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Como-Pickton Eagles looking to have bounce back season

Como-Pickton Eagles looking to have bounce back season
  • PublishedAugust 18, 2022


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The Como-Pickton Eagles football team had a great day of practice Tuesday, as they approach the start of a new season. After a down year in 2021, the Eagles will be looking to turn things around and replicate the success they’ve had in recent years.

The Eagles entered the 2021 season with a good amount of things to feel good about. The program had made the playoffs in each of the last four seasons, and were coming off a 2020 season in which they went 3-3 in district play and finished in third place in the district standings.

Unfortunately for them, they weren’t able to replicate that success for a fifth consecutive season. Como-Pickton opened their season with a 20-8 victory over James Bowie, before losing a pair of games against Quinlan Boles and Prairiland. 

The Eagles were able to shake the losses off, beating Tom Bean on the road by a final score of 31-6 to even their record up at 2-2. Unfortunately, that would be the final win of the season for Como-Pickton, as they went 0-6 against a tough district slate.

Last season’s dip in play seems to be a cause of concern for the experts, as Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Magazine once again picked them to finish last in District 9-2A. Despite the predictions, the Eagles have a lot to feel good about entering this season and will have a chance to prove the naysayers wrong.

Como-Pickton returns a number of strong players, including quarterback Kevin Hernandez, running back Christian Gilbreath, offensive linemen Hayden Potts and Klain Thomas, as well as linebackers Cash Wilton and Ian Rodgers.

A strong group of returning players, mixed with a junior varsity team who saw success last season could very well be exactly what coach Ronnie Green and his team need to get back to the winning ways they saw just two seasons ago. With the season opener less than 10 days away, let’s take a look at the Como-Pickton Eagles 2022 schedule.

Week 1 vs James Bowie, Friday Aug. 26

For the third consecutive season, Como-Pickton will be kicking off their schedule against James Bowie. They will be looking to replicate the success they’ve had in the past, after beating them 17-0 in 2020 and 20-8 in 2021. 

While the Pirates have been a tough opponent in the past, and will be looking to make their fifth straight playoff appearance, Como-Pickton has had their number in each of the last two years. After a down year in 2021, opening 2022 with a win would be huge for the Eagles.


Week 2@ Detroit, Friday Sept. 2

In Week 2 the Como-Pickton Eagles will hit the road, against a team who is in a similar situation to themselves. In 2020, the Detroit Eagles went 4-1 in district play which was good enough for a second place finish in their district.

2021 however, did not go as well. Detroit beat Trenton 38-14 in their season opener, but were unable to pick up a win for the remainder of the season. This very well could be a chance for the Eagles to pick up a second win in as many weeks, and a chance for them to open the season 2-0 for the first time since 2017.

Week 3 @ Queen City, Friday Sept. 9

For the second consecutive week, the Como-Pickton Eagles will be on the road, this time to face their first 3A opponent of the year. The Queen City Bulldogs have struggled as of late and will be looking to put together their first playoff season in almost a decade.


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The opportunity to go up against a bigger school could be huge for Como-Pickton, as they will get to test their talents against a larger school. A good outing in this one could also give them a bit of extra momentum heading into their Homecoming match.

Week 4 vs Tom Bean, Friday Sept. 16 (Homecoming) 

After a pair of weeks on the road, the Como-Pickton Eagles are back at home and just like their season opener, against a team they beat in 2021. Last season, Como-Pickton handled Tom Bean from the very beginning, getting out to a 15-0 lead in route to a 31-6 win.


They will be looking to do the same thing this season, with the momentum of their Homecoming crowd behind them. It’s also their final non-district game of the season, so they will surely be looking to be firing on all cylinders as they enter the district portion of their schedule.

Week 5 @ Rivercrest, Friday Sept. 23

The district opener will be a big one for both teams, as they will be looking to set their district season off with a bang. Dave Campbell’s has the Rebels of Rivercrest sneaking is as the final playoff spot, though a loss to Como-Pickton could change that.

For the Eagles, this will very much be a revenge match, as they have fallen to Rivercrest in each of the last four seasons. In that time Rivercrest has gone 28-17, though they were just 3-7 last season. Will Como-Pickton be able to get the better of Rivercrest this season and open district play with a win?

Week 6 vs Quinlan Boles, Friday Sept. 30

Their final game in the month of September could be a big one for Como-Pickton. After playing the team predicted to finish fourth in District 9-2A, they will now go up against the team DCTFM predicts to finish third in the district.

Quinlan Boles is coming off a season in which they went 7-4, including a 4-1 record in district play. They also return quarterback Gabe Drennan, who had an incredible junior campaign in 2021. Drennan completed 65% of his passes, but also led the team with an impressive 1,322 rushing yards, as well as 23 rushing touchdowns. He also had nine games of 100 or more rushing yards and will be a tough stop for opposing defenses. Boles also returns leading receiver Wyatt Staggs, who averaged 14 yards per catch and had a team-high four receiving touchdowns last season.

That along with three returners on the offensive line should make for a high-powered offense from the Quinlan Boles Hornets.

Week 7 @ Cooper, Friday Oct. 7

The first few weeks of district play makes for a tough schedule for Como-Pickton and Week 7 is no different, as they face a Copper Bulldogs team looking to win a third consecutive district title. The Bulldogs are led by running back Markell Smith, who DCTFM lists as their Preseason Offensive MVP.

Smith was very impressive in his 2021 sophomore season, as he averaged seven yards per carry and had nine touchdowns on the season. They also return Colin Ingram and Canon Ingram who led the team in rushing. The trio combined for 2,253 rushing yards last season, as well as 28 rushing touchdowns and should be primed to improve on those numbers this year.

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That, as well as a junior varsity team who won seven games last year should put the Bulldogs in position to win a third straight district championship. 

Week 8 vs Wolfe City, Friday Oct. 14

Continuing a streak of tough district games, the Como-Pickton Eagles will go up against Wolfe City, who DCTFM predicts to finish second in the district. Led by linebacker Cayden Herron who the magazine lists as their Preseason Defensive MVP. 

The two teams played a very close game last year, with Como-Pickton leading late in the game. Wolfe City would score last, picking up the 18-13 win. 

The Eagles will be looking to even up the series with them, as they came out on top in their 2020 match by a final score of 20-7. A win in this one could be huge for Como-Pickton, propelling them with a lot of momentum entering the final few weeks of the season.

Week 9 vs Alba-Golden (Senior Night) Friday Oct. 21

The final home game of the season for the Como-Pickton Eagles comes against a familiar foe, the Alba-Golden Panthers. Alba-Golden had a huge bounce back year in 2021, winning six games, after winning just four games between 2020 and 2021.


The two teams have split their last two meetings, with Como-Pickton winning a close 9-8 battle back in 2020. Alba-Golden had the upper-hand in a 14-0 game last season, with this year’s match acting as a rubber match. Late in the season, both teams will be looking for a win in hopes of bettering their playoff position.

Week 10 Bye

After nine consecutive weeks of football, the Como-Pickton Eagles will finally have a chance to rest and regroup. The final week of the season could prove to be huge for playoff seeding, and a bye in Week 10 will give the Eagles a chance to heavily prepare for their final opponent.

Week 11 @ Honey Grove, Friday Nov. 4

The Honey Grove Warriors will be the final opponent for the Como-Pickton Eagles. After a pair of down years in which the Warriors went a combined 6-14, Honey Grove will certainly be looking to bounce back in 2022.

Projected to finish in fifth place by DCTFM, that would have the Warriors missing the playoffs by one spot. Both the Eagles and the Warriors will be looking to exceed expectations, and a final week win could help them do just that. 

With a strong returning group of players and experience coach Ronnie Green still at the helm, the Como-Pickton Eagles are ready to get their 2022 campaign under way. Let us know how excited you are for the season and stay tuned to Front Porch News for all things Como-Pickton Football.

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Written By
Tyler Lennon

Tyler Lennon is the sports editor for Front Porch News and Chad’s Media. Previously with the Sulphur Springs News-Telegram, Lennon has now covered sports in Hopkins County for four years. He also covers the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks and Texas Rangers and has media credentials for both the Rangers and the Mavericks. On top of his writing, Lennon is also the lead play-by-play broadcaster for Chad’s Media. He has been the lead broadcaster for Sulphur Springs football, volleyball, basketball, softball, baseball and more. He is also the host of the sports talkshow Down & Out on Chad’s Media, along side Korey Hankins and Ryan Humphries. You can follow Down & Out on all social medias @Downandout903