John Cooper Picked To Win Title By Dave Campbell's Texas Football

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX — It's early July in Texas, and that means the unofficial start of football season as David Campbell's Texas Football Magazine has hit shelves across the state.

The bible of Texas football is available where magazines are sold in Montgomery County with team previews for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and colleges. The magazine also has predictions for every high school team and classification in the state.

Dave Campbell's predicted The Woodlands John Cooper to win the SPC 3A championship over Arlington Oakridge, and the Dragons are the only Montgomery County team picked to get past the regional semifinals.

Cooper is ranked 21st among 11-man football private schools in the state in the preseason rankings.

Related: Dave Campbell's Texas Football: Magnolia West Alumnus On Cover

Three Montgomery County public school teams are in the preseason rankings, with Magnolia coming in 15th on the Class 5A Division I list, Montgomery 23rd in 5A Division II and The Woodlands 38th in 6A.

Several Montgomery County players earned state preseason honors as The Woodlands linebacker Martrell Harris and College Park defensive back Marcus Scott were second-team picks on the preseason Whataburger Super Team. Montgomery running back Jalen Washington was named one of Dave Campbell's players to watch for 5A.

It should be another photo finish in District 8-5A Division I, and Dave Campbell's agrees, picking College Station to edge Magnolia for the district championship. The Bulldogs claimed the title in 2020 with College Station second after Magnolia won the head-to-head matchup 27-16.

Magnolia returns most of its starters from last season's stingy defense, including preseason district defensive MVP William Alexander at linebacker. The Bulldogs will have to replace key starters in quarterback Travis Moore and Mitch Hall.

Dave Campbell's predicted Lufkin third and Magnolia West fourth to round out its playoff picks from 8-5A-I.

In 10-5A-II, Huntsville and A&M Consolidated are again picked to be the frontrunners for the district title, but the magazine has both Montgomery and Lake Creek as its other playoff picks, with the Bears and Lions tabbed third and fourth, respectively. Montgomery senior quarterback Brock Bolfing is the preseason offensive MVP.

The Highlanders were picked to take back the 13-6A title from College Park, which was picked second in the district. Dave Campbell's also picked Conroe to finish third and Grand Oaks to make its first playoff appearance.

Dave Campbell's also has Splendora making the playoffs for the second straight season and the third time in four seasons, which would be a first in program history. The Wildcats are selected to grab the fourth and final playoff spot in 10-4A-II.

In its private school predictions, Dave Campbell's picked The Woodlands Christian, Magnolia Legacy Prep and Conroe Covenant to each finish third in their respective districts.