Jacksonville loses 26 lettermen

Jacksonville's loss of 26 seniors to graduation means that Head Coach Randy Copeland will almost have to rebuild the team from the ground up. At least the foun- dation has already been set with offensive lineman Joe Villavisencio.

Villavisencio (6-5, 305, 5.2 in the 40-yd. dash) is one of the top blockers in the state. He has also pledged to Texas A&M. Chris Chilton is expected to help Villavisencio anchor the offensive line.

The Indians will have their work cut out for them as they return only five offensive and four defensive starters from last year's 6-4 team. Jacksonville finished sixth in District 12 AAAA with a record of 3-4. Dave Campbell's Texas Football predicts this season will be the same. Jacksonville has not made the playoffs since losing to La Marque in the regional semifinals in 2004.

It does not help that Jacksonville is also in one of the most competitive districts in Class 4A. Of the eight teams in the district, five are playoff powerhouses. Henderson, traditionally a playoff team, has been down on their luck since losing to Jacksonville in the bi-district finals in 2001. Pine Tree's team has been down for several years. Nacogdoches is not traditionally a playoff team, last year's playoff appearance was their first since 1992 and only their ninth in the history of the program. However, the Golden Dragons have shown steady improvement over the last few seasons.

Over the last three seasons, the playoff race has usually included five to six teams within the last three weeks of the season. This season promises to be just as big of a dog fight. All teams are returning four to eight offensive starters, with Pine Tree returning the most. Nacogdoches and Kilgore will return the least. All teams will be returning four to seven starters on defense. Jacksonville will return four, Marshall and Nacogdoches will return seven.

Dave Campbell predicts Marshall will win the district crown, with Whitehouse taking second place. Whitehouse was last year's surprise team, going 10-3 and going as far as the regional semifinals.

Nacogdoches is picked third, Kilgore fourth, Hallsville fifth, Jacksonville sixth, Henderson seventh and Pine Tree eighth.Among the players to step up, Texas Football says Jacksonville's Jeremy Chappell (defensive back), Don Mosely (defensive back), Ryan Arrington (defensive line) and Courtney White (wide receiver) will stand out for the Indians.

Jacksonville opens the season Aug. 31 against Brownsboro.