THE ZONE: District 6-4A Division II

Published 1:00 pm Monday, August 26, 2024

District 6-4A Division II

OUR PICKS

1.Sunnyvale 2.Canton 3.Ferris 4.Wills Point 5.Quinlan Ford 6.Kemp

SUNNYVALE RAIDERS

COACH: Cody Stutts (first year)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 112-46-0

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 11-10

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 10

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 6

STADIUM: Raider Stadium, 222 North Collins Road, Sunnyvale 75241 (Capacity: 3,500)

2023 RESULTS: 9-3, area finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 33/7 offensive/6 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 16

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Blaze Flanagan, Sr., 6-0, 255 … WR Owen Dlabaj, Sr., 6-3, 175 … WR Cooper Eastman, Jr., 6-7, 270 … QB Cayson Maupin, So., 5-11, 175 …

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DT Alyric Brown, Sr., 5-9, 255 … S Cade Andrews, Jr., 5-11, 170 … MLB Austin Helton, Jr., 5-11, 190 … S Jaylon Sterling, Jr., 6-0, 175 …

2024 OUTLOOK: Coach Stutts takes over the helm for longtime coach John Settle, who led the Raiders for 13 of the first 14 years of Sunnyvale program. Settle, who previously coached at Brownsboro, took over in 2011, the second year of the program. Settle, who retired after last year, led the Raiders to the playoffs the last 10 years, while winning district six ties including in 2023. … Stutts has been at Sunnyvale the last nine years as an assistant. … Brown, a three-year starter at DT, was the district’s defensive MVP. … QB Maupin led the Raider JV to a 9-1 record as a freshman last season.

Schedule

Aug. 30: Aubrey, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: Carrollton Ranchview

Sept. 13: at Caddo Mills

Sept. 20: at Van, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Pleasant Grove

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Ferris*

Oct. 18: at Kemp*

Oct. 25: Quinlan Ford*

Nov. 1: at Wills Point*

Nov. 8: Canton*

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

CANTON EAGLES

COACH: Heath Ragle (third year at Canton, 7-13; overall 29-42, previously at Eustace)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 391-496-21

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 10-16

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 16

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4

STADIUM: Norris Birdwell Stadium, W. State Highway 243 at Cherry Creek Road, Canton 75103 (Capacity: 3,059)

2023 RESULTS: 3-7

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 18/6 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 19

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Avery Wilson, Sr., 160 … QB Nathan Parker, Sr., 5-11, 175 … WR Carson French, Sr., 5-9, 165 … UTL Lane Sides, Jr., 5-9, 170 … OL Croix Hesskew, Sr., 6-1, 230 … H Chase Whitehead, Sr., 5-8, 210 … OL Sebastian Schmidt, Sr., 6-1, 235 … OL Dane Dial, Sr., 6-4, 260 …

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: FS Reed Vannorsdel, Sr., 5-9, 160 … DE Keegan Angel, Sr., 5-9, 170 … DT Aiden Hudson, Sr., 6-0, 220 … DE Callan O’Neil, Jr., 6-0, 180 … DB Issac Gebert, Sr., 5-10, 155 … DL Zavier Santiago, Sr., 5-8, 260 … DL Austin Floyd, Sr., 5-8, 225 …

2024 OUTLOOK: Wilson was near 1,000 yards last season, rushing for 946 yards and six TDs on 198 carries. … Vannorsdel will be a three-year starter at free safety as is Angel at DE. … This will also be Parker’s third year as starter under center. The 17-game starter with the strong arm hit on 97 of 191 attempts for 1,386 yards with 13 TDs and eight interceptions. … Schmidt is a three-year starter at OL. … Ragal is a hometown kid who returned to coach his Eagles. His squad lost three one-score games last year and with experience, Canton could turn those contests into wins. The Eagles could contend for a playoff berth for the first time in three years as well as their first district title since 2005.

Schedule

Aug. 30: Nevada Community, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: at Waxahachie Life, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: Paris North Lamar, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Mabank, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: Rusk, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Kemp*

Oct. 18: Wills Point*

Oct. 25: at Ferris*

Nov. 1: Quinlan Ford*

Nov. 8: at Sunnyvale*

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

FERRIS YELLOW JACKETS

COACH: Tony Castillo (first year at Ferris, previous at Carrollton Creekview, 6-25)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 453-534-40

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 4-23-2

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 24

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 13

STADIUM: Yellow Jacket Stadium, 1008 E. 8th St., Ferris 75125 (Capacity: 3,106)

2023 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 22/8 offensive/8 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 11

OFFENSE: TBD

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Qui-Darwin Cotton, Jr., 6-5, 155 … WR Gavin Garcia, Sr., 6-1, 175 … OL Francisco Rodriguez, So., 6-5, 290 … WR Adam Sasser, Jr., 5-7, 155 …

DEFENSE: TBD

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: OLB Demetries Stanley, JR., 6-0, 180 … CB Brandon McNeal, Sr., 5-9, 155 … OLB Omari Tyner, Jr., 6-0, 170 … LB Mariano Pedroza, Jr., 6-0, 185 …

2024 OUTLOOK: Castillo was hired as head coach in April, taking over for Steven Greek who coached the Yellow Jackets the last three years. … After four freshmen and seven sophomore starters last season, Castillo feels the Yellow Jackets will be stronger in 2024. … Ferris does have to find a starting QB to replace the departed Joshua Greek who is now at Frisco Heritage High School.

Schedule

Aug. 30: Dallas Madison, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: at Peaster

Sept. 13: Teague

Sept. 20: Eagle Mountain

Sept. 27: Fort Worth Castleberry, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Sunnyvale*

Oct. 18: at Quinlan Ford*

Oct. 25: Canton*

Nov. 1: at Kemp*

Nov. 8: Wills Point*

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

WILLS POINT TIGERS

COACH: James Boxley (second year at Wills Point, 5-6)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 556-467-31

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 15-28-1

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (1965)

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 1 (1965)

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 30

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 18

STADIUM: Ken Autry Davis Field, 785 Wingo Way, Wills Point 75169 (Capacity: 4,047)

2023 RESULTS: 5-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/6 offensive/7 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 22

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Jett Fletcher, Sr., 6-0, 185 … OL Dakota Ryder, Sr., 5-9, 220 … WR Cooper O’Neal, Sr., 5-10, 160 … OL Brandon Deckshot, Sr., 6-5, 245 … RB Reese Peterson, Jr., 5-10, 175 … OL Preston Jeane, Jr., 5-11, 235 … WR Brian Martinez, Jr., 5-9, 155 …

DEFENSE: 4 Down

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: ILB Marcus Baker, Sr., 5-9, 170 … DB Lathan Pruitt, Jr., 5-9, 160 … DE Jake Samples, Sr., 6-1, 205 … DB Casey Smith, Sr., 5-10, 165 … DE Ashtin Miles, Jr., 6-2, 200 … LB Isaiah Dominguez, Sr., 5-8, 165 …

2024 OUTLOOK: Boxley was a four-sports athlete at Wills Point High School, leading the Tigers to the 1988 state basketball tournament. … In Boxley first season as head coach, he led the Tigers to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, winning five games after a total of two wins the previous three seasons. … Fletcher was the first-team all-district quarterback, rushing for 1,198 yards and 20 TDs, while passing for 1,153 yards and six TDs. … Baker, Samples and Miles were first-team defenders, while Ryder was a first-teamer on offense.

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Krum

Sept. 6: at Venus, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: Mabank

Sept. 20: at Farmersville

Sept. 27: Waxahachie Life

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Quinlan Ford*

Oct. 18: at Canton*

Oct. 25: Kemp*

Nov. 1: Sunnyvale *

Nov. 8: at Ferris*

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

QUINLAN FORD PANTHERS

COACH: Todd Wallace (13th season at Quinlan Ford, 57-69; Overall, 132-123, previously at Quinlan Boles)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 235-389-15

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 5-14

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 14

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4

STADIUM: Hobart Lytal Memorial Stadium, 423 Panther Path, Quinlan 75474 (Capacity: 3,012)

RESULTS: 5-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 13/5 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 18

OFFENSE: Fly-T

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OT Bryan Sanchez, Sr., 6-0, 290 … QB Peyton Wallen, Jr., 6-2, 215 … RB Lando Edwards, Sr., 5-7, 160 … OG Franklin Davis, Jr., 5-8, 255 … G Beau Pierce, Jr., 5-8, 195 …

DEFENSE: 50

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Austin States, Sr., 6-0, 210 … LB Preston Chambers, Sr., 6-1, 170 … DB Mason Tigue, So., 5-10, 150 … OLB River Huggett, Sr., 5-10, 155 …

2024 OUTLOOK: With inexperience at running back and secondary, the Panthers need some youngsters to step up. … Strengths should be a solid offensive line, QB Peyton Wallen and inside linebackers.

Schedule

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

Sept. 6: at Nevada Community

Sept. 13: Spring Hill

Sept. 20: x-vs. Mineral Wells

Sept. 27: Paris North Lamar

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Wills Point*

Oct. 18: Ferris*

Oct. 25: at Sunnyvale*

Nov. 1: at Canton*

Nov. 8: Kemp*

x-Choctaw Stadium, Arlington

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

KEMP YELLOW JACKETS

COACH: BJ Rider (third year at Kemp, 4-16; Overall 24-55, previously at Dallas Adamson)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 328-547-25

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 10-12

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 14

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5

STADIUM: Yellow Jacket Stadium, Turner Line, Kemp 75143 (Capacity: 2,376)

RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 14/8 offensive/4 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Huston Cromer, 5-11, 162 … WR Jayden Freeman, Sr., 5-9, 144 … OL Enrique Apresa, Sr., 5-10, 245 … OL Abel Gallegos, Jr., 5-10, 220 …

DEFENSE: 4-25

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: S Daltyn Irwin, Jr., 5-5, 120 … DL Aiden Kilgore, So., 5-9, 190 … CB Carter Sullivan, Sr., 5-7, 135 …

2024 OUTLOOK: Coach Rider enters his third season at the helm of the Yellow Jacket program. … Cromer is the returning leading passer (918 yards, 9 TDs, 4 TDs) and rusher (264 yards, 4 TDs). … Freeman returns as top receiver (20-560, 7 TDs). …

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Dallas Life Oak Cliff, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 6: Mabank, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 13: Dallas Samuell, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Dallas Inspired Vision 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Rice

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Canton*

Oct. 18: Sunnyvale*

Oct. 25: at Wills Point*

Nov. 1: Ferris*

Nov. 8: at Quinlan Ford*

*District 6-4A Division II Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted