The general feeling was that the Gilmer Buckeyes were a year ahead of schedule in 2012. Gilmer began the year with several new faces on the offensive side of the ball, but ended up playing for its fourth state title since 2004.
Never before have preseason expectations been so high for Whitehouse. The Wildcats are ranked No. 6 in Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine, which also predicts Whitehouse to reach the 4A Division II state title game.
While outsiders' expectations for the 2013 John Tyler Lions may be different than they were at this time last year, second-year coach Ricklan Holmes has been very clear about one thing this offseason: his team is not rebuilding, but reloading.
Coming off back-to-back eight-win seasons, Sulphur Springs is primed for another successful campaign with 13 returning starters under veteran head coach Greg Owens.
Chapel Hill fell on hard times in 2012 in its attempt to defend its Class 3A Division I state championship. After graduation levied a heavy toll, the Bulldogs slipped to 3-7 -- their worst season since 2005.