2014 ETSN.fm Football Preview

District 16-5A is among the toughest districts in the state, and it is the single hardest league to project from top to bottom. That being said, John Tyler and Ennis look strong entering the 2014 season. Both teams are ranked as top 10 Texas Class 5A teams by the Associated Press...

Head coach Greg Owens has turned Sulphur Springs into one of East Texas' most consistent winners in recent years. In Owens' eight years in charge, the Wildcats have won a state championship and are currently on a seven-year streak of at least eight wins.

From 2001-04, there weren't too many programs on par with Jasper, which produced s record of 47-11 during those four seasons. Ever since, the Bulldogs have been trying to recapture the magic.

There aren't too many programs in all of East Texas that will enter the 2014 season with more experience than the Gladewater Bears. And it's quality experience.

Pittsburg isn't a team getting a lot of love at the state level, but we believe the still somewhat young Pirates are a real threat to contend to the District 7-4A Division I crown with 15 starters returning to the 2014 team from a squad that made the area round of the playoffs last season. They're going to get a good test from Gladewater on Sept. 5 at the Bears' Jack V. Murphy Stadium.

The Palestine Wildcats lost quite a bit of talent off last year's team, not to mention their head coach. But first-year coach Jay Brown, an East Texas coaching veteran, takes over a roster still plush with playmakers.

Still considered one of the very best programs in all of East Texas, the Marshall Mavericks are convinced they're headed in the right direction following a couple of dreadful seasons.

The Rusk Eagles suffered through their worst season under seventh-year head coach Ted Patton in 2013. And how are they treated? By being placed in a six-team district comprised of five playoffs teams from a year ago.

Texas High and Whitehouse will square off on Aug. 29 with no shortage of top talent. It's yet another Week 1 game making ETSN.fm's list of the top 25 games in 2014. This one ranks No. 10.

Hallsville came within two minutes of capturing its first playoff win since 2003 last November, and the Bobcats are hopeful that the 2014 season brings another opportunity to close the door on more than a decade of close calls.