District A-3 season preview
Coaches’ poll
1. Crescent (14-1)
2. Minco (11-2)
3. Christian Heritage Academy (7-4)
4. Cashion (9-3)
5. Crossings Christian (5-6) (tie) Oklahoma Christian Academy (11-2)
7. Watonga (7-5)
8. Northeast (2-7)
9. Wellston (1-9)
*Last year’s record in parentheses
District favorite: Crescent Last year’s state runner-up gets the nod in the revamped district that is completely loaded. The Tigers return six starters on each side of the ball from a team that won 14 straight games last season. Three big, experienced offensive linemen return around star quarterback Hunter Bowers, too. But they still have key roles to fill, including replacing star running back Dylan Emery.
Returning stars
*Hunter Bowers, QB, Crescent:
A 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior, Bowers was electric last season for the Tigers until an ankle injury in the title game slowed him down. He passed for 2,250 yards and 24 touchdowns. He also rushed for 1,052 yards and 22 TDs. *Bridge Bullard, WR/DB, Christian Heritage: A four-year starter, Bullard has been a dynamic player with nearly 2,000 career receiving yards. Last season, he caught 63 passes for 833 yards and 18 TDs, while also grabbing three interceptions and recovering a fumble.
*Griffin Lamb, QB, Cashion:
The Wildcats produce good quarterbacks under coach Lynn Shackelford, and last year was no different for Lamb, the son of Lieutenant Governor Todd Lamb. He completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,250 yards, 31 TDs and just six interceptions in his first year under the system.
Big question: Who will survive the loaded district and who will be left out in November?
With the smaller classes being reclassified, this district may be the most challenging in the bottom three 11-man levels. Three 2017 district champions — Crescent, Minco and Watonga — join successful programs Cashion, CHA, Crossings Christian and OCA. But only four can make the playoffs. That means some good teams are going to be disappointed while the others feel fortunate to have survived.