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Cumby quarterback Cameron Scott was named preseason offensive MVP in District 9-2A Div. II and is expected to help lead the team to a playoff berth. The Trojans were picked to finish second in the district by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, currently on sale. File
High School
This is the third of three Texas Football previews for Hopkins County’s football teams. This week: the Cumby Trojans.
TROJANS PICKED 2ND IN 9-2A DIV. II
Last season, the Cumby Trojans got off to a rough start to their season. The team started the year 2-5, but there were signs of a turnaround.
Four of the five losses came against playoff teams, but one of the wins (Detroit) did, as well. After a loss to Muenster, however, the Trojans hit their stride, winning their next three games and outscoring their opponents 136-38, with 30 of those points allowed coming in one game against Era.
The Trojans lost to one of those playoff teams they’d played earlier in the year in the bidistrict round. Unfortunately, it was the one they’d beaten, as Detroit exacted a little revenge in a shootout.
Given the finish to last year, no one could blame Coach Tom Dracos and his squad if they felt like they had a little unfinished business this season.
Texas Football believes Cumby will get that opportunity, picking them to finish second in District 9-2A Division II. Muenster, which advanced to the regional finals last season, is picked to repeat as district champion. The Trojans are ranked ahead of Era and Tioga.
District 9-2A went through some changes in the offseason as Campbell dropped down to 1A (six-man), leaving 9-2A Div. II with only four teams, with all assured playoff spots.
Texas Football is high on Muenster, ranking them 10th in the preseason 2A Division II poll and predicting the Hornets will return to the regional finals before losing to Mart.
Last season, the Hornets lost to Mart in the regional final round.
East Texas teams ranked in the top 25 are Grapeland (5th) and Lovelady (16th).
Muenster linebacker Zach Sanders was named the preseason district defensive MVP while Texas Football believes the preseason offensive MVP will play a big role in Cumby’s season.
Trojan quarterback Cameron Scott (5’8, 170) received the preseason honor as Texas Football expects him to help guide Cumby to the playoffs.
“First team all-district quarterback Scott will lead the offense and has the opportunity to become Cumby’s all-time leading rusher and passer before his senior season ends,” the magazine states.
Scott’s strongest passing night came in the Trojans’ 50-30 win over Era when he threw for 348 yards and seven touchdowns. Scott also rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns against Trenton last season.
Scott is just one of eight offensive returners for the Trojans, and Texas Football believes receivers Max Wippler (6’1, 180) and Braden Porter (5’9, 155) and running back Jacob DeMidio will help lead the offense, with offensive lineman Elijah Pahcheka (6’1, 255) providing protection.
“Wippler (1,100 receiving yards) and Porter will be Scott’s top targets in the passing game while all-district lineman Pahcheka provides stability up front,” the magazine states. “DeMidio was named district newcomer of the year as a freshman last season.”
The Trojans also return eight starters on defense, led by linebackers Colby Lindsey (6’2, 190) and Keagan McCollum (5’10, 180) and defensive lineman Elijah Matthews (6’3, 310).
“Lindsey (107 tackles, 12 for loss) and McCollum plus Matthews will be leaders in Cumby’s 3-4 defensive system,” the magazine states.
Texas Football expects Cumby’s leadership to help shape the team – the Trojans go into 2019 with approximately 11 seniors.
“A large senior class has the Trojans looking formidable,” the magazine states.
Also listed as players to watch for the Trojans are receiver/safety Antonio Arellano, receiver/defensive back Justin DeMidio, lineman Jackson Hughes, center Jacob Groves, lineman Zain Strickland, defensive back Colton Lindsey and receiver/defensive backs Tyler Kirby and Fabian Camargo.
Cumby will hit the road for both scrimmages this year: Aug. 16 at Blue Ridge and Aug. 22 at Quinlan Boles.
The Trojans open the season Aug. 30 at Quitman and open their home schedule Sept. 6 against Celeste.
The game against Wolfe City Sept. 13 is Future Trojan Night while the Trojans take on Honey Grove Oct. 4 for Homecoming.
District play opens at home Oct. 11 against Muenster and the Trojans will travel to Waco Oct. 8 to take on Texas Wind Athletics, a homeschool athletic program.
The game against Texas Wind will kick off at 7 p.m. and will take the place of the Trojans’ game against Campbell.
All other games will kick off at 7:30 p.m.
POSSIBLE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS
In District 10-2A Div. II – Cumby and its district’s bidistrict round opponents – Clarksville was selected as the favorite to win the district title.
The Tigers are followed by Detroit, Mount Enterprise and James Bowie as the predicted playoff teams.
Maud is picked to finish fifth in the district, followed by Overton.