THE ZONE: District 9-5A Division I

Published 5:00 am Saturday, August 24, 2024

DISTRICT 9-5A DIVISION I

OUR PICKS: 1. PORT ARTHUR MEMORIAL 2. BARBERS HILL 3. LUFKIN 4. GALVESTON BALL 5. BEAUMONT WEST BROOK 6. BAYTOWN STERLING 7. BEAUMONT UNITED

LUFKIN PANTHERS

COACH: Todd Quick (13th season, 85-50 at Lufkin)

ALL-TIME: 727-377-38

STADIUM: Abe Martin Stadium, 309 South Medford Drive, Lufkin 75901

2023 RESULTS: 5-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/12

LETTERMEN LOST: 26

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Kriesan Preston, Sr., 6-3, 185 … K Nolan Hansard, Sr., 5-10, 175 … RB Gavin Phillips, Sr., 6-2, 250

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Zion Williams, Sr., 6-4, 315 … DB Evan Young, Sr., 6-1, 185 … LB Kaden Hooper, Sr., 6-0, 225 … DL Elijah Alexander, Sr., 6-2, 300 … LB Desmond Hood, Jr., 6-1, 199 … DB Keshawn Waters, Jr., 5-11, 170 … DB Kenneth Timmons, Sr., 5-11, 165 … DB Mike Mosely, Sr., 5-11, 175

2024 OUTLOOK: After 23 straight playoff appearances, Lufkin has missed the postseason in three consecutive seasons. The Panthers will go to a completely new league this year. Lufkin was originally placed in District 7-5A Division I with Tyler, Red Oak, Midlothian, Joshua, Highland Park, Cleburne and Burleson Centennial, but a successful appeal to the UIL got the Panthers shifted to District 9-5A Division I with Baytown Sterling, Beaumont United, Beaumont West Brook, Galveston Ball, Barbers Hill and Port Arthur Memorial. The Panthers graduated four-star running back Kedren Young to Notre Dame. Preston (28 catches, 515 yards, seven touchdowns) is the most productive returner on offense for the Panthers. Hansard (7 of 9 field goals) is also back as a scoring weapon. The Panthers return eight players on defense, led by Williams (35 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks), Hooper (106 tackles, five tackles for loss) and Young (30 tackles). Williams is a four-star defensive lineman with offers from LSU, Alabama, Georgia, Notre Dame, Auburn, Texas, TCU, Tennessee, USC, Florida, Arkansas and more.