Marshall High School at The Zone photo shoot, on Tuesday June 13, 2023, at Kilgore High School

DISTRICT 8-5A DIVISION II

OUR PICKS

1. Texas High

2. Whitehouse

3. Marshall

4. Hallsville

5. Pine Tree

6. Mount Pleasant

7. Nacogdoches

TEXAS HIGH TIGERS

COACH: Gerry Stanford (7th year at Texas High, 48-21; Overall: 94-43, previously head coach at White Oak, Flower Mound Marcus)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 662-428-32

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Tiger Stadium at Grim Park, Summerhill Road and West 12th Street, Texarkana 75501 (Capacity: 7,511)

2022 RESULTS: 8-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 30/7 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 22

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Tradarian Ball (5-10, 180, So.) … WR TJ Gray (6-2, 170, Sr.) … RB Javari Johnson (5-8, 170, Jr.) … QB David J. Potter (6-4, 195, Jr.) … OL Duncan McGhee (6-5, 275, So.) … OL Damien Chisum (6-4, 265, So.) … OL Evan Holman (6-2, 240, Sr.) … WR Brandon Hall (5-8, 150, Sr.) … ATH Kameron Wrightner (5-9, 150, So.) …

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Trystan Powell (6-0, 210, Sr.) … LB Isaiah Dowden (5-9, 200, Jr.) … DL Kenneth Merriman (5-11, 235, Sr.) … DL Sheldon Harris (6-2, 200, Jr.) … CB Tim Austin (5-9, 150, Sr.) … LB Zion Dillard (5-9, 180, Sr.) … DB Kendrevion Boyce (5-11, 155, Jr.) … Tyquan Black (6-0, 190, Sr.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: Gerry Stanford enters his seventh as the head Tiger having led the Texarkana school to three consecutive district crowns. … Potter returns at QB after throwing for 1,515 yards and 15 touchdowns. He had five interceptions. … Johnson returns after rushing for 1,070 yards and 12 touchdowns. … The Tigers figure to contend for the district title along with Whitehouse and Hallsville. … Texas High has appeared in the playoffs 39 times with 31 district championships with one state title (2002). The Tigers have a playoff record of 27-37-2. … Fifty-years ago this season, the Tigers were one of the state contenders but were upset in the opening district game when Earl Campbell threw a late halfback pass for a touchdown to lead John Tyler to a 21-16 victory and the district championship. Campbell and the Lions recorded a 15-0 record and the state title.

WHITEHOUSE WILDCATS

COACH: Kyle Westerberg (3rd year at Whitehouse, 10-11)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 267-338-12

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Wildcat Stadium, 106 Wildcat Drive, Whitehouse 75791 (Capacity: 7,011)

2022 RESULTS: 8-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 33/8 offensive/8 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 17

OFFENSE: Multiple Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Josh Green (6-1, 185, Sr.) … OLB Kyren McCullough (6-1, 280, Sr.) … OL Johnathan Bush (6-3, 280, Jr.) … WR Colton McMahon (6-2, 175, Jr.) … WR Braylen Jackson (5-10, 160, Sr.) … RB Iven Lacy (5-11, 175, Sr.) … C Chris Woodley (6-2, 225, Sr.) … OL Dylan Acker (6-4, 250, Sr.) …

DEFENSE: Multiple 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Hayden Ross (5-11, 195, Sr.) … CB Gabe Stroud (5-10, 170, Sr.) … OLB Julius Simms (6-2, 185, Jr.) … DL Caleb Toombs (6-2, 300, So.) … DL Peyton Blackmon (6-0, 200, Sr.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: In his second season as head coach, Kyle Westerberg worked some magic to turn the Wildcats into a contender. With 33 lettermen and 16 starters returning, along with the influx of players from a talented JV squad that went 9-1, Whitehouse has high expectations. … The Wildcats lost three standouts in Jermod McCoy (Oregon State), Decarlton Wilson (TJC) and Ladarius Pitts (Ouachita Baptist), but have many talented ‘Cats returning, including standout QB and wrestler Josh Green, who was the Offensive MVP in a district full of standouts. Green made the WHS offense go by tossing for 2,499 yards while hitting on 165 of 261 passing attempts. He threw for 23 touchdowns with only six interceptions. He is also a threat on the ground with 837 yards and 16 TDs on 185 attempts. … Leading the way up front is a couple of first-team all-district performers in Kyren McCullough and Johnathan Bush, plus three-year starter at center Chris Woodley. … Iven Lacy started at tight end but switched to running back “mid-year and had a huge impact for us,” Westerberg said. He rushed for 580 yards and nine touchdowns on 97 carries. Lacy also had 13 catches for 151 yards. With four of five offensive linemen back, plus QB and RB, the ‘Cats will be eyeing a district title. … Whitehouse has made 18 playoff appearances and won six district titles. The Wildcats’ playoff record is 10-18.

MARSHALL MAVERICKS

COACH: Jack Alvarez (2nd year at Marshall, 6-5; Overall: 199-98, previously head coach at Pineland West Sabine, Kirbyville, Ennis, Copperas Cove, Cuero)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 627-48-46

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Maverick Stadium, 1900 Maverick Drive, Marshall 75670 (Capacity: 7,906)

2022 RESULTS: 6-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 28/4 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 17

OFFENSE: Multiple Pro

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Collier Slone (6-0, 215, Sr.) … OL David Carlisle (5-9, 223, Jr.) … RB Semaj Gatson (5-8, 150, Jr.) … WR D’Kerrius Shaw (5-10, 161, Sr.) … OL Eric Perkins (6-4, 315, So.) ..

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Judson Illingworth (6-0, 2-3, Jr.) … LB Kenneth Villeareal (5-10, 212, Sr.) … OLB Kaiden Rogers (6-1, 175, Jr.) … LB Landen Jones (6-2, 204, So.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: The Mavericks have finished runner-up the past two years in district. Their last district title was 2019, the final of three consecutive district championships. Marshall won a state title in 1990 and have a playoff record of 40-32-2 with 34 playoff appearances and 22 district titles. … Gatson is leading returning rusher with 516 yards and five TDs on 60 carries and Slone is back at QB, hitting on 99 of 181 passing attempts last season for 1,029 yards with nine TDs and six interceptions. … Illingworth is the leading receiver back as the tight end caught five passes for 43 yards. … Villeareal is top returning tackler with 146 stops including 84 stops. … The Mavs are expected to challenge for the district title along with Texas High and Whitehouse.

HALLSVILLE BOBCATS

COACH: Josh Strickland (3rd year at Hallsville, 10-11)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 405-436-23

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Bobcat Stadium, #1 Bobcat Lane, Hallsville, Texas 75650 (Capacity: 8,824)

2022 RESULTS: 7-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/5 offensive/6 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 27

OFFENSE: Power spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB /WR Ethan Miller (6-0, 185, Sr.) … OL Slayten Donald (6-3, 250, Jr.) … OL Gabe Bennett (6-1, 235, Jr.) … RB Kyron Rosborough (Sr.) … OL Remington Talasek (Sr.) … WR Sawyer Dunagan (Sr.) … WR Derek Roberts (Sr.) …

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Isaiah McDonald (6-2, 200, Sr.) … DB Kobe Gaut (6-2, 170, Jr.) … LB Andrew Griffin (6-11, 2-4, Sr.)

2023 OUTLOOK: The Bobcats are seeking their first playoff win since 2015 when they defeated Ennis, 24-23. Last season, they lost to Melissa, 57-20, in bi-district. … Hallsville’s last district championship was in a 1999, sharing the title with two other schools. It was 1976 the last time the Bobcats won a district title without sharing the crown. … Miller has been named all-district at two different postions — tight end as a sophomore and wide receiver as a junior. He will now switch to quarterback after hauling in 690 receiving yards with 10 TDs. … McDonald will be a three-year starter. … Coach Strickland expects his team to contend for a postseason berth. “We have the pieces here to win. We are moving some guys around but I fully expect us to be where we need to be by district play,” he said. … Hallsville has an all-time record of 11-17-1 in the playoffs. … In 1963, the Bobcats reached the semifinals after wins over San Augustine (14-8), Jefferson (18-14) and Bastrop (19-0) before falling to George West (22-0).

PINE TREE PIRATES

COACH: Jason Bachman (2nd year at Pine Tree, 2-8)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 394-451-20

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Pirate Stadium, 3737 W Loop 281, Longview 75604 (Capacity: 6,429)

2022 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 19/8 offensive/9 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 9

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Matt Cates (6-2, 165, Jr.) … OT Peyton Davis (6-3, 260, Jr.) … G Jailyn Attaway (6-0, 260, Jr.) … RB L’marion Hunter (6-9, 165, So.) … RB/WR Tre Brown (5-10, 172, Sr.) … C Anthony Castro (5-0, 240, Sr.)

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Dealyn Evans (6-5, 260, Sr.) … DE Quinton Clark (6-3, 225, Sr.) … LB Seth McFarland (6-2, 200, Jr.) … FS Kalil Deckard (5-11, 150, Jr.) … OLB Raimone Flournoy (5-7, 165, Jr.) … DT Brock Reddic (6-3, 275, Sr.) … OLB Noah Salazar (6-1, 185, Sr.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: Coach Jason Bachman begins his second season as captain of the Pirates ship. He has one mighty great mate in defensive lineman Dealyn Evans, one of the most sought-after recruits in the state. Evans, who qualified for the state track & field meet in the shot put, is a Texas A&M commit. Before heading to Jimbo Fisher’s camp, Evans hopes to lead the Bucs to their first district championship since 1976. Last year he had 58 tackles, including 15 for loss and four sacks. … Adding to Evans’ presence will be the return of Quinton Clark, who missed all but one game last year due to injury. Coach Bachman says Clark is “poised for a great 2023 season.” … Offensively, Matt Cates is scheduled to start at quarterback. He gained experience as a sophomore, playing in five games while tossing for 732 yards and five touchdowns. … The Pirates have a total of 17 starters returning, plus add in Clark along with running back/wide receiver/free safety Tre Brown, who played in just three games due to injury, Pine Tree should be solid. PT, whch had two district games decided by a total of four points, could have easily been in the playoffs a year with a play here or there. … The Pirates have 10 playoff appearances in their history with seven district championships. They have a playoff record of 4-10.

MOUNT PLEASANT TIGERS

COACH: Joe Cluley (2nd year at Mount Pleasant, 2-8; Overall: 35-24, previously head coach at Lubbock Estacado)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 523-488-27

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Sam Parker Field, 2801 Old Paris Road, Mount Pleasant 75455 (Capacity: 7,971)

2022 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/5 offensive/7 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 25

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Dylan Bennett (5-8, 160, Sr.) … QB Mason McMinn (6-2, 180, Sr.) … LT Jonathan Amieva (6-3, 255, Jr.) … C Corben Craig (6-1, 240, So.) … WR Owen Green (5-10, 150, Sr.) …

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: CB LaTristan Thompson (5-11, Sr., 175) … OLB Antez Jeffery (6-2, 200, Sr.) … LB Isaiah Hunter (6-1, 185, Sr.) … DE Ryder Marshall (6-3, 215, Sr.) … DE Angel Barboza (6-2, 220, Jr.) … DB Duece Thompson (5-11, 160, So.) … LB A’Shad Smith (6-1, 180, So.) … Hybrid Safety JaColby Turner (5-10, 175, Sr.) … S Hudson Hampton (6-0, 180, Sr.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: Joe Cluley Jr., a graduate of Bishop Gorman, begins his second year at the helm of the Tigers program after six years in Lubbock, including four years as head coach at Estacado where he led the Matadors to four playoff appearances and three district titles. … His father, Joe Cluley Sr., was head coach of the Tigers from 1986 to 1989, leading Mount Pleasant to a 12-3 district championship winning season in his final season. … The Tigers have made 24 playoff appearances with 17 district titles. They have a playoff record of 21-22-3. … QB McMinn threw for 1,500 yards and 15 TDs last year and rushed for 200 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett returns with 42 receptions for 500 yards and two scores. … With a second year in his system, Cluley feels his team will be stronger. Although the Tigers are undersized, Cluley says his team’s strengths are unity, discipline and speed.

NACOGDOCHES DRAGONS

COACH: Darby House (1st year at Nacogdoches; Overall: 29-37, previously head coach at Somerville, Poteet)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 460-572-36

DISTRICT: 8-5A Division II

STADIUM: Dragon Stadium, 4310 Appleby Sand Road, Nacogdoches 75961 (Capacity: 5,988)

2022 RESULTS: 1-9

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 10/5 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 25

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Jaylon Brown (6-4, 205, Sr.) … RB James Williams (5-11, 200, Sr.) … WR Quin Calhoun (5-10, Jr.) … OL Bryan Granados (6-2, 305, Sr.) … QB Mikail Lockett (6-0, 185, Sr.) …

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Braxton Jones (6-1, 225, Sr.) … LB Connor McAninch (6-3, 205, Sr.) … DL Andrew Rogers (6-0, 250, Sr.) … LJ Leadon (5-9, 150, Sr.) … DB Tyren Matthews (5-9 150, Jr.) …

2023 OUTLOOK: Darby House comes to the Piney Woods after five years as head coach at Poteet, where he led the Aggies to four consecutive playoff appearances. … The Dragons are searching for their first district title since 1982. Nacogdoches has made 14 playoff appearances with eight district championships. The Firebreathers have have a postseason record of 4-14. … Lockett hit on 61 of 138 passing attempts for 889 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions in eight starts. … In 2022, Williams rushed for 414 yards on 79 carries and Leadon caught 18 passes for 245 yards. … The top tackler last year was Jones with 130 stops, including 95 solo.