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Hirschi an overwhelming favorite to win District 3-4A DII

jonathan hull, wichita falls times record news
·4 min read

DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II POLL

1. Hirschi 100 (10)

A perfect score. Not a single voter was willing to pick against the Huskies, and for good reason.

Hirschi enters the season ranked third in the state at the Class 4A Division II level. Only perennial state powerhouses Carthage and Gilmer are ranked ahead of the Huskies.

After giving Class 4A Division I state champion Stephenville all it could handle in the state semifinals last season, the Huskies have dropped to 4A ‘s smaller division with another deep run expected.

The Huskies do have a new head coach, but Lawrence Johnson is very familiar with the Hirschi program, serving as its defensive coordinator in 2019.

There is too much talent returning to pick to against the Huskies in this district, and perhaps even the region.

Springtown's Hudson Hulett is tackled by Hirschi's Javian Frazier on Friday, December 3, 2021 in Allen.
Springtown's Hudson Hulett is tackled by Hirschi's Javian Frazier on Friday, December 3, 2021 in Allen.

2. Midland Greenwood 74

There was genuine surprise when Hirschi and Greenwood were grouped together into the same district. But the Rangers may represent the Huskies’ biggest challenge in 3-4A DII.

Nobody in the district returns more lettermen, and the Rangers boast an impressive 30 back with varsity experience, including seven starters on each side.

The Rangers have made the postseason in eight straight seasons and seem to be a lock to make it nine.

3. Graham 64

Speaking of playoff streaks, the Steers have the longest such run in the Wichita Falls area, advancing to the postseason in 13 straight years. They will have to get 14 with a very young team, with just eight returning lettermen.

The Steers have one of the most respected programs in the region, though. And what Kenny Davidson and his staff have instilled there is invaluable when it comes to battling for district titles on a yearly basis.

Graham was voted third on eight of 10 ballots with two slotting them second.

4. Snyder 40

The final playoff spot in this poll came down to two proud West Texas programs. The Tigers lost 25 lettermen from last season’s 9-4 team that went three rounds deep in the playoffs.

But Snyder does have five starters returning on offense and four on defense. That’s more experience than rival Sweetwater can boast.

5. Sweetwater 22

The Mustangs are hitting a rebuild with 27 lost lettermen and just one starter back on offense and two on defense.

Sweetwater has a proud tradition and expectations are always high in the community regardless of what was lost the previous season. And tradition can make a difference on the field.

But will it be enough to get the Mustangs into the playoffs? This panel doesn’t think so.

DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II BREAKDOWN

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

A’Marion Peterson, RB, Hirschi – Peterson is the most highly recruited football player from Wichita Falls since JT Barrett thanks to an elite combination of size and speed. He rushed for 1,817 yards and 28 TDs last season and is currently committed to USC.

Jamarion Carroll, WR, Hirschi – Carroll has earned several Division I offers too, proving to be an elite receiver last season. He’ll be a higher priority for opposing defenses this season after catching 66 passes for 1,132 yards and 15 TDS (all Hirschi records) as a junior.

Hirschi's Jamarion Carroll makes a catch against Springtown on Friday, December 3, 2021 in Allen.
Hirschi's Jamarion Carroll makes a catch against Springtown on Friday, December 3, 2021 in Allen.

Jimmy Vazquez, LB, Greenwood – Vazquez is Greenwood’s defensive leader and key reason the Rangers believe they can hang with the Huskies in this new district.

Ty Thompson, QB, Graham – The Steers are going to be young, with several sophomores occupying key roles. Thompson is one of those sophomores, but at least got starting experience as a freshman.

Javian Frazier, DL, Hirschi – Frazier set the single-season sack record with 15 as a sophomore. It will be hard to duplicate that total with offenses paying more attention to him.

FIVE VITAL GAMES

Hirschi at Graham (Oct. 7) – It wasn’t long ago when Hirschi aspired to be a consistently relevant program like Graham. Here the Huskies are but winning in Graham is never easy.

Graham's Ty Thompson is tackled by Hirschi's Ahman Higgins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.
Graham's Ty Thompson is tackled by Hirschi's Ahman Higgins on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Memorial Stadium.

Graham at Snyder (Oct. 14) – Both teams are counting on several new faces to lead their teams and pick up a strong postseason seed.

Graham at Greenwood (Oct. 28) – This is viewed as a battle for second place. Greenwood needs the win to potentially set up a district title showdown with Hirschi.

Greenwood at Hirschi (Nov. 4) – If Greenwood can beat Graham, then it likely visits Wichita Falls with a district title within reach. But anyone beating Hirschi in this district would be considered a sizable upset.

Sweetwater at Snyder (Nov. 4) – This old West Texas rivalry has been played more than 80 times. It’s the proper way for each to end their season with a playoff spot likely on the line.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: District 3-4A Division II preseason football poll and preview