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The Como-Pickton defense, shown during last year’s scrimmage against Winnsboro, will look to keep teams out of the end zone this season. The Eagles were picked to finish fourth in District 6-2A Div. I by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, currently on sale. File photo
High School
This is the second of three Texas Football previews for Hopkins County’s football team. This week: the Como-Pickton Eagles.
EAGLES PREDICTED TO FINISH 4TH
It was the end of an era in Como-Pickton as longtime coach Charles Swann announced his retirement in May after 41 years of coaching in East Texas.
The Eagles will have a new leader of the convocation as former Cooper head coach Ronnie Green takes over, looking to get C-P back into the playoffs and to a place the team has never been – the area round.
The first year of the Green era for the blue and white is anticipated to extend past the regular season as Texas Football picked the Eagles to reach the playoffs.
Como-Pickton was predicted to finish fourth by the magazine in District 6-2A Div. I behind Wolfe City, Rivercrest and Honey Grove and ahead of Quinlan Boles.
Athlete Devon Womack of Rivercrest was selected as the preseason offensive MVP while defensive end Mo Russell of Wolfe City was selected preseason defensive MVP.
Texas Football was high on the Wolves this season, as Wolfe City checks in at 24th in the Class 2A Div. I standings.
A number of East Texas teams are also part of the Division I standings. San Augustine is fifth overall, Garrison comes in at eighth, Tenaha is ranked ninth, Carlisle is 16th, Alto comes in at 17th, Joaquin is 18th and Centerville is ranked 20th.
C-P returns a total of 10 starters – 4 on offense and 6 on defense, tied for the fewest returning starters in the district with Wolfe City.
Graduation hit the Eagles hard as the team lost 18 letterman from last season’s 3-6 (1-3) team.
Texas Football predicts that Como-Pickton will lean on its returners, including running back/defensive backs Cameron Wilburn (5’10, 180), Cameron Ray (6’1,
180) and Jackson Monk and running back/ linebacker Jhonatan Mejia to pace the team on both sides of the ball.
Texas Football also highlights incoming sophomore quarterback Kade Kaslon.
“The Eagles look to sophomore quarterback Kaslon to lead the ground attack, with two-way players Wilburn, Ray, Monk and Mejia all capable of putting up big numbers,” the magazine states.
Also listed as a player to watch for the Eagles is offensive lineman/linebacker Bruno Estrada.
Last season, the Eagles split their first two games – a loss to Grand Saline in the opener, followed by a forfeit win over Whitewright. Como-Pickton then picked up a shutout victory against Overton, followed by a loss to Hawkins.
The Eagles then defeated Trenton and won its district opener against Boles before losing its final four games to Honey Grove, Rivercrest, Wolfe City and in the bi-district round against Collinsville.
Como-Pickton will have their first scrimmage Aug. 16 at home against Winnsboro before taking part in a triscrimmage Aug. 22 against Quitman and Chisum. The team will open its season on the road at Grand Saline Aug. 30.
The Eagles’ first game at Ron Heflin Field will be Sept. 13 against Whitewright. The team’s opening district game is Oct. 11 at Quinlan Boles and C-P’s bye week is Oct. 18.
POSSIBLE PLAYOFF OPPONENTS
In District 5-2A Div. I – the district Como-Pickton and its district would face in the bidistrict round – Collinsville is predicted to repeat as district champions. The Pirates are followed by Valley View, Celeste and Tom Bean.
Trenton is predicted to be the odd team out in the five-team district.