The new AVCTL Division III has two new teams with two distinct tiers. Here is how I think they will finish.
1. Rose Hill
Rose Hill moves up to Division III after spending a few years in Division IV with 4A giant Andale. The Rockets become the immediate favorite to win the Division III title based on two things. First, the Rockets have Texas Christian commit Brady Foltz and his 6-4, 285-pound frame and Brandon Walther and his 6-2, 270-pound body on the line. Second, Laque Mayes and his 2,000-plus yards of rushing are back for a senior season. Rose Hill opens with Buhler and the Crusaders will get a taste of their own medicine in week one. Last season Jorden Oden ran wild for Buhler, but this year it is going to be Mayes that is the story of Division III. The defense lost some players, but Jared Vaughan and his 75 tackles are back in the secondary. Rose Hill’s matchup at Andale in week three will be a clash of two of the prohibitive 4A champions.
2. Mulvane
Mulvane trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard last season, but scoring was no issue. The Wildcats have the luxury of Gus Strunk back to quarterback the shotgun offense. Strunk threw for 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns last season. Mulvane only has four offensive starters returning, but the most important position is solid and that makes it a solid football team. Head coach Dave Fennewald is altering the defense and that should help the Wildcats keep teams off the scoreboard.
3. Buhler
Buhler has been very good over the last few years, but the loss of running back Jorden Oden and quarterback Jake Reffner leave question marks for the Crusaders. It will not be easy replacing Oden’s 213 yards per game output. Buhler got a glimpse of what life would be like without Oden after he was knocked out for the team’s playoff game against Topeka Hayden. The eventual champion Wildcats beat Buhler by two touchdowns. Roman Davidson, Buhler’s leading tackler, is also gone. The Crusaders will not have enough firepower to compete with the top of 4A, but a 6-3 season and a trip to the playoffs are well within the grasp of Buhler.
4. Augusta
Roger Robben takes over for longtime Augusta head coach Steve Pazzie, and he has his work cut out for him. Augusta is only 5-23 over the last three seasons, but Robben has a wealth of experience returning as last season’s 2-8 team returns 18 total starters. Robben has won before at Goddard, and winning in Division III of the AVCTL should prove to be easier than winning in Division I. The Orioles will not be great this season, but the team’s overall experience should be enough to keep it out of the basement.
5. Winfield
Winfield moves from a primarily 5A schedule to a 4A schedule as it moves down in classification and division in the AVCTL. The Vikings return only three starters overall, but years of 5A football should help the underclassmen be better prepared to face the smaller schools. Winfield is running a spread offense with a new quarterback, so growing pains should be expected. Head coach Justin Price’s Vikings will not be able to compete with the top half of this division, but the bottom half will be up for grabs.
6. El Dorado
The Wildcats were 0-9 last season and welcome a new coach this year. Things probably will not turn around in a hurry for El Dorado, but 10 returning starters is nice for first-year head coach Zack Hood. El Dorado likely will have to struggle for another year or two before climbing out of the basement given the overall strength of Division III and its coaches.
District Predictions
Rose Hill (3-0 District Champion)
Mulvane (3-0 District Champion)
Buhler (2-1 runner-up to Pratt)
Augusta (1-2 with win over El Dorado)
Winfield (0-3)
El Dorado (0-3)
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6 comments:
Laque Mayes flew under the radar last year, but is going to have a coming out party this year. Good eye Chris.
Gus Strunk is also a good athlete and a 3 sport star.
However, I think Buhler will still be a strong 4A team and make a serious run, even without Oden.
I wouldn't count Buhler out. They are young in a spot or two, but they have a great coach and are building tradition.
I hear the junior TB that will start this year is actually faster than Jordon Oden, who used his speed to rip off 2000+ yards last year and left teams like Rose Hill in his quake.
The whole offensive line is back too. Hmmmm I hope you like humble pie Mr. Parker
It will never matter the amount of starters returning for Buhler. They have a strong belief in building an all around team. They will never focus around one player. And at that being someone who had the oppurtunity to assist at a practice i can honestly say the mesch of this team is one that is strong, strong enough to take any team that comes on there path. So Rose Hill, Wellington, Mulvane, and eveyone else better get ready. As a team with a mission is set on a path to destroy all in there way.
For you Crusaders out ther "If something bad happens, make something great happen."
Remember this and you will succed
Buhler did a great job with a conservative game plan friday night against Rose Hill. With a sophamore at QB, they took thier time and beat a seamingly good Rose Hill football team right between the tackles. Played a pretty mistake free game.
The defense bent a little, but never broke. They played good solid fundamental defense and it showed.
This Buhler team is only going to get better and better as the season rolls on.
How was that Pie Mr. Parker?
Go Crusaders.
Mr. Parker,
Well, the leaque results are pretty much in. If you would have stopped your comments with the first 5 to 6 words on each school you would have been much better off. Rose Hill moves up to division III,(this is true) Mulvane trouble keeping opponents off the scoreboard (also true)and Buhler has been very good. (Clearly)
Maybe next year you will do a little more research before counting out Crusader nation.
I am curious to know how you ate your humble pie. Did you warm it up with a little ice cream on top, or just eat it cold.
who ever wrote this i bet feels retarded. buhler dominated this league, no one came close. next year will be be the same. only spot that needs to be filled is a couple of lineman. but i see buhler taking this league again next year with their running back and quarterback coming back. after leaving the playoffs with a bitter taste in their mouth, i see buhler dominating every team they face next year in the league getting ready for the playoffs.
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