Six-Man Spotlight: Can Jonesboro and Union Hill repeat as region champs?

[caption id="attachment_30342" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Photo by Kelly Guess Photo by Kelly Guess[/caption] Dave Campbell’s Texas Football six-man football contributor Leman Saunders takes a way-too-early look at how Class 1A could shake out in 2017.PREVIOUSLY: Class 1A Division I — Regions I and IIToday: Class 1A Division I — Regions III and IVRegion III Region I features some of the best quarterbacks and wide-outs in Class 1A. Regional champ Jonesboro and runner-up Zephyr look to have the inside track again, but they'll be challenged. Jonesboro Eagles The defending Region III champion will have a solid group of players returning from their state runner-up squad. Many of the Eagles' underclassmen last season stepped in to play pivotal roles throughout the playoffs due to injuries, and that valuable experience will translate well for them this season. Jonesboro’s JV also put together an impressive season last year, going 9-1. TE Alex Sarmiento, QB/CB Wyatt Young and RB/DE Andy Sarmiento all earned All-State honors last season and will be major contributors yet again in 2017. Zephyr Bulldogs Zephyr will need to replace their high-powered running back Norman Bishop, but the Bulldogs have a very talented group returning. Senior QB Kason King together with junior WR Devin Williams (46-1,139 yards, 32 TDs receiving) — both first-team All-State last year — will be one of the best offensive combos in 1A. May Tigers May, traditionally a well-balanced offensive squad, may rely more on the passing game this season as they return talented quarterback Wyatt Mote (1,214 yards, 21 TDs passing). At 6-2, he has great vision and command of the game. RBs Jacob Brown and Daniel Salinas will attempt to fill the hole left by All-State pick Cameron King's departure. Bryson Cowboys Bryson only lost one letterman off of its 2016 playoff team. The Cowboys possess a one-two pass-catch combo that equals that of Zephyr’s with WR Paul Davidson (who caught 66 passes for 1,375 yards and 30 TDs last season) and QB Brayden Houser (who posted a 129-192-2,263 yards and 44 TDs). With talent like this combined with overall team experience, Bryson will be a dark horse. Region IV Union Hill has the talent to repeat as Region IV, but it won't be a cakewalk. Union Hill Bulldogs Union Hill will be a very tough team in 2017. Last year's state semifinalists are in position to take the next step thanks to first-team all-state RB Gabe Nelson, who rushed for 2,265 yards and 48 TDs on just 144 carries as a sophomore. Nelson is just as good on defense as he picked off 8 passes last season as well. Not to be left out is all-state junior MLB Colt Mallory, who recorded 154 tackles in 2016. Coolidge Yellow Jackets This may be the year Coolidge puts it all together. The Yellow Jackets have one of the best young runners in the state with RB Torrey Hoover, who rushed for 2,788 yards and 37 TDs as a freshman last year in earning all-state Newcomer of the Year honors. RB/DE Jordan Brown is another top notch player;  he recorded 89 tackles, 9 sacks, 3 INTs and recovered 5 fumbles as a sophomore last season. Tioga Bulldogs Tioga continues to build its six-man program, tallying 15 wins the last two seasons. The Bulldogs will have several key components back in their bid to return to the regional final, including RB Cade Kimbrell (153-1,647 yards, 27 TDs) and a big offensive line led by center Logan Scott. Abbott Panthers You can’t have a conversation about Region IV without mentioning Abbott, as coach Terry Crawford always has his team ready. RB/LB Matthew Urbanovsky, who split much of the running duties last season, will be called upon for a larger workload in 2017. Defensively, junior OL/DL Jared Pavelka (84 tackles, 5 sacks) will be a player to watch.

Leman Saunders is a six-man football contributor to Dave Campbell's Texas Football.