Defending 5A Division II Champions’ 2010 schedule reflects new status

The raucous Alamodome celebrations following Abilene’s Division II state championship triumph last December had only just faded when the reality of the Eagles’ newfound status became apparent. Head coach Steve Warren and his staff barely made it back to their desks when they realized every season from this point forward would be a little different.

Coach Warren, like every other head coach in the state, picked up the phone and began the process of seeking out non-district opponents ahead of the new alignment in early February. Evidently, the initial response was mainly static and of the “thanks, but no thanks” variety. Normally, this process takes anywhere from a few days to a week to crystallize for most.

Days turned into the better part of two months before Abilene, finally, completed its non-district slate after pairing up with three out-of-state opponents- Franklinton, La.; Plant (Tampa), Fla.; and Cocoa, Fla. Franklinton was a 4A state finalist last season. Plant (5A) and Cocoa (2A) won state championships in 2009. The out-of-state games, unlike the in-state, are only one year arrangements. Abilene may need three different opponents in 2011 to take the place of this year’s adversaries.

Belton and Longview are the only willing dance partners in state. The Belton match-up was organized as part of the annual Texas Football Classic in San Antonio, so even that one could be debatable on the willingness scale.

There’s always an unknown to the scheduling process in each realignment year due to the fact the coaches are kept largely in the dark until the UIL goes public with the new alignment in February. Schools can make non-binding verbal agreements only until everything is official.

Programs that may have been in eight team districts, needing three non-district games, suddenly can find themselves in six team districts with five non-district slots to fill. It is not uncommon for select programs to venture outside the state’s borders to fill a slot, but for one team to have three such opponents is unprecedented.

The 2010 alignment reunited Abilene with former district foes Abilene Cooper, Midland, Midland Lee, Odessa High and Odessa Permian. Abilene needed one more non-district opponent than the previous two seasons as a result. However, unlike previous seasons, the Eagles could not find the in-state opponents.

It probably shouldn’t surprise anyone that teams didn’t exactly line up to face this Abilene squad after the Eagles soared to a perfect 15-0 state championship season last year. Abilene led by at least 18 points at one point in each of those 15 games. Overall, the Eagles finished with some of the best statistical numbers of any state champion in the last decade.

A quick look at the Abilene roster is even more revealing. Terror trio Ronnell Sims (QB), Herschel Sims (RB) and Tony Curtis (RB) all return in an offensive backfield that produced 8.8 yards per carry and 61 rushing touchdowns. Sawyer Tallant (LB), Josh Jones (LB) and Jake Brooks (DB) return from the state’s top adjusted scoring defense. The Eagles reload primarily on the offensive and defensive lines.

It’s easy to see why opponents would be weak in the knees at the prospect of facing Abilene’s returning talent as seniors, let alone the fresh new talent moving up from the sub-varsity ranks. Abilene is discovering what it means to be defending champions already with the scheduling difficulties and various media attention- local, statewide and national. The game is changed for present and future Eagle generations.

For the first time since the Eisenhower administration, Abilene has Texas’ undivided attention as a football power.