Concho Valley District Predictions: Is This the Year Central Gets Over Metroplex Hill?

SAN ANGELO, TX-- All eyes are on Central this year after a perplexing move by the UIL shipped them east to the Metroplex with Abilene.

The UIL’s biennial realignment placed them in District 3-6A with Euless Trinity, Haltom City, Hurst L.D. Bell, North Richland Hills Richland and Weatherford.

Of those seven teams, just four made it to the playoffs last year. Richland was one of those four, but was in Class 5A a year ago.

It’s no secret that DFW is the current pinnacle when it comes to Texas high school football. Since 2000, there have been 46 Metroplex teams in the four state championship games across the two highest classifications.

Euless Trinity has helped build that fortress in the Metroplex with three state championships in that time.

While both Trinity and Central have proud traditions, the Trojans have been a blue blood in the playoffs in this millenium. The Trojans have posted an astounding record of 204-37 over the last 18 seasons.

That tradition has carried over into Chris Jensen’s tenure, with Trinity posting a 28-8 record over his three years.

Trinity also returns nine starters from their 2017 team who lost to Allen in the Regional Final. That should bode well for the Trojans in continuing that tradition.

Central is still growing to be that type of powerhouse. They are enjoying a great run of form with their five consecutive district championships in the “Little Southwest Conference” and five ten-win seasons.

In that five year span, Central has gone 3-5 against Metroplex teams in the playoffs with a couple of regular season wins over Byron Nelson.

However, to be the best, you have to beat the best. A win against Trinity and a district title will prove that Central is in fact a powerhouse.

District 3-6A

1. Trinity Trojans (2017: 11-3, Regional Finalist)*
2. Central Bobcats (2017: 11-1, Area Finalist)*
3. Abilene Eagles (2017: 3-7, Missed Playoffs)*
4. Richland Rebels (2017: 11-3, 5A Regional Finalist)*
5. L.D. Bell Blue Raiders (2017: 1-9, Missed Playoffs)
6. Haltom Buffaloes (2017: 6-5, Bi-District Finalist)
7. Weatherford Kangaroos (2017: 0-10, Missed Playoffs)

With most of their offense returning and the team’s growth through fall practice, it’s definitely not out of the realm of possibilities for the Bobcats to topple the giant.

It's also worth noting that Del Van Cox has an Abilene High team that should make playoffs this season. Abilene is much improved from last season and returns 11 starters from 2017. Seven of those starters are on the defensive side of the ball and the Eagles will use that to their advantage.