Editor’s Note: This is the second in a five-part series that will preview the area’s district races for the upcoming high school football season. Rankings are based on Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine’s pre-season forecast. The Rusk Eagles along with the rest of the teams in District 17-3A will be profiled Sunday. The Alto Yellowjackets and District 20-A will be spotlighted Tuesday. The series will conclude Wednesday with a glance at the Brook Hill Guard and the rest of the teams in TAPPS Division III, District 2.



By Jay Neal

sports@jacksonvilleprogress.com

BULLARD — After going 3-7 overall and 1-4 in district with standout Charlie Moore at quarterback and playing safety, the Bullard Panthers will try to improve that slate without Moore, who is now continuing his football career at Oklahoma State University of the Big XII Conference.

A tall order, indeed.

Moore is not the only one missing, as the Panthers return a scant 26 lettermen, which ranks lowest of all the teams in District 17-3A.

On the plus side, 14 of the 26 returning lettermen are starters and one of those starters is offensive-sparkplug Daniel Howard. The senior wide receiver caught 59 passes in 2008 for just over 900 yards and nine touchdowns. He also is a more-than-capable rusher, having tallied 408 yards on the ground and six touchdowns for head coach Jim Taylor’s Panthers.

Brandon Beavers, at 6-foot-4, also has proven to be a steady-handed receiver for Bullard and should see plenty of action this fall.

And while the quarterback situation will have to be resolved before the Panthers tee it up in the season opener against Palestine Westwood on Sept. 4, David French, Will Coleman and Jon Schmidt should provide nice protection along the offensive front line for whoever gets the nod to line up under center.

Look for the always-gritty Danny Vega to be a key piece in the Bullard defense in 2009 along with fellow linebacker Nick Rumbelow and cornerback Hunter Skelton.

David Diduch and Jeffery Marshall are expected to provide experience along the defensive line.



Gilmer Buckeyes

Simply stated, this team is without question the early favorite for another league title.

The Buckeyes are coming off a 12-2, 5-0 season, a season in which Gilmer advanced to the Class 3A, Division I quarterfinals.

Quarterback Darien Godforey (6-foot-1, 210 pounds) pilots the ship for head coach Jeff Traylor. Godforey keeps the college recruiters flocking to Gilmer to see a rare talent that has hurled 72 touchdown passes in the pass two years and has thrown for more than 4, 600 yards.

The Buckeye ground game features tailback Jeremy Jackson, who was a 1,000-yard rusher last year.

Other players to watch include offensive lineman Beau Blair (6-foot, 270 pounds), wide receiver Braylon Webb (6-foot-1, 190 pounds) and wide receiver Tristen Holt (5-foot-11, 180 pounds).



Tatum Eagles

After wining back-to-back state titles in 2005 and 2006 and playing for a third in 2007, Tatum had somewhat of an off year in 2008. The Eagles finished with a 5-6 overall record, 2-3 in the league. They were, however, a Class 3A, bidistrict finalist.

With 17 starters back and 44 lettermen returning this fall, look for the Eagles to regain their perch at or near the top of the district’s standings.

B.J. Allen is the offensive standout for Tatum, having picked up 1,200 yards in 2008 while scoring 20 touchdowns a year ago.

Jalen Overstreet is expected to get the call at quarterback for the Eagles, who are coached by Andy Evans.

Chris Kammer and Cameron Furlow return to anchor an offensive line that is touted to be stout.



Longview Spring Hill Panthers

Injuries and inexperience quelled any chance the Panthers had in 2008 as Spring Hill wrapped up the year at 3-7, 1-4 in loop affairs.

Things should be much better in north Longview this season with the return of 38 lettermen, 17 who started in 2008.

Leading the cast of holdovers is senior-signal caller Dylan Brown, who threw for nearly 1,300 yards last season.

Providing top-notch protection for Brown is offensive lineman Adrian Tarpley, who checks in at 6-foot-4, 280 pounds.



Tyler Chapel Hill Bulldogs

Former Jacksonville assistant coach Thomas Sitton takes over the Bulldog program after Phil Castle’s departure to become the head coach at Corsicana.

The ‘Dogs (9-2, 4-1 in district a year ago) have a wealth of experience — 45 players, in fact — returning with most of the talent on the defensive side of things.

Ke’Andre Goss (four pass interceptions a year ago) and defensive back Laramie Lee (two pics in ‘08) making passing a difficult thing to do for Bulldog opponents.



Gladewater Bears

Close, but no cigar best describes the Bears’ 6-4 finish, 2-3 inside the league, last year, as the Orange and Black just missed a playoff spot.

And although the Gladewater roster does have talent, the fact that only 10 starters return should make a postseason berth difficult once again this year.

Running back Corey Davis was the league’s Newcomer of the Year in ‘08 following a season that saw him rush for 979 yards and score 13 touchdowns.

Gladewater will look to Jamarick Armstrong (69 tackles in 2008) and Dequentas Smith (three interceptions in 2008) to hold things down defensively.