OFFICIAL START OF FOOTBALL

The unofficial start to the 2023 football season is finally here. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine is slowly trickling its way into the hands of fans, players, coaches and anyone associated with football in the state of Texas.

As per tradition, the famed magazine has made their annual predictions for the upcoming season, including all 1,500-plus high school football teams and the 49 college football teams based in the Lone Star State.

Starting with San Marcos High School, the Rattlers are slated to return six offense starters and three defensive starters.

Despite San Marcos being hit with a postseason ban for the 2023 season in a ruling handed down by the UIL State Executive Meeting–a ban SMCISD is currently fighting, DCTF is expecting the Rattlers to have a competitive season.

The Rattlers are predicted to finish fifth in District 27 in 6A, ahead of East Central.

DCTF predicts Cibolo Steele will repeat as district champions, ahead of Converse Judson, with New Braunfels and Schertz Clemens finishing in third and fourth place.

Both Steele and Judson are ranked in the DCTF Preseason Polls with the Knights coming in at 13th and the Rockets at 40th.

But that wasn’t the only mention for which San Marcos was shouted out in the current magazine.

Senior offensive lineman Ory Williams was named to the DCTF Top 300 as one of the best high school recruits in the state.

At 6-foot-8 and weighing 320 pounds, Williams has a slew of offers from LSU, Florida, Georgia, Texas A&M, Texas and TCU, to name a few.

For the institution on the other side of I-35, DCTF gave predictions for the Texas State Bobcats for 2023.

It’s a new era for the Bobcats who enter the coming year under first year Head Coach G.J. Kinne.

DCTF predicts Texas State will finish with a 5-7 record, with wins over Jackson State, Nevada, Southern Miss, Louisiana Monroe sand Arkansas State.

Pre-Season Offensive MVP for the Bobcats is quarterback Malik Hornsby and Pre-Season Defensive MVP is edge rusher Jordan Revels.

The lone Bobcat on the DCTF All Texas College Team is defensive back Tory Spears, who was named second team all defense.

Offensive Coordinator Mack Leftwich was also mentioned, being named to the 40 under 40 list which highlights all the best coaches under the age of 40.

Other Hays County schools mentioned Dripping Springs is slated to finish third in a tough District 26, featuring Austin Westlake and Lake Travis, both who are predicted to finish in first and second place.

The Tigers are coming off of their debut season in 6A where Dripping Springs finished the 2022 campaign with a 12-2 record and a trip to the regional finals.

Dripping Springs is also slated to compete for the 6A Division II Region IV Title once more, with DCFT predicting the Tigers to fall to Austin Vandergrift in a rematch of last year’s regional championship game.

The Tigers are ranked 23rd in the DCTF Preseason Top 50.

Fellow Hays County bunkmate Buda Johnson is predicted to miss the playoffs, finishing in fifth place behind Austin Bowie.

In 5A Division 1, the Hays Hawks are slated to finish in fifth place behind Smithson Valley, San Antonio Wagner, New Braunfels Canyon and Sequin.

Kyle Lehman is predicted to finish in 8th place.

Wimberley is expected to have another strong season after finishing the 2022 season with a 15-1 record and a state championship game appearance. The Texans are currently ranked 7th in the 4A Division II Preseason Polls and are predicted to win the Region IV Championship.

Wimberley is also predicted to win their district with quarterback Cody Stoever being named Preseason Offensive MVP.

Offensive lineman Caden Romo was selected to the 4A Preseason All State team.

coltonbmcwilliams @sanmarcosrecord.com Twitter: @ColtonBMc