Eagles remain solid favorite in 23-2A
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

When you talk about District 23-2A, the district championship talk normally ends with the Newton Eagles.

This year should be no different.

Newton returns 12 starters from last year's 8-3 squad and appears prime to continue their run as the best in this Class 2A district.

Steve Fentress is the new head coach of the Woodville Eagles and is the former defensive coordinator for Corrigan- Camden so he knows a little about District 21-2A.

At Woodville, he will inherit a team with a strong nucleus of players coming back. He steps in to a role as the district's largest school but Fentress said that doesn't matter on the football field.

"Playing week to week, it doesn't affect you that much because at Corrigan we didn't have that many kids out over there and they played hard," Fentress said. "It plays a part if you have a bunch of kids out and they play hard and then it takes a toll on a game."

Fentress believes Newton remains the class of the district until some team comes along and knocks them off that pedestal.

"Newton is always tough," Fentress said. "Woodville played them well last year, they just got into a scoring fest with them and Newton ran off at the end."

Newton outlasted Woodville 49-34 last year.

"Newton is going to be there every year and this year they have everybody coming back," Fentress said. "The talent and discipline is there and they are going to be very hard to beat.

"I'm not saying we can't beat them but we have to come prepared, ready to play football," Fentress said. "And a lot of time when you get teams that play them, it's a mental factor. That's what you have to overcome. My kids can play with anybody in this district and if that is in their mind, then it's going to be a great game. It will be a war with Newton and hopefully we will come out on top of that war."

He also knows that another battle looms with Corrigan-Camden, which defeated Woodville 28-14 last year.

Fentress served as defensive coordinator for Corrigan-Camden for the past five seasons so he knows a bit about the Bulldogs.

"They have some offensive linemen who graduated but they have some young offensive linemen, but bigger, and that is something they haven't had in the past," Fentress said. "But they have to replace a great quarterback. His little brother, Chris Drayton, is going to step in and he can be the real deal also."

Barbay also believes Corrigan will be a tough challenge this year.

"They lost a pretty key guy (Trevor Drayton) this year in their quarterback and he can't be replaced," Barbay said. "They have some good offensive and defensive players."

Corrigan will return the district MVP at linebacker in Broderick Mays.

"They will be a tough team to beat," Fentress said. "When we play them it's going to be a great football game because we are very similar in everything we do. It might be the fastest football game ever played because there won't be a lot of throwing the football in that game."

Another team that should contend for a playoff berth is the Hemphill Hornets.

Fentress knows that last year the only loss Corrigan- Camden suffered at the junior varsity level was to Hemphill.

"They have some returning players that are going to be pretty good," Fentress said.

Hemphill returns 11 starters including linebacker Adam Wright, who recorded 128 tackles last year and running back Kristian Nichols, who rushed for 1,500 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.

"Hemphill played good last year and they have quite a few kids coming back and should be real competitive," Barbay said.

Woodville should also be in the mix this year when it comes to a playoff berth.

The Eagles are primed to contend this year behind their new coach and Barbay believes the Eagles are ready to make strong comeback after a disappointing season last year.

San Augustine returns head coach Lynn Graves back to the fold.

"You know the mentality is going to change there," Fentress said. "He is going to put his foot down. Whether they stay or go will be up to those kids. The talent, though, is definitely there. Having him back is going to make it a lot tougher for everyone in this district."

Graves will have 10 returning starters from last year's 2-8 squad. The last time Graves led San Augustine, they won the 2003 state title.

The Shelbyville Pirates handed the Eagles their sole district win last year when Woodville captured a 21-6 victory.

The Dragons return 14 starters from last year's winless quad.

"Shelbyville has to be better than what they were last year," Barbay said. "They are a year older and the coach has always done a great job up there."

Both coaches agree that District 23-2A should be a competitive district this year.

"Anytime you step on the field, you can't take a break," Fentress said. "At any point and time, anybody can sneak up on anybody."