2A & Below Countdown: No. 3 Daingerfield Led by Strong Lines

No East Texas program has won more state championships than Daingerfield, which went back-to-back-to-back from 2008-10 and leads the region with six state crowns.

The Tigers are a contender virtually every year, but entering 2012 they must replace 3,000-yard passer Alex Allen, who played superbly despite the impossible task of following the act of Tyler Boyd, who led Daingerfield to a 44-3 record as a starting QB. Linebacker Devin Smith must also be replaced, but opponents better not sleep on athlete Edwin Mims and nose tackle Jacolby Simpson, two experienced players ready to give the Tigers another lengthy playoff run. Mims and Keris Alexander are taking over the Tigers' quarterback spot, while Shawn Hooks and Jonathan Barber will be huge helps in the passing game. Simpson will also play on the offensive line, which second-year coach Aric Sardinea believes could be the Tigers' top unit in 2012.

Daingerfield’s district clash at New Boston on Oct. 5 could decide the league championship, although the Tigers will have their sights set on even loftier goals. With Newton and Tatum in Region III and on the opposite side of the Division I playoff bracket, Daingerfield’s path to the Final Four and state championship are more clear than their East Texas brethren. Daingerfield could face perennial Panhandle power Muleshoe in the state semifinals before possibly playing a fellow Piney Woods team in the championship round.