(Editor's Note: This is part of a series of articles going up this week by the hosts of The Big Friday Night Scoreboard Program covering high school football teams in the KETR listening area. We continue the series with District 5-4A D2.)
District 5-4A D2: Bonham, Caddo Mills, Melissa, Nevada Community
Bonham Purple Warriors: The Purple Warriors are coming off of a 2-9 season last year, which would sound disappointing normally, but Bonham made it to the playoffs last season. Thanks to a three-way tie for the fourth and final spot in the playoffs, the Purple Warriors advanced through point differential before falling in the bi-district round to Wills Point. Coming off back-to-back winless seasons, an immediate difference was made in Coach Tony Johnson’s second season. With five offensive and seven defensive starters returning, Bonham will look to make it back to the playoffs for the second year in a row and win more than two games in a season for the first time since 2013.
Players to watch: WR/CB Trevor Hartwell, LB Izaiah Epps, QB/DB Tyler Rodriguez, RB/CB Hayden Stevenson, WR/DB Jerrell Stewart
Caddo Mills Foxes: It was a down year in a new district for the Foxes in 2016, after starting 8-0 in 2015, Caddo Mills has lost 10 of their last 12 the past two seasons. Even at 1-7 going into the last game of the season, the Foxes had an outside playoff chance, but they were unable to beat Bonham by a large enough margin to advance in the tiebreaker. Coach Steve Sumrow will need to retool some skill positions in order to buck the trend and try to lead the Caddo Mills back to the playoffs. They bring back eight defensive starters and six offensive starters from last year and if they can avoid a three-way tie again, they have a shot at the last district playoff spot.
Players to watch: DB/WR Logan Baker, LB Josh Freeman, DB Payne Painter, RB Payton Hammons, OL/DL Chris Taylor
Melissa Cardinals: The Cardinals had a turnaround season in a big way last year, going 8-4 in their new district before bowing out in the area round of the playoffs to a state semifinalist (Gilmer). Melissa only suffered two district losses last year, but still finished third behind Celina and Aubrey. Melissa has the returning talent and experience this year to contend for the district title. Coach Seth Stinton’s squad returns nine starters on both offense and defense, the most of any team in the district. The October 27 matchup at home against Celina could be for the district championship.
Players to watch: QB Tate Whittington, WR/DB Cole McCraw, RB/LB Breelyn Armstrong, WR Kennedy Lewis, LB Payton Wallace
Nevada Community Braves: Things started off exceedingly well for the Braves last season, as they defeated a Leonard team that would go on to win nine games and make it to the area round in the playoffs. Community would unfortunately lose eight out of their last nine and miss the playoffs in Coach Jeremy Turner’s first season, unable to advance in the three-way tie with Bonham and Caddo Mills. The Braves will have some pieces to mess with in helping to improve their offense, as they return only four starters from a season ago, while they have seven returning starters on the defensive side of the ball. If Community finds their quarterback, they could make a return to the playoffs.
Players to watch: DB Justin Maxey, LB Mason Kimberling, TE/QB Brock Price, DE Bryan Terry, WR/QB Parker Simpson
Predicted Order of Finish:
1. Celina
2. Melissa
3. Aubrey
4. Nevada Community
5. Bonham
6. Caddo Mills
