Live Oak Falcons

Head coach: Jordan Barker (2nd season: 7-3)

Returning: 12 lettermen; 6 offensive, 6 defensive starters

Outlook: The Falcons look to soar after posting a winning mark in their first varsity season.

With all six starters on both sides of the ball and an influx of freshmen expected to challenge for playing time, Live Oak is poised to make a splash in its first year in TCAL.

Barker said in the past it was hard to keep his troops focused on football once they’d lost a game because they weren’t playing for anything but an undefeated season and beating Parkview, Live Oak’s rival, as an independent. Playing in TCAL gives them an opportunity to play for a district and state championship.

Tyler Williams returns from a 1,551-yard, 24-TD passing season, and he’ll have plenty of options around him in receiver Colin Pritchard, and running backs David Moffatt and Isaiah Almanza.

Michael Fulbright, a shifty slot receiver who earned Live Oak’s team MVP award, adds fuel to the Live Oak offensive fire.

Methodist Children’s Home Bulldogs

Head coach: Berry Benson (1st season)

Returning: NA

Outlook: The Methodist Children’s Home is resurrecting a long-dormant program, but the team is not completely without football experience.

The Bulldogs won the Texas Charter School Academic & Athletic League state title last season in flag football, and athletic director Kevin Henry said the school moved to TCAL to face better competition.

As for traditional six-man tackle football, “it is all new to us over here,” Henry said.

The Bulldogs will play their home games at Parkview.

Blum Bobcats

Head coach: Bubba Abshire (1st season)

Returning: 7 lettermen; 3 offensive, 4 defensive starters

Outlook: A lot of six-man programs worry about a lack of numbers, but Blum has the opposite problem: too many students in school.

Because Blum had more than 100 students enrolled in school, it couldn’t play six-man football in a UIL district, prompting the longtime six-man town to play an “outlaw” schedule this year rather than move to 11-man.

Still, just 12 players are out after 24 filled the roster a year ago, which coach Bubba Abshire believes is an effect of the lack of a postseason to play for.

“The kids we’ve got out, they’re playing for the love of the game,” said Abshire, a Blum assistant last year.

The Bobcats will rely on WR Lance Terry, QB/WR Austin Bullard and SE/DE Stetson Allen in the passing game. Junior FB Jeffrey Clemons is a warrior, while freshmen UT Austin Elmore and QB/RB Blake Turner should make an impact.

— Cherry and Orts