2021 Football Kickoff special section as published by the Kilgore News Herald

A NEW ERA

KICKOFF 2021 A publication of the Kilgore News Herald - Wednesday, August 25, 2021

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 2B

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Photo by MITCH LUCAS

Fearsome foursome: Kilgore’s Peyton Christian (24), Chris McGhee (44), Alex Chavez (7) and Davin Rider will give opponents’ offenses nightmares watching film in preparation for facing the Kilgore Bulldogs, led now by coach Clint Fuller (inset), in his first season.

THINGS

THAT

GO

BUMP EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

Questions, questions, questions. Preguntas, if you will…

How do you follow a 104 season, where the Kilgore High School Bulldogs were oh so close to getting back to a state championship level, where school records that had held up for years were broken, and Kilgore looked like the dominating program it has been for over a quarter-century?

How do you follow a coach that helped the Ragin’ Red to an unbeaten season and state title as a coordinator, one who guided Kilgore back to that game as a head coach, and decided to retire from the sidelines and hold the reins of the athletic department?

Who do you turn to that can assume the steering wheel of one of East Texas’s most traditional powers, a man that has the knowhow and skills to maybe take KHS back to a championship level?

Well, you start by hiring a young man who brings a high energy level to the program, a man who holds Kilgore football in high esteem because he spent his childhood here, watching his father as defensive coordinator of a proud Kilgore College program.

You go to Clint Fuller.

Wood and KISD Superintendent Dr. Andy Baker

— who is a home run hitter, to use an analogy from another sport — did just that, hiring Fuller, who has been a winner everywhere he’s ever been, to lead the Ragin’ Red. Fuller excitedly accepted the job, bringing his family to the City of Stars and injecting a shot of energy into the Bulldogs this summer.

To hear Fuller’s take on it, he’s a caretaker.

“Look, this program has competed on the highest level for years,” Fuller said. “I’m here to keep that going.”

He does inherit a team that lost its all-time leading passer (Dalton McElyea) to graduation, as well as a record-setting running back (Tray Epps), a Division I-quality corner and return specialist (Donovan Adkins), and maybe most importantly, almost every piece of the offensive line. And don’t forget, midyear last school year, the only head athletic trainer Kilgore High has ever had, the great Darrell “Red” Ganus, decided to retire to go into private business.

Fuller began building immediately. First off, he got help from Wood, who installed Jeff Davis to go with the incomparable LaTamera Fry to complete Kilgore’s training staff. Then, Fuller got a gift: almost every coach that was on Kilgore’s

staff elected to stay: offensive coordinator Jay Dean (now paired with T.J. Gillen-Hall as co-offensive coordinators), defensive coordinator Chad Loper, wide receivers coach Joey Pippen, Josh Lyons, James Darby, Colby Rosen, Robert Cooley, Eugene Lafitte and D.Q. Scott.

Fuller picked up two assistant coaches that he said have been invaluable so far: new special teams/kicking coach Hector Peralez, a KHS alumni, and Michael Wade, who had been the defensive coordinator at Arp. “Hector is a great, smart young man,” Fuller said. “He went to KHS, and he knows these kids. He understands the tradition here, the culture, and that’s a great thing.

He’s a really sharp coach.

He’s coached safeties at Pine Tree and he’s been really good with our kids.

“Coach Wade, coming in from Arp, and had a big role there: he was defensive coordinator. He’s coaching safeties. Was a really good player at Sam Houston State. He is a very good young coach, and we’re glad he’s here. He has done a fantastic job.”

Of all the places where Fuller has had to focus attention, the very most important might be that offensive line, given that the bulk of the players who stood tall in

It’s a new era for Kilgore football, but some things never change

K

Kilgore Head Football Coach Clint Fuller

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 3B

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

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Kilgore High School’s 2021 varsity football team (above), seeking to maintain the excellence established decades ago by coach James Cameron, taken to higher levels by coaches Mike Vallery and Mike Wood, and now into the new decade under first-year coach Clint Fuller. Kilgore opens the season Friday night at home against Nacogdoches.

those positions last season have graduated.

Fuller is going to lean on center Alex Cervantes to anchor that line.

“He’s our leader on the line,” Fuller said. “He’s a team captain. Elected by his teammates. He’s the most experienced lineman we have, and he’s had a really good camp so far, a great summer.

He is well-respected within this program, and does a great job. I look for Alex to have a great year. As I said, his teammates voted him captain. That’s probably all you need to know about the respect he gets.”

Fuller said the influx of talent from a very good junior varsity team is helping, and that another up-and-coming lineman fans can expect

to have a good year is senior McCabe Wheeler. “He’s our right guard,” Fuller said.

“He’s one of our bigger linemen. Between he and Cervantes, I believe we’ll have a pretty solid interior line.”

If filling out the line and replacing graduated players there is most important, then getting the signal-caller right has got to be right there. And the young man charged with that duty this year will be junior Da’Marion Van Zandt.

Van Zandt got some varsity experience as a sophomore last year, backing up McElyea and seeing some action on occasion. He’s got a big arm, and is soft-spoken. But he’s tough, and shows a poise in the quarterback’s position that’s not something that can be taught.

Van Zandt didn’t play in the scrimmage against Gilmer due to being banged up a little bit, a conscious decision by Fuller, the offensive coaches, and trainers.

“Van Zandt has been sore, and we just didn’t want it to turn into something more than a nagging injury,” Fuller admitted. “We’ve been cautious with him. He wants to practice, wants to play, but we’ve been holding the reins back on him a bit. At the end of the day, goal is to have him in there against Nacogdoches on Friday night.”

And it’s not like Van Zandt has had no varsity experience.

“There were some games where he was able to play.

He does have some experience on Friday night. I’m not super concerned about his

2021 KILGORE HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

PLACE

Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

Nacogdoches Hallsville Pine Tree + Gladewater Palestine * Open date Mabank * Chapel Hill * Henderson * Athens * Lindale *

Home Away Home Away Home

experience. He goes against a great defense every day. He’s got great composure. Not a lot will rattle him. He’s a very even-keel, and doesn’t get too high or too low.

That’s a good trait to have.

“He’s certainly got the physical tools. He’s got a strong arm, and can get the ball where it needs to be.

He doesn’t panic. He goes through progressions and delivers the ball where it needs to be. He is a leader on our team. He’s more of a quiet guy, but our guys have a lot of respect for him. He leads by example.”

At Kilgore, there’s always going to be talented running backs. Think of them over the years: E.D. Jackson, Ja’Mar Toombs, Briant Sand-

ers, Keith Gilliam, Frank Reddic, the late Ladarius Anthony, Kevrin Justice, Ja’Quorius Smith, and most recently Epps, just to name a few.

There are holes there this year, but don’t expect a huge drop-off.

“Early on, especially, it’ll kind of be running back by committee. We’ve got several guys who will see time there, guys like Omarion Smith, Davin Rider, who’s primarily a safety, but he’ll get touches.

Isaiah Ross has been solid, and had a good scrimmage, although he’s been banged up and I don’t know a timeline right now on his return.

Between those guys, we will have some people to step up.”

Receiver is a spot where the Bulldogs are deep, including

Jermaine Roney and Matthew Tyeskie, among others, but both of those guys had big years during Kilgore’s good run in 2020.

“Tyeskie has had a great summer, too,” Fuller said.

“He’s a leader on this team, another one voted captain by his teammates. He’s probably our most vocal leader. We expect him to have a great year.

He’s a state track meet guy, a big-moment player. We’ve had him playing in like three different positions: wide receiver, corner and safety.

We’re really excited to see him continue to grow and hopefully have a great year.”

This is yet another season that KHS won’t have to find a kicker. In fact, they may be solid there for time to come. “Kicker

®

Away Home Away Home Away

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KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 4B

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Photo by MITCH LUCAS

Kilgore’s Jermaine Roney (3) and Da’Marion Van Zandt (8) both decide they want the football. That could be a good problem to have, as the two upperclassmen, along with teammate and wide receiver Matthew Tyeskie (below), figure to lead the Ragin’ Red offense to even loftier heights in 2021. Kilgore went 10-4 a year ago, two wins away from an appearance in the UIL Class 4A Division I championship game.

is one of our deeper positions,” Fuller noted. “(Chris) Baldazo is back as our placekicker, and with Chris in place and Jose Jaime, our punter, we feel good about our kicking game.”

The strength of Kilgore’s 2021 season might be the defensive front, players like linebacker Chris Ervin, Peyton Christian, and the scary-good defensive end Alex Chavez.

“They’re just football players, man. They’re all really talented. We are so blessed with these guys,” Fuller said. “And man, they know how to work, how to play hard. They are anchors in our program. Chavez’s motor is just second to none.

In our scrimmage, there was a play where he chased down one of Gilmer’s better receivers.

A defensive end!

“What do you say about a Davin Rider? He’s been all-district last two years.

He’s got a nose for the football. When he gets there, he’s gonna deliver a blow.”

“Peyton (Christian) is a guy we expect will make a move to that next level this year. We see that developing in him.

Chris McGee is at our other end, and we look for good things from him, too.

“Then on the back end, you’ve got Dadrian Franklin at corner, and he has had a great summer, a really good corner.

Ervin is a two-sport athlete, a great baseball and football player. He’s so aware of everything going on on that field.

And he’s going to strike when he’s around the ball.”

Kilgore has a tough non-district schedule that starts with Nacogdoches here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium on Friday night. The Bulldogs go to Hallsville next week (Sept.

3), then host Pine Tree Sept.

10 for homecoming.

A trip to state-ranked Gladewater is set for Sept.

17, and then it’s the District 9-4A, Division I schedule, starting with a home game against a much-better Palestine program on Sept. 24.

The Bulldogs are off Oct. 1, and then make their longest road trip of the regular season, to Mabank, on Oct. 8. Chapel Hill visits R.E. St. John in a rematch of a barn-burner on Oct. 15. Kilgore and Henderson resume the Highway 259 Shootout on Oct. 22, in Henderson, and then Kilgore finishes the regular season with a home

game against Athens (Oct. 29) and a road trip to defending district champion Lindale (Nov. 5).

“There’s not an easy game on that schedule,” Fuller said, pointing out that even the Bulldogs’ scrimmages were against top-ranked Carthage and Gilmer. “This is East Texas football. Everyone’s got talent. Everybody’s well-coached.

“We’ve got nine guys on varsity that are sophomores.

Those two scrimmages and first two games, it’s going to be critical to gain experience and grow. The best way to improve and grow as a player is to play on Friday nights, under the gun. I firmly believe that. Our goal will be to establish an identity as a football team, by playing hard, physical football. I would kind of want to hit our stride and establish consistency by the time we get to Pine Tree.

“There’s no question we’re in for a tough schedule, and those first two games are going to be really important.

But I’m looking forward to it.

I’m excited. I believe we can be a good football team. And it’ll be fun getting there.”

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KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 5B

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

2021 KILGORE SUBVARSITY

Photo by JENNA LUCAS

The Kilgore High School freshmen football team for the 2021 season (above).

FOOTBALL SCHEDULES FRESHMEN / JV SCHEDULE

Photo by JENNA LUCAS

Kilgore High School’s 2021 junior varsity football team (above).

• • • •

08/26/2021 Nacogdoches (Away) 09/02/2021 Hallsville 09/09/2021 Pine Tree (Away) 09/16/2021 Gladewater 09/23/2021 Palestine (Away) 09/30/2021 Open 10/07/2021 Mabank 10/14/2021 Chapel Hill (Away) 10/21/2021 Henderson 10/28/2021 Athens (Away) 11/04/2021 Lindale • Denotes District Games

5:30, 7 5:30, 7:30 5, 6:30 5, 6:30 5, 6:30 — 5, 6:30 5, 6:30 5, 6:30 5, 6:30 5, 6:30

MIDDLE SCHOOL SCHEDULE

TCH LUCAS

ssmen, a year

Photo by MITCH LUCAS

Joining Kilgore High School head athletic trainer Jeff Davis (left) this season are Edgar Sanchez, Gunner Wilkerson, Brylan Winter, Devin Tidwell and Amanda Clark.

09/09/2021 Pine Tree 09/16/2021 Gladewater (Away) 09/23/2021 Palestine 09/30/2021 Open 10/07/2021 Mabank (Away) 10/14/2021 Chapel Hill 10/21/2021 Henderson (Away) 10/28/2021 Athens 11/04/2021 Lindale (Away)

6:45, 4:30, 4:30, — 4:30, 4:30, 4:30, 4:30, 4:30,

7:30 5:15, 6:45, 7:30 5:15, 6:45, 7:30 5:15, 5:15, 5:15, 5:15, 5:15,

6:45, 6:45, 6:45, 6:45, 6:45,

7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30 7:30

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Photos by MARVIN HILLHOUSE

Kilgore College head football coach Willie Gooden (below, center), himself a former Ranger, addresses his team following a win over Trinity Valley a few months ago, in a rare spring season because of COVID-19. The Rangers, winners of 25 games the last three seasons, bring back 40 players, welcome in a talented freshmen class, and plan to be a major player in the NJCAA’s national championship picture.

BLUE THUNDER Loaded Kilgore College has championship aspirations

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

The last few seasons — including one “spring” season that was the result of a global pandemic — have been very eventful for Kilgore College football.

The Rangers lost one of the winningest coaches in program history, coach J.J. Eckert, who went home to Oklahoma to coach his alma mater; constructed the Lane, with help from generous donations from former Ranger and current Philadelphia Eagle Lane Johnson, a state-ofthe-art weightlifting facility; hired a former walk-on and longtime KC assistant to be their new head coach, who has kept the program running in phenomenal fashion;

and saw the retirement of longtime former head football coach turned athletic director Jimmy Rieves.

Oh, and through it all: winners of 25 games in three seasons, as well as and two regular season Southwest Junior College Football Conference championships, a bowl game, and a trio of national top-10 finishes.

Still, it’s time to start again. And after going 7-1 and earning a number-six national ranking in a spring season that only concluded three months ago, the Kilgore College Rangers are ready and raring to go, so said head coach Willie Gooden at the conference’s media day.

“Can you believe it?,” Gooden asked his fellow

conference coaches, and the media members present. “It’s time to go. We’re playing football again.”

And he wasn’t being rhetorical. Gooden, a Houston native, loves the game. As mentioned, he was a walkon here, and was a part of the Rangers’ unbeaten 2001 team that not only won the conference title and had three wins over Tyler Junior College, but also has been recognized by many as the uncrowned national champions that year. The team even had a 20-year reunion over the summer.

Gooden, about to start his third season as KC head coach, brings an energy to the sidelines that’s almost like another player. And he’s

Kilgore College, through and through.

Gooden recently congratulated Cisco College for winning its very first SWJCFC championship, going undefeated in conference play and finishing third in the country, behind only Hutchinson (Kan.) and Snow (Utah). Cisco also dealt KC its only loss of that 2020 spring seaons.

“Just a very, very awesome job,” Gooden said. “Hat’s off to everyone out at Cisco College, all the players and the coaching staff.”

Gooden also took time to acknowledge KC’s new athletic director, Dr. Staci Martin, also the vice president of student services. “That is an awesome opportunity,” Gooden said, noting that he had known

Martin for many years. “I’m so glad to work for her. We’re going to do our best.”

The Rangers bring back every single coach from spring; there were no departures. Peter Hopkins returns as offensive coordinator and Jason Teague as defensive coordinator. Luke Alexander returns as offensive line coach, Tim Chura as linebackers coach, and Jerry “General” Grafton returns in charge of equipment. The athletic trainer is Danielle Schoenbacher, and there’s an addition: former trainer and now wide receivers coach Zac Newbell, a former Ranger himself, Gooden noted, in the 2014-16 seasons.

Gooden also noted that kids are enjoying playing at KC so much that…

“…Nobody wants to leave,” he said. “I’ve heard in the community that we were returning 25, 30. Well, we’re not. We’re actually returning about 40, and we’re glad to have them. They’re a bunch of guys in different positions, but as we all know, this year is a whole new team, and a whole new chemistry. When you’re talking about a whole new chemical makeup of a football team, your biggest obstacle will be seeing if our kids who once were role players can transition into front-line guys.

“So far, they look to be working pretty hard, look to be pretty hungry, and we’re looking forward to having a competitive season with these young men.”

Copycat, in a good way: NJCAA sets final four playoff

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally ran when the NJCAA made this decision earlier this summer.

At the end of the regular football season, if Kilgore College can be ranked in the NJCAA’s top four, the Rangers stand a great chance of playing for the national championship, after the organization’s leaders voted to adopt a new four-team playoff format earlier this week.

The NJCAA, the governing body of junior college and community college sports in the United States, announced Wednesday that they will implement a playoff system very similar to the one used by major college football, where at the end of the regular season, the No. 1-ranked team will face the fourth-ranked team, and the second-ranked team will face the third-ranked team.

The winners will meet in a nationally-televised national championship game at War

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Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark., that will likely air on the CBS Sports Network.

The top two teams will host that semifinal round in the new format, then the winners of those games go to Little Rock to play for it all.

The new plan will be in effect for this fall season.

Last season, which was played in spring due to COVID-19, Hutchinson (Kan.) faced Snow (Utah) in the national title game at War Memorial, with Hutch winning, 29-27. If the top-

P

four system had been in place, Hutch would have had to have played fourthranked Iowa Western first, while Snow would have had to face third-ranked Cisco.

Kilgore College, coached

by Willie Gooden, had been ranked in the top four the entire season until losing to Cisco late in the year.

Junior college football’s 2021 season will begin on time, in August. The Rangers will open the season Sept.

Photo courtesy of WMSTADIUM.COM

Like major college football, the NJCAA, the governing body of junior college athletics, has set up a final four playoff for junior college football. The championship game will be held at War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock, Ark. (above), and will be nationally-televised.

COPYCAT - Continued on 12B

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KC brings back nine starters on offense, six defensively, and one on special teams. As Gooden noted, there are so many, most of them impact players, that it would be unfair to try to name them all here, although a roster is available on the football site on the college’s website, kilgore.edu.

Some of the players that will be key cogs in the Rangers’ machine again this year: quarterback Malcolm Mays, running back Kennieth Lacy, formerly of Kilgore High School; offensive tackles Wallace Unamba and Rodquice Chaney; wide receiver Willie McCoy; defensive tackles Derrick Martin and Marcus Wiser; safety Tristan Driggers; linebacker Keith Harris; and last but certainly not least, NJCAA All-American Maurice Westmoreland, at defensive end.

“Very excited about Malcolm returning, and I’m looking forward to him pushing us over the top this year,” Gooden said. “Kennieth Lacy. The hometown hero. Nobody recruited him very hard, but I’m sure they would now. He’s a former NJCAA player of the week and second-team all-conference. We’re very excited about having Mr. Lacy back.

“Unamba and Chaney, part of a great offensive line. We thought Chaney was leaving, and he almost transferred on, but he is talented, and he wanted to come back and make a statement and show everyone he’s a top O-lineman in this conference.

“McCoy. He really didn’t have an explosive season out of the gate, but toward the end, he turned it on pretty good. Martin and Wiser are just a couple of short, stubby but disruptive D-linemen that can play. What can you say about All-American Maurice Westmoreland, a defensive end, that hasn’t already been said? We bring back safety Tristan Driggers, who made some big plays and actually somehow exceeded

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Quarterback Malcolm Mays (17) is one Ranger expected to do big things in 2021.

our expectations for him last year. This year, he may have even more responsibility on his shoulders. And then Keith Harris, from Georgia.

A playmaker, great build, like a Ninja Turtle.”

There are so many more, and Kilgore College football fans will be reacquainted with all of them in just a couple of days, as the Rangers open the season on the road at Rose Stadium in Tyler, in a non-conference game against longtime rival Tyler Junior College on Saturday, Sept. 4, a 7 p.m. kickoff.

The Rangers then come home for a couple of games to open the SWJCFC slate: a home game here at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium against Blinn on Saturday, Sept. 11, also a 7 p.m. start, and then a home game Sept.

18 against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, a 1 p.m. kickoff.

The following week, Kilgore College makes its longest road trip of the season, to Roswell, N.M., to face New Mexico Military Institute, who only joined the conference a few years ago.

That’s on Sept. 25, at 5 p.m.

KC comes home Oct. 2 to host Navarro (3 p.m.), and then heads out to Cisco for what might be the biggest

game in the conference in the season, a rematch from last year’s slugfest with the Cisco Wranglers. That’s Saturday, Oct. 9, a 3 p.m. kickoff.

The Rangers are open Oct. 16, and then on Oct. 23, there’s been an addition to the schedule: Snow College (Utah), who played in and lost the NJCAA national championship game to Hutchinson last year.

Snow and KC both had an open date, and Snow agreed to come to East Texas, a spectacular late non-conference matchup that might — might — be a national championship game preview.

KC hosts Trinity Valley for the Rangers’ hall of fame game between the rivals on Saturday, Oct. 30, with hall of fame inductees announced and honored at halftime (a banquet is held earlier that day). The regular season concludes with Tyler coming here for KC’s homecoming on Saturday, Nov. 6, a 3 p.m. start.

Defending conference champ Cisco College was named by both the media and conference coaches in preseason polls as the favorites to repeat as champions.

Behind Cisco, in order, in the media’s poll was

KC, Trinity Valley, New Mexico Military, Navarro, Tyler Junior College, Blinn and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M. In the coaches poll, Cisco was the favorite, with KC coming in second as well.

Kilgore College is the winningest junior college football program in the history of the state of Texas, and has a current record, prior to the 2021 season, of 531-299-14. That includes two national championships, that undefeated

Photo by MARVIN HILLHOUSE

2001 season, and 12 wins in 22 bowl appearances, the last in the Heart of Texas Bowl in Waco in fall, 2018, a 28-0 victory over Pima (Ariz.).

2021 KILGORE COLLEGE SCHEDULE DATE

PLACE

TIME

Sat., Sept. 4

at Tyler Junior College

7 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 11

at Blinn +

7 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 18

NE Oklahoma A&M *

7 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 25

at New Mexico Military *

5 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 2

Navarro *

3 p.m.

Thurs., Oct. 9

at Cisco *

3 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 16

Open date

Sat., Oct. 23

Snow College, Utah

Mon., Oct. 30 Mon., Nov. 6 + = Homecoming *=SWJCFC games #Hall of Fame Game

3 p.m.

Trinity Valley * # Tyler Junior College *

3 p.m.

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KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 8B

Wednesday, August 25, 2021 Photo courtesy of ASHLEY WILKINSON

The Leverett’s Chapel Lions have been very good at the UIL six-man level since restarting their football program in 2005, and while they are trying to nail down some starters, figure to be a strong contender for the District 10-1A, Division I championship.

HEAR THEM

ROAR

By MITCH LUCAS

mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

It’s been 16 seasons since Leverett’s Chapel re-instated its football program, re-organized in 2005 as a six-man program as a part of the University Interscholastic League’s smallschool showcase.

In over a decade and a half, including six years under current coach Andy Bates, the Lions have became a formidable opponent on the Eastern side of the state in a sport where it’s not out of the ordinary to travel three hours one-way to play a game.

Six-man football, with the 1A classification in Texas, is the Wild, Wild West of high school football: wide-open offenses and more difficult to make tackles, leading to sometimes hundreds of points a game; a 45-point mercy rule at halftime and thereafter; and kicks after touchdowns count for two points and what would be a two-point conversion in regular football only counts as one.

Welcome to Andy Bates’ world.

“It’s different,” Bates said with a laugh, in his awshucks manner last week, in an interview with the News Herald last week. “It seems like there’s a lot of changes, all the time.”

That’s for sure. For instance, the Lions were supposed to play Willow Bend to open the season on Friday,

but apparently Willow Bend shuttered not only its football program, but its school.

Now, LC will open the season at home on Sept. 3 against the Tyler H.E.A.T. — the Tyler Home Educated Athletic Team, featuring players who are home-schooled.

The H.E.A.T. has been a semi-regular opponent over the years. They have had some coaching changes.

It’ll be Fannindel next, a home game for LC on Sept.

10, and then a game Bates believes can help his team: a road trip to Christian Heritage in Longview on Sept. 17.

“They should be very good,” Bates said. “It’s been a while since we’ve played them, but they’ve got a good chance to win their district.

That’ll be a good test for us, to see where we are.”

The non-district schedule for the Lions rounds out with a home game against Trinidad on Sept. 24, which is LC’s homecoming game against a playoff team a year ago, and then a road game at Oakwood on Oct. 1.

Leverett’s Chapel re‑loads, guns for district championship The Lions open their District 10-1A, Division I schedule on Oct. 8, and it’s a doozy: Union Hill, a team that went 11-1 last year, four rounds deep into the postseason, and has won the district’s championship for the last few years.

This year, though, the Bulldogs have been hurt by graduation.

“We scrimmaged them last week,” Bates noted. “They’ve added a few more wrinkles.

They might not be as talented as they have been, but they still have a lot of speed and talent, and their coaches are good, and they’ll be ready.”

The Bulldogs will have a three-headed monster in the backfield of Jayke Bass, Logan Dunn and Ryan Brown, and Bass is a terror as a linebacker on the defensive side of the football.

LC will take its regularly-scheduled open date on Oct. 15, and then comes a game at Savoy on Oct. 22.

“The longest road trip of the season,” Bates said, “about three hours, one way.”

Savoy is in a unique situation because last year, due to COVID or whatever reason, Savoy didn’t play a season. It’s believed the Cardinals will go with a freshman, Keylyn Streetman, at quarterback.

LC’s last two games in the regular season have the Lions going to Fruitvale Oct. 29, and hosting Campbell in the regular season finale.

Beware of Campbell, Bates said.

“I’ve heard they’ve had a few kids move in,” he said.

“They could very well sneak up on some people.”

Campbell also has a new coach, Westley Prichard.

Bates is in his seventh year at LC, after years spent at Sabine as an assistant coach.

He’s joined on the sidelines

by Jason Brooks, also in his seventh year.

As many remember, Bates took the reins at LC when tragically, a former coach, Wes McWhorter, was named head coach of the Lions following the coaching retirement of Matt Everett.

But McWhorter was diagnosed with cancer, and sadly passed away before he could coach a game.

Bates was elevated by Leverett’s Chapel to head coach of the program, where he became very familiar with all the differences in regular 11man football and six-man.

The biggest difference is probably the travel. There are so few six-man programs, especially in East Texas, that it’s not rare to drive hours, as LC is with Savoy, one way for a regular season game.

A couple of seasons ago, a coastal team, High Island, was assigned to the district with LC and Union Hill.

LC faced High Island in Saturday games. “I’ve heard (High Island) went back to 11-man, strictly because of

the travel involved in sixman,” Bates said.

One thing Bates and the Lions will have in their favor is skill player De’marion Brown, the preseason pick for district offensive player of the year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine.

The Lions will have to replace their entire backfield (including spreadback, or quarterback), and Mikey Dennis, a senior, has the inside track on that job, Bates noted.

Others expected to contribute for the Lions include Brown’s brother, Quincy Brown, as well as Jonathan Perry.

“We haven’t been full strength yet (in practice),” Bates said. “We’ve had some kids out. Hopefully, we’ll have everybody get back next week.

After we do that, I think we’ll be ok. We are young, won’t have a lot of experience, but we’ve got some good games to help us get ready for district, and that’s our plan.”

Photo courtesy of AMY BATES

This impromptu celebration between Leverett’s Chapel head coach Andy Bates and young fan Allie Blear, whose brother, Dawson, was a player for Bates at the time of the picture, two seasons ago.

Bates and the Lions will open the season Sept. 3 at home against the Tyler H.E.A.T.

Crimson Tide at top, but contenders abound

By RALPH RUSSO The Associated Press

Alabama is No. 1 in The Associated Press Top 25 preseason poll for fourth time in the past six seasons.

Coming off its sixth national championship under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide enters the season loaded with potential replacements for the record-breakers and NFL draft picks who have moved on, including Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith.

Alabama received 47 of 63 first-place votes from the panel of sports writers and broadcasters in the poll presented

by Regions Bank. Oklahoma is No. 2, just ahead of No. 3 Clemson (each received six first-place votes).

Ohio State, which lost to the Tide in last season’s championship game, is No. 4 after receiving a first-place vote. Georgia received three first-place votes and rounds out the top five.

No. 1 ALABAMA Coach: Nick Saban, 15th season.

2020 finish: 13-0, national champion.

Top games: vs. No. 14 Miami, Sept. 4 in Atlanta; at No. 13 Florida, Sept. 18; at No. 6 Texas A&M, Oct. 9.

2020 finish: 9-2, No. 6.

Top games: vs. No. 21 Texas in Dallas, Oct. 9; vs.

No. 7 Iowa State, Nov. 20; at Oklahoma State, Nov. 27.

Potential All-Americans: QB Spencer Rattler; OLB Nik Bonitto.

Outlook: Rattler is Oklahoma’s latest Heisman contender at quarterback, and he’s surrounded by No. 2 OKLAHOMA Coach: Lincoln Riley, top-tier talent. Defensive coordinator Alex Grinch’s fifth season.

Potential All-Americans: LT Evan Neal; OLB Will Anderson.

Outlook: Alabama must replace six first-round draft picks, including Heisman Trophy-winning receiver DeVonta Smith. But coach Nick Saban is still around, so the roster is still loaded and the Crimson Tide remain the national title favorite.

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unit improved dramatically last season, and another jump could help the Sooners get past that semifinal hump and into the national title game.

CONTENDERS Continued on 12B

AP photo

LEVERETT’S CHAPEL LIONS SCHEDULE DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17

Open date Tyler H.E.A.T. Fannindel Christian Heritage

Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

Trinidad + Oakwood (7:30 p.m.)

Union Hill * Open date Savoy * Fruitvale * Campbell *

PLACE

(Longview 7:30 p.m.)

+ = Homecoming *=District 10-1A, Division I games All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

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Home Home Away Home Away Home Away Away Home

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 9B

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

GETTING THE

SWAGGER BACK

Overton’s Mustangs ready to run in 2021

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

Overton High School has a proud football tradition, and fourth-year coach Justin Arnold — himself a Mustang alumni — is ready to restore it.

The Mustangs sank to a 1-8 season last year, limping through much of it with low numbers, thanks in part to COVID-19, but also to injuries. Overton this season seeks its first playoff berth since the eight-win season back in 2016, and its first district championship since 2012.

It’ll be a tough start, because Overton won’t get a home game at Coach Chester Roy Stadium until week four. They open the season Friday night on the road at Quinlan Boles, then travel to Burkeville (Sept. 3) and to Simms-Bowie (Sept. 10).

“Those first three on the road, that’s a challenge,” said Arnold. “Hope to have a big crowd by the time we get home to play (Big Sandy) in week four.”

Bowie went 8-4 and got a second-round playoff win last year before being eliminated from the Class 2A playoffs. Boles went 2-5, and Burkeville, 3-7. It’s a threegame road trip, to be sure, but it’s not completely intimidating.

The Mustangs do finish their non-district schedule with their first home game of the season against Big Sandy on Sept. 17. “Big Sandy has all that tradition,” Arnold said. “They’ve also got a very good quarterback, and they’re physical. I believe they’ll be in the hunt for their district title.”

Then it’s the District 11-2A-Division II schedule, a six-game slate for Overton that starts with a Thursday night trip to Colmesneil (on

Sept. 23) and ends with a home game against Lovelady on Nov. 5.

One thing each of the district’s football programs have in common, Arnold said, is the coaching.

“Everybody’s solid,” he said. “I mean, everybody is solid, just really good coaches. You’ve always gotta say Tenaha and that rich tradition. You’ve got to think West Sabine has a chance to be very good. They’ve got a first-year coach, but they also have a quarterback coming back that’s athletic and will be a difference-maker.

Some people are counting out Cushing, but I think they’ll surprise people. And Colmesneil? They could be very good, too. This year, It’s wide open.”

Tenaha went 10-3 a year ago, and didn’t lose a single district game (6-0). West Sabine went 7-6, but that was somewhat deceptive: they went to the third round of the 2A playoffs. Lovelady went 7-5, but went 5-1 in the district. Cushing went

Photo by ASHTYN LUCAS

Men in green on a mission: The Overton High School Mustangs (above) were banged up and had to forfeit a game because of COVID-19 last year. This is a different year, and with a boosted confidence level thanks to some size and athleticism, coach Justin Arnold (below) aims for big improvement in his fourth season at his alma mater.

6-4 and lost in the first round of the postseason and Colmesneil went 5-5, just missing out on the playoffs.

Mount Enterprise and Overton each had one win.

A player to keep an eye on, that doesn’t play for Overton: Tenaha’s quarterback, Trinton Claiborne, who threw for over 2,500 yards and 25 touchdowns last year.

If Claiborne has another year like that, the Tigers have an excellent chance to repeat as district champs.

A team is only as good as its lines — on both sides of the football, that is — and it seems the Mustangs might have a good chance to be good there, in the trenches.

They’ll be led there, Arnold said, by an offensive line and defensive front that includes Landon Morgan, state lifting finalist Jordan Menard, 300-plus-pound sophomore Kadden Willilams, and even a talented freshmen, DeBraylon McDonald. Another to throw into the mix: senior Jamal Kendall, who will see time not only at defensive

end, but out of the backfield at running back.

Speaking of talented freshmen, Arnold is banking on one to lead the team on offense.

He’s handing the trigger to a freshman, Braxton Harper.

The season is just around the corner, but Arnold feels the optimism.

“In my four years,” he said, “this is the best first scrimmage we could have had. We were physical, got to football, and made things happen. Now, we did put a new system in on offense, and a few times, I thought we were one block away from a big play. But that’s the first time in a long time our kids have gotten out there, had confidence and got in some good work. We’ll hope that continues into the season.”

Joining Arnold on the sidelines as his assistant coaches

are Antoine Manning, the defensive coordinator, as well as former Leverett’s Chapel standout Hunter Hammontree, Les Rhea, Jakob Cunningham and Hunter Groom.

It’s the first year on the staff for both Manning and Groom.

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OVERTON MUSTANGS SCHEDULE DATE Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 23 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

OPPONENT Quinlan Boles (7:30 p.m.)

Burkeville Simms Bowie (7:30 p.m.)

Big Sandy (7:30 p.m.)

Colmesneil (HC) * West Sabine * Mount Enterprise * Cushing * OPEN DATE Tenaha * Lovelady *

PLACE Away Away Away Home Home Home Away

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2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 10B

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Photo courtesy of ASHLEY WILKINSON

Coach Nick Harrison’s West Rusk Raiders started off poorly in 2020, heated up and went on a nice playoff run. Harrison (below) and his team hope it can be even nicer this season, with a talent-loaded team.

HIGH EXPECTATIONS Abundance of talent, and lofty goals, at West Rusk

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

“High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.” – Charles Kettering, inventor of the electric starting motor, freon for air conditioning, and leaded gasoline.

It’s likely West Rusk coach Nick Harrison isn’t completely familiar with inventor Charles Kettering, but his memorable quote about expectations pretty well sums up what Harrison plans for the Raiders this season.

They didn’t get to play their season opener due to hurricane weather canceling it; they went 0-3 to start the season, including a third straight loss to Sabine, a two-touchdown-plus loss to Mineola and a rough 49-7 loss to state contender Malakoff; and a young roster that looked to Harrison to straighten things out.

And that’s exactly what the young coach did.

Harrison and the Raiders beat Troup, 43-20, beat Arp, 42-6, and suddenly were on a hot streak. That hot streak turned scorching, an eightgame win streak that brought them a 6-0 district record and championship and then two Class 3A Division II playoff wins: a 55-33 win over Chisum and a 52-28 beat-down of Hughes Springs.

In round three, the Raiders ran into an old enemy: Waskom, who pushed West Rusk around a bit in a 5614 loss at Hallsville.

“We give them credit,” Harrison said recently, at West Rusk’s media day, of Waskom.

“Coach (Whitney) Keeling runs a great program. We hope to get there one day.”

Harrison and his players believe that day might even be this year.

They finally get that game with East Chambers: that’ll be the opening week, this Thursday, at Jasper at 7:30.

After that, they get a rematch with Sabine at home at Bruce Bradshaw Stadium next Friday, Sept. 3.

Mineola comes to town Sept.

10, and West Rusk visits San Augustine Sept. 17.

They’ll open the District 9-3A, Division II schedule at home against Troup on Sept. 24, then start October with an open date (Oct. 1).

A short trip to Arp is set for Oct. 8, and then Winona is the Raiders’ homecoming opponent Oct. 15.

West Rusk finishes the regular season with games at Harmony (Oct. 22), at home against Grand Saline (Oct. 29) and then against Quitman, also at home on Nov. 5.

Harrison will come into each and every game with quite a bit of experience.

Photo by LES HASSELL

West Rusk quarterback Andon Mata (above, 13) throws a pass on the run in a playoff game against Waskom last season.

Big edge rusher Torami Dixon (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) is a standout, he of the 111 tackles, 22 for loss and six sacks last season.

Quarterback Andon Mata got invaluable experience last year and looks to have gotten even taller, an advantage for a QB. He already accounted for 20 touchdowns last year.

Linebacker Jeremiah Edwards, who led the team with a whopping 141 tackles last year, is back, as is fellow ‘backer Jimmie Harper. A host of talent to catch the ball — both on offense and in the defensive secondary

— returns in the forms of Omarion Anthony, Ty Harper, Carson Martin, Noah Murphy and others, and Mata will have a nice wall up front to provide pass blocking and open holes, with an offensive line that includes Kason Reed, Oscar Gonzalez, and Osvaldo Avendado, among others.

Kicker Alexis Magallanes is back, as well.

The district wasn’t that intimidating, apparently, for the Raiders last year, but with a year’s time, there are likely improvements there, as well. Quitman and Win-

ona went a combined 1-18, though, and Grand Saline went 3-7. Arp went a very un-Arp-like 2-7.

The playoff teams, in addition to West Rusk, were Harmony, Troup and Grand Saline.

It could be deceptive, but Troup looks on paper to be the Raiders’ strongest challenger in 9-3A. The Tigers have quarterback Trevor Padia, who had over 1,300 passing yards and 15 touchdowns last season to go with six rushing touchdowns, as well as running back / linebacker Kaden Mahoney, who had 136 tackles last year.

Joining Harrison on the sidelines this year will include offensive coordinator Rafe Mata, defensive coordinator Tyler Wilbanks, and head athletic trainer Alexis Amato.

Oh, Kettering did have one other memorable quote: ““It doesn’t matter if you try and try and try again, and fail. It does matter if you try and fail, and fail to try again.”

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West Rusk Raiders Schedule

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DATE

OPPONENT

Aug. 26

East Chambers at Jasper,

Away

Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5

Sabine Mineola San Augustine Troup * Open date Arp * Winona * + Harmony * Grand Saline * # Quitman *

Home Home Away Home Home Away Home Away Home Home

7 p.m.

PLACE

+ = Homecoming *= District 9-3A, Division II games All games are 7:30 p.m. unless noted

KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 11B

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Photo by MITCH LUCAS

The 2021 Sabine High School Cardinals (above), who aim for the 10‑win success they had in 2019, but maybe even loftier. Sabine missed the playoffs last season, but coach Rex Sharp (inset) brings back 17 seniors, including quarterback Jace Burns (below, 7, pictured in a recent scrimmage against Troup).

BACK ON THE RISE

Sabine’s Sharp believes Cardinals have winning formula

By MITCH LUCAS mlucas@kilgorenewsherald.com

COVID dealt everyone a bad hand last year, but it seemed that the 2020 Sabine High School football Cardinals were on the losing end out of the gate.

The Cardinals were off to a good start, winning their first game against a bigger Spring Hill team, and then beating what ended up as a fantastic West Rusk squad to go 2-0.

But playoff mainstay Daingerfield came calling in week three, and worse than that, Sabine lost its heartbeat — defensive lineman Brent Warren — to an injury. Warren had 147 tackles in 2019, and had 19 tackles in that single win over West Rusk.

But out of the lineup, Sabine struggled, and it snowballed. Before long, they were done, a three-win season after the Cardinals’ best-ever season in 2019.

“It was really, really a blow,” Sabine head coach Rex Sharp said. “Anytime you lose a player like Warren, it’s a blow, and we just didn’t recover.

We’re not making excuses. We don’t do that here. Warren was a heck of a player for us. You take a player like that out of any lineup, it’s going to make a difference. And it did.”

But it’s a new day, and Sharp, the 23rd head football coach in the Cardinals’ history, believes in his team, and believes the 2021 season will look a lot more like 2019, than 2020.

“We had a good scrimmage,” Sharp said. “We got after it.

We had a good night. We did some things really, really well, and were efficient on offense, and threw a shut-out on defense. We were pleased with the effort, for sure.”

That 2019 team had a returning starter in almost every position. The 2021 team almost shares that; Sabine has nine starters back on offense, and eight on defense.

Sharp and his coaching staff, which includes his son, former quarterback Connor Sharp, as well as former Kilgore High School standouts Nick Sanders and Patrick Colbert (as well as middle school coach Antonio Kelly), will be counting on that experience. The younger Sharp will serve as his father’s defensive coordinator.

“These seniors have had many years in the system now,” Sharp said. “They should be doing it right, should be efficient. We’ve got 17 seniors, and they do a good job leading us.”

Quarterback Jace Burns returns, as do so many more familiar names to Sabine football fans: linebacker/ running back Brannigan Willige, wide receiver/ defensive back Kile Stripland, and linebacker/ running back Daylon Branham, just to name a few.

Burns had 1,320 passing yards last year and almost had 2,000 total yards from scrimmage.

He’ll line up behind an experienced offensive line with a trio of rocks the opponents will have to budge:

center Mason Bradshaw, Taylor Wilson and Conner Hubbard, all seniors and all ready to go. The line has two pups, as Sharp called them, a pair of sophomores in Dawson Brooks and Stephen Calico, and the line as a unit averages around 250 pounds, Sharp said. “ There are bigger offensive lines, but we like ours, their athleticism and leadership,” he said.

Some of those will double as defensive linemen, which brings up another topic: a change of Sabine’s defensive philosophy.

The Cardinals have been running out of a 3-4: three defensive linemen and four linebackers, with the secondary, of course, in the back, four players.

This year, they’re shifting to a 4-3 (four linemen, three ‘backers). Sharp said that the Cardinals’ personnel this year is more of a fit with the 4-3 set-up than the 3-4.

Sabine will have 31 players on varsity, and that’s bolstered by a junior varsity squad that didn’t lose a single game last year. “And this year’s JV had a great scrimmage,” Sharp noted.

Of course, there is that schedule.

“It’s salty,” Sharp said, with a laugh. “West Rusk is always tough. We’ve managed to beat them three straight years. They’re a very talented football team. Daingerfield, it seems like they’re in the top 10 every year. You throw Gladewater in there — I think they’re ranked third in a preseason poll, then Tatum,

who’s fourth, and Atlanta is also ranked in the region.

“It’s Texas high school football, man. More to the point, it’s East Texas high school football. You’re going to have some very good teams, some well-coached teams, some loaded teams.

And I feel like we’re part of that. I think we have the potential to be a very good football team, I really do.”

The Cardinals will open the season Friday night at home at James Bamberg Stadium against Spring Hill.

Next week, they make the trek to New London to face West Rusk, and then head to Daingerfield on Sept. 10.

After that, it’s time for the District 6-3A, Division I schedule. They open that slate at home against DeKalb, which is also homecoming this season, on Sept. 17. They visit New Boston Sept. 24, and host Atlanta Oct. 1.

A trip to Jefferson is scheduled Oct. 8, and a home game against rival White Oak for Oct. 15. The Cardinals finally get an open date on Oct. 22, then finish the regular season with arguably their

two toughest opponents: at Gladewater on Oct. 29, and Tatum at home on Nov. 5.

Sabine football began in 1937, and Lonnie Fenton, with 60 wins, is the program’s winningest coach. J.T. “Red” Russell, though, who coached the Cardinals from 1948-1955, had two ninewin seasons. The only other

Rex Sharp

man to have a season with at least nine wins at Sabine?

That would be Rex Sharp, whose Cardinals in 2019 set the school record for the winningest season (10-2), and also beat Mount Vernon — led by former Baylor coach Art Briles — in a first-round playoff game. That Sabine squad lost to Pottsboro, an eventual state finalist.

Sharp’s team has their goals set high for this year.

“We feel like we’ve changed the culture,” Sharp said. “We now expect to win. With that said, yes, it’s going to be a tough road, a challenge. But we’re reloaded, we feel good about it, and we’ll need to play good football to win. That’s what we’re looking to do.”

pattersonkilgore.com Sabine Cardinals Schedule DATE Aug. 27 Sept. 3 Sept. 10 Sept. 17 Sept. 24 Oct. 1 Oct. 8 Oct. 15 Oct. 22 Oct. 29 Nov. 5 + = Homecoming

OPPONENT Spring Hill West Rusk Daingerfield DeKalb * + New Boston * Atlanta * Jefferson * White Oak * OPEN DATE Gladewater * Tatum *

PLACE Home Away Away Home Away Home Away Home Away Home

*= District 6-3A, Division I games All games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

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KILGORE NEWS HERALD F PAGE 12B

2021 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Wednesday, August 25, 2021

Copycat —from page 6B 4, at Rose Stadium against Tyler Junior College.

A story by Charles Chaney in the Butler County (Kan.) TimesGazette earlier this week talked about when the NJCAA began discussing a potential four-team playoff, or at least changes to the previous 1-vs-2 set-up.

The ball began rolling in favor of some sort of playoff, Chaney’s story said, at the 2019 NJCAA national championship game between Mississippi Gulf Coast and Lackawanna College.

The original 12-team proposal came up the night of the game.

Chaney quotes Jake Ripple, the athletic director at Dodge City (Kan.) Community College and the NJCAA football committee chair.

“I knew we weren’t getting 12 teams but you have to ask for it,” Ripple told Chaney. “If we don’t ask for enough, we’re not going to get anything.”

Discussions began, stalled, and then were revived this spring, where the playoff idea was eventually approved.

“We had come to an agreement that was going to be for the 2022 season and a

and passed to best support and serve the studentathletes competing.

“The NJCAA Football Committee has the studentathletes’ best interest at the forefront of every decision,” said Jake Ripple, NJCAA Football Committee Chair.

“I look forward to seeing the positive impact of newly created divisions and playoffs as our student-athletes experience competitive play like no other.”

The NJCAA Division III Football Championship will

be held at the College of DuPage, in Glen Ellyn, IL, where the Red Grange Bowl game has been hosted since 2016.

During the regular season, the NJCAA will recognize separate rankings for each division.

The top-15 teams in Division I will be recognized each week, while Division III will rank the top-5 teams. More information regarding each division’s championship will be released in the coming months.

few weeks later, Dr. [Christopher] Parker came to me and said ‘How would you like to do this in the fall?,’” Ripple said.

The NJCAA also announced the creation of Division I and Division III, addition of a Division III national championship, and separate division rankings.

Currently, NJCAA football is a non-divisional sport with over 40 participating teams across the association.

“Two divisions of football within the association

increases the availability of competition for our student-athletes while issuing fair matchups throughout the season,” stated Dr. Christopher Parker, NJCAA President and CEO. “The NJCAA prides itself in providing a premiere educational and athletic experience to our student-athletes in addition to an opportunity to play at the next level.”

The addition of Division I and Division III football was voted on at the June NJCAA Board of Regents meeting

No. 11 OREGON Coach: Mario Cristobal, fourth season.

2020 finish: 4-2, unranked.

Top games: at No. 4 Ohio State, Sept. 11; at No. 20 Washington, Nov. 6; at No. 24 Utah, Nov. 20.

Potential All-Americans: DE Kayvon Thibodeaux; CB Mykael Wright.

whether the Hoosiers will be a Outlook: Sarkisian plans legitimate Big Ten contender. to get the ball to Robinson a lot, and must decide beNo. 18 IOWA tween Casey Thompson and Coach: Kirk Ferentz, Hudson Card at quarter23rd season. back. Texas has some offen2020 finish: 6-2, No. 16. sive firepower, but getting Top games: vs. No. 17 In- over the 7- to 8-win ceiling diana, Sept. 4; at No. 7 Io- of much of the past decade wa State, Sept. 11; at No. 13 could be hard to do.

Wisconsin, Oct. 30.

Potential All-Americans: No. 22 COAS TAL C Tyler Linderbaum; DL CAROLINA No. 15 SOUTHERN Zach VanValkenburg.

Coach: Jamey Chadwell, Outlook: The Hawkeyes third season.

CALIFORNIA Coach: Clay Helton, can contend in the Big Ten 2020 finish: 11-1, No. 14.

West if QB Spencer Petras Top games: vs. Kansas, fifth season.

2020 finish: 5-1, No. 21. elevates his game. The back Sept. 10; at Buffalo, Sept.

Top games: vs. No. 24 end of the defense should be 18; at Appalachian State, Utah, Oct. 9; at No. 9 Notre solid, but there are big holes Oct. 20.

Dame, Oct. 23; vs. UCLA, to fill up front.

Potential All-Americans: Nov. 20.

TE Isaiah Likely; QB No. 19 PENN STATE Potential All-Americans: Grayson McCall.

WR Drake London; Coach: James Franklin, Outlook: The Chantieighth season.

P Ben Griffiths. cleers will try to prove they Outlook: The Trojans 2020 finish: 4-5, unranked. have staying power in the have a veteran roster led by Top games: at No. 12 Wis- Sun Belt Conference and on three-year starting QB Ke- consin, Sept. 4; vs. Auburn, the national scene. McCall don Slovis running a tal- Sept. 18; at Ohio State, Oct. 30. and Likely will keep the ofented offense. If the defense Potential All-Americans: fense going while last year’s comes together, USC should WR Jahan Dotson; DB top tackler — linebacker Sibe a strong contender for on- Jaquan Brisker. las Kelly — should anchor ly its second conference title Outlook: The hope is QB the defense.

Sean Clifford takes a leap since 2008. forward under new offensive No. 23 LOUISIANAcoordinator Mike Yurcich No. 16 LSU LAFAYETTE Coach: Ed Orgeron, and some big early season Coach: Billy Napier, games give the Nittany Li- fourth season. fifth season.

2020 finish: 5-5, unranked. ons a chance to quickly make 2020 finish: 10-1, No. 15.

Top games: vs. No. 13 2020 look like an anomaly Top games: at No. 21 Texas Florida, Oct. 16; at No. 1 and not a trend. , Sept. 4; vs. Appalachian St., Alabama, Nov. 6; vs. No. 6 Oct. 12; at Liberty, Nov. 20.

No. 20 WASHINGTON Texas A&M, Nov. 27.

Potential All-Americans: Potential All-Americans: Coach: Jimmy Lake, DB Bralen Trahan; OL CB Derek Stingley Jr.; WR second season.

O’Cyrus Torrence.

2020 finish: 3-1, unranked. Outlook: The Ragin’ CaKayshon Boutte.

Outlook: The Tigers have Top games: at Michigan, juns are coming off the best numerous players coming Sept. 11; vs. No. 11 Oregon, season in program history back on both sides of the Nov. 6; vs. No. 25 Arizona and the coach that has led ball to a team that closed State, Nov. 13. them to consecutive douits regular season on a two- Potential All-Americans: ble-digit win seasons hasn’t game winning streak. With LT Jaxson Kirkland; TE yet been lured away by a Powmore experience across the Cade Otten. er Five program. The Cajuns roster and some key chang- Outlook: Washington have 20 starters coming back, es made on the coaching seems poised to make a run at including QB Levi Lewis. staff, LSU is a dark horse in the Pac-12 North. The schedule is decidedly favorable the SEC West.

No. 24 UTAH getting Oregon and Arizona Coach: Kyle Whittingham, State at home, and avoiding 17th season.

No. 17 INDIANA Coach: Tom Allen, both USC and Utah. If the 2020 finish: 3-2, unfifth season.

Huskies find some threats in ranked.

2020 finish: 6-2, No. 12. the passing game, they could Top games: at No. 15 Top games: at No. 18 Iowa, be in for a special season.

USC, Oct. 9; vs. No. 25 Arizona State, Oct. 16; vs. No. 11 Oregon, Nov. 20.

Potential All-Americans: LB Devin Lloyd; OL Nick Ford.

Outlook: The Utes return their defense virtually intact from a year ago but have new faces at running back and quarterback. Still, Utah has enough depth, talent, and experience at multiple positions to seriously challenge for a Pac-12 title again.

No. 25 ARIZONA STATE Coach: Herm Edwards, Photo by RICARDO B. BRAZZIELL / Austin American-Statesman via AP fourth season.

Texas linebacker DeMarvion Overshown (0) from Arp 2020 finish: 2-2, unranked. runs down UTEP quarterback Gavin Hardison (12) Top games: at No. 24 during the first quarter of a game last season.

Utah, Oct. 16; vs. No. 15 Sept. 4; vs. No. 4 Ohio State, USC, Nov. 6; at No. 20 Oct. 23; at Michigan, Nov. 6.

No. 21 TEXAS Washington, Nov. 13.

Potential All-Americans: Coach: Steve Sarkisian, Potential All-Americans: CB Tiawan Mullen; WR first season.

RB Rachaad White; DE Ty Fryfogle.

2020 finish: 7-3, No. 19. Tyler Johnson.

Outlook: After producing Top games: vs. No. 23 Outlook: An NCAA inits best season in more than Louisiana, Sept. 4; vs. vestigation hangs over the 50 years, Indiana hopes to No. 2 Oklahoma, Oct. 9 Sun Devils as the season take another step forward. in Dallas; at No. 7 Iowa starts, but the team is talentQB Michael Penix Jr. (knee) is State, Nov. 6. ed and experienced, led by expected to be healthy for the Potential All-Americans: QB Jayden Daniels and a deseason opener at Iowa, a game RB Bijan Robinson; DT fense that returns 11 starters. that could help determine Keondre Coburn.

Contenders —from page 8B No. 3 CLEMSON Coach: Dabo Swinney, 13th season.

2020 finish: 10-2, No. 3.

Top games: vs. No. 5 Georgia, Sept. 4 at Charlotte, N.C.; vs. Florida State, Oct. 30; at South Carolina, Nov. 27.

Potential All-Americans: QB D.J. Uiagalelei; DT Bryan Bresee.

Outlook: Clemson must replace two NFL first-round draft picks in QB Trevor Lawrence and TB Travis Etienne. Uiagalelei shined in filling in for Trevor Lawrence when he missed two games with COVID-19 last year.

The defensive line could be the best in the nation.

No. 4 OHIO STATE Coach: Ryan Day, third season.

2020 finish: 7-1, No. 2.

Top games: vs. No. 11 Oregon, Sept. 11; at No. 19 Penn State, Oct. 30; at Michigan, Nov. 27.

Potential All-Americans: WR Chris Olave; OT Thayer Munford.

Outlook: The big story for the Buckeyes is which one of three inexperienced quarterbacks will take over for Justin Fields. Whether C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller III, or Kyle McCord wins the job, there is an experienced and talented supporting cast.

No. 5 GEORGIA Coach: Kirby Smart, sixth season.

2020 finish: 8-2, No. 7.

Top games: vs. No. 3 Clemson, Sept. 4, at Charlotte, North Carolina; at Auburn, Oct. 9; vs.

No. 13 Florida, Oct. 30, Jacksonville, Florida.

Potential All-Americans: DT Jordan Davis; QB JT Daniels.

Outlook: The offense was hurt by the loss of WR George Pickens to a knee injury in spring practice, but Zamir White leads a deep group of running backs.

Smart’s barrage of top-five recruiting classes means there are talented replacements for nine defensive players selected in the NFL draft.

Potential All-Americans: RB Breece Hall; LB Mike Rose.

Outlook: Ten starters are back on offense and nine on defense from the best team in program history. That makes a return to the Big 12 championship game the expectation and a spot in the College Football Playoff the hope.

AP photo

Texas A&M football coach Jimbo Fisher (above) led Florida State to a national championship a few years ago, and has the Aggies ranked sixth in the AP’s preseason poll.

No. 8 CINCINNATI Coach: Luke Fickell, fifth season.

2020 finish: 9-1, No. 8.

Top games: at No. 17 Indiana, Sept. 18; at No. 9 Notre Dame, Oct. 2; vs. SMU, Nov. 20.

Potential All-Americans: QB Desmond Ridder; CB Ahmad Gardner.

Outlook: Ridder is a dynamic playmaker and has the receivers to keep revving up the passing game. The Bearcats have a chance to make a splash in early road games at Notre Dame and Indiana that could force the CFP selection committee to take them seriously.

No. 9 NOTRE DAME Coach: Brian Kelly, 12th season.

2020 finish: 10-2; No. 5.

Top games: vs. No. 12 Wisconsin at Chicago, Sept.

25; vs. No. 8 Cincinnati, Oct. 2; vs. No. 15 USC, Oct. 23.

Potential All-Americans: RB Kyren Williams; S Kyle Hamilton.

Outlook: Wisconsin transfer Jack Coan steps in at quarterback behind a rebuilt offensive line, and new defensive coordinator Marcus FreeNo. 6 TEXAS A&M Coach: Jimbo Fisher, man takes over a defense that lost three NFL draft picks in fourth season. the front seven. Another play2020 finish: 9-1, No. 4.

Top games: vs. Colorado, off appearance will be tough.

Sept. 11 at Mile High Stadi10 N O RT H um; vs. No. 1 Alabama, Oct. No .

CAROLINA 9; at No. 14 LSU, Nov. 27.

Potential All-Americans: Coach: Mack Brown, RB Isaiah Spiller; DE third season in second stint at school.

DeMarvin Leal.

Outlook: The Aggies feel 2020 finish: 8-4, No. 18. like they have unfinished busi- Top games: at Virginia ness this season after being left Tech, Sept. 3; vs. No. 14 Miout of the College Football ami, Oct. 16; at No. 9 Notre Playoff last year. With a load- Dame, Oct. 30. ed defense and top talent re- Potential All-Americans: turning at running back, Texas QB Sam Howell; CB A&M aims to topple Alabama Tony Grimes. and contend for its first na- Outlook: The Tar Heels have a Heisman Trophy contional title since 1939. tender in Howell among 18 returning starters on offense and No. 7 IOWA STATE Coach: Matt Campbell, defense. The Tar Heels must replace two 1,000-yard rushers sixth season. and a 1,000-yard receiver — 2020 finish: 9-3, No. 9.

Top games: vs. No. 18 Iowa, all lost to the NFL draft — as Sept. 11; vs. No. 21 Texas, Nov. Howell’s top targets.

6; at No. 2 Oklahoma, Nov. 20.

Outlook: The Ducks are the clear favorite in the Pac12 North, but getting to the conference championship game will be a tough task with road tests at Washington and Utah.

The early showdown with Ohio State will tell a lot about Oregon and if the Pac-12 has a legitimate playoff contender.

No. 12 WISCONSIN Coach: Paul Chryst, seventh season.

2020 finish: 4-3; unranked.

Top games: vs. No. 19 Penn State, Sept. 4; vs. No. 9 Notre Dame at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sept. 25; vs. No. 18 Iowa, Oct. 30.

Potential All-Americans: TE Jake Ferguson; ILB Jack Sanborn.

Outlook: Injuries and a COVID-19 outbreak played a role in Wisconsin barely breaking .500 last season. The Badgers have the makings of an elite defense and are banking on QB Graham Mertz leading an offensive rebound.

No. 13 FLORIDA Coach: Dan Mullen, fourth season.

2020 finish: 8-4, No. 13.

Top games: vs. No. 1 Alabama, Sept. 18; at No. 16 LSU, Oct. 16; vs. No. 5 Georgia, Oct. 30.

Potential All-Americans: DE Zach Carter; CB Kaiir Elam.

Outlook: Mullen turns to dual-threat QB Emory Jones to replace Heisman Trophy finalist Kyle Trask. Coming off the worst defensive season in school history, the Gators have a chance to be considerably improved behind Carter and fellow linemen Gervon Dexter, Daquan Newkirk and Antonio Valentino.

No. 14 MIAMI Coach: Manny Diaz, third season.

2020 finish: 8-3, No. 22.

Top games: vs. No. 1 Alabama, Sept. 4; at No. 10 North Carolina, Oct. 16; at Florida State, Nov. 13.

Potential All-Americans: QB D’Eriq King; TE Will Mallory.

Outlook: The Hurricanes open in Atlanta against defending national champion Alabama and play at North Carolina in a game that should go a long way toward deciding the Atlantic Coast Conference’s Coastal Division. Having King back is enormous and if his surgically repaired knee is right, Miami can compete with anyone.