The Athens Hornets slide in right behind Carthage in District 8-4A Division 2, in Matt Stepp’s picks published on the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football site.
Stepp’s picks show the Carthage Bulldogs as laden with experience returning from their 2024 state champion. Meanwhile, Athens is expected to continue some of the forward momentum that marked their improvement from 3-7 to 6-5 and 8-3 over the past couple of years.
Stepp said Carthage has at least five FBS college prospects. Ten members of their offense return, including Coach Scott Surratt’s son, Jett, who piloted the team last year at quarterback.
Athens visits Carthage this season as well as the third place pick Center. The Roughriders are led by new coach, Nick Brown, who steps up after serving as offensive coordinator at Aubrey. Aubrey reached the regional semifinals last year before losing to eventual state champion Celina.
Aubrey replaces Ricky Meeks, the new coach at Henderson, who open at Athens, August 29.
The rest of 8-3A features a fight for the fourth playoff position. Rusk, Bullard and Brownsboro make up the trio of teams who fought it out last season. Brownsboro beat Bullard, Rusk beat Brownsboro and Bullard toppled Rusk. Bullard ended up in the playoffs due to tie-breakers.
“They can all make a case on paper,” wrote Stepp.
