Last season Manor and Hutto battle it out for the championship after playing early in the year that saw Manor win 12-6. Hutto would go on to get revenge when it counted the most and beat Manor in the championship. Hutto is the reigning defending undisputed CTFYL champions. This year I think it will be good and competitive. Time for some fun:

Bastrop – Last Season Bastrop fielded 2 teams that finished ranked 4 and 7. On average the Bears finish 4-4 and ranked 8. Bastrop contended last season before falling in the playoffs to Manor Black 19-25. Bastrop gets to rebuild with a decent Pee Wee team. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bastrop is a contender/bubble team.

Cedar Creek – The Eagles have not fielded a team since 2016. Cedar Creek seems to be having trouble fielding teams, so I don’t expect them to this year and therefore won’t consider them as contenders

Del Valle – This will be Del Valle first taste of real competition. The Cardinals will have a hill to climb as they get use to the CTYFL. It will be interesting to see how they adjust to playing in CTYFL. Leander came in a few years ago and won it all. Can Del Valle do the same? At this time, I don’t think they will. I see this as a growing year and won’t consider them a contender/bubble team.

East Austin – Last Season East Austin was in TYFA. The age division is a little different but looking at last year they went winless. They barely scored points and gave up a lot. I don’t think they will be in consideration for a final 4 spot.

Elgin – The Wildcats didn’t field a team last season. On average they finish 4-4 and rank 5. It seems Elgin has been struggling to field If they can field a team, I feel pretty confidence that Elgin could contend for a final 4 spot.

Georgetown – Last season the Texans finished 4-4 and ranked 6. On average Georgetown finishes 4-3 and ranked 6. Georgetown seems to be on the upswing in this division and hopefully they can build off last year to be a contender. It will be close, but I see them in the mix for final 4 spot.

Hutto – Last Season Hutto won it all beating a very good Manor Black team and ending the season 6-2 and ranked 3. On average Hutto finishes 4-4 and ranked 7. To not consider them a contender would be wrong.

Jarrell – Welcome to CTYFL Jarrell. The Cougars will need all the help they can get to be a contender. I think this will be a learning year for them, so I don’t see them contending this year.

Kyle – Last season the Invaders finished 0-8 and ranked dead last at 9. The last time Kyle won a game in the rookie division was week 2 in 2017. That was against Manor with a 27-12 score. They have gone 22 straight rookie games without a win. That is a CTYFL record in all division. Can they break that streak this season? Until they do, they are not even in the conversation for a Final 4 spot.

Leander – Last season Leander fielded 4 rookie teams…Sorry that was flag. How are you going to have that many teams but no tackle teams? That President failed at their job. Leander didn’t get to defend their CTYFL championship last year. I believe there is enough talent in that area to make them contenders now that Faith Academy is taking the year off. Therefore, I would consider them a bubble team.

North Austin – The Mavericks has not fielded a team since 2018. On average North Austin finishes 3-5 and ranked 9. The Mavs might be on their way out, so I don’t expect them to field a team, so I don’t consider them contenders.

Round Rock – Last Season the Tigers finished 6-2 and ranked 2. On average they finish 4-3 and ranked 7. The momentum is there for Round Rock to be a top contender. Its now up to the coaches to do something with it. For now, I will consider them contenders.

SAO – Last season the Scorpions finished 1-7 and ranked 8. On average SAO finishes 3-4 and ranked 8. The Scorpions have not been contending and competitive lately and I don’t see that changing. I feel we will see the same outcome as years past.

Unity – Last season Unity had 7 and 8 years old in different division because of the way TYFA is set up. On 1 end the Tykes didn’t do good and on the other the Rookie finished great. When they combine them, I see them fighting a Final 4 spot. It’s hard not to see them as a contender on each level when we all know they are a select team.

To wrap up the Rookie I have Bastrop, Elgin, Georgetown, Hutto, Leander, Round Rock and Unity as contenders/bubble teams. Once I get my hands on an official schedule to see who has teams then I post my pre-season Final 4 predictions along with week 1 predictions!!