Class 3A Teams

Bowie Jackrabbits

By Paul Barnett

            Last year the Bowie Jackrabbits made their first playoff appearance in 22 years.  The Jackrabbits will return 19 lettermen, including 7 offensive and 6 defensive starters from last year’s 6-5 Bi-District qualifying squad. 

            Offensively, the Jackrabbits return all of their starting offensive linemen who will be led by Chad Martin and Shane Holloway.  Also returning on the offensive line will be Daniel Basham, Jason Betts and Eddie Merritt.  In the skill positions the Jackrabbits will feature Nick Skidmore and Heath Myers at running back and Kyle Reading at wide receiver.  Skidmore and Myers have some big shoes to fill with the graduation of 2004 District 6-3A Offensive MVP Major Henderson.  Senior Marty Renteria will replace David DeArman at quarterback, while Kevin Frantom will likely move into the other starting role at WR. 

            Defensively Bowie will return more than half of last year’s starters including Reading who will start at strong safety.  Heath Myers, first team all district defensive back, will return at free safety where he had 112 tackles on the season.  Myers and Reading are just a part off what will be a nucleus of key defenders returning from last year’s team.  Derek Winn and Clinton Lane will return at defensive end and linebacker while Chad Martin will start both ways at offensive guard and on the defensive line.  Players that will be vying for starting positions are:  Jason Betts, Chris Skinner, Matt Mack, Carnan Anderson, Jake Stepp, Jesse Bunting, and Patrick Obregon. 

            Last year Bowie’s season was highlighted by a win over a Class 2A favorite, the Holliday Eagles.  This year Bowie will have its hands full again with Holliday, Boyd, Jacksboro, Lake Worth and Castleberry on their pre-district schedule.  The Jackrabbits will have their hands full in district play, as they will be in one of the toughest districts in 3A.  The state ranked Gainesville Leopards are the obvious favorites to win this district, with Bowie, Pilot Point and Sanger fighting it out for the other two playoff spots.  Last year Bowie lost to Pilot Point 34-24 and to Gainesville 27-6 to end the district season 3-2, earning a trip to the state playoffs. 

            The Jackrabbits will have the experience to make the playoffs this year and maybe even go a couple of rounds deep.

Bridgeport Bulls

By Trent Morrow

The 2005 Bridgeport Bulls will be ready to pick up where they left off in the 2004 season…Winning!  The Bulls come into the season finding themselves as the District Favorite and the #8 ranked 3A team in the state.  Some say overrated…. “Blaster” says NO WAY!  This team’s deep talent will carry the Bulls this season.  Danny Henson’s team is returning 8 offensive starters and 7 defensive starters; bring back an experienced nucleus with amazing talent and strong leadership.  Not to throw out any specific names, but Durban, Jones, and Garrett will be the three leaders that will have their teammates primed for a winning season.

            The Bulls will return Junior quarterback Ryan Durban. Durban will have a host of targets to aim at with the group of receivers the Bulls have produced.  Star RB Colin Jones will be the “go to guy” once again this year after a record breaking 2004 season.  Jones is bigger and faster than he was in 2004 and the offensive line that will be paving the way for him has gotten bigger and strong as well.  With Meekins and Reed returning on the offensive line, Jones will have several holes to run through.

            The Bulls “D” will once again be lead by record-breaking linebacker Jason Garrett. With the new/old defensive coordinator back in town and with a bigger and stronger Garrett leading his herd of defenders on the attack, opponents will not find it quite so easy to find the end zone in 2005.

            The “wild card” for the Bulls could be a sophomore.  Blaster says you need to watch out for Aaron Holt.  Holt will be moving up to Varsity Ball this year with many talents.  Holt played JV QB last year as a freshman, but is also a very talented defensive player.  A cousin to stand out Garrett, Holt could help on both sides of the ball for Danny Henson and the Bridgeport Bulls.   

            In my opinion, the Bulls will have a strong season and finish 9-1 in regular season. Who’s the one?  No one in particular. Just wouldn’t want to jinx the Bulls by predicting a perfect 10-0 season. Go Bulls!  

Decatur Eagles

By Scott Hiler

Unlike the cross-county rival Bridgeport Bulls, the Decatur Eagles are going to have a different look in 2005.  The plays and schemes may indeed seem similar, but their will be plenty of new names out their executing the plays for the Eagles this year.  Gone are last year’s seniors from an Eagle team that many would call the best to suit up in the Decatur blue in recent history.  Last year’s team finished 12-1 with the only loss coming in the playoffs to the eventual Class 3A State Champion Abilene Wylie Bulldogs.  Names like Dane, Christian, Pryor, Robbins, Jones and Mayfield gave way to graduation and leave some lofty expectations for the 2005 Eagles to measure up to. 

While last year’s offense dominated the headlines, the defensive unit was often over-shadowed and didn’t get proper recognition.  That may change in 2005.  While the Decatur offense shouldn’t be anything less than solid, the defense looks very strong.  Safety Jacob Maxon, cornerback Jessie Lopez and cornerback Ryan Spence all return to anchor a defensive backfield that has the awareness and capability to shut down opponents both on the ground and through the air.  Maxon was all over the field in 2004, amassing over 90 tackles on the season while Lopez and Spence had 4 interceptions each.  Linebacker Thomas Staley is a hard hitter with quickness who should have a big year behind a tough defensive line. 

On the other side of the ball, look for the Eagles to field a solid, balanced offensive attack, even through they’ll only be returning one starter from last year’s potent offense.  Junior wide receiver Brandon Cobb returns and should continue to contribute heavily in the air attack.  A talented receiver with an excellent throwing arm and good mobility, the question is only whether he’ll be throwing the ball or catching it in 2005.  The loss of running back Devin Godboldt due to relocation will hurt the ground attack, but the position is by no means depleted of talent. 

Decatur will face the same tough pre-district schedule that they did last year, with a home game versus Graham and road trips to play Gainesville and the defending state champion Abilene Wylie Bulldogs (third match-up in two seasons).  Decatur will have to come together quickly and play at a high level in order to make it to district unscathed like they did in 2004.  Within district, both Little Elm and Bridgeport will once again be aiming to knock Decatur off of the top.  The Eagles match up against these two teams in back to back weeks, playing host to Bridgeport in the “Battle of the Big Sandy” on October 21^st and making the trip to Little Elm the following week.  Two wins here will be essential in order to secure another district championship.