THE ZONE: District 7-5A Division I

Published 5:10 am Saturday, August 24, 2024

District 7-5A Division I

OUR PICKS

1. Highland Park

2. Red Oak

3. Tyler

4. Midlothian

5. Burleson Centennial

6. Cleburne

7. Joshua

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HIGHLAND PARK SCOTS

COACH: Randy Allen (25 seasons Highland Park, 293-36; 43 years overall at Ballinger, Brownwood, Abilene Cooper, 446-95-6 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 886-265-27

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 118-57-7

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 6 (1945, co-champs, 1957, 2005, 2016, 2017, 2018)

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 9

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 65

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 58

STADIUM: Highlander Stadium, 4233 Grassmere, Highland Park, 75205 (Capacity: 9,600)

2023 RESULTS: 11-2, region semifinalist in Class 6A

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 35/3 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 35

OFFENSE: Shotgun no-huddle

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Gage Clark, Sr., 6-6, 285 … WR Bryce Laczkowski, Sr., 5-11, 175 … OL Stuart Allday, Jr., 6-2, 275 … WR Canon Bozeman, Jr., 5-11, 170 … QB Buck Randall, So., 5-10, 170 … QB Sam Montgomery, Sr., 5-10, 170 … RB James Lancaster, Sr., 5-8, 185. … OL Tripp, Jr., 6-0, 220 … WR Benton Owens, Sr., 6-0, 165 … WR Brandon Lilly, Sr., 6-2, 175 … WR Case Messer, 6-4, 180 … WR Issac Huthinson, JR., 6-0, 175 …

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Jack Morse, Sr., 6-2, 215 … LB Anders Corn, Sr., 6-2, 215 … S Jackson McGinley, Sr., 6-0, 170 … DL Daniel Turner, Sr., 6-3, 235 … S Brady Ray, Sr. 6-0, 190 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Scots won and shared district titles in their two years in Class 6A. … As usual HP loses a lot of letterman, but also return many. They must replace three key players in OL Case Pickelman (Georgetown), WR Steele Tobin (TCU) and RB Wilson Axey (Washington & Lee). … Morse is the leader on defense as the linebacker was Defensive MVP in District 7-6A last season. … Corn, McGinley and Turner were all all-district. … Morse led with 55 tackles, along with 14 tackles for loss. … Corn added 8.5 sacks. … Highland Park has won 886 games, the most in Texas High School football history. … Coach Allen is second in all-time wins at 446, trailing Phil Danaher (490). … He is also second in playoff wins with 85 (Danaher leads with 93) and postseason appearances with 39 (Danaher leads with 41). … The Scots have been in the playoffs every year since 1988. … Texas Football Magazine has the Scots ranked No. 3 in the preseason poll. The publication also had Highland Park making the state semifinals.

Schedule

Aug. 29: at Rockwall-Heath

Sept. 6: Lucas Lovejoy

Sept. 13: x-vs. Dallas Jesuit

Sept. 20: Cherry Creek (Colo.)

Sept. 27: Tyler*

Oct. 4: at Red Oak*

Oct. 11: open

Oct. 18: Joshua*

Oct. 25: at Cleburne*

Nov. 1: Burleson Centennial*

Nov. 8: at Midlothian*

x-Gerald J. Ford Stadium, SMU

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m.

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RED OAK HAWKS

COACH: Melvin Robinson (2nd season at Red Oak, 12-1)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 264-424-15

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 13-12

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 13

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 7

STADIUM: Billy Goodloe Stadium, 154 Louise Ritter Road, Red Oak 75154 (Capacity: 7,118)

2023 RESULTS: 12-1, region semifinalist

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

LETTERMAN LOST: 27

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Taz Williams, Sr., 6-1, 186 … WR Brayden Robinson, Jr., 5-9, 165 … TE Arvis Battle, Sr., 6-4, 230 … WR Charles Taplin, Sr., 6-1, 170 … OL DE’Anthony Jones, Sr., 6-2, 260 … OL Kleton Elie, Sr., 6-2, 280 … RB Lorenzo Holman, Jr., 5-10, 188 … QB Billy Middleton, Jr., 6-1, 175 … OL Clayton Duckworth, 6-8, 310 …

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB TJ Stocker, Sr., 6-3, 200 … DB Dhillon McGree, So., 6-2, 171 … LB Desmond Cox, Jr., 6-0, 200 … LB Courtney Gordon, Jr., 5-11, 205 … DT Johnnie Fitzgerald, So., 6-3, 265 … DB Jarius Bush, Sr., 5-8, 170 … DE Dior Gammon, Sr., 6-4, 190 … DT Anthony Smith, Jr., 6-4, 235 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Hawks are defending district champions, winning their first 12 games before falling to eventual state champion Aledo. They lost four key players — RB Chris Martinez (SFA), DT Kaiden Bates (UT Permian Basin), QB Reggie Moody (Mary Hardin-Baylor) and LB Zac Smith (SMU). … Williams (63 catches, 898 yards, 11 TDs) is a preseason all-state player by Texas Football Magazine. The standout is a member of the Texas Football second-team Super Team. … Robinson had 31 receptions for 519 yards and six touchdowns. Finding defensive linemen and a quarterback are keys for the Hawks. … Texas Football Magazine has the Hawks ranked No 14 in the preseason poll. …

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Colleyville Heritage

Sept. 5: Arlington Seguin

Sept. 13: open

Sept. 20: at Killeen Ellison, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: open

Oct. 4: Highland Park*

Oct. 11: at Joshua*

Oct. 18: Cleburne*

Oct. 25: at Burleson Centennial*

Nov. 1: Midlothian*

Nov. 8: at Tyler*

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

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TYLER LIONS

COACH: Rashaun Woods (2nd season at Tyler, 6-4; Overall record 74-53)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 736-416-41

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 59-33-3

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3 (1930, 1973, 1994)

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 5

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 39

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 28

STADIUM: Earl Campbell Field at Christus Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, 609 Fair Park Drive, Tyler 75701 (Capacity: 10,566)

2023 RESULTS: 6-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 28/7 offensive, 6 defensive

OFFENSE: Power Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Kabren Edwards, Sr., 6-3, 250 … H-Back/TE Keondre Powers, Sr., 6-0, 220 … QB Caden Granberry, Jr., 5-6 145 … RB Ashon Arriaga, Jr., 5-6, 175 …

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB D’Canaan Sueing, Sr. 6-0, 210 … LB D’crystian Sueing, Sr., 6-0, 205 … DB Jeremiah Taylor, Sr., 5-11, 165 … DB Amarion Spencer-Hood, Sr., 5-9, 160 … RB Cadaruis McMiller, So., 6-1, 195 … WR LaTreyson Haralson, So., 6-1, 160 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Lions had a turnaround last season going from two wins to six victories in Coach Woods’ first season at the helm. Woods, a two-time All-America wide receiver at Oklahoma State, despite losing standouts Derrick McFall (SMU), Marquette Martin (Texas Wesleyan) and Zach Williams (Tulsa) expects his team to be stronger in 2024 and to break the two-year playoff drought. … The Lions had a 1-2 punch on defense in the talented twins — linebackers D’Canaan Sueing and D’crystian Sueing. Both are three-year starters with Woods saying of first-team all-district performer D’Canaan, “He is the leader of the defense … fast and physical player.” He totaled 116 tackles last season. … As for D’crystian, “He has the ability to play in space with his quickness and nose for the football.” He 65 tackles and two sacks. … Granberry took over at QB and led the Lions. He plays much bigger than his height, a very smart player with a strong and accurate arm with a dash of speed. Granberry competed 128 passes for 1,772 yards and 19 TDs with seven interceptions. … Arriaga is a physical back who runs the ball between the tackles, rushing for 509 yards and five TDs on 114 carries last season. … McMiller, son of former JT standout running back Torrey McMiller, is tall and fast, already holding multiple Division I offers. … The Lions are expecting big things from Haralson, who was voted on the All-State 7-on-7 second team during the summer. He also has multiple D-I offers as a sophomore. … Davion Sirles is the top returning receiver with 25 catches for 254 yards and five TDs. … Marvin Espinal is a reliable kicker, making 5 of 6 field goal attempts with 10 touchbacks on kickoffs. He was 24 of 29 on PATs. … The Lions are tied with Corsicana for 13th place in all-time wins in Texas High School football history with 736 victories. … Tyler opens the season with Marshall as the Lions did last year. Tyler won in five overtimes, 38-36. The five OTs is tied for second with the most extra periods in Texas High School football history. Jacksonville’s 84-81 win over Nacogdoches in 12 OTs in 2010 is the record. …

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: Tyler Legacy

Sept. 13: at Seagoville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: Lufkin

Sept. 27: at Highland Park*

Oct. 4: Joshua*

Oct. 11: at Cleburne*

Oct. 18: at Burleson Centennial*

Oct. 25: at Midlothian*

Nov. 1: open

Nov. 8: Red Oak*

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

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MIDLOTHIAN PANTHERS

COACH: Dave Wendel (9 years at Midlothian, 60-39; 108-82 overall, previously at Eustace and Ardmore, Oklahoma)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 433-509-20

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 9-16-1

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 17

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 7

STADIUM: Don Floyd Field at MISD Multi-Purpose Stadium, 1800 S. 14th, Midlothian 76065 (Capacity: 7,669)

2023 RESULTS: 8-3, bi-district

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 12/3 offensive/4 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 34

OFFENSE: Spread Option

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Beau Wendel, Jr., 5-11, 185 … OL Noah Best, Jr., 6-4, 300 … OL Brody Massey, Jr., 6-3, 275 … OL Nelson McGuire, Sr., 6-5, 200 … OL Hayzen Shelton, Jr., 6-5, 290 … DB Dejasper Webb, Sr., 5-10, 160 … ATH Brendon Jackson, Fr., 5-10, 160 … WR Zach Brown, Jr., 5-11, 165 …

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Kyen Purser, Sr., 5-11, 260 … S Zach Washington, Sr., 5-11, 170 … S Carson Kemp, Jr., 6-0, 170 … Slot Jayce McCoy, Sr., 5-9, 155 … RB David Aborisade, Sr., 5-10, 175 … LB Shelly Green, Jr., 5-10, 180 … DE Cesera Williams, Jr., 6-0, 230 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Panthers lost a number of veteran players, but should restock with players from a 9-1 JV squad. Midlothian also lost playmaker Bryant Wesco to Clemson. … Beau Wendel was Defensive Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore, but will move to quarterback this season. … Coach Wendel said Best will be a high-level Power 5 recruit. … The Panthers have a stellar offensive line, but a concern is at the skill position as Coach Wendel said they will see duty on both sides of the ball.

Schedule

Aug. 30: Cedar Hill

Sept. 6: at Ennis

Sept. 12: at Dallas Kimball

Sept. 20: Killeen Harker Heights

Sept. 27: at Joshua*

Oct. 4: Cleburne*

Oct. 11: at Burleson Centennial*

Oct. 18: open

Oct. 25: Tyler*

Nov. 1: at Red Oak*

Nov. 8: Highland Park*

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m.

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BURLESON CENTENNIAL SPARTANS

COACH: Kyle Geller (14 years at Burleson Centennial, 93-55; 126-73 overall, previously at Mansfield Summit and Carrollton Creekview)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 86-52

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 10-10

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 10

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1

STADIUM: Burleson Stadium, 100 Elk Drive, Burleson 76028 (Capacity: 9,553)

2023 RESULTS: 7-4, bi-district

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 31/6 offensive/6 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 28

OFFENSE: Spread Option

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Jaden Ferguson, Sr., 6-0, 270 … WR Damien Long, Sr., 6-0, 175 … RB/Slot Kellan Gregory, Sr., 5-10, 165 … QB Jacob “JT” Torres, So., 6-0, 170 …

DEFENSE: Broken Stack

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Jack Long, Sr., 6-3, 235 … OLB Blaine Smith, Sr., 6-1, 210 … LB Meziah Ababio, Sr., 5-9, 185 … S Jaylen Walker, Jr., 5-9, 180 … DT Robert French, Jr., 5-9, 225 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Spartans were very young a year ago, but still made the playoffs. … Coach Geller is the only coach in the history of the Centennial school, which opened in 2012. … Centennial lost five key players to colleges — Safety/RB Aidan Hicks (Emporia State), CB Cole Confessore (TCU, walk-on), QB/CB Iverson Moore (Angelo State), RB Keyshaun Tucker (Eastern New Mexico) and S Mason Stancliff (East Texas Baptist). … Geller said the Spartans are “tweaking the offense” because of special talent Torres who was a starter at QB on the JV last season as a freshman. … Gregory is the leading rusher returning with 494 yards and 5 TDs on 44 carries. … Long is the top receiver back (24-588, 8 TDs). …

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Burleson, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: at Arlington Sam Houston

Sept. 13: Ennis

Sept. 20: x-vs. Fulshear

Sept. 27: at Cleburne*

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Midlothian*

Oct. 18: at Tyler*

Oct. 25: Red Oak*

Nov. 1: at Highland Park*

Nov. 8: Joshua*

x-at Hutto

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

—

CLEBURNE YELLOW JACKETS

COACH: Jim Woodard (third year at Cleburne, 3-17)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 631-506-43

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 31-24-7

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 2

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 28

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 19

STADIUM: Brooks Conover Field at Yellow Jacket Stadium, 1201 W. Henderson, Cleburne 76033 (Capacity: 5,776)

2023 RESULTS: 3-7

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 28/7 offensive/6 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 19

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Willie Duckett, Sr., 6-3, 315 … WR CJ Kensley, Jr., 6-4, 185 … WR Malachi Cunningham, Jr., 5-10, 180 … RB Hayden Leifeste, Jr., 6-0, 175 … QB Luke Stewart, Jr., 6-0, 175 … WR Major Marvell, Jr., 5-10, 175 … WR Cordae Simmons, Jr., 5-11, 175 … OL Elias Tarango, Jr., 6-2, 250 … RB Kaj Anderson, Jr., 5-9, 205 … OL Antonio Quiroz, Sr. 5-9, 225 …

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Jadaan Rodriguez, Sr., 6-0, 255 … LB Beaux Douthitt, Jr., 6-0, 185 … S Jayden Navarrete, Jr., 5-11, 180 … DE Anthony Garza, So., 6-2, 200 … LB Miguel Cardenas, Sr., 6-1, 190 … DB Javari Meyer, Jr., 5-10, 175 … DB Maddox Sheilds, Jr., 5-11, 170 …

2024 OUTLOOK: After going 0-10 two seasons ago, the Yellow Jackets improve to three wins last year. They return experienced players (24 sophomores on last year’s squad) and hope to continue to improve in Coach Woodard’s third season at the helm. … Cleburne lost three players to colleges — OL Aidan Fuller (Texas Wesleyan), WR/DB Jaiden Reed (Colorado State-Pueblo) and OL John Paul Martinez (Wayland Baptist). … QB Stewart started all 10 games last year as a sophomore, hitting on 108 of 188 pass attempts for 1,360 yards and five TDs. … Leifeste rushed for 734 yards and five TDs on 148 carries. …

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Corsicana

Sept. 6: Burleson

Sept. 13: at Waco

Sept. 21: x-vs. Port Arthur Memorial

Sept. 27: Burleson Centennial*

Oct. 4: at Midlothian*

Oct. 11: Tyler*

Oct. 18: at Red Oak*

Oct. 25: Highland Park*

Nov. 1: at Joshua*

Nov. 8: open

x-at Madisonville

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

—

JOSHUA OWLS

COACH: Danny DeArman (fourth year at Cleburne, 6-24; Overall 61-56, previously at Arlington Bowie )

ALL-TIME RECORD: 250-530-16

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 3-2-1

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 4

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 3

STADIUM: Owl Stadium, 909 South Broadway, Joshua 76058 (Capacity: 9,318)

2023 RESULTS: 1-9

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/8 offensive/7 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 17

OFFENSE: Flex Bone

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Eli Martinez, Sr., 5-11, 185 … OL Noah Newman, Sr., 6-4, 275 … QB Justin Tullis, Sr., 5-11, 160 … ATH Braxton Roberts, So., 6-0, 185 …

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Marquize Wilson, Sr., 6-1, 320 … DB Te’Von Wilson, Sr., 5-10, 160 … LB Erik Martinez, Jr., 5-11, 185 … DL Michael Duran, Jr., 6-0, 280 … ATH Brayden Payne, So., 6-1, 170 … DL Pablo Arias, Jr., 6-1, 235 … DB Peyton Noble, Sr., 5-10, 170 … LB Jaxon Wells, Jr., 6-0, 170 … DB Drew Wilson, 5-9, 160 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Owls hope to snap their 27 consecutive losing season streak. … Martinez is the leading returning rusher afer garnering 763 yards and five touchdowns. … Tullis returns at QB. Last season, he threw for 659 yards and six TDs with three interceptions. …

Schedule

Aug. 30: Springtown

Sept. 6: Irving MacArthur

Sept. 13: at Greenville

Sept. 20: Elk City (Okla.)

Sept. 27: Midlothian*

Oct. 4: at Tyler*

Oct. 11: Red Oak*

Oct. 18: at Highland Park*

Oct. 25: open

Nov. 1: Cleburne*

Nov. 8: at Burleson Centennial*

*District 7-5A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m.