Prognosticators peg Apaches as non-contenders

Another year, another summer edition of Dave Campbell’s Football Magazine where prognosticators predict the playoff hopes of pigskin-packing teams.

DCTF rolled out their 2017 summer edition, giving their readers a preview of the upcoming football season.

According to the prognosticators, the Gonzales Apaches are pegged to finish fifth in their respective district, one spot shy of making the playoffs, while Nixon-Smiley has been picked fourth and Shiner St. Paul first.

The realignment last year moved the Apaches down to Class 4A Division II into a district with Caldwell, Columbus, Giddings, La Grange and Smithville. This season, prognosticators have Giddings winning the District 10-4A2 title again, with La Grange taking second, Caldwell third and Columbus fourth as the Apaches place fifth and Smithville stays in sixth. Giddings is ranked fifth in the preseason poll for Class 4A-Division II football.

Last season, DCTF was a bit off with their predictions. They had La Grange winning the district with Giddings taking second, then Caldwell, Columbus, Gonzales and Smithville in that order. By the time the bi-district round came, the standings were as follows: Giddings (5-0), La Grange (3-2), Caldwell (3-2), Gonzales (2-3), Columbus (2-3) and Smithville (0-5).

Nixon-Smiley, a playoff team last season, has been picked to make it to the playoffs this season. DCTF have them taking fourth in District 15-3AD2 behind Poth, Dilley and Stockdale, in that order. Natalia is picked for fifth while Karnes City is picked sixth. None of the four teams are ranked in the preseason poll.

The returning state champion Shiner St. Paul Cardinals have been pegged as district champions fir TAPPS Div. III District 5. The district is predicted to be finish out with Boerne Geneva in second then Hallettsville Sacred Heart, Schertz John Paul II, Austin Brentwood Christian, San Marcos Baptist Academy and San Antonio St. Gerard in that order. Linebacker Conor Kresta was predicted as defensive MVP in TAPPS Div. III. Last season he was listed as an honorable mention for the private school cover athlete. Despite returning as champions, DCTF did not predict the Cardinals as returning to the championship game.