Concho Valley District Predictions: Who are the Favorites in Class 1A?

SAN ANGELO, TX-- Six-man football is as big a part of the sporting landscape in West Texas as the higher classifications.

Eight teams in the Concho Valley will take the 80-yard long field this fall with Bronte dropping from Class 2A to 1A Division I.

Here we will predict where each team will finish in their respective districts. Teams in bold are from the Concho Valley. Top two teams in each district earn playoff berths.

District 8-1A DI

1. Garden City Bearkats (2017: 10-3, Regional Finalist)*

2. Sterling City Eagles (2017: 6-5, Bi-District Finalist)*

3. Roscoe Highland Hornets (2017: 7-4, Bi-District Finalist)

4. Water Valley Wildcats (2017: 5-6, Bi-District Finalist)

5. Westbrook Wildcats (2017: 6-4, Missed Playoffs)

You’d be hard-pressed to find a tougher district in 1A Division I.

Garden City Head Coach Jeff Jones has a stacked team for 2018 with eight of the 12 starters from last year’s 10-3 showing back on the field. Look for linebacker Cesar Chavez to have another big year after recording 148 tackles and four interceptions an all-state year.

Sterling City is poised to challenge Garden City for the top spot and make a decent run in the playoffs, as well.

The Eagles have nine of their 12 starters back from their 6-5 season last year. Wyatt Sisco will be their lynchpin on both sides of the ball after tallying 500 receiving yards and 98 tackles last season.

Water Valley could be this district’s dark horse.

The Wildcats return eight of their 12 starters from last year’s undefeated championship team. None will be more important than running back/linebacker Max Bradley.

However, their old district, with Paint Rock, Santa Anna and Veribest, was not nearly as competitive as this one. So, it will be interesting to see how the Wildcats adjust in a stacked district like this.

District 13-1A DI

1. Veribest Falcons (2017: 6-5, Bi-District Finalist)*

2. Robert Lee Steers (2017: 4-6, Missed Playoffs)*

3. Eden Bulldogs (2017: 4-6, Missed Playoffs)

4. Bronte Longhorns (2017: 1-9, Missed Playoffs in 2A)

5. Paint Rock Indians (2017: 3-7, Missed Playoffs)

First things first, it would not be a surprise to see Bronte in the playoffs in 2018. But their transition to six-man football could be their biggest problem.

Jourmain Matta, a well-versed savant of six-man football, was hired on as the new head coach for the Longhorns after learning under Vance Jones at Balmorhea. Jones is known for bridging the gap between the six-man and 11-man versions of the game. With Bronte never playing six-man football before, that type of system could mean the Longhorns get their smooth transition.

The Veribest Falcons are the obvious favorites out of District 13 after coming just one win short of their first-ever district title. The Falcons return 10 of their 12 starters including arguably their biggest piece in quarterback Hayden Barnes. Warren is arguably the most athletic player for the Falcons and only showcased a fraction of his potential with just 450 yards and 10 touchdowns receiving. He is expected to have a big year.

Robert Lee struggled in district play last year, going 0-3. This year, a favorable district schedule and nine returning starters could see the Steers back in the playoffs for the first time since 2015.