Published: June 30, 2008 11:42 pm            

ADAMS: Three games could end up deciding District 14-2A

Editor’s note: This is the second of a three-part weekly commentary on the upcoming football season in the Golden Circle. It will conclude next Tuesday with a look at District 21-1A.



If there was Monday Night Football in Navarro County, there would be three games worthy to be played on Monday night’s — Mildred vs. Kerens, Kerens vs. Blooming Grove and Mildred vs. Blooming Grove.

After all those three games will undoubtedly decide District 14-2A.

This district will be a dog fight from the first game all the way to the end, much like last year’s District 20-2A.

The overall favorite is Kerens because of the experience the Bobcats have in skill positions.

Junior quarterback and the 2007 Golden Circle Player of the Year Pat Faulk (3,136 all-purpose yards) is going to frustrate defenses again with his passing and running abilities. Running back Byron Mitchell will bring his speed to add another dimension to Kerens’ offense. Both players are listed with running a 4.4 second 40-yard dash.

Gone, however, is wide receiver Derrick Polk, who was Faulk’s favorite target in 2007.

Kerens will need a legitimate threat at wide receiver to win this district. If the Bobcats can find one, they should win the championship.

The new and improved Blooming Grove Lions may have something to say about that, however.

With a new coaching staff and a good group of players returning, the Lions will probably take Kerens to the limit.

With quarterback Darius Harris and running back Jordan Tennell returning, the Lions have the perfect formula for a run and gun offense.

Tennell brings speed and power at the running back position and started to show a lot of signs of maturity near the end of 2007 as a sophomore.

Harris is probably the best passer in the Golden Circle and look for him to have a breakout season in 2008.

The senior has playoff experience, the ability to make good decisions and has improved his throwing style in 7-on-7 games this fall.

Harris could be a 2,000 yard passer this fall.

Needless to say, the Lions aren’t going to have to wait 16 years for their next trip to the playoffs.

Mildred will round out the top three in this district.

The Eagles have a lot of skill players returning, but must replace their offensive line.

With new coach Patrick Harvell and his defensive background, Mildred will not be letting teams score a lot of points.

Coaches often use the phrase “defense wins championships.” If so, the Eagles may be claiming their second consecutive district championship.

Freddy and Thomas McDonald will provide Mildred with some talent on defense. Both stand over six-feet tall and have a lot of speed they bring to the table.

The big question for the Eagles and Lions will be how will they respond to new coaches.

The Rice Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them this fall.

With a young team and a very good district, the Bulldogs will have to mature and mature fast.

Rice should be better this year with Cedrick Freeman (6-foot-3, 195 lbs.) and Trey Davis leading the way.

Davis rushed for 826 yards last season while Freeman led the Bulldogs with 111 tackles.

It is difficult to predict this district, but one has to wonder if the Oct. 10 game between Kerens and Blooming Grove at Lions Stadium will be for the district title.

No one knows for sure, but they might have to rent Tiger Stadium to facilitate the crowd at this one.

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football picked Kerens to win the district with Mildred finishing in second and the Lions in third.

I like this pick, but I think Blooming Grove and Kerens are the teams to beat.

        

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