Euless Trinity edges Abilene atop 5A football poll

HOUSTON Abilene coach Steve Warren, whose team is No. 2, says that should happen every year.

"I think until somebody defeats the defending champs, that's where they should be -- 1 and 2," Warren said. "I think that's the way I've kind of looked at it every year."

Euless Trinity is No. 1 after winning the 5A Division I championship a year ago. It was the third title in five seasons for the Trojans, and they are bringing back the receiver who caught the title-winning pass in overtime and a potential star running back who missed most of last season with a knee injury.

Like last year, when Katy and Allen topped the poll, the margin is close. Trinity earned 15 first-place votes and 235 points while Abilene had the other 10 first-place votes and 231 points.

The voting panel includes 25 Texas media members who cover high school football.

Abilene is bringing back its top two offensive players after winning the 5A Division II crown. Running back Herschel Sims is one of the state's top recruits after rushing for 2,352 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2009. His lesser-known cousin, quarterback Ronnell Sims, had more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing last year.

"I think it starts with the quarterback," Warren said. "Ronnell is a great leader. I think he's poised to have a better year this year than he had last year."

Trinity considered moving receiver Brandon Carter to quarterback after his title-game heroics last year, but he will still catch passes and return kicks.

The other top teams this year are three-time defending champion Lake Travis in 4A, Brownwood in 3A, Daingerfield in 2A and Goldthwaite in 1A. Daingerfield has won back-to-back titles.

Lake Travis has a new coach in Hank Carter after Chad Morris left to become an assistant at Tulsa. Morris inherited a state champion and won a pair of titles in his only two seasons.

Brownwood is looking for its eighth title and first since 1981 with receiver Jaxon Shipley leading the way. Shipley is the younger brother of former Texas receiver Jordan Shipley, who's now with the Cincinnati Bengals.