Magazine Predicts Varied Fortunes for Local Teams

Dave Campbell’s 2024 Texas Football magazine is out chock-full of district previews and predictions for the upcoming football season.

There’s even a personalized La Grange cover to the magazine (featuring many of the Leps on the bluff at Monument Hill State Historic Site) that was underwritten by Farm Bureau.

Copies of the magazine with La Grange on the cover are available at the school administration building for $20 while supplies last.

Until you can get your hands on one, here’s a preview of what’s inside: In District 11-4A, the magazine predicts the Leps will finish fifth in the six-team district. If true, that would mean La Grange would miss the playoffs.

The predicted order of finish is: District 11-4A

1. Bellville 2. Madisonville 3. Sealy 4. Giddings 5. La Grange 6. Caldwell The top three teams are all new to the district thanks to realignment, led by Bellville which returns six offensive and three defensive starters from last year’s state runnerup team ... Regarding the Leps (who return six offensive and six defensive starters from last year’s team which went 3-8) the magazine says: “ (QB Clayton) Cooper is ready to lead this team ... DE/TE Oliver Gunn is a physical difference maker who will contribute on both sides... OL Cuevas will anchor down the inside of the offensive interior as he transitions to center.”

Over in Class 15-2A both Schulenburg and Flatonia are predicted to make the playoffs. Here’s the predicted order of finish: 1. Ganado 2. Weimar 3. Schulenburg 4. Flatonia 5. Kenedy 6. Danbury 7. Bloomington About the Shorthorns (who return 11 offensive and 10 defensive starters from last year’s team that went 5-6 after a winless 2022) the magazine says “QB Janecek (1,339 yards, 22 TDs rushing, 1,100 yards and 12 TDs passing) is in line for another productive year behind an experienced OL led by Thompson, Walton and Luhns.

About Flatonia (which returns five offensive and five defensive starters from last year’s team which went 5-5) the magazine says: “Zimmerman (358 yards rushing) moves from running back to QB in the spread, and RB Green (726 yards, 6 TDs rushing, 270 yards receiving) has plenty of speed. The D will rely on strength up front with DL Manzano.”