Eagles vs. Wildcats: Something's gotta give

Game 3
11:00 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29
Abilene High Eagles vs. Fort Worth Dunbar Wildcats

Abilene High will host Fort Worth Dunbar in the third game of the Action Sports Medicine Champions Classic. Even though the contest is a rematch of last year's game in the Classic, no one expects a repeat of the lopsided, 58-14 victory by the Eagles.

That's because Dunbar, which finished last season 9-2, undefeated in District 7-4A and impressive as a bi-district finalist, has 12 starters returning, including everyone's blue-chip senior wide receiver Darius White. The 6-2, 205-pounder's numbers from last season were gaudy.  He caught 40 passes for 1,057 yards (26.4 average) and 16 TDs. Dave Campbell's 2009 Texas Magazine devoted a full page to him.

Coach Todd Lawson's returning squad even has some people talking about the Wildcats making it all the way to the state title game.

Even though Dave Campbell's poll doesn't have the Eagles in the top 25 of Class 5A for the first time in many years, Abilene High is picked by those experts to have no trouble keeping on top in District 3-5A, nudging out Richland for the crown. Coach Steve Warren has a number of lettermen back, but only 8 starters - four each on offense and defense.

Beefy offensive lineman Drew Carroll (282 pounds) is expected to clear the road for key returning junior running back Herschel Sims (19 TDs in ’08) and anchor protection for a new starting quarterback moving up from the JV –  probably Ronnell Sims or Alex Wooliscroft. Zach Mosley and Tony Curtis will also see time at the running back position.

The Eagles, who were an unbelievable offensive machine in 2008, scoring an average of 70 points in a three-game stretch last year, finished the regular season undefeated at 10-0, before being surprised in the first round of the playoffs. Abilene is probably flying under the radar a little more than usual - a coach's dream, actually - but this game under the Saturday morning sun of West Texas will definitely put someone on the map early.

The Champions Classic is in its fifth year and is promoted by the Sports Alliance Committee of the Abilene Convention and Visitors Bureau, which is an affiliate of the Abilene Chamber of Commerce, and sponsored by Action Sports Medicine and Rehab, along with Texas Chevy Dealers and WTU Retail Energy and other local sponsors.  The Sports Alliance was formed to increase the economic impact in the Abilene community through sporting events.  One goal is to raise money for scholarships awarded each year to graduating seniors from each of the local high schools.  To date, the Champions Classic has awarded $27,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors from Abilene High, Cooper High, Wylie High and Abilene Christian High schools.

2009 Featured Games

Game 1: Abilene Christian University vs. Northwest Missouri...............7:00 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 27

Game 2: Abilene Cooper vs. Fort Worth O.D. Wyatt.................................7:30 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28

Game 3: Abilene High vs. Fort Worth Dunbar..........................................11:00 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 29

Game 4: Jim Ned vs. Merkel.......................................................................7:30 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 29