Under the Microscope: 5A DI District 3
Cover Photo via @azleathletics on Twitter
DFW Offseason - Week Two
We are moving on to 5A DI District 3 now in our district breakdowns! We’ll kick it off with district 3. Azle went undefeated in this district last season but will have to face Abilene Cooper in district play for the next two years. Let’s go under the microscope on 5A DI District 3.
Azle Hornets
As I just mentioned, Azle went undefeated in district play last year and will look to do the same this fall. Abilene Cooper will be standing in the Hornets way. Azle’s season ended at the hands of Cooper by way of a 35-28 2ndround playoff loss. The Hornets return talent along the offensive line, at wide receiver, and in the secondary. Azle will be a team to keep an eye on this season.
Crowley Eagles
Crowley is another team that will challenge for the district championship. The Eagles went 9-2 last season and were ousted from the playoffs via a 27-20 loss to Colleyville Heritage. Crowley’s only loss in district play was a 48-47 heartbreaker to Azle. The Eagles return quarterback Jacobe Robinson and will figure to contend with Azle and Cooper for the district title.
Arlington Heights Yellow Jackets
Arlington Heights struggled in 2019 after a 6-4 2018 season. The Yellow Jackets return quarterback Travis Keetch who has a year of much-needed experience under his belt as Arlington Heights looks to improve on a disappointing 2-8 season.
Granbury Pirates
Granbury bounced back with a 6-5 season after going just 2-8 in 2018. The Pirates were ousted in the 1stround by state finalist Denton Ryan in the playoffs last fall. Junior Matthew Walters is back to anchor the secondary, but the Pirates have talent to replace along the defensive line. Granbury has more questions than answers at this point and will have their hands full in this challenging district.
Northwest Texans
Welcome back to Division I Northwest! The Texans took a step back after a 10-3 2018 season, going just 6-5 in 2019. It was a slow start but the Texans reeled off six straight wins to make the playoffs before losing to Canyon Randall. Northwest will make the jump back up to 5A DI after playing in 5A DII last season.
Saginaw Rough Riders
Saginaw finished the 2019 season with a 7-4 record and a first-round playoff exit with a close loss to Birdville. Dynamic pass catcher Jermaine Yancy and running back Steven Coleman are back for one more year to lead the offense as the Rough Riders look to make a return trip to the playoffs in a district that on paper looks to be improved from a year ago.
Brewer Bears
Optimism has been at an all time high since the arrival Head Coach Todd Peterman from DeSoto in 2018, however Brewer stumbled to a 2-8 record in 2019 with wins over Chisholm Trail and South Hills. Quarterback B.J. Williams has a year under his belt and two years of eligibility remaining. The Bears had a young squad last season who will attack the 2020 schedule with a much more experienced group. I will be keeping an eye on this squad as one that has a chance to surprise some of the other teams in district play this season.