ETSN.fm Class 2A/Private Schools Preseason Poll: No. 2 Bullard Brook Hill

Most East Texas coaches will envy Bobby Brasher's preseason position.

Bullard Brook Hill doesn't just return 19 starters. It has a few college prospects emerging, forged through the school's investment in top of the line facilities in a new era of arms racing within the Texas private schools levels.

The Guard program has been here before. It quickly rose from its founding in the early 2000s to contest in 2009 and 2010 state championship games. Brook Hill got over the hump in 2011 and won its first title.

Success has generally carried over and, here in 2014, the Guard take the No. 2 spot in the ETSN.fm Class 2A/Private Schools Preseason Poll with an eye for the District II TAPPS Division II title and quite a bit more.

This is a team with considerable size for its level. Linebackers Malik Alley and Ty Brown are well over 200 pounds and taller than 6 feet. Brown was invited to the ETSN.fm Recruiting Combine at the APEC training facility in Tyler and graded out as one of the best of 11 linebackers.

The two linebackers will likely double up as running backs.

There's a wealth of good defenders at Brook Hill to ignite the Guard's cause, but junior receiver Seth Brasher will likely rise to be the team's headliner.

Seth Brasher (6-2, 165) already possesses good speed for his frame and has drawn some college attention after racking up eight touchdowns and 902 yards last season.

The district will be tough to win. Dallas Christian is an equally gifted front-runner while Tyler Grace, Bishop Gorman and Frisco Legacy appear troubling.

Grace, the No. 3 team in our poll, is revving up with non-district games against UIL opponents in Canton, New Diana and Harleton.

Brook Hill's out-of-district slate is nearly as taxing with games against Edgewood, Alto and Tenaha.

Alto is the No. 4 team in the preseason poll. Tenaha has been one of East Texas' flagship programs in recent years with runs to at least state semifinals the past three seasons.

The Guard should have an opportunity to show what they're made of very early.

Brook Hill's 2014 Schedule

ETSN.fm Class 2A/Private Schools Preseason Poll

• No. 2 -- Bullard Brook Hill
• No. 3 -- Tyler Grace
• No. 4 -- Alto
• No. 5 -- San Augustine
• No. 6 -- West Sabine
• No. 7 -- Union Grove
• No. 8 -- Groveton
• No. 9 -- Joaquin
• No. 10 -- Cayuga