Stepp: 2016 TXHSFB "Hipster" Picks

Schertz Clemens QB Frank Harris (Photo by Mary Scott McNabb) As the 2016 Texas high school football season nears, media and fans alike search for those teams that fly a bit under the radar, but wind up having better than expected seasons. There’s always pride in being the one who “discovers” a team first, and sure enough bragging ensues each time this happens. Here at DCTF we like to call these “Hipster Picks,” the teams that, come playoff time, will give you the street credit to scream out, “I TOLD YOU SO” when they have a great 2016 campaign. So in anticipation of the start of the season, I’d like to offer you my selections for this prestigious honor. Schertz Clemens: The high flying Buffaloes have maybe the state’s most dynamic player in QB Frank Harris, and they made the quarters a year ago in 6A Division II. Yet, no one talks about this team as being one of the best in their own city, much less the state. Clemens gets overshadowed by the likes of Steele and Judson in town, not to mention Austin powers Westlake and Lake Travis moving to Region IV and stealing the spotlight away. There’s no doubt Clemens will score a ton of points this year, it’s all about their defense and if they can improve they’ll be incredibly dangerous. Amarillo High: The Sandies in recent years have teetered on the 5A/6A cutoff line, and despite being one of the smallest schools in 6A in 2014/2015 they were placed in the Division I bracket. After a 9-3 campaign last year, AHS moves back down to Class 5A where they immediately will step in as the favorite in District 3-5A. Amarillo’s Wing-T offense is always tough to slow down and they will be among the favorites in Class 5A Division I Region I along with Denton Ryan and Colleyville Heritage. Frisco Independence: Typically for new schools, year three is when teams tend to really make a big leap forward and the Knights are in year three. The Knights were 2-8 last year but showed signs of life towards the end of the year. They had strong sub-varsity teams and got a big boost when running back and Kansas commit Dominic Williams transferred in this offseason. It’s a strong possibility IHS starts the season 4-0, and plenty confident when they go into their game against Frisco Heritage. In the always wide-open Frisco ISD district, Independence could be poised for their first ever trip to the playoffs in 2016. Mineral Wells: The Rams are fresh off their best season in school history, going 10-3 in 2015. Coach Gerald Perry welcomes back a strong senior class that’s had high expectations for several years now. Despite what looks to be a great team on paper, the Rams are flying a bit under the radar. The move from Region I to Region II certainly offers some questions, as traditionally going east in the playoffs is tougher than going west, but in 4A Division I the exact opposite could be true when it comes to Region II. Sanger: The Indians lost in the area playoffs to Texarkana Liberty-Eylau a year ago, and in the northern reaches of DFW they are often overlooked as Celina and Argyle grab headlines and state title appearances. However, Sanger looks poised to have one of their best-ever teams as 15 total starters return from a 10-2 squad. Juniors C.J. Jackson and Dameon Moser will bring excellent speed to the Sanger attack, while on defense four-year starter Peyton Howard leads the way. If Sanger can fill a few holes on the offensive line they could be a sleeper regional pick. Coleman: There may not be a state title contender who has gotten less buzz than the Coleman Bluecats and we aren’t sure why. All Coleman has done the past two years is post an impressive 22-3 mark, and with eight starters back on offense and nine on defense this is a team poised for big time noise. QB/LB Bryson Hammonds had over 2,600 yards of offense and 40 total touchdowns a year ago, and he’s a force on defense as well. Coleman will have to get past Cisco (a team they eliminated in the playoffs last year), Sonora and Canadian in a tough region – but this is true state title contender. Groveton: After a 3-8 mark a year ago, Groveton is primed for a much better 2016 season and a big part of that is with the tremendous returning firepower on offense. Nine starters return, led by QB Glen Thornton, who could break several records as a senior. Thornton had a fantastic junior season, accounting for over 4,700 yards of offense and 43 touchdowns. He’s got a pair of playmakers at receiver in Dawson Chumley and Saul Chavez, so look for GHS to be plenty dynamic. The key is going to be improving a defense that allowed over 41 points a game last year, and navigating a tough district schedule that includes Lovelady and Centerville. Flatonia: The Bulldogs are primed for a big season after a surprise three-deep playoff run in 2A Division I a year ago. The talk in Region IV seems to centered on district rival Falls City, as well as two-time quarterfinalist Bruni, but Chris Freytag’s squad could be the best team in the region. After knocking heads with the likes of Refugio and Shiner in district play, this is a battle-tested bunch that returns thirteen total starters. Depth will be on the side of Flatonia this year instead of working against them the past couple of seasons.