COLEMAN — If there was ever a Big Country football team that deserved to taste the postseason, it was the 2020 Coleman Bluecats.
Led by a group of seniors who had guided the program through a difficult rebuild, that squad had faced and overcome adversity and earned the opportunity to play in the playoffs with 6-3 record through its first nine games.
Unfortunately, that opportunity never came. Instead, the Bluecats became the only area team to have their season cut short by COVID, which forced them to forfeit their regular-season finale to Winters and watch Goldthwaite — a team they beat 28-7 — take their playoff berth with a win over De Leon. It was a heartbreaking end to what was otherwise a breakout campaign for Coleman and a gut punch for the seniors who had to see their careers end that way.
But if you’re into silver linings, one does exist. First, CHS returns 18 lettermen from that squad and has an outstanding sophomore class coming up, so that setback was likely only temporary. And second, that experience has provided the 2021 Bluecats with a unique motivating factor — and placed a Texas-sized chip on their shoulder.
welcoming reinforcements from a 10-0 junior varsity squad.
CISCO — A year ago, the Cisco Loboes were breaking in a promising sophomore, Hunter Long, at quarterback. And as one may suspect, there were plenty of safeguards in place.
CISCO — There have been seasons in the past when the Cisco Loboes were regional threats at the Class 3A level with as few as 18 varsity players. So don’t expect to hear any complaints when the 2021 version of Cisco fields around 25 players in Class 2A Division I. 
HAWLEY — Junior running back Austin Cumpton may be a torch bearer of sorts for Hawley in 2021. The graduation of one of the top offensive lines in the area has put him in that position. 
HAWLEY — A large number of returnees usually means improvement for a football team, but it doesn’t guarantee it. And in the case of the Hawley Bearcats, having eight offensive and nine defensive starters returning still leaves them with a large question mark.
HASKELL — Mitch McLemore is no stranger to turnaround projects. Each of his first three head coaching stops saw him tackle such undertakings.
with all but one starter returning from last year’s squad, coach Dan Gainey is hopeful his team will be better equipped to compete in 2021. 
ANSON — Few teams in the Big Country have done a better job of establishing an identity than Chris Hagler’s Anson Tigers. So much so, that what often comes to mind when Anson football is mentioned is the up-tempo, attacking style of offense the Tigers have used to reach the playoffs for six straight years.
ANSON — Rebuild or reload?
Wildcats were expected by most to struggle. 
And truth be told, if he had his way, he might be toting the football and running sprints with the track team in addition to chasing down ball-carriers in the backfield. 
ALBANY — While the Albany Lions have been quite good in almost every season over the past 30 years, there are enough ingredients in place in 2021 to speculate that AHS may field a “vintage” team.
HAMLIN — If I were a head football coach, the road I’d take would be paved with cupcakes, apathetic fans and a rock-solid retirement plan. 
HAMLIN — With only three offensive and one defensive starter back, and standout players such as Braydin Warner (QB), Cutter Martin (WR/DB) and Jackson Sepeda (RB/LB) having graduated, Hamlin is facing a challenge in 2021.
