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Bucks predicted to finish 3rd by DCTF

Wed, 07/20/2022 - 12:00 am

The 2022 summer edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football predicts the Buckaroos to finish third in District 3-3A Division I.

When UIL announced its 2022-2023 football alignments earlier this year, the governing body over academic, athletic, music and spirit competitions placed the Buckaroos in District 3-3A Division I with Jim Ned, Iowa Park, Vernon, Clyde and Bowie.

DCTF predicted the Buckaroos to finish behind Jim Ned and Iowa Park. Vernon, Clyde and Bowie are predicted for fourth through sixth. This leaves the Bulldogs and Jackrabbits out of the playoffs.

The Preseason Offensive MVP, according to the publication, is running back CJ Miser, of Iowa Park. Miser will take over the running duties from Jaydon Southard who graduated in May. Miser and the Hawks, along with Vernon, dropped into the district from 2-4A Division II.

The Hawks finished their 2021 season with a 5-5 (3-1 district) record and a 23-16 loss to Van Alstyne in the bi-district playoff.

The Indians’ Gage Stanaland, a defensive lineman, is the publication’s Preseason Defensive MVP. Stanaland led the Indians last season with 14 tackles for loss. He had 59 total tackles during the season. Stanaland led the team with 7.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hurries. During a 35-12 home win over the Buckaroos Oct. 29, Stanaland had seven tackles, two for loss and two sacks. He added four quarterback hurries. According to Stanaland’s Twitter account, Stanaland has received college offers from Abilene Christian University, Louisiana Tech, Navy and New Mexico State.

The Indians’ 12-1 season came to an end in the regional semifinals after a 70-25 loss to Brock. The Eagles eventually lost 35-18 in the state championship game to Lorena.

Districts 3-3A Division I and 4-3A Division I will pair against each other when the bi-district playoff takes place. Based on DCTF’s predictions, the Buckaroos would play Whitesboro in the bi-district playoff. The Bearcats are predicted to finish second in 4-3A Division I, with linebacker Sterling Gartin picked as the Preseason Defensive MVP.

The first official day of practice is Monday, Aug. 1 for all 1A through 4A schools. The first week of practice is non-contact, with no contact equipment allowed except for helmets. The first day of full-contact practices is Saturday, Aug. 6.

The Buckaroos will host a watermelon scrimmage Saturday, Aug. 6 at Buckaroos Stadium. Beginning at 10 a.m., the Buckaroos will take part in an unofficial intrasquad scrimmage. Following a “watermelon scrimmage”, typically players, parents and coaches enjoy slices of watermelon.

The first official scrimmage of the season will be Thursday, Aug. 11 at Fort Worth Castleberry with a dual scrimmage against Castleberry and Gainesville. The following week, on Thursday, Aug. 18, the Buckaroos will host Mineral Wells for a scrimmage. Both scrimmages begin at 6:30 p.m.

The season will officially open Friday, Aug. 26 when the Buckaroos host Jacksboro at 7:30. The Buckaroos will follow with non-district games at Childress (Sept. 2, 7 p.m.), home against Cisco (Sept. 9, 7 p.m.), at Eastland (Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.) and a homecoming matchup at home against Benbrook (Sept. 23, 7 p.m.)

The team’s open date is Friday, Sept. 30.

The Buckaroos will open the district schedule Friday, Oct. 7 at Iowa Park (7 p.m.). The team will travel to Vernon Friday, Oct. 14 (7 p.m.) and host Jim Ned for their annual Pink Out game at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 21. Bowie will host the Buckaroos Friday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. The regular season will conclude with the annual senior night game when the Buckaroos host Clyde at 7 p.m. Nov. 4.