ETSN.fm 2013 Preseason Class A/Private Poll: No. 10 Harleton

Longtime baseball coach Jackie Lloyd made a smooth transition to football head coaching in 2012 when he led Harleton to a playoff berth.

Lloyd has 13 of his 22 starters back for the 2013 season as the Wildcats hope to build on last year's 7-4 campaign.

Harleton returns starting quarterback Taylor Henson after his 900-plus-yard passing effort, as well as capable tailbacks in Jack Underwood, Jed Smith, and Campbell Coleman.

Plus there's tackling machine Chase Duncan at linebacker, who spearheads a Harleton defense that held opponents to fewer than 20 points per game a year ago.

The Wildcats join Timpson as the teams with the most returning starters in District 9-A Division I, which could be one of East Texas' more competitive district races after preseason favorite Joaquin graduated 14 of its 22 starters. Harleton expects to at least earn another playoff berth and potentially make a run at the league crown.

Harleton has reached the playoffs nine of the last 10 seasons, but has not advanced beyond the first round since 2007, when the 'Cats finished 9-3. That season was the fourth in five seasons that Harleton played at least two playoff games.