List-- All-time best 3A teams

[big daddy russ]

Who do you have? I think we can all agree on Daingerfield at number one, but who would you put after that, regardless of whether or not they won a state title?

'81 Pittsburg? '73 and '74 Cuero? What about the Gobblers '87 squad that featured Robert Strait? Maybe '96 Sealy? '92 or '88 Southlake Carroll? What about '92 Vernon, the team that rolled everyone until SLC edged them out 39-35 in the playoffs?

Going old school, maybe '57 Nederland, '58 Breckenridge, '61 Dumas, or the '66 Bridge City Cardinals led by Steve Wooster. On the flip side, there have been some phenomenal teams in recent years. Last year's Wimberley squad could compete with anyone, as could the '01 D-I Champs, the Adrian Alaniz-led team they played in the Finals (Sinton), and the DaBryan Blanton-led team they played at Regionals (Forney).

I think that as good as their '02 team was, Everman's '01 Championship squad was better. What do you think?

Let's hear your picks.

[Adidas410s]

From the many stories I've heard about Jimmie Keeling's Lubbock Estacado squads...I would say his 1968 state championship team would have to be right up there. Only gave up a few TD's I believe. I'll see what I can find...

Oh...and that Estacado team was in it's 1st year of existence! :thumbsup:

[g$$]

1983 Daingerfield...

then everybody else!

[kaorder1999]

Originally posted by g$$
1983 Daingerfield...

then everybody else!

yep

[CenTexSports]

Almost all of the 1965 through mid 1970's Brownwood teams. A couple of state championships and a dominate program at the time. I would put a couple of these teams against ANYBODY.

[Buckeye80]

'03 Atlanta was a defensive machine.
They get very little mention in these discussions. I'm assuming it is because they lost four games. Those four losses were to 4A teams, two of which made the playoffs in '03.

[District303aPastPlayer]

Originally posted by Buckeye80
'03 Atlanta was a defensive machine.
They get very little mention in these discussions. I'm assuming it is because they lost four games. Those four losses were to 4A teams, two of which made the playoffs in '03.

the reason they get little attention was because the defensive machine ranked #1 on the all time best 3a list...

[Stownhorse]

What about in school history wise? Isnt there a list of career wins/losses and playoff wins and state titles?

[lostaussie]

81 pittsburg had almost as many shutouts as 83 d'field. they only gave up 2 points to a 3a team. that being the champ game against van vleck, when the deep snapper sent the snap over the punters head. those guys could wreck.

[g$$]

I believe Daingerfield gave up 8 pts. all year. Safety & a punt block recovered in end zone. Best mix of speed & size I have ever seen. They could compete w/ anyone fron any class for that given year.

Killed a fine Sweeny team 42-0 in Waco for the title. We had this discussion before, & w/ all due respect to others, it's Daingerfield by far. Ended up ranked nationally #5 or #6 before this became commonplace.

[Send_the_House]

83 Dangerfield..

Gave up 6 points all year... (Offense threw a pic returned for T.D.... Defense blocked the extra point)...

this topic is overdone.

[Keith7]

03 Gainesville team coulda beat anybody ever.. too much speed with great coaching

[big daddy russ]

So give me a list. Like I said, list the top ten (or five, or 25, whatever your heart desires) in order.

[Gobbler Fan]

I don't care what anyone say's but the Cuero Team of 73'74'75 could of hung in with anyone ...... they won 44 games in a row and 3 straight Championship appearances ...winning 2 . This was back before the watered down playoff system we have now .

[pirateman98]

I would have to say that two of the best teams to ever come out of Sinton was the '90 and '01 teams. I think both would make a great claim to being one of the best of all time!

[Txbroadcaster]

1. 83 D-Field: Best D ever at 3A level
2.86 Jefferson Bulldogs: One of the most underrated state title winners. Had 5 D-1 recruits, and another handful go to various colleges.
3. 80 Pittsburgh: Almost as good a D as D-Field
4. Atlanta: All I need to say is speed,speed,speed
4. 03 Gainesville. Saw them play Forney in person in one of the best play-off games. They had speed to burn and a good defense. Would have loved to see them and Atlants play
5. SLC 93: a great offense and a great defense.
6.94 Sealy: Really hard to pick which Sealy team of this era was better, but I will go with the first title winner.


That is a quick list of the teams I can say were great..anything before 80 would be before my time and I would only be going on what others say.

I do know one thing. I was talking with Coach Alexander once we talked about his 83 squad and he said ONE team since then he had seen play would have been able to move the ball on D-Field and that was the 86 Jefferson team. In fact they did beat another great D-Field team in the Quarters of the 86 play-offs

[g$$]

Strong list. Good job TxBroadcaster. Might also include a Cuero team, possibly Robert Strait's junior year of '87.

Interesting what Alexander said about who could play w/ Daingerfield. He should know.

[WOS87]

Daingerfield most assuredly #1 and you could give a reasonable argument for several from #2 on down. Looking at the actual numbers from all 64 middle classification state champs (3A 1980-2005/2A 1951-1979) You get the following:

Interestingly, most of the all-time greats seem to be either known for their offense or known for their defense but not both. Jacksboro 1962 is the only champ to make the top 10 for both.

Average pts scored per game
1. 1992 Southlake Carroll (16-0-0) 50.19
2. 2002 Everman (14-1-0) 48.80
3. 1960 Denver City (15-0-0) 47.93
4. 1987 Cuero (16-0-0) 43.44
5.(t) 2001 Everman (15-0-0) 42.67
5.(t)1969 Iowa Park (15-0-0) 42.67
7. 1995 Sealy (16-0-0) 42.38
8. 2004 Gilmer (16-0-0) 41.56
9. 1954 Phillips (15-0-0) 40.47
10. 1962 Jacksboro (15-0-0) 40.13

Average pts allowed per game
1. 1983 Daingerfield (16-0-0) 0.50!!
2. 1980 Pittsburg (15-0-0) 1.53
3. 1962 Jacksboro (15-0-0) 2.80
4. 1966 Sweeny (14-0-0) 3.29
5. 1964 Palacios (14-0-0) 4.64
6. 1973 Friendswood (15-0-0) 4.67
7. 1988 Southlake Carroll (16-0-0) 4.94
8. 1970 Refugio (14-0-1) 5.00
9. 1979 Van (14-0-1) 5.07
10. 1982 Refugio (15-1-0) 5.38

Average Margin of Victory
1. 1992 Southlake Carroll (16-0-0) 42.56
2. 1960 Denver City (15-0-0) 42.07
3. 2002 Everman (14-1-0) 39.93
4. 1983 Daingerfield (16-0-0) 38.94
5. 1962 Jacksboro (15-0-0) 37.33
6. 1995 Sealy (16-0-0) 36.12
7. 1969 Iowa Park (15-0-0) 35.20
8. 1988 Southlake Carroll (16-0-0) 34.88
9. 2001 Everman (15-0-0) 34.47
10. 1970 Refugio (14-0-1) 34.27

[Rabbit'93]

1. '83 Daingerfield
2. '92 SLC
3. '80 Pittsburg
4. '01 Everman

After that you can make a case for Sealy(pick a year), Gainesville, and a host of others.

[big daddy russ]

1. '83 Daingerfield
2. '80 Pittsburg
3. '86 Jefferson
4. '92 SLC
5. '01 Everman
6. '66 Bridge City
7. '88 SLC
8. '05 Wimberley (easily the most overlooked state champion)
9. '90 Vernon
10. '92 Vernon
11. '68 Lubbock Estacado
12. '94 Sealy
13. '57 Nederland
14. '85 Daingerfield
15. '01 Sinton/'01 Forney-- take your pick
16. '02 Everman
17. '76 Beaumont Hebert
18. '98 Newton
19. '85 Vernon
20. '03 Gainesville

The only teams on the list that I actually saw were Newton back in '98, Everman, Forney, and Sinton in '01, and Everman in '02. The rest are just taken from looking at playoff scores on Collier-Sharp, seeing what each of these teams did to the other teams they played and where those teams were ranked, so this isn't gospel, just where I'd put them.

[IHStangFan]

yup, 01 Everman, although Sinton had them whipped until the rain started, they went to a ground game, which took Adrian outa the game as far as passing, and Everman walked w/ the title.

[Paratrooper]

Originally posted by CenTexSports
Almost all of the 1965 through mid 1970's Brownwood teams. A couple of state championships and a dominate program at the time. I would put a couple of these teams against ANYBODY.

Brownwood did have some great teams. In 65 they beat Bridge City with Steve Worster. 66 the Cardinals came back and won the state championship but I think Brownwood had a very dominate program during the 60's and 70's.

[West22]

Keep in mind that BROWNWOOD AND BRIDGE CITY would be considered 4 a by todays classifaction system.

[lostaussie]

1980 Pittsburg was gooooood. Not as goood as Sweetwater.....................but they were goooooood:D

[g$$]

For the Top 25, how about the '66 Sweeny team? Won state undefeated in what is now 3A. Lots of D1 kids, including former pros like Elmo Wright & Jimmie Lindsey. Sweeny integrated that year to bring over the Carver state champs & combine w/ the other returners. Turned out to be a great move!

All of us, including me, seem to forget about the great teams before say 1970. Nice work WOS, good stuff.

FYI: Elmo Wright is given credit for the 1st end zone dance by the NFL Network. He started doing it at the University of Houston way before Billy "White Shoes" Johnson & others later. Elmo is the uncle of Rod Wright of Texas, All American DT last year & now w/ Miami on injured reserve. Lots of athletes in that extended family!

[Stownhorse]

Originally posted by lostaussie
1980 Pittsburg was gooooood. Not as goood as Sweetwater.....................but they were goooooood:D


'85 S'water wasn't bad

[Just Watching]

Originally posted by Gobbler Fan
I don't care what anyone say's but the Cuero Team of 73'74'75 could of hung in with anyone ...... they won 44 games in a row and 3 straight Championship appearances ...winning 2 . This was back before the watered down playoff system we have now .

That Ennis team that beat Cuero wasn't bad either.

[CueroDad2006]

CUERO 1973 AND 1974 44 STRAIGHT WINS. BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPS......ARE YOU KIDDING ME

[big daddy russ]

Originally posted by CueroDad2006
CUERO 1973 AND 1974 44 STRAIGHT WINS. BACK TO BACK STATE CHAMPS......ARE YOU KIDDING ME
That may be one of the top three most legendary dynasties 3A has ever seen, but judging exclusively by their margin of victory in the playoffs, they didn't seem like a "dominant" team.

YEAR MARGIN/VICTORY
1973 10.25 pts.
1974 7.25 pts.

Compare that to '66 Bridge City, a team whose average margin of victory was 24.5 points. The only team to reach double digits against the Cardinals was Conroe in Bi-District (a 41-17 victory) and the closest any team played them was a 28-7 loss by San Marcos.

Not dogging those Cuero teams by any stretch of the imagination, just saying that there were other teams who were more dominant.

As far as Sinton '01, they were head and shoulders better than every team they played until Everman, they just didn't make it look like it on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see all these other teams play so I can't tell if they were that much better than everyone else, I just know how much better '01 Sinton was than Texarkana Liberty-Eylau '99, Gatesville, LaGrange, and Abilene Wylie '00. (Those were the elite teams I got to see the two years leading up to '01).

[BreckTxLonghorn]

I don't have all my info with me (I left it at home in Big Breck), but I believe the stud Breckenridge team was in 1959 with Jerry Gibson at QB. Power runners, and rated Team of The Century (all classifications) by the Ft. Worth Star Telegram. No numbers off the top of my head, and 58/59 confuses me ( i'm getting years mixed up), but if I'll try to find the article written by a Kingsville columnist after Breck beat them in the title game. Don't know how they stack up, but a good team nonetheless.


From what I've seen personally, I still believe the '99 Bucks would be considered had they not had the meltdown against Monahans, where many of the players got too cocky, and were drinking the night before (there is supposedly video of this, though I have never seen it.)

[DukeNukem]

Originally posted by Stownhorse
'85 S'water wasn't bad \

that was a 4a team then wasn't it?