2016 Football Preview

Following a couple of seasons playing in the western part of the Metroplex, Gilmer returns home to an East Texas-centric District 7-4A Division II. The Buckeyes, winners of 31 of their last 32 games, figure to receive stern tests from the likes of Atlanta and arch-rival Gladewater in league play...

Hallsville quietly put together an impressive season last year behind Longview, Marshall and Texas High. It was not your average fourth-place district finisher behind the three co-district champions. From there, the Bobcats shocked Ennis in the first round of the playoffs and then played tight with Lancaster in the second round of the postseason. Lancaster, with its bevy of NCAA Division I athlete

The Atlanta Rabbits have been knocking on the door for championships the last couple of seasons, and 2016 figures to be another banner year. Atlanta, which returns several key performers from last year's state quarterfinalist squad, begins the year ranked No...

After witnessing their East Texas rivals Longview and Lufkin travel east to Shreveport to take part in the Battle on the Border showcase the last couple of seasons, John Tyler has chosen to do the same. The Lions will battle Warren Easton, a program from New Orleans, on Sept...

A decline in enrollment dropped Jasper down in classification, and the UIL didn't stop there. It placed the Bulldogs in District 8-4A Division II, where its fellow members managed to go just 12-29 a season ago. With several impact performers returning to the field in 2016, Jasper expects to not only have its way in district, but also make some noise in the playoffs...

Lindale boasted the best Class 5A defense in the region last season. For that matter, the team had a better defense than sole Class 6A participant Tyler Lee. Unfortunately, six critical pieces of a defensive unit that averaged 20.8 points against per game were lost to graduation and losses on the offensive side of the ball were even worse.

On name power alone, John Tyler versus Longview games are big events. Players benefit from big crowds in big stadiums, and there's just a little more magic around the hosting campus ahead of two of Texas' most valuable high school football programs meeting head-to-head...

Despite making the playoffs, 2015 was a disappointing season for the Gladewater Bears, who finished with a losing record and was defeated in the postseason's opening round. With 16 starters returning, the Bears are hoping for a major turnaround in 2016...

The Jasper Bulldogs dropped down to Class 4A Division II during the offseason, but no one is expecting a drop-off in talent. Jasper is expected to be a team to watch in 2016, and the Bulldogs begin the year ranked No. 10 in the ETSN.fm Preseason Class 4A Poll...

It's been a couple of years, but Lufkin and The Woodlands will renew acquaintances in district play later this season. The District 12-6A bout should go a long way in determining the league champion. The clash, set for Sept. 30 at The Woodlands, checks in at No...