Six-Man Spotlight: Strawn is Region III's team to beat, but can anyone dethrone Richland Springs?

[caption id="attachment_30644" align="aligncenter" width="700"]Photo by Thomas Hays Photo by Thomas Hays[/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 II Class 1A Division I — Regions III and IVClass 1A Division II — Regions I and IIToday: Class 1A Division II — Regions III and IVRegion III Region III should boast exceptional balance, as defending region champ Crowell will take on a handful of potentially stronger squads. Strawn Greyhounds Strawn went 11-1 last season despite fielding a very young team, and with five starters returning on both sides of the ball — most of them juniors and sophomores — the Greyhounds are the odd- on favorite to win Region III. J.W. Montgomery was the all-state newcomer of the year as a freshman, and second-team all-state RB Tanner Hodgkins will be a force in the backfield. Crowell Wildcats Crowell always fields a competitive squad, and even without a few key players from last year's state semifinalist (including record-setting passer Tristen Hayes), the Wildcats will be tough. Skyler Hayes was one of the team’s leading receivers last season, but he'll likely see more time at running back. Evan de los Santos is another versatile weapon for the Wildcats, who need underclassmen to step up. Panther Creek Panthers Fresh off a 12-1 campaign, tailback J. C. McDonald (1,271 yards, 25 TDs rushing; 869 yards, 18 TDs passing) returns to command Panther Creek back to the regional title game. Junior RB Mathew Morris will be back as well after rushing for 845 yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago. Region IV Region IV maintains its status as the toughest top-to-bottom region in six-man football, but can anyone break Richland Springs' stranglehold? Richland Springs Coyotes Simply put: the Coyotes are loaded again. Walker Tippie returns as the reigning all-state player of the year, but the team's lynchpin may be Hutton Lusty, the all-state defensive player of the year. Lusty can score; he's got the size; he's got the strength; he's an excellent lead-blocker (usually for Tippie); and he's one of the best defenders in six-man football. On an important note: Richland Springs will be without longtime offensive coordinator Shawn Rogers this season. It will be interesting to see how head coach Jerry Burkhart and his staff handle the loss. Milford Bulldogs Milford stands the best chance at upsetting Richland Springs' bid for another regional title. SB/CB Taron Smith is coming off a remarkable sophomore season in which he rushed for 2,149 yards and 30 TDs, and passed for 1,123 yards and 23 scores. Head coach Ronny Crumpton put it best: he’s a “game changer.” LB Corbin Schrotke (124 tackles; 2 INTs) is a hard-hitting defender, and RB/CB James McIntyre gives them another speedy playmaker. Calvert Trojans Calvert is always talented, and even with a new coach at the helm this season, they'll be a tough out as usual. Iredell Dragons The Dragons return five starters on both sides of the ball, led by RB Morgan Whitfield, who ran for 934 yards and 15 scores despite missing several games due to injury. CB Colton Fowler is a two-way threat, notching 83 tackles and catching 7 touchdown passes last season. Cherokee Indians Even with a tough district draw — Cherokee is in District 13-1A Division II with Richland Springs — Cherokee has enough talent to make some noise. All-state caliber player Kellen Everett is big and fast, and he'll run the option offense. He also has one of the strongest arms in six-man football.

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