Tradition never graduates. That's a sports motto that has been used for years by programs of all levels.

In Boyd, however, that saying could not be any more accurate. If any team in Wise County can overcome the loss of three all-state players, then the Yellowjackets are the ones to do it.

The talent simply reloads in the south Wise County town. What has coaches, players and fans excited this year is that Boyd is already drawing comparisons to its 2004 state championship team.

Wise County's other six schools - Decatur, Alvord, Chico, Paradise, Bridgeport and Northwest - are all dealing with hard hits to graduation. Sure, coaches and players from each of those schools are optimistic about the upcoming season, but that is expected.

With nearly every team struggling with rebuilding, this season is certain to hold many surprises. Will Decatur finally miss the playoffs? Can Paradise and Northwest make up for the loss of practically their entire team? Will Alvord and Chico pull off more wins or fall on harder times?

It all starts to unfold Friday night.

District 8-3A

Simply talking to Decatur coach Kyle Story is not enough to get a feel of what he thinks or fears. When the Eagles flew high with the state's top quarterback/receiver tandem of Chandler Dane and Brian Christian a few years ago, Story insisted all year that his offense needed a little work. Or that it was not playing at the level it should.

Going into my fifth year working with Story, I have learned to read his demeanor - it speaks louder than his words. And what I'm hearing is plenty of concern about his team's quest for a sixth straight district title.

When the Eagles were one week away from the first game of the season, there wasn't a starting quarterback. That is a first in the Story era.

Last year's backup signal caller - Justin Tompkins - tore his ACL two weeks ago and is gone for the year. That leaves sophomore Tim Metts and senior Justin Unger.

Does it really matter who gives the ball to Josh Trant 25 times a game? My Bridgeport fans think I bleed blue, so heck, let me give the ball to Trant so my boys Unger and Metts can stay fresh on defense.

So, since that won't happen, let's get down to what will happen. Barring another injury at the quarterback spot, the Eagles' scheme and coaching will be enough to crawl to the district title.

However, Bridgeport will have a lot to do with it. The Bulls will be much faster than last year and will be back into the playoffs this year.

Cameron Green takes over at quarterback for all-stater Ryan Durban. What Green lacks in the pocket he makes up for in speed. Not to mention he has Aaron Holt in the backfield, a talented tailback who will also sneak under center in goalline situations.

And the defense? Well, it can only get better and it will.

Who else is going to the playoffs? Argyle. Heck, with a guy who can kick 60-yard field goals, I would go for three every drive and at least get 21 points.

Sanger and Bowie are not going anywhere. Gainesville can only get better from last year, and it will.

Morgan's pick
1. Decatur
2. Bridgeport
3. Argyle
4. Gainesville
5. Sanger
6. Bowie

District 9-2A

There are some solid defense teams in this league. Unfortunately for Alvord and Chico, that is not the best news since they are both starting over on offense with new stars.

Holliday and Henrietta are two teams in the district. Can they be beat? Sure they can.

Will the Bulldogs and Dragons have enough time for their new teams to come together to have the chance? We hope so.

Alvord has plenty of team speed on offense to make things happen this year. The quarterback spot has not been decided, but coach Mike Chaney will have a fast one whomever it is.

Perhaps the biggest concern in Alvord is its lack of size - something unusual for a Chaney team. This team will win four games this year, but seven are needed to get back to the playoffs after a one-year absence.

Chico, on the other hand, can only get better as far as the win column goes. The varsity has 18 players this year - some of which are very good. However, the second half will once again determine the season as players start to wear down.

If coach Pete Hart is lucky, injuries and grades will not play into the mix this year. He has a sophomore quarterback who is going to be a good one, depth on the line and a defense that can move.

I just don't think there are enough kids to get the job done.

Morgan's pick
1. Henrietta
2. Holliday
3. Alvord
4. Olney
5. Nocona
6. Chico
7. Jacksboro
8. City View

District 10-2A

Most pollsters have Cisco winning this league, and that is not too surprising. The Loboes just might have the best defense in the district with several superstars.

However, I think the loss of all-state quarterback Jacob West is a bigger hit than most think. The loss of West weakens the offense some, which means against good teams the defense will be forced to play more than it did last year.

And a team like Boyd is exactly why the Loboes will play a lot more defense this year. I agree with Boyd coach J.G. Cartwright in that his team looks a lot like his state title team from three years ago. This team is very big, very good and very fast.

There will not be a Garrett Tidwell in the backfield or under center, but Cartwright does have four guys close to the same speed - and I will take that any day.

Paradise, on the other hand, has work to do. I'm afraid there will not be enough two-a-days for coach Danny Neighbors to get things back on track.

The Panthers lost most of their size and skilled positions players. To top it off, Neighbors has dealt with several injuries the last two weeks which kept starters out of the first scrimmage.

With Decatur facing Abilene Wylie in the first round of the playoffs again, I need more than just Boyd to make the playoffs so I can stay busy in November - I just don't see it happening with a very good Godley team taking the field this year.

Morgan's pick
1. Boyd
2. Cisco
3. Godley
4. Paradise
5. Eastland
6. Millsap

District 5-5A

Four teams make the state playoffs in Class 5A these days, but in this district, teams are really fighting for just two. Southlake, the top ranked team in the state and country this year, and Grapevine are taking the top two spots.

That leaves third and fourth place open for Northwest, a team that has two offensive starters back. That is not enough in this league.

The Texans have one of the top three running backs in the district with Drew Ashley. However, he will not have the bodyguards that Southlake tailback Tre Newton and Grapevine running back Kalle Gelles put on the line of scrimmage.

Defensively, the Texans have talent and will field a stingy unit. However, in a district where offense rules, Northwest may not have enough. And with just three non-district games to get ready, there may not be enough time either.

Morgan's pick
1. Southlake
2. Grapevine
3. Colleyville
4. Richland
5. Keller Central
6. Northwest
7. Keller
8. Haltom