A year ago, the Bastrop Bears were picked to finish sixth in District 25-5A by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
We all know how that prediction went.
The 2010 edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football hit newsstands last week and, unlike last year, had high praise for Bastrop.
Bastrop was picked to win District 16-4A in its first season in Class 4A.
The magazine said, “(Josiah Monroe’s) return, along with a handful of other accomplished starters, will ensure Bastrop (2-8 in 2008) isn’t a one-year wonder. In fact, moving to 4A could make the Bears a real force…”
The magazine predicts that Bastrop, Pflugerville Hendrickson, Pflugerville Connally and Manor will represent District 16-4A in the playoffs.
Bastrop and Manor would be the Division II representatives, due to having the smallest two enrollments of the four teams.
If predictions hold, Bastrop would then be headed for meeting with Ennis in first round of the playoffs.
Monroe was listed as part of the 2010 Texas Top 300, which lists the top seniors in the state.
Bastrop’s athletic quarterback was listed as the 19th top athlete.
Elgin, the smallest school in the district by enrollment,  was picked to finish sixth behind Hutto.
The Wildcats return three starters on both sides of the ball, but does return one key starter in running back Da’Rick Nolan.
Elgin’s offense was centered around its running game last year (1578 total rushing yards as a team) which could mean Nolan has to carry the load of the offense early in the season.
Nolan rushed for 404 yards on 87 carries with and had six touchdowns
Quarterback Dylan Scott, who played part time completed 11 of 24 passes for 132 yards and will be be the full time starter in the fall.
Aside from being part of what Texas Football calls, “one of the toughest districts in Class 3A,” the Smithville Tigers were picked to finish sixth in the new District 23-5A that features five playoff teams from 2009, including state quarterfinalists Navasota and La Grange and regional semifinalist Caldwell.
The magazine predicts the Tigers will face an uphill battle in this district.
Giddings, Caldwell and Navasota are picked as the playoff teams with La Grange, Rockdale and Smithville picked to finish fourth, fifth and sixth, respectively.
The Tigers, who have posted 5-5 records in each of the last two seasons, return four starters on offense and six on defense this season.
The 376-page annual is one of the most anticipated football previews for football fans.

DISTRICT 16-4A

TEXAS FOOTBALL’S PREDICTIONS
1. Bastrop (1,840)
2. Hendrickson (1,949)
3. Connally (2,028)
4. Manor (1,240)
5. Hutto (1, 240)
6. Elgin (1,107)
7. Rudder (1,299.4)
Enrollment in parenthesis
DI representatives in bold

Offensive MVP
Kenny Williams, Hendrickson
Defensive MVP
Cedrick Haley, Connally
Key Game
Manor at Connally, Week 10

DISTRICT 23-3A

TEXAS FOOTBALL’S PREDICTIONS
1. Giddings (624)
2. Caldwell (513)
3. Navasota (801)
4. La Grange (634)
5. Rockdale (527)
6. Smithville (527)
Enrollment in parenthesis
DI representatives in bold

Offensive MVP
Eric Rimes, Giddings
Defensive MVP
Kesnick Jones, Navasota
Key Game
Giddings at Caldwell, Week 7