District 3-5A DI
Azle
Fort Worth Boswell
Crowley
Fort Worth Arlington Heights
Fort Worth Brewer
Granbury
Fort Worth South Hills
Saginaw
Fort Worth Chisholm Trail
Veteran-Laden Teams Lead a Stacked 3-5A
In 3-5A Division I, it's hard to argue against the same outcome happening in 2019 that occurred in 2018, as far as playoff berths go. Last year, Azle, Crowley, Fort Worth Boswell and Fort Worth Brewer represented the district. With an average of 13 starters returning to each team, it's very likely the same four could make it back.
Azle, which enters the season ranked 8th in our 5A Top 10 rankings, brings back 13 starters from a year ago, including senior quarterback Drey Owen and senior running back Billy Copeland, the two of whom provided quite a dynamic duo last year. They combined for more than 1,900 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns. On the other side, the defensive front seven will be key to helping a young secondary find its footing in 2019.
Fort Worth Boswell, despite having its starting quarterback missing for a number of games last year, finished 6-2 in district and brings back 15 starters from a year ago. With Brayden Thomas hopefully back at quarterback all season, Boswell should challenge Azle for the district title this year. The swing game could once again come down to the matchup with Crowley, which was won by the Eagles 41-35 at home.
Speaking of Crowley, they also challenge Azle for the district crown after also going 6-2 in district last year and bringing back 17 starters from a year ago. Despite losing only five starters from last year, the defense will be without a couple graduated players that have gone on to FBS schools. Still, Crowley has talent at all three levels on defense and brings back 30 lettermen from last year.
Sliding of Fort Worth Arlington Heights into the fourth and final playoff spot isn't much of a jump, considering the team made the playoffs five straight years from 2013-17 and would have made it six straight had it not loss to Fort Worth Brewer by four to open district play. Arlington Heights brings back 13 starters and 30 lettermen from last year, including a trio of linebackers ready to improve upon last year. Bryce Long is back at running back after a 2018 campaign where he racked up more than 1,200 yards on the ground.
As mentioned at the top, all four teams could return to the playoffs from a year ago, but our forecast has Fort Worth Brewer just missing it because of the amount of talent returning to the teams above. Brewer only has 15 lettermen back with only seven starters remaining from the 2018 team. With a lot of turnover on both sides of the ball, it could take a while for those units to gel.
VYPE Preseason Awards
MVP: LB Ricky Firman, Azle
Offensive MVP: QB Drey Owen, Azle
Defensive MVP: LB Gannon Slovacek, Fort Worth Boswell
Breakout Player of the Year: QB Kevin Miller, Crowley
Sleeper Team: Granbury
