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Writer's pictureAndy Pate

Top 5, The Best of the Least

Updated: Jul 24

As our readers know, here and elsewhere. we sports writers normally headline the best and the “almost’ best teams. 
But what about the others, those teams that seldom get positive mention?

Therefore, PUTTBEAT  is going to try something new:  list weekly The Top 5 Teams among the Least.  PUTTBEAT RESERVES the right to alter how it does this “new thing,” as PUTTEAT deems best. A constant consideration of PB will be to see how well the teams. fans and coaches cited see the listing for what it is meant to be, a way for them to bolster their programs.

With that introduction, we proceed to list our “Top 5 Best of the least” for 2024, mostly based on how the teams performed in 2023.

                              TOP 5 OF THE LEAST, 2AD1


1.  San Augustine (4-6, 2023)

2. Kenedy (3-7)

                    3. Rio Vista (2-8)

                    4. Como-Pickton (1-9)

                   5. Normangee (1-9)



If experience counts, and it usually does, a lot, San Augustine should rebound for a winning season, with QB Tymonian Cartwright returning along with sophomore D’Adrian Renfroe (photo) backing him up; on defense Treyvone Holman will steady that side of the ball, especially with the likes of Konnie Miller using the strength in his 280 plus pounds to help him out.



One rather serious gridiron obstacle for Kenedy in 2024 may well be that it won too easily over arch-rival Karnes City in 2023, 37-7.  While they did defeat Somerville, 26-17, the next week, after that the Lions lost six straight, including an October 20 whomping at the hands of the Refugio Bobcats, 54-0.  So, the first aim of HC Shawn Alvaraz, in that position since 2019, will likely be to restore a winning mindset on his team; and toward that end, he will be able to work with two experienced quarterbacks along with other key veterans.  The real test of the entire 2024 season for the Lions will come on October 10th when they face PB’s #1 Ganado in a new district, which also includes Schulenburg, Flatonia and Weimar.

Tate Conley


Rio Vista, one must say, is also in a league of its own.  but not in the same way that Kenedy is.  Itasca and Italy have long had strong football programs; and Dawson has come on strong of late.  Axtell, Bosqueville and Valley Mills  round-out the seven-member district.  For 2023, Rio Vista had winds over Santo, 27-0, and Cross Roads (then a district opponent.  Rio Vista head coach Kasey Black will rely heavily on a sophomore to direct his players on the field; but Tate Conley is one superb all-round athlete and would be a valuable member of any high school team. He may just inspire and guide his teammates into being real winners.

Como-Pickton’s lone win in 2023 was a resounding one, 58-8, over Detroit; however, the Eagles do not play Detroit in 2024, so they’ve got to look at all ten opponents for their wins.  While District 9 is not known as a powerhouse, it does also have in it Alba-Golden, Omaha Pewitt and Quinlan Boles in addition to Honey Grove and Rivercrest.  Honey Grove is the early favorite to take the district.  In their opener against Union Grove C-P should have a fine opportunity to set a winning tone for the season.  The Lions of U-G suffered six straight losses to close out 2023.  C-P opens district play on September 27 travelling to Alba-Golden and closes its season against Rivercrest on November 8, at home.

Little Normangee (1-9) may surprise everyone.  Somerville hosts the Panthers in Game #1 and Normangee hosts Iola for their Week 2 matchup.  Somerville was 2-8 last year and Iola 6-5, both opponents a surprisingly sound Normangee could take down.  2023 was a set-up season for HC Danny Mitchell   So his returnees know what he expects of them if they are to perform on a winning team   Go, Panthers!

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