District 2-5A Forecast

Superlatives

Best Back: Derrick Teegarden, Odessa High. Returns for his senior season after ripping 2-5A defenses through the air for 2,224 yards and 24 touchdowns en route to the district’s offensive most valuable player honor.
Best Lineman: Austin O’Connell, Odessa Permian. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound center continues Mojo tradition of standout offensive linemen.
Best Defender: Jordan Vestal, Lubbock Monterey. The feisty defensive back made 79 tackles and picked off seven passes last year.
Top Game: Midland Lee at Amarillo High. Oct. 30 will be a treat the night before Halloween with the winner likely securing a playoff berth.

DISTRICT 2-5A PREDICTIONS

1. Odessa High: What? Yeah, the “other” Odessa team features a knockout one-two offensive punch of Teegarden and RB Marquez.
2. Odessa Permian: Gary Gaines returns to Mojo Land. And it’s the same old story. The playoffs.
3. Midland High: With starting QB Jack Bolger returning with five starts under his belt, the Bulldogs have the bite to be among the top three in this brutal district.
4. Amarillo High: Enough defense to survive this nine-game trek to the district and save face for the “north” schools.
5. Midland Lee: Coach James Morton made the move from Monterey, and this team will be a year away from making a run at the title.
6. Tascosa: QB Dalton Brooks and new coach Ken Plunk may be the catalysts for the Rebels to squeeze into the playoffs with upsets.
7. Lubbock Monterey: Longtime Monterey assistant Todd Pearson takes over with nine starters returning.
8. Lubbock Coronado: Coach Butch Henderson has four starters back, and that’s not quite the experience needed for a playoff run.
9. Lubbock High: Angel Armendariz returns at QB, and that’s good news for the Westerners.
10. San Angelo Central: Brent Davis takes over as coach. But the Bobcats didn’t win a game last year and will have another year to rebuild.