Every year when the summer edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football comes out, fans and media alike look at the teams we have at the top of the pre-season rankings to get an idea of who likely makes the trip to Arlington to play for a state title at AT&T Stadium in December.

While the teams ranked highly in the pre-season are there for good reason, we all know there are always a few mystery guests that pop up with deep playoff runs and sometimes state titles when the season wraps up.  Who are those teams you need to keep an eye on in 2018? We’ve got you covered at DCTF as we bring you our 2018 Hipster Picks to keep in your back pocket as you casually drop them into conversation with your friends from time to time, so once they make that deep run, you can look like a Texas high school football genius!

El Paso Del Valle

Realignment brought about many changes in the Sun City and most notable was in District 1-5A Division I where some of the top 5A teams in the city are joined by some powerful Class 6A drop downs to make for a deep and exciting district. Lost in that shuffle might be Jesse Perales’ Del Valle Conquistadores who bring back some exciting talent from a squad that posted a 10-2 record and nearly made a remarkable comeback in an area round playoff loss. DVHS has a four year starter back a QB in Raymond Montez and one of the top receivers in the Sun City in Karch Gardiner. Both were District 2-5A co-MVP in 2017. The defense, which brings back six starters, is led by LB Ivan Perez and two way playmaker Cauy Oropeza. The biggest key for the Conquistadores will be developing some depth along the defensive line, if they can not get worn down against some of the bigger and more physical teams come playoff time, they’ve got the offensive firepower to really be a tough out. Perales’ squad always plays a tough schedule and showed in their 11-point loss to Lubbock Coronado in the area playoffs, they can play with just about anyone in Region I.

The Colony

The Cougars could be a real factor in the DFW area in 2018 after a 7-4 season a year ago. Coach Rudy Rangel welcomes back 13 total starters from last year along with reinforcements from an impressive JV squad that posted a 10-0 mark. QB Mikey Harrington stepped in as a sophomore and proved that when needed, he can be dangerous throwing the ball going for 23 touchdowns in 2017. However, we all know The Colony’s bread and butter is running the ball and Myles Price and Jaden Abdallah return to carry the load, while junior WR Keith Miller will prove to be a nice red zone target. The defense will feature a tremendous secondary with Cameron Pair and Calvin Baker leading the charge. Coach Rangel’s squad, despite the returning experience, will still be young in key spots, but this may also be the most athletic The Colony squad in several seasons. I they can navigate a tough district that’s heavy on the Frisco schools, the team is a real sleeper in Region II.

New Caney

Fresh off an 8-3 campaign in which the Eagles nabbed a district title and a bi-district playoff win, Coach Todd Pennington thinks New Caney is primed to contend for a district title in 2018. The Eagles' spread offense will have a playmaker at QB as Zion Childress takes over after playing WR a year ago. Childress isn’t just an athlete playing QB, he is more than capable as a passer as well. C.J. Sanders made an impact on both sides of the ball as a freshman and could emerge as the lead running back for the New Caney offense. Sanders will operate behind what looks to be an experienced offensive line. The Eagles' secondary should be among the best in Greater Houston, but what will decide their fate in the playoffs will be how their young front seven on the defensive side of the ball matures.

San Antonio Southwest

While most of the attention in Region IV lies with another 6A drop-down (San Antonio Wagner), the Southwest Dragons are actually the 6A drop-down that returns with playoff wins under their belt. The Dragons are fresh off back-to-back trips to the area playoffs and a nine-win campaign in their final year at the 6A level. On paper they look to be the favorite in 14-5A Division I as 12 total starters return. Southwest also has help from a 7-3 JV ready to step in and make an impact as well. The biggest advantage Coach Matt Elliott’s squad has is their unique scheme on offense, Southwest is a multiple offensive team that show some Power I, some Pistol, some Slot-T and even some Single Wing sets and it makes them a nightmare to prepare for. One thing that you could be sure of is the Dragons will pound you with the run, try to shorten the game and rely on their veteran defense to carry the load. Cade Stott, who picked off six passes last year could take over at QB if he’s not patrolling the secondary and he’ll lead what is a fast and aggressive defense. Expect as many as seven different ball-carriers to tote the mail in a given game for the Dragons which allows them to come at you in waves and allows some key players to contribute on defense as well. In what looks to be a wide open Region IV race, the Dragons have the veteran playoff experience that could prove vital after Thanksgiving.