In the 62nd annual Texas Football magazine, Greg Tepper, the publication’s managing editor, pegged the Rockdale Tiger football team to finish third in District 11-3A-DI behind rival Cameron and Lorena, who is picked to win the seven-team district and was ranked eighth by TF in all of Class 3A-DI.
The write-up said that Rockdale has “plenty of fresh faces, most from a loaded sophomore class...need to adjust quickly to Friday night’s lights.”
Tepper also points out that Rockdale is not going through a “total rebuild.” Senior Kobe Mitchell passed for 1,739 yards and had 560 rushing yards for 34 touchdowns after taking over at quarterback last season for injured starter Jace Robinson in week one.
The magazine also mentioned wide receiver/defensive back Robert Owens, who had 150 receiving yards in 2020 and linemen Chris Vargas, Gavin Aguilar and sophomore Chad David, who is referred to as a “monster on the defensive front.”
Other Tigers brought up are Cade Pantaleon, who led the Tiger defense last season with 77 tackles. TF also refers to quarterback Blaydn Barcak, wide receiver Wyatt Windham and linebacker Kemar Spencer as “promising sophomores” that must step up.
The Tigers open the 2021 season at their house Aug. 27 against La Grange.
MILANO—The Eagles are slated to finish sixth in District 13-2A DII under first year head coach Nick Morehead.
With only four starters back on offense and three on defense, Texas Football praises quarterback Jayce Todd, who “came on late and is ready to lead” and that receiver Weston Avrett is a “reliable target.”
They also compliment offensive linemen Layne Ferrell and Greg Storey. TF also says that MHS will be happy to have Marco Mederos back, who missed the entire 2020 season.
The article also highlights running back Josh Millar, who rushed for 774 yards and scored eight touchdowns last season.
MHS starts the year on Aug. 27 at Pruitt Field, where they will host Valley Mills.
THORNDALE—Like their neighbors to the east, the Bulldogs have also been picked to finish third, but in District 12-2A DI behind 15th-ranked Hearne and Holland. Although un-ranked, the latter school has finished as district champion or runner-up in all but one year since 2014.
Describing Thorndale, Texas Football praises the versatility of state powerlifting champion Hayden Kylberg and Stryker Leschber. Leschber, who has received Division I scholarship offers from Penn and Columbia University, is a 6’4”, 235-pound defensive end that concluded 2020 with 81 tackles and seven sacks. As a tight end, he racked up 439 receiving yards.
Thorndale also has quarterback Coy Stutts returning, who had a total of 1,502 yards and 13 touchdowns his sophomore season. The article also mentions Branson McCoy, Maddox Rubio, Luke Merz and Chance Betak.
The Bulldogs kick off their season Aug. 27 at home where they will face Dawson.
DISTRICT 11-3A DI PICKS
Texas Football’s Prediction
1. Lorena
2. Cameron Yoe
3. Rockdale
4. Little River-Academy
5. McGregor
6. Troy
7. Caldwell
Pre-season Offensive MVP: WR Jadon Porter, Lorena
Pre-season Defensive MVP: LB Fabian Solomon, Cameron Yoe
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