There's a new sheriff in town.

Terry Ward has hopped ships from the powerhouse Tenaha program to a Harleton squad that has been consistently solid through recent years. This could be remembered as a big move down the road.

With Ward in the picture and 10 returning starters from a Class 2A Division I bi-district playoff team, the Wildcats enter the ETSN.fm Class 2A/Private Schools Preseason Poll in the No. 8 spot.

Of course, District 9-2A Division I is no picnic. Union Grove is No. 9 in the poll while Big Sandy and Ore City bring back nice sets of players from decent 2014 campaigns. Don't discount Hawkins or Simms Bowie either.

But Ward's presence in the league is a big deal.

He led Tenaha to at least regional championship game appearances in his final four seasons, winning a state championship in 2011 and then returning to the title game in 2012 without the aid of all-world athlete Reginald Davis.

The cupboard isn't exactly empty in Ward's new stomping grounds.

Ted Fuller, Cody Fregia, Jordan Tingle and Tenaha transfer Andy Ward should be special assets on both sides of the ball as athletes. Harleton also has the added benefit of solid returners in the trenches.

The goal this season will be breaking through the bi-district round barrier. The Wildcats haven't been in the area round since 2007.

2015 Harleton Wildcats Football Schedule

DateOpponentTime/Result
Aug. 28West RuskL 34-12
Sept. 4at TimpsonW 30-6
Sept. 11Tyler GraceL 42-14
Sept. 18OPEN
Sept. 26at Linden-KildareL 28-21
Oct. 2at MaudL 42-38
Oct. 9*HawkinsW 17-14
Oct. 16*at Simms BowieW 41-0
Oct. 23*Big SandyL 14-6
Oct. 30*at Ore CityW 20-6
Nov. 6*Union GroveW 22-14
Nov. 12(BI-DISTRICT): vs. West SabineW 27-22
Nov. 20(AREA): vs. CentervilleL 34-26

ETSN.fm Preseason Class 2A/Private Schools Poll

 

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