Fans, players, and even some coaches rejoiced on Realignment Day when word came down of the reunion of the old 17-3A which is now 19-3A. Gatesville and China Spring come back from their two year stint in Region I - District 8 and rejoin some familiar foes in Robinson, Lorena, Connally, and La Vega. Fans will again be treated to some heated rivalries like Gatesville-Lorena and of course LaVega-China Spring. On paper, there is no weak link in this district where it would be no surprise to see any of the six teams representing the three spots in 19-3A come playoff time.

Gatesville Hornets                                   

Head Coach: Kyle Cooper

2009 7-4 (DI Bi-District Finalist: Lost Burnet 38-7)

The Hornets are loaded with talent at the skill positions on both side of the ball. Jake Truss will look to better a remarkable 2,527 yard/ 26 TD performance from last year and will have plenty of weapons back to do so. RB Kevin Clarke ,WR Nardi Meyers, and sophomore WR Cole Edmiston  will give Truss plenty of options on offense. The strength of the defense is the back seven with LB’s Christain Santulan and Jon McConville and DB’s Dexter Knox and Jared Easley leading the charge. The key to the Hornets success will be in the trenches on both sides of the ball, especially replacing Jacob Hunter on the offensive side. An opening week matchup versus #2 Brownwood will let the Hornets know where they stand early.

Aug. 27             Brownwood                 Home

Sept. 3              Mexia                          Home

Sep. 10             Salado                         Away

Sep. 17             Glen Rose                    Home

Sep. 24             Burnet                         Away

Oct. 8               China Spring                 Away

Oct. 15             Lorena                         Home

Oct. 22             Connally                       Away

Oct. 29             La Vega                       Home

LaVega Pirates                                         

Head Coach: Willie Williams

 2009: 7-5 (DI Regional Semifinalist : Def. Athens 21-20 , Lost Gilmer 44-16)

After another solid year in which the Pirates won a playoff game before falling to eventual state champion Gilmer, LaVega appears ready to possibly drop off a tad. Stop me if you have heard this before. Coach Williams has only three starters back on offense and defense but there is just a sense that he will have his team right back in the mix for a district championship again. This senior-laden team will depend heavily on their main offensive weapon Devin McGowan and will have plenty of speed on the defensive side of the ball to keep them in every game. The Pirates will prepare themselves for 19-3A with possibly the toughest non-district schedule in the area with Prosper, Cameron, and Mexia among others.

Aug. 27             Prosper                        Home

Sep. 3               Cameron                      Away

Sep. 10             Marlin                          Home

Sep. 17             Mexia                           Away

Sep. 24             University                     Away

Oct. 8               Lorena                         Away

Oct. 15             Connally                       Home

Oct. 22             Robinson                      Away

Oct. 29             Gatesville                      Away

Nov. 5              China Spring                 Home

China Spring Cougars                              

 Head Coach: Mark Bell

Last year: 9-3 (DII Area Finalist : Def. Canyon Lake 31-20 , Lost Bridgeport 34-31)

The Cougars have been one of the most prolific passing teams in Central Texas the last decade with the likes of Shawn Bell, Brian Bell, and Dustin Eskew. That may change this year, however, as the Cougars will more than likely be relying a little more on the running game with RB Michael Armstrong , bruising FB Michael Martin, and a solid offensive line. Despite the loss of standout Kyal Meyers, the defense will be leaned on behind LB Dillion Dumas and DL Brandon Byers. 

Aug. 27             Mexia                           Away

Sep. 3               Glen Rose                     Home

Sep. 10             Liberty Hill                    Away

Sep. 17             McGregor                     Home

Sep. 24             Brownwood                  Away

Oct. 8               Gatesville                      Home

Oct. 15             Robinson                       Home

Oct. 22             Lorena                          Away

Oct. 29             Connally                        Home

Nov. 5              La Vega                         Away

Lorena Leopards                                      

Head Coach: Ray Biles

2009: 10-4 (DII Regional Finalist : Def. Brownsboro 30-14 , Def. Center 13-  10,     Def. Coldspring-Oakhurst 33-29, Lost Carthage 28-21)

Despite losing Centex Player of the Year Evan Ward, the Leopards still have enough talent on both sides of the ball to make another run in November. The Leopards defense, led by  FS Chandler Snodgrass, will be the strength of the team along with linebackers Colby Goodwin and Rhett Williams. Stepping in for Ward will be Kailin Ketcherside who proved last year he should be able to handle the load full time and what looks to be a little more wide open Lorena offense this year. Expect the Leopards to be in contention for a playoff spot come Week 10.

Aug. 27             West                        Waco ISD

Sep. 3               Grandview                Away

Sep. 10             Lampasas                 Home

Sep. 17             Kennedale                Away  

Sep. 24             Groesbeck                Home

Oct. 8                La Vega                    Home

Oct. 15             Gatesville                   Away  

Oct. 22             China Spring              Home 

Oct. 29             Robinson                   Home

Nov. 5              Connally                    Away

Connally Cadets                                       

 Head Coach: Mike Rabe

 Last year: 4-6

Coach Rabe brings new hope and enthusiasm from his success at Ganado and hopes to recharge a Connally program that has struggled the past two seasons. Although he does inherit a squad that went 4-6 last year, the Cadets finished 3-2 in district with a shot to make the playoffs in Week 10. He will have plenty of weapons to work with on both sides of the ball with Ricky Gates, Stanley Barnes, and Terrence Ratliff but will need to find a replacement on the line for Baylor signee Troy Baker.

Aug.27            Cameron                    Home

Sep.3              Marlin                        Away

Sep.10            Mexia                        Home

Sep.17            Caldwell                    Away

Oct.1              Alvarado                    Home

Oct.8              Robinson                   Away

Oct.15            LaVega                     Away

Oct.22            Gatesville                   Home

Oct.29            China Spring             Away

Nov.5             Lorena                      Home

Robinson Rockets                                    

Head Coach: Brian Lewis

2009 : 2-8

The Rockets suffered through a tough 2-8 season last year but will no doubt be a much better club in 2010. The strength of the team will be on the defensive side with seven starters back including the LB trio of Philip Hurtado, Jake Harwell, and Gage Bailey. Having a proven winner in Coach Lewis,  look for the Rockets to be more confident and possibly be in the mix for a playoff spot in 19-3A.

Aug.27            Alvarado                   Home

Sep.3              Groesbeck                Home

Sep.10            Lago Vista                Away

Sep.18            Poteet                      Georgetown  

Sep.24            Taylor                       Home

Oct.8              Connally                    Home

Oct.15            China Spring             Away

Oct.22            LaVega                     Home

Oct.29            Lorena                      Away

Nov.5            Gatesville                   Home