ETSN.fm Class 6A/5A Preseason Poll: No. 9, Nacogdoches

Following consecutive playoff berths in 2013 and 2014, the Nacogdoches Dragons have missed out on the postseason in each of the last two years.

Sixth-year head coach Bobby Reyes is hoping this is the season he can get his program back on track.

Nacogdoches will begin the season ranked No. 9 in our Class 6A/5A poll.

Only nine starters return from last season's 4-6 team, but a few of those are high-impact players.

Leading the way is senior linebacker DaRyan Williams, a special athlete that has the attention of Division I FBS programs. Fellow linebacker Stephon Adams gives the Dragons one of the best LB duos in District 17-5A.

Nacogdoches must find new playmakers on offense, where it saw the graduation of quarterback Noah Hildebrand and running back Phillip Jones, who ran for more than 1,800 yards a season ago.

Receiver Jed Morgan is one of the few experienced skill-position players Reyes has at his disposal.

A challenging non-district schedule featuring Kilgore, Lufkin, Tyler Lee, Hallsville, and Gilmer should get Nacogdoches prepared for the rugged 17-5A.

The Dragons lost four of five league games a year ago, but the average margin of defeat in those contests was just seven points. So, Nacogdoches isn't too far away from jumping back into the playoff discussion.