ETSN.fm 2013 Preseason Class 3A Poll: No. 9 Liberty-Eylau

It was an odd 2012 season for the Liberty-Eylau Leopards. For only the second time since 2002, Liberty-Eylau missed out on the playoffs.

But with a solid corps returning (14 total starters), the Leopards enter this season as a favorite to win District 13-3A, which would return a sense of normalcy to a program that's become one of the area's most consistent over the last decade.

Receiver/defensive back Davion Hall (6-3, 193), a Baylor commit who's one of the most sought-after East Texas recruits in the 2014 class, was the league MVP a year ago and is back to help turn things around for Liberty-Eylau. He scored 12 total touchdowns in 2012, and he did so in a variety of ways -- rushing, receiving and defensive and kickoff returns.

QB Rashaan Donelson (6-0, 190) is a dual-threat quarterback that seems primed for a breakout season after gaining valuable experience calling the shots a year ago.

Liberty-Eylau allowed 24.7 points per game in 2012, but with the return of lineman Mack Forte (5-11, 245) and linebacker Kwan Curry (6-0, 195) expect that number to drop.

The Leopards were a streaky team last year to say the least. L-E won its season opener, but dropped the next four. It won its first three district games, but lost the last two which kept the Leopards from the playoffs. But with a seasoned group returning, expect those inconsistencies to become objects in the rear-view mirror.