Local Football Preview 2023

It’s that time of year again.

One of my favorite times where the shrill noise of a whistle and echoes of voices from coaches ring off the surrounding pines which signals football season is upon us.

Atlanta Head Coach Tyler Morton is in year two and looks to build on the success the team had last year, Linden-Kildare Head Coach Jarrick Farmer hopes to do the same and Queen City Head Coach Eric Droddy has a solid lineup of players looking to bolt into the playoffs against one of the toughest district lineups in 3A-D2.

Atlanta – 6-3A DI

Atlanta saw success under first-year head coach Tyler Morton as the Rabbs finished the year 7-4 and made the playoffs.

Two of those losses were by eight points and two points. This year Dave Campell’s Texas Football staff has picked the Rabbits to finish first in district play and bounce deep into the playoff scene.

The Rabbs return 20 letterman which includes seven starters on offense and six starters on defense.

Players to watch are: Markeylin Batton, Dimoree Limbrick, Carmello Henderson, Peyton Harrison, Marquavion Owens, Jayden Riley, Jalarrion Andrews, Asher Wells, Ty Waldon, Marshawn Woodberry, Chris Hale, Kanya Simmons, Nate Hernandez, Landon Johnson, Jamarion Austin, Sye Stroman and Will Woodruff.

Per the schedule, the Rabbits open the season at Elysian Fields with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25.

The Rabbs host Redwater on Sept. 1, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff time, then travels to New Boston where kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on Sept. 8.

On Sept. 15, Atlanta hosts rival Liberty-Eylau and then travels to Brook Hill on Sept. 22. Both of those contests begin at 7:30 p.m.

After a BYE week, the Rabbs open district play by hosting Sabine on Oct. 6, then travels to Jefferson on Oct. 13, plays back-to-back home games against White Oak on Oct. 20 and Gladewater on Oct. 27, before finishing the schedule with an away game against Tatum on Nov. 3.

All district games are scheduled at 7 p.m. *** The Atlanta Education Foundation will have its annual event Sept. 15, Homecoming is Oct. 6, Atlanta’s Athletics Hall of Fame will induct three more members into the coveted hall on Oct. 20, and Senior Night is on Oct. 27. ***

Queen City – 11-3A D II

Queen City returns a solid corps of players which includes 21 returning lettermen, six offensive starters and seven defensive starters.

Players to watch are: Delvon Federick, Daniel Jones, Clint Wiley, Ke’Idie Harrison, Rylee Green, Mason Stringer, Hunter Parker, Messiah Grundy, D.J. Henson, Jason Joffray, Brayden Wiley and Daketrick Smith.

The Bulldogs are in one of the toughest districts in 3A DII. Harmony made it to the state semifinals, Daingerfield made it to the regional semifinals, Waskom made it to area and Hughes Springs made it to the bi-district round.

Elysian Fields wasn’t shabby and New Diana had some grit.

Waskom is in the second year of a new coach and lost a lot of kids to graduation, Hughes Springs will be in the midst of finding its identity with a new coaching staff for the first time in two decades, New Diana returns the house with two good running backs, Elysian Fields will be young again and of course both Harmony and Daingerfield are loaded for deep playoff runs.

QC will have Clint Wiley under center for the third consecutive season and Federick is explosive coming out of the backfield.

The Bulldogs kickoff the regular season with an away game against Rivercrest at 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, hosts New Boston at 7 p.m. on Sept. 1, plays Como- Pickton at 7:30 p.m. in Winnsboro on Sept. 8, and hosts Clarksville on Sept. 15, with that contest beginning at 7:30 p.m.

District play begins the very next week on Sept. 22, as the Bulldogs host Elysian Fields with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

After a BYE week, the Bulldogs travel to Waskom on Oct. 6, hosts Harmony on Oct. 13, travels to Daingerfield on Oct. 20, hosts Hughes Springs on Oct. 27, and finishes up its schedule with an away game against New Diana on Nov. 3.

All district games are scheduled for 7 p.m. kickoffs. *** Each home game brings excitement to Smith-Wall Stadium and those in attendance. On Sept.1, the Little Bulldogs will be honored, Homecoming is Sept. 15, Military Appreciation is Sept. 22, Breast Cancer Awareness is Oct. 13, and Senior Night is Oct. 27. ***

Linden-Kildare – 9-2A DII

Linden-Kildare made the playoffs last season under first-year head coach Jarrick Farmer and are picked by Dave Campell’s Texas Football staff to make it back to the playoffs this season.

The Tigers return 10 starters combined on both sides of the ball.

Players to watch are: JaCorey Birmingham, Charlie Kirkland, Max Belford, Omar Ruiz, Jon George, Logan Grandmaison, Hayden Helm, Ethan Churchman, Hugh Tyson and Jared Humphrey.

Watch your schedules closely this year as the Tigers play ball on Thursdays, Fridays and one Saturday, and some of the starting times are different as well.

Linden-Kildare’s regular season starts with backto- back away games against Ore City on Aug. 25, and Alba-Golden on Aug. 31. The Ore City game begins at 7:30 p.m., and the Thursday night Alba-Golden game starts at 7 p.m.

On Sept. 8, and Sept. 14, the Tigers host both Big Sandy and Union Grove respectively with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. against Big Sandy and at 7 p.m. against Union Grove on a Thursday night.

On Saturday, Sept. 23, L-K travels to Overton with that game slated for 6 p.m.

After a BYE week, the Tigers celebrate Homecoming as they host Clarksville to open district play on Oct. 6, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.

Then L-K hosts Simms on Oct. 12, at 7 p.m., travels to Cumby on Oct. 20, hosts Detroit for Senior Night on Oct. 27, and finishes up the regular schedule on Nov. 3, as they travel to Maud.

The games against Cumby, Detroit and Maud all kick off at 7:30 p.m.