THE ZONE: District 10-6A

Published 5:00 am Saturday, August 24, 2024

DISTRICT 10-6A

OUR PICKS: 1. LONGVIEW 2. ROCKWALL 3. FORNEY 4. ROCKWALL-HEATH 5. TYLER LEGACY 6. NORTH FORNEY 7. ROYSE CITY

LONGVIEW LOBOS

COACH: John King (21st year, 222-45)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 781-356-20

STADIUM: Lobo Stadium, 3012 Airline Road, Longview, 75605

2023 RESULTS: 11-2

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 30/9

LETTERMEN LOST: 35

OFFENSE: Pro I

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Kelvin Washington, Sr., 5-9, 170 … OL Fernando Longoria, Sr., 6-3, 250 … WR Da’Marrion Williams, Sr., 6-5, 200 … RB Buster Mumphrey, Sr., 5-9, 190 … OL Jayden Jackson, Soph., 6-1, 245 … QB Maverick Rowe, Sr., 5-9, 155 … OL Jamarion George, Sr., 6-0, 300 … OL Cedric Wrighten, Sr., 5-11, 285 … TE Bryant Williams, Sr., 6-3, 240 … OL Eddie McMillion, Sr., 5-10, 245

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Brendon Reese, Sr., 6-1, 225 … LB Kason Brooks, Sr., 5-10, 210 … DL Krystin Williams, Jr., 5-10, 300 … DL Daryl Dolly, Jr., 5-11, 225 … DB Bryan Peoples, Sr., 5-11, 180 … DL Isaiah Horton, Sr., 5-10, 190

2024 OUTLOOK: Longview is making the jump back up to Class 6A, where it won a state championship in 2018. The Lobos will have to replace a lot of production on both sides of the ball, losing four-star running back Taylor Tatum (Oklahoma) and defensive backs Willie Nelson (Oklahoma State) and Deadrian Garrett (Tulsa). Longview has four starters back on offense and five returning starters on defense as it looks to extend its postseason streak to 24 — a span where it won less than nine games just three times. King, who collected career win No. 200 in 2022, has been leading the way since 2004. Washington (737 yards, 13 touchdowns rushing; 368 yards, four touchdowns receiving) will take over the top spot at running back. Buster Mumphrey (180 yards, three touchdowns rushing) is another option in the backfield. Rowe (315 yards, one touchdown passing) is expected to take over at quarterback, and 6-5 Williams is an imposing target at receiver. Three-year starter Longoria leads the way up front, where Jackson, George, Wrighton and McMillion will also man the offensive line. Defesively, Reese (64 tackles, nine tackles for loss, three sacks, two forced fumbles) and Brooks (77 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three sacks) return at linebacker. Williams (18 tackles), Dolly (10 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks) and Horton (46 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, six sacks) lead the way on the defensive line. Peoples will look to be a ball hawk in the secondary, where the Lobos will be looking for playmakers to step up. The Lobos were expected to be strong on both lines. If production comes at quarterback, receiver and in the secondary, look for the Lobos to compete for another district title and have a chance to make a deep postseason run.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Lufkin

Sept. 6: at Marshall

Sept. 13: South Oak Cliff

Sept. 20: Ruston (La.), 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Rockwall*

Oct. 11: at Forney*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Tyler Legacy*

Oct. 25: at Rockwall-Heath*

Nov. 1: North Forney*

Nov. 8: at Royse City*, 7 p.m.

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game

TYLER LEGACY RED RAIDERS

COACH: Beau Trahan (2nd year, 3-8)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 314-366-20

STADIUM: Earl Campbell Field at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, 609 Fair Park Drive, Tyler, 75701

2023 RESULTS: 3-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/11

LETTERMEN LOST: 25

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: TE JP Rainer, Sr., 6-2, 210 … WR Za’Bryan Hood, Sr., 6-0, 160 … OL Eric Miller, Jr., 6-1, 320 … OL DeMarrion Johnson, Soph., 6-6, 310 … QB Von Lane, Soph., 6-3, 210 … QB Zach Davis, Jr., 6-0, 190 … WR DaCarryon Hollie, Soph., 5-10, 160 … OL Cash Acker, Sr., 6-2, 250 … OL Jadaelyn Jackson, Sr., 6-0, 250 … RB Micah Pierson, Sr., 5-10, 180

DEFENSE: 3-3 Stack

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Ethan Brown, Jr., 6-0, 190 … LB Nathaniel Kirksey, Sr., 5-11, 185 … DB Ke’Braylon Jackson, Sr., 5-11, 175 … DL Simeon Garner, Sr., 6-4, 235 … DB Zion Alexander, Jr., 5-9, 165 … LB Bauer Sivley, Jr., 6-0, 200 … LB Paul Ratliff, Sr., 6-0, 205

2024 OUTLOOK: Tyler Legacy returned to the playoffs in Trahan’s first season at the helm. It was the Red Raiders’ fourth postseason appearance in five years, missing in 2022. The Red Raiders return seven starters on offense, including the entire offensive line. Miller, Acker and Jackson are veterans, while Johnson started at left tackle as a freshman and already has offers from Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Houston and North Texas. Lane got valuable experience at quarterback as a freshman, throwing for 313 yards and two touchdowns. Legacy also picked up Grace Community transfer Zach Davis in the offseason. Davis was 126 of 198 for 2,347 yards and 27 touchdowns in leading Grace Community to a 9-2 record as a sophomore. Pierson (54 carries, 130 yards) is back at running back. Hood (20 catches, 268 yards) is the top returning receiver, and Rainer (seven catches, 113 yards, one touchdown) and Hollie (five catches, 88 yards) are back as targets. Kirksey (160 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, seven sacks) leads the linebackers, and Sivley and Ratliff are expected to step into larger roles. Garner leads the way on the defensive line after suffering a season-ending injury in the 2023 season opener. Brown (124 tackles, eight tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries) and Jackson (28 tackles) are back in the secondary. August Williford made five field goals last season with a long of 36 yards, including fourth-quarter winners in wins over Mesquite Horn (10-7) and Royse City (34-31). The Red Raiders have a lot of youth heading into the season, but an experienced offensive line is expected to be the strength, while the Red Raiders will look for some players to stand up in the secondary after graduation.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 29: at Texas High, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6: at Tyler, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Marshall, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Crowley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Rockwall-Heath*

Oct. 4: at North Forney*

Oct. 11: Royse City*

Oct. 18: at Longview*

Oct. 25: Rockwall*

Nov. 1: at Forney*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game

FORNEY YELLOWJACKETS

COACH: Jeff Fleener (4th season, 27-10; 58-45 overall)

ALL-TIME: 629-407-24

STADIUM: City Bank Stadium, 800 Farm-to-Market 741, Forney, 75126

2023 RESULTS: 13-2

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 32/10

LETTERMEN LOST: 41

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Javian Osborne, Jr., 5-10, 185 … QB Nelson Peterson, Jr., 6-2, 191 … WR Imari Jehiel, Jr., 6-0, 178 … OL Jordan Carraway, Soph., 6-5, 295 … WR Orin Gee, Sr., 6-1, 175 … OL Caden Newton, Sr., 5-9, 248

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Landry Hopkins, Jr., 5-11, 218 … LB Kelvion Riggins, Sr., 6-2, 204 … LB Xzavier Young, Jr., 5-9, 188

2024 OUTLOOK: Since Fleener arrived, Forney has made the playoffs all three years with a winning record in all three seasons after not making the playoffs since 2015 and going 0-9 in 2020, which was the year before Fleener’s arrival. In their final year in Class 5A, the Jackrabbits tied a school-record with 13 wins and advanced to the state semifinals. Even with the move up to Class 6A, Forney has some firepower to get back to the postseason. It starts with Osborne, who is regarded by the No. 1 running back in the nation in the Class of 2026, by On3Sports and ESPN. Osborne ran for 2,205 yard and 40 touchdowns a season ago. Jehiel (36 catches, 447 yards, eight touchdowns) is back at receiver. Nelson Peterson Jr. — the younger brother of former NFL great Adrian Peterson — who was 77 of 153 for 1,167 yards with 15 touchdowns and three interceptions and also had 83 carries for 648 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore at Sunnyvale has transferred in and is expected to take over at quarterback for the Jackrabbits. Gee (21 catches, 385 yards, eight touchdowns) is another target at receiver, and Carrway and Newton are back on the offensive line. Carraway, a sophomore, already has offers from North Texas, Pittsburgh, SMU, Texas Tech and UTEP after playing for the 10-0 Forney junior varsity as a freshman. Hopkins (132 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two forced fumbles), Riggins (101 tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks) and Young (74 tackles, seven sacks) are back to lead the defense.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Lake Highlands

Sept. 6: at A&M Consolidated

Sept. 13: Waxahachie

Sept. 27: North Forney*

Oct. 4: at Royse City*

Oct. 11: Longview*

Oct. 18: at Rockwall, 7:30 p.m.*

Nov. 1: Tyler Legacy, 7:30 p.m.*

Nov. 8: at Rockwall-Heath, 7:30 p.m.*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game

NORTH FORNEY FALCONS

COACH: Marcus Shavers (1st year at school, 0-0; 55-37 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 69-80

STADIUM: Forney City Bank Stadium, 9067 FM 741, Forney, Texas, 75126

2023 RESULTS: 9-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 21/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 28

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Kellen Sanders, Sr., 5-9, 180 … RB Andi Asuquo, Jr., 5-10, 190 … OL Donovan Dory, Sr., 6-2, 280 … WR DeQualand Vaughn, Jr., 5-8, 170 … WR Eli Otenio, Jr., 5-9, 170 … RB Dordai Woodard, Soph., 5-7, 180 … OL Gary Jefferson, Sr., 6-4, 280 … OL Charles Bright, Sr., 6-4, 285 … K Jake Guardiola, Soph., 5-10, 180 … QB Zage Gravitt, Sr., 6-1, 180 … QB Legend Bey, Jr., 5-11, 185

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Gianni Edwards, Sr., 5-11, 185 … DB Caleb Holt, Sr., 6-2, 200 … DB Josiah Turner, Jr., 5-10, 180 … LB Jaylen Gray, Sr., 5-10, 190 … DB Kamaje Else, Sr., 5-10, 180 … DB Jackson Van Otten, Sr., 6-2, 200 … DL Jamal Joiner, Sr., 5-10, 265 … DeUndrea Putilla … DB Ryan Gilbert, Jr., 5-10, 170

2024 OUTLOOK: Every three years, North Forney has a season where it wins at least nine games and goes to the playoffs. In the two years in between, the Falcons have missed the playoffs. Will that trend continue or can North Forney make the playoffs in consecutive seasons? The Falcons will have a new head coach as Marcus Shavers was hired after six years at McKinney, where his team won 37 games. North Forney was explosive on offense last season with five games scoring at least 42 points and three games with more than 50 points. Seven of those starters are back on offense. Asuquo (771 yards, six touchdowns rushing) leads the backfield. Sanders (15 catches, 121 yards, one touchdown), Vaughn and Otenio are targets at receiver. Dory, Jefferson and Bright anchor a solid offensive line. The defense is led by Edwards (78 tackles). Edwards, who has offers from Arizona, Boise State, Colorado, Houston, SMU and Memphis, is the son of former Florida State star and NFL player Mario Edwards Sr. and the younger brother of Mario Edwards Jr., who also played at Florida State and is currently on the Houston Texans. Other defensive standouts are Holt (86 tackles, six tackles for loss, four interceptions) and DeUndrea Putilla (52 tackles, seven sacks, 19 tackles for loss). Late in June, North Forney added quarterback Bey and three-star cornerback Gilbert, both from Mesquite Horn. Bey accounted for 1,405 yards of total offense and 16 touchdowns for a 5-5 Horn team last season. He lists 17 offers, including Oregon, Missouri, Oklahoma, TCU, Texas Tech, Arizona State, Arkansas, Baylor, California and Colorado. Gilbert is rated the 31st-best cornerback in the nation in the Class of 2026 and lists 23 offers. His list includes Arkansas, Auburn, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Ole Miss, SMU, TCU, Texas A&M, Utah and Wisconsin.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Dallas Skyline

Sept. 6: at Plano East, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: at Mesquite, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Forney*, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Tyler Legacy*

Oct. 11: at Rockwall-Heath*

Oct. 25: Royse City*

Nov. 1: at Longview*

Nov. 8: Rockwall*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game

ROCKWALL YELLOWJACKETS

COACH: Trey Brooks (5th year, 40-79)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 622-433-31

STADIUM: Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium, 1197 T.L. Townsend Drive, Rockwall, Texas, 75087

2023 RESULTS: 11-2

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 43/7

LETTERMEN LOST: 48

OFFENSE: Multiple spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Landyn Locke, Sr., 6-4, 180 … WR Triston Gooch, Sr., 6-1, 185 … OL Chase Iwunze, Sr., 6-1, 330 … WR Jack Duckworth, Jr., 6-0, 175 … RB Jamir Wilson, Sr., 5-10, 175 … TE Jackson Stoner, Jr., 6-4, 225 … RB Kaydon Castro, Soph., 5-8, 170 … WR Camron Marsh, Sr., 6-0, 175 … OL Cameron Johnson, Sr., 6-1, 280 … TE Cale Anderson, Sr., 6-3, 220 … WR Jaiden Petrino, Jr., 6-2, 180

DEFENSE: 3-3-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Jack Duckworth, Jr., 6-0, 175 … DL Leander Parrish, Sr., 6-2, 225 … DL Jackson Stoner, Jr., 6-4, 225 … DB Will Ashworth, Jr., 5-11, 180 … DB Camron Marsh, Sr., 6-0, 175 … DB Kaden Warren, Sr., 5-10, 165 … DB Eric Gabriel, Sr., 5-9, 160 … DL Edwin Gonzales-Salas, Sr., 6-4, 220 … LB Owen Brand, Sr., 5-10, 200

2024 OUTLOOK: Rockwall graduated 48 lettermen, but that is unlikely to slow down the Yellowjackets. Rockwall has made the playoffs in 11 straight seasons. In 2023, the Yellowjackets won at least 10 games for the fourth time in five years — they won nine in 2021. This is a program that simply reloads. Wisconsin commit Landyn Locke (97 of 160, 1,702 yards, 19 touchdowns) is back at quarterback, and he has Gooch (67 catches, 1,216 yards, 17 touchdowns) back as one of the more productive receivers around. Wislon (68 carries, 484 yards, five touchdowns) will take on a bigger role in the backfield. Iwunze and Johnson will anchor the offensive line. Defensively is where the Yellowjackets will need some people to really step up with just two starters returning. Duckworth (32 tackles) and Ashworth (54 tackles) are back in the secondary and will be joined by Marsh, Warren and Gabriel. Parrish, Stoner, Gonzales-Salas (47 tackles) and Brand are expected to make an impact on defense.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Richardson Berkner

Sept. 6: at Lake Travis

Sept. 13: at Lewisville

Sept. 19: North Crowley, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Royse City*

Oct. 4: at Longview*

Oct. 18: Forney*

Oct. 25: at Tyler Legacy*

Nov. 1: Rockwall-Heath*

Nov. 8: North Forney*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game

ROCKWALL-HEATH HAWKS

COACH: Rodney Webb (2nd year at school, 9-3; 175-85)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 132-73-0

STADIUM: Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium, 1197 T.L. Townsend Drive, Rockwall, Texas, 75087

2023 RESULTS: 9-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/7

LETTERMEN LOST: 48

OFFENSE: Multiple spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Landen Dutka, Sr., 5-10, 165 … WR Jackson Traa, Sr. 6-1, 175 …OL Cooper Shepherd, Sr., 6-4, 290 … OL Marcus Saavedra, Jr, 6-1, 270 … RB Carter Zahm, Soph., 6-1, 195 … RB Ashton Bradford, Sr. … OL Logan Muck, Sr., 6-8, 245 … TE Riley Black, Jr., 6-2, 220 … WR Shawn Gary, Jr., 5-10, 165 … WR Jaylen Simpson, Jr., 5-9, 170 … K Bronson Mueller, Jr., 5-10, 190 … WR Christian Contreras, Soph., 5-9, 180

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Layne Yudizky, Sr., 6-1, 200 … DL Devon Turner, Sr., 6-4, 220 … DL Isaac Martin, Sr., 6-1, 265 … LB Zeke Cannon, Jr., 6-2, 215 … LB Carter Zahm, Soph., 6-1, 195 … LB Landon Foster, Soph., 6-1, 200

2024 OUTLOOK: Rockwall-Heath had three different head coaches from 2021-23. The Hawks now have the same head coach for the second straight season as they are led by Rodney Webb, who was a head coach from 2003-21 at Royse City, Mesquite Horn, Rockwall and Denton Guyer, and 2003 was the only time his team didn’t reach the playoffs. Webb led Guyer to the state championship game in 2021. Rockwall-Heath’s two regular seasons in 2023 came to Webb’s former teams – Denton Guyer and Rockwall — but the Hawks were dominant defensively outside of those two games, holding six opponents to 14 points or fewer. Rockwall-Heath then allowed 42 and 62 points in splitting playoff games against Sachse and Duncanville. The Hawks only bring back three starters from that defense. Yudizky (41 tackles), Turner (four sacks), and Martin lead the way on defense. Offensively, Dutka (51 of 84, 473 yards, three touchdowns; 59 yards rushing) is taking over at quarterback, and Traa (15 catches, 178 yards, three touchdowns) is the back. The strength for the Hawks is up front with Shepherd, Saavedra and Muck.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 29: Highland Park, 7 p.m.

Sept. 6: at Prosper, 7 p.m.

Sept. 13: Cedar Grove (Ga.)

Sept. 20: Mansfield Legacy, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Tyler Legacy*

Oct. 11: North Forney*

Oct. 18: at Royse City*

Oct. 25: Longview*

Nov. 1: at Rockwall*

Nov. 8: Forney*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

ROYSE CITY BULLDOGS

COACH: Drew Colvin (1st year at school, 0-0)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 475-520-37

STADIUM: Southwest Ford Field at Royse City ISD Stadium (700 FM 2642), Royse City Texas, 75189

2023 RESULTS: 3-7

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 32/9

LETTERMEN LOST: 30

OFFENSE: 11 Personnel (Spread 2 Back)

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Lukas Olvera, Sr., 5-11, 170 … TE Hudson Hays, Jr., 6-4, 220 … QB Jamion Richardson, Jr., 5-11, 165 … ATH Kadarian Clarke, Jr., 5-10, 165 … WR Braylon Chapman, Sr., 6-0, 170 … WR Ashton Haney, Soph., 6-0, 170

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Cordarian Powell, Sr., 6-1, 170 … DB Lukas Olvera, Sr., 5-11, 170 … DL Tyson Timmons, Sr., 6-3, 240 … DL Hudson Hays, Jr., 6-4, 220 … DL Sebastian Lopez, Sr., 5-11, 175 … LB Billy Jones Jr., 5-11, 175 … DL Caden Williams, Soph., 5-11, 250

2024 OUTLOOK: For the first time since 2012, the Bulldogs will have a different head coach other than David Petroff. Former Tyler Legacy and Rockwall offensive coordinator Andrew Colvin takes over for his first head coaching job. He takes over a Bulldogs team that had scored at least 400 points in three of four seasons before only scoring 268 last year. Richardson has big-play ability at quarterback, and he’s got athletes like Olvera, Clarke, Chapman and Haney to distribute the football. The defense is where six starters return, led by Texas State commit Powell (three interceptions) and Olvera (two interceptions). Timmons, Hays, Lopez and Williams will be forces on the defensive line.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Plano East

Sept. 5: at Rowlett

Sept. 13: at Braswell

Sept. 27: at Rockwall*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: Forney*

Oct. 11: at Tyler Legacy*, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 18: Rockwall-Heath*

Oct. 25: at North Forney*, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 8: Longview*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 10-6A Game