Top 25 Games Of 2015: No. 18, Newton At Crockett
This one has your name on it if you like a grudge match. Even more so if you like postseason game atmospheres in October.
Newton at Crockett, a pivotal District 11-3A Division II tilt on Oct. 16, jumps into the No. 18 spot as ETSN.fm counts down the top 25 regular season games of 2015.
It wasn't pretty the last time the two teams met up. The Eagles hammered the Bulldogs, 55-19, en route to an undefeated league record and subsequently the Class 3A Division II state championship game.
The loss dropped Crockett to 2-5 overall.
But, from that point, Jimmy Thompson's team caught fire with athlete A.J. Phillips leading the charge. The Bulldogs pulled off five straight wins to reach the regional semifinal round.
Phillips is back as a senior, following a 29-touchdown campaign last year. So are seven other Bulldogs offensive players as part of 14 returning starters.
It's a whole new ballgame in 2015. And it likely is for the district crown.
However, Newton also brings back 14 critical pieces from its 16-game run a season ago. Running back Gabe Foster and linebacker Tanner Holmes headline the group as bonafide Division I college prospects.
Experience, sustained individual success in the playoffs and raw talent headline this game.
Get there early. Seats will be hard to come by.
ETSN.fm's Top 25 Games of 2015
- No. 18: Newton at Crockett
- No. 19: Tyler Lee at Sachse
- No. 20: Gilmer vs. Carthage
- No. 21: Atlanta at Liberty-Eylau
- No. 22: Tatum at Gilmer
- No. 23: Atlanta at Gladewater
- No. 24: Lufkin at Tyler Lee
- No. 25: Tatum at Newton