Top 25 Games of 2016: No. 11, Lufkin at The Woodlands

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. 11 on ETSN.fm's list of the top 25 games of 2016.

Lufkin, which played in 5A the previous two seasons, makes its return to the state's largest classification this year. And the Panthers are bringing some firepower with them.

Quarterback Kordell Rodgers, a Texas State commit, is one of the top overall athletes in all of East Texas. And his No. 1 receiving target, senior Dhailon Phillips, returns as well.

Lufkin also has a couple of standout juniors in the receiving corps in Jeremiah Davis and Malik Jackson, and a strong offensive line anchored by Hunter Hollis and Joseph Bell.

Defensively, the Panthers must replace defensive end Bronson Massie (Kansas State), but will have several impact performers on the defensive side of the ball, including safety Savon Fields, who is also a weapon in the return game.

The Woodlands returns 14 starters from last year's 10-2 area finalist, including quarterback Eric Schmid and receiver Chris Stewart on offense, and lineman Michael Purcell and linebacker Zach La Confora on defense.