Top 25 Games of 2016: No. 21, Kilgore at Henderson

One of the area's oldest and most intense rivalries is renewed once more this season when Kilgore travels to Henderson in what could be a pivotal District 9-4A Division I clash on Oct. 14.

It checks in at No. 21 on ETSN.fm's list of the top 25 games of 2016.

The communities of Kilgore and Henderson are separated by only 24 miles, and there might be less of gap in talent between the football teams this fall.

Kilgore QB Buddy Jackson. (Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)

Kilgore is coming off a season in which it shared the district crown playing mostly with underclassmen. Henderson, meanwhile, has many of its skill-position players back on a team that handed Kilgore its only league loss a season ago.

The Bulldogs welcome back quarterback Buddy Jackson, who found his footing late last year, along with an offensive line that will be anchored by senior Dylan Scarlett (6-2, 185).

Kilgore will also have a pair of proven weapons at receiver in junior Jonathan Shepherd and senior Cole Wood.

Defensively, the Bulldogs will lean on the experience of senior lineman Kevin Tinney, junior linebacker Ty Wallace and playmaking defensive back Mateo Meraz.

The Kilgore defense will need to be in fine form against a Henderson offense full of exceptional playmakers, led by receiver Trestan Ebner and running back Lakendrick VanZandt -- both TCU commits.

The Lions will also feature versatile playmakers like Matthew Childers and Trae Hall, who could both take snaps at quarterback, and two-way standout Tariq Gray (WR/DB).