ETSN.fm Preseason Class 3A Poll: No. 2, Newton Eagles

The Newton Eagles have been on the doorstep of state championship glory in each of the previous three seasons. And with a talented collection of players returning this year, they check in at No. 2 on the ETSN.fm preseason Class 3A poll.

Newton has posted a record of 37-6 the last three years, and could be in line for another long playoff run in 2015.

The Eagles, 3A Division II state finalists in 2014, return 14 staters from last season's 12-4 squad -- seven offensive and seven defensive.

Newton lost a couple of key pieces from a year ago, including quarterback and all-state safety Roney Elam (Texas A&M), and two-way standout at running back and defensive back Calum Foster (McNeese State).

However, the Eagles' cupboard will be far from bare moving forward.

Offensively, Newton welcomes back a foursome of ball carriers that could each put up monster individual seasons -- Gabe Foster, Kirkland Foster, Jaron Hanks, and Corbin Foster.

On the defensive side, the Eagles return all-state linebacker and Louisiana-Lafayette commit Tanner Holmes, who led Newton in tackles a season ago.

2015 Newton Eagles Football Schedule

ETSN.fm Preseason Class 3A Poll

• No. 2: Newton Eagles
• No. 3: Waskom Wildcats
• No. 4: Crocket Bulldogs
• No. 5: Elysian Fields Yellowjackets
• No. 6: Arp Tigers
• No. 7: Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs
• No. 8: New Boston Lions
• No. 9: Frankston Indians
• No. 10: White Oak Roughnecks