ETSN.fm 2013 Preseason Class 5A/4A Poll: No. 6 Mount Pleasant

Montravious James won't be easily replaced, but if Mount Pleasant finds someone who can suffice, watch out.

The Tigers lose their quarterback who produced more than 4,000 total yards of offense and 53 total touchdowns during an 8-3 season a year ago.

But eight other offensive starters return for Mount Pleasant's 2013 campaign, which could feature a ton of scoring if the new signal caller delivers.

Cullen Grubbs appears to be the most likely candidate. As a sophomore in 2011, he threw for more than 900 yards and gained valuable experience. He'll throw to one of East Texas' best receiving corps led by K.D. Cannon, a Baylor commit who posted the most receptions and receiving touchdowns in East Texas in 2012. Cannon holds more than two dozen college offers and is widely considered East Texas' top recruit in the 2014 class. Andrew Flanagan and Tarrence Taylor are also back after 1,684 yards from scrimmage as juniors.

Defensively, watch out for end T'Nheous Smith, who had 13 tackles for loss in 2012. Cornerback Ladarius Craddock is primed for another big year after picking off seven passes as a junior, and returning linebacker Josh Scoggin intercepted four.

Mount Pleasant may give up points -- 32.5 per game last season -- but the Tigers should score frequently. Matching the 46.3 points they averaged in 2012 might be tough, but there's no doubt the Tigers will lean on offense this fall in their quest for a District 14-4A championship, for which they should compete with Sulphur Springs.

That game comes Oct. 11 in Sulphur Springs in the latest installment of the I-30 rivalry.