ETSN.fm Class 3A Preseason Poll: No. 3 Newton

District 11-3A Division II's run of power teams continues today with the addition of Newton to the ETSN.fm Class 3A Preseason Poll.

The Eagles will enter the season as our No. 3 team.

What more needs to be said about senior athlete Roney Elam? He has 10 major FBS college football offers entering the season and ought to cause concern for coaches throughout the East Texas region and beyond.

Elam can do it all for Newton. He threw for 939 yards and 11 touchdowns, rushed for 437 yards and five touchdowns while picking off opponents five times and forcing one fumble in last year's run to a Class 2A Division I regional semifinal appearance.

But it's more than just Elam.

Newtown returns seven starters on both sides of the ball and knows how to win after going 12-1 in 2013.

The Eagles' Wing-T offense allows more than one player to be explosive. Running back Calum Foster rushed for 700 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. He'll be joining Elam in both the offensive and defensive backfield.

The offensive line is in great standing with offensive tackle Brent Simmons entering his third season protecting the blind side.

Netwon's defense is highlighted further with defensive lineman Zack Conner. He already has two years worthy of all-district honors under his belt.

Even with playmakers scattered across the field, however, the Eagles will face a monster challenge in their district.

Carrigan-Camden and Garrison also are ranked in the poll, fifth and eighth respectively, while Deweyville and Crockett have been in the limelight before as well.

A big game against Tatum awaits in Week 1. Henderson and West Orange-Stark also should help Newton sharpen itself prior to the District 7-3A Division II gauntlet.

Newton's 2014 Football Schedule

ETSN.fm Class 3A Preseason Poll

• No. 3 -- Newton
• No. 4 -- Daingerfield
• No. 5 -- Corrigan-Camden
• No. 6 -- Arp
• No. 7 -- Paul Pewitt
• No. 8 -- Malakoff
• No. 9 -- Garrison
• No. 10 -- Hughes Springs