ETSN.fm 2013 Preseason Class 5A/4A Poll: No. 9 Jacksonville

Last season was filled with ups and downs for Jacksonville. In many ways, the Indians' season opener at Carthage was a microcosm of the 2012 season. Jacksonville pulled off the upset win, but it came at a hefty price: the loss of promising young quarterback Carter McCown to injury.

Jacksonville went on to lose the next three games without McCown running the show. He came back for district, but had to miss another game because of an injury suffered against John Tyler.

It all added up to a 4-7 finish with a first-round playoff loss to Lancaster. Second-year coach Chris Taber hopes a healthy McCown means a more consistent 2013.

Jacksonville lacks size compared to some of the other teams in the district, but like always, the Indians will field one of the fastest teams in the area. Lekendrick Anderson (6-1, 210) will team with Stacey Cummings (5-9, 185) to give Jacksonville what could be a solid 1-2 punch at running back. Receiver Tony Lane (5-7, 175) figures to factor into the passing game quite a bit after the graduation of D.D. Franklin and Darrell Minifee.

Defense was an issue for Jacksonville last season as it allowed 33.6 points per game. And there will be plenty of new faces on that side of the ball after the graduation of eight starters.