The kings of 2A football in 1998 were
Omaha Paul Pewitt and Celina. Both teams
look poised to defend their titles, but
the usual challengers are eager to
dethrone the reigning champions.
Omaha Pewitt turned a 2-3 start in 1998
into a state title for coach Ronald
Bickham. Sixteen starters return,
including three all-state performers:
quarterback/linebacker Jimmy Wilkerson,
running back Kenny Boyd, and tight
end/linebacker Hercules Tarver.
Celina went 14-2 on its way to the 2A
Division II state championship. A loss
to Pilot Point, however, kept Celina
from winning its district title, and
this season's 11-2A race figures to boil
down to those two again. Celina is led
by fullback/defensive back Jeremiah
Ramer and all-state middle linebacker
Clay Evans. Pilot Point will look to
offensive lineman Clay Fuller and tight
end Rick Gershon.
Boyd, which fell to Omaha Pewitt, 38-32,
in the 1998 state quarterfinals, will be
strong again. Coach J.G. Cartwright will
welcome 13 returning starters in his
23rd season as Boyd coach. Wide receiver
Brandon Autry is the state's leading
returning receiver with 72 receptions
for 1,281 yards in 1998.
Howe looks to repeat as champions in
12-2A with quarterback/defensive back
Cody Zettler returning after an
honorable-mention all-state season as a
junior. Heath Horton will move to
running back from wide receiver.
Grand Saline and Farmersville should
battle for the 13-2A title as they did
in 1998. Grand Saline features 16
returning starters, including
quarterback Zach Elliot and running
back/defensive back George Fabian.
Farmersville returns 14 starters for
second-year coach Phil Blue, including
junior quarterback Josh Howard, who
threw for 1,569 yards and 18 touchdowns
as a sophomore.
In 16-2A, Italy returns 13 starters from
its 1998 state quarterfinal team.
Quarterback/defensive back DeJuan Davis
and offensive lineman Nick Valdez (6-3,
315) will pose a serious threat on the
ground.
In Region III, Mart returns 18 starters
from last year's 13-1 state semifinalist
team. Running back/linebacker John
Garrett is among the area's most
recruited players. Twins Quan and Quincy
Cosby were first-team all-district
performers in 1998.
Lone Oak and Gunter could be the
surprise teams in 1999. Lone Oak returns
18 starters, including junior running
back Justin Miller, who rushed for more
than 1,200 yards last season. Gunter
returns 16 starters, including all-state
running back/defensive back Eric Pecina.
Tolar should be among the area's best
Class A teams. Coach Bob Wager will
welcome back 16 starters from 1998's 8-3
team, which lost in the bi-district
round of the playoffs.
Celeste will feature one of the most
heralded players in the state as running
back/defensive back Jamaica Rector
begins his senior season. Rector has
earned Class A all-state honors since
his freshman year. He won the long jump
at the 1998 UIL state meet.
Fullback/linebacker Tyler Malmgren and
offensive/defensive lineman Edward
Lipsey will help Celeste battle for the
19-A title.
Alvord hopes to get in on the 10-A title
chase. Running back Bradley Hartfield
and defensive back Dusty Matthews are
among eight returning starters.
TEAMS
Place, schoolDist. Coach1998 records
Returning starters
Boyd 10-2A J.G. Cartwright 11-2, 5-0,
6 off., 8 def.
Celina 11-2A G.A. Moore 14-2, 4-1,
6 off., 5 def.
Farmersville 13-2A Phil Blue 8-3, 6-1,
7 off., 7 def.
Grand Saline 13-2A Carter Elliott 11-2,
7-0, 8 off., 8 def.
Gunter 11-2A Hart Jeanis 5-4, 2-3,
8 off., 8 def.
Holliday 9-2A Matt Robinson 10-1, 5-0,
1 off., 1 def.
Howe 12-2A Davy DuBose 10-2, 7-0,
6 off., 5 def.
Italy 16-2A Scott Smithey 12-2, 5-0,
6 off., 7 def.
Lone Oak 13-2A Brad Turner 7-4, 5-2, 10
off., 8 def.
Mart 23-2A Terry Cron 13-1, 7-0, 9 off.,
9
def.
Omaha Paul Pewitt 14-2A Ronald Bickham
12-3, 5-0, 8 off., 8 def.
Pilot Point 11-2A Jerry Jones 9-1, 5-0,
7 off., 4 def.
