By Ronnie Hughes

Leader Correspondent

ORANGEFIELD — The 2016 District 12-4A Division II football season has an experienced Orangefield Bobcats team looking to make school history.

Having made the post season three consecutive seasons; with a fourth trip in 2016 the Cats’ will have accomplished something that’s never been done by a Bobcat football team.

They slipped into the area round last season with a win over Houston Worthing in fine fashion, but the question will be, where will the Cats’ finish this season?

A higher seed will pin them against a lower seeded opponent, but a lower seed could mean seeing the likes of Bellville in bidistrict action.

The Bobcats will look to senior outside linebacker Andrew Hoyland to help motivate and set the tone for the defense. As a junior Hoyland received second team All-District honors along with ranking second in tackles on the team. He is one of three returning linebackers for the Bobcats this season which will be the strength and driving force of this defense. Playing outside linebacker Hoyland already knows the importance of covering the pass against teams like district foe, West Orange – Stark, who are known to air it out.

“We’ve got to do a better job covering the pass this season,” Hoyland said “We’ve got to have a good attitude, play smart football and never take a play off.”

Along side Hoyland will be fellow senior Christopher McGee. However, McGee, will also put in work as one of the feature running backs in the Orangefield ‘Slot-T’ offense they’ve been known for over the years. Averaging close to a hundred yards a game, McGee, is ready for a heavier work load this season and looking to best his 15 touchdowns he had last season. Leadership, keeping a straight mind frame ,and communication will be the keys to the offensive success noted McGee.

“This team is close and we all have a special bond,” McGee said “Its gonna be a great season and no doubt we’re going to be good, because we are real aggressive this season.”

Hoyland, McGee and the rest of the Bobcats put in plenty of summer workouts together and it shows as this Bobcats team is bigger in size than past seasons. Only time will tell if that added size and new talent will translate into wins and a top seed in the district for the Cats’. They will kick off the regular season at home in a non-district game against the Buna Cougars.