Mustangs will be led offensively by Ortiz, who finished with 2,304 yards and 20 touchdowns according to the publication. Korda Moore and Amare Arevalo are both two-way threats for the Mustangs. Jim NedThe Indians, a familiar foe to the Buckaroos, is predicted to finish second in the district. Coming off of an 8-3 season in 2023 that ended in a bi-district upset loss to Whitesboro, the Indians could pose a threat to the Mustangs for the district crown. There will be a familiar face in a new role for the Indians as head coach Johnathon McClure was promoted to head coach, filling the vacancy left by Matt Fanning, who is now the tight ends coach at Hardin-Simmons University. Two-way player and quarterback Gray Beasley, who the publication states is returning from a season-ending injury, is posed to lead the offense while providing a threat in the secondary as a defensive back. ClydeThe Bulldogs, with seven returning offensive starters, are predicted to finish third in the district. Last year, the Bulldogs finished 11-2 and were regional semifinalists, losing to Brock.DCTF writes that the Bulldogs will have two solid options at quarterback between Tucker Jones and Devan Wright. Both will look to fill the shoes left by Blake Carr, who graduated this year. Whoever is selected will be protected by what DCTF calls “one of the largest front fives in the Big Country.” Nick Purlee, Mason Welker, Isiah Mares and Brek Carlile are two-way linemen that will make an impact for the Bulldogs. ComancheThe Comanche Indians are expected to take the final playoff spot from the district.Coming off of an 8-5 record last year that ended in the regional semifinals against Gunter, the Indians have depth to lean on in the upcoming season, according to DCTF. Cayden Davis and Kazdon Thedford can fill multiple roles on offense and will pose a threat alongside wide receiver/linebacker Alex Terrell. BreckenridgeThe Buckaroos have a lot of holes to fill this season with four starters returning on offense and five on defense. Head coach Casey Pearce hopes to return to the playoffs after a one-year absence and will have his work cut out for him in a tough district. While not set in stone, Pearce could look at Joseph Juneau to start at quarterback after serving a backup role last year behind Cam Escalon. The Bucks will have speed to their advantage with Sawyer Wimberley and Jaime Cruz both returning. San Angelo TLCAThe Eagles are predicted to finish last in the district after finishing 5-6 last year with a bi-district loss to Crane. They join the district, along with Sweetwater, after reclassification and realignment.DCTF does not have a lot for the Eagles this season, writing that the program’s hopes lie with a group of freshman playing on the junior varsity squad in preparation for the 2025 season. Athletes Ashton Ortiz and Joseph Luna join quarterback/defensive back Chris Rangel and running back/defensive lineman Matthew Mata are listed as players to watch this season. Upcoming seasonBuckaroo fans will get their first glimpse of the 2024 Breckenridge Buckaroos football season Saturday, Aug. 10 at Buckaroo Stadium when the annual watermelon scrimmage takes place. Following team pictures and an intra-squad scrimmage, watermelon will be provided from the concession stand. After traveling to Fort Worth for scrimmages Thursday, Aug. 15 against Castleberry and Gainesville, the Bucks will host Wall for the final scrimmage Thursday, Aug. 22 before the regular season. The season will open Friday, Aug. 30 at Holliday with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Sports