HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: PREVIEWING DISTRICT A-2

Coaches’ poll

1. Hobart (8-3)

2. Mangum (6-5)

3. Frederick (4-6)

4. Merritt (6-5)

5. Cordell (8-3)

6. Hollis (3-7)

7. Hinton (2-8)

8. Sayre (3-7)

*Last year’s record in parentheses

District favorite: Hobart

Hobart drops from Class 2A and immediately becomes the favorite to win the district thanks to having all of its skill players back. Last season, Hobart finished fourth in its Class 2A district, but that could serves as a valuable learning experience for this season.

Returning stars

Daniel Contreras, OL/DL, Frederick: Contreras, who is 6-feet-3 and 240 pounds, is a two-year starter on both sides of the ball. He’s also a key part up front for an experienced defense that returns seven starters. Alec Mienert, QB, Hobart:

A 6-3, 185-pound senior, Mienert is coming off a big junior season in which he threw for 1,416 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also has key weapons back in receiver Luke Hollister and running back Josh Molina.

Brett Perry, RB, Mangum:

With seven starters returning on each side, Perry is the playmaker. Last season, he accounted for 1,502 all-purpose yards — 477 rushing, 475 receiving and 477 return yards — as a junior.

Key game: Hobart at Mangum, Week 6

The district favorite meets one of Class A’s top offenses from last season, and it keeps a nice rivalry going. Last season, Hobart won the nondistrict matchup 54-27. Lots of points could be scored here in a key game that could ultimately decide the district championship. JACOB UNRUH, STAFF WRITER