After three consecutive third place finishes, Cougars head coach Bradley Morgan is expecting a breakout year in 2019. Buna returns eight starters including dual first team all-district running back and safety Kameron Richardson.
"We're all about the process of working hard every day and doing the things we have to do for the team to be successful," said Morgan, entering his 21st season as Cougar head coach.
"Hopefully the outcome will be a district championship."
It's been 2014 since their last district title and 2019 will bring a slew of new players as the Cougars lost 16 seniors to graduation. They will look to their offense to carry the load early with depth at running back clearly being their main weapon.
The Cougars will be motivated even more after last seasons disappointing bi-district playoff loss to Diboll 31-26.
"The Slot-T will be our base offense," said Morgan, "but with everyone coming back at running back we'll be able to spread people out more. We'll be opening up our offense."
Along with Richardson the Cougars also bring back RB's Logan Odell (403 yards rushing, 1 TD) and Blain Marks who recorded 55 tackles last season at linebacker.
With athletes at the 3A consistently forced to play both ways the Buna defense will be challenged at depth and experience. The Cougars will rely on a youth movement in 2019 to fortify the lettermen.
"We're going to be extremely young on defense this year," said Morgan.
"No doubt we'll rely on leadership from (Blaine) Marks and (Kristian) Johnson on the defensive side. We're going to have to change up our defense this season, we're not going to be as big, we're going to have to move around a bit and try to make things happen."
The Cougars will have an advantage in pursuit of the 12-3A district crown as they will host both Woodville (10/11) and East Chambers (10/25) at home this year. Can the Cougars push through in 2019?
PODCAST with Bradley Morgan of Buna Football