Cameron Yoe was a good 3A team that narrowly missed the playoffs last year. The Yoemen will be a very good 2A team this year with a playoffs-or-bust mindset.

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Coach Rick Rhoades has tried to downplay the move itself, but there’s no doubt that with the depth and talent they return at the skill positions, the Yoemen will be the hunted this year.

But they descend into a salty district. McGregor was outstanding on both sides last year, and Troy continues to be a consistent winner. Both are dealing with losses, but the talent is there for all three to compete for the district title.

Hearne returns enough to be considered a dark horse, including RB Kenneth Jones, a 1,225-yard rusher with 15 TDs a year ago. But the other three all have significant question marks and will need an upset or two to sneak into the playoffs.

Cameron Yoe Yoemen

Head coach: Rick Rhoades (2nd season: 6-4)

All-time: 602-321-40 since 1911

Playoff history: 43-33-3 in 36 trips, most recently 2007; 1 state championship (1981)

Returning: 20 lettermen; 5 offensive, 8 defensive starters

Outlook: Precipitated by a drop in classification and the return of 13 starters, postseason hopes are sky high.

Cameron quarterback Jack Rhoades nearly led the Yoemen to the state 7-on-7 football title.

Senior Jack Rhoades, the coach’s son, is the real deal at quarterback. He has a howitzer for an arm, and he proved it when he led the Cameron skill players to within seven seconds of knocking off Brownwood for the 7-on-7 state championship this summer. His rapport with quick wide receivers Decrick Westbrook, Quinn Haynes and Thomas Rinn will be key.

Explosive running back Damyon Kelley returns, as does a significant chunk of the line, headed by Ines Rangel.

On defense, Cameron expects to be better than last year with eight starters coming back. The Yoemen are loaded at linebacker, led by Ty Morgan, who had 119 tackles last season. Jarrett Beckhusen will add depth at the position.

DeAntana Holt, who had 89 stops last year, is tough to handle at defensive end, and cornerback Tre’ Anderson is expected to lead the secondary. After being a middle-of-the-pack team in 3A, the challenge in 2A is dealing with the weight of expectation for the first time under Rhoades.

McGregor Bulldogs

Head coach: Tim Seward (4th season: 37-12)

All-time: 542-341-33 since 1910

Playoff history: 41-28 in 31 trips, most recently 2009; 0 state championships

Returning: 20 lettermen; 4 offensive, 4 defensive starters

Outlook: McGregor lost several players key to its regional finals run, but a new crop of Bulldogs are set to make their mark.

Dustin Schilling (left), Keith Reineke
Jerry Larson / Waco Tribune-Herald

Quarterback Keith Reineke (far right), who was pressed into service last year after Dylan Ripley fell injured and subsequently split time with wildcat back Sean Chappell (at right), will take over signal-calling duties full-time.

Receivers Chad Seale and Damaun Tucker will be Reineke’s main targets in the passing game, but McGregor will need someone to replace Julian Young at running back.

Defense will be McGregor’s strength in 2010. Safeties Kierian Wilson and Reineke will anchor the secondary, while district newcomer of the year DT Dylan Brown will plug running gaps and LB Dustin Shilling (above left) returns to seal the edge.

Troy Trojans

Head coach: Grady Rowe (7th season: 46-24)

All-time: 347-324-22 since 1937

Playoff history: 13-11-1 in 15 trips, most recently 2009; 0 state championships

Returning: 9 lettermen; 2 offensive, 4 defensive starters

Outlook: Troy incurred significant losses off its nine-win playoff team in 2009, but as in years past, the Trojans are still very much in the playoff discussion.

Troy defensive end Demetrius Smith provides power up front for the Trojans.
Jerry Larson/Waco Tribune-Herald

Demetrius Smith, a 6-3, 230-pound front line player Rowe describes as a “Division I talent,” will dictate things up front. His play at defensive end and tight end will be important for the Trojans, perhaps more so than anyone else considering his athletic prowess.

The quarterback position is in flux. Senior Tyler Whitley and sophomore Jon Malmin are still battling for top billing, but it may not matter with how much Troy likes to run. Fullback Cody Farmer logged significant time as a freshman, even leading the team in rushing in Week 1 after just a few weeks in high school. He’s back, as are running backs Justin Morales and Marcus Ege.

Much is expected of Troy’s four defensive returners. Along with Smith, tackle Dustin Kaminski will clog things in the middle.

Morales moves from strong safety to weakside linebacker, and cornerback Jason Mayo will be the top athlete in the secondary.

Marlin Bulldogs

Head coach: Keith Willis (2nd season: 1-9)

All-time: 521-400-34 since 1907

Playoff history: 33-19 in 20 trips, most recently 2006; 0 state championships

Returning: 18 lettermen; 7 offensive, 8 defensive starters

Outlook: Willis has made it clear that if this once-proud program is going to return to prominence, it’s going to be done the right way — with character.

Dustin Schilling (left), Keith Reineke
Jerry Larson / Waco Tribune-Herald

Last season, 13 Bulldogs didn’t play because of character problems, but Willis believes everyone is beginning to understand the principles he’s trying to instill.

The biggest buzz about Marlin is centered around the talent of running back Justin Stewart, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound horse. Willis, a former Waco High assistant, compares Stewart favorably to former Lion Jarred Salubi, now a Baylor Bear, saying his potential “surpasses even what Salubi could do.”

Still, Marlin will rely on more experienced players such as running back Des Willis, an 800-yard rusher a year ago, and quarterback Fred Fondon, who threw five TD passes.

Defensively, the Bulldogs should be tough with eight starters returning, many of whom have played on the varsity squad since they were freshmen.

Des Willis will be leaned on as a rock in the linebacking corps, while Fondon and Chris Battise will help in the secondary.

Oscar Pena was an all-district kicker last year, and Willis said he expects big things from him again.

— Text by Parchman, Bateman, Orts
Predictions by Parchman