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DISTRICT 7-3A DIVISION I

OUR PICKS: 1. MALAKOFF 2. WINNSBORO 3. MOUNT VERNON 4. COMMERCE 5. MINEOLA 6. RAINS 7. EUSTACE

MALAKOFF TIGERS

COACH: Jamie Driskell (15th year at school, 158-35)

SCHOOL ALL-TIME RECORD: 498-443-28

STADIUM: Tiger Stadium, 15201 FM 3062, Malakoff 75148

2023 RESULTS: 16-0

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 19/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Multiple Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Mike Jones, Sr., 6-1, 200 … OL Shawn Meadows, Sr., 5-11, 225 … TE Evan Loper, Sr., 6-2, 210 … RB Jerrion Hall, Jr., 5-8, 175 … RB Jason Tennyson, Sr., 5-10, 195 … WR Kayland Davis, Sr., 6-1, 185 … OL Jamyron Walker, Sr., 6-3, 270 … WR Jack Hustead, Sr., 6-3, 170 … OL Andrew Adams, Sr., 6-2, 230 … OL Hunter Reeves, Sr., 6-4, 250 … WR Davion Johnson, Jr., 5-7, 170 … WR Wyatt Wallace, Jr., 5-10, 175

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Mike Jones, Sr., 6-1, 200 … LB Parker Poteete, Sr., 6-3, 200 … DL Michael Elliott, Sr., 6-1, 200 … DL Evan Loper, Sr., 6-2, 210 … LB James Studley, Sr., 5-9, 175 … LB Jerrion Hall, Jr., 5-8, 175 … DL Daniel Norrell, Jr., 6-0, 280 … DB Jason Tennyson, Sr., 5-10, 195 … DB Kayland Davis, Sr., 6-1, 185 … DB Jack Hustead, Sr., 6-3, 170 … DL Andrew Adams, Sr., 6-2, 230 … DL Hunter Reeves, Sr., 6-4, 250 … LB Davion Johnson, Jr., 5-7, 170 … DB Wyatt Wallace, Jr., 5-10, 175

2024 OUTLOOK: Since taking over as head coach in 2009, Coach Driskell has led the Tigers to at least eight wins each season, plus eight double-digit victory seasons The Tigers were 0-10 in 2008 and during Driskell’s first season in 2009, they won eight games. In 2023, the Tigers won their first state championship, rolling through the season with a 16-0 record, outscoring opponents 798-159 and defeating Franklin 14-7 in the championship game. The bad news for the rest of Class 3A Division I is the Tigers bring back eight offensive starters and six defensive starters from that championship squad. Mike Jones, who was 171 of 251 for 2,621 yards with 31 touchdowns and two interceptions and had 112 carries for 831 yards on 14 touchdowns, is back at quarterback after being named the Offensive MVP in the Class 3A Division I championship game. Hall (168 carries, 1,490 yards, 31 touchdowns) returns at running back), and Tennyson, who ran for 1,389 yards and 26 touchdowns on 213 carries as a sophomore, is back for the Tigers after tearing his ACL on the first day of practice in 2023. Davis (20 catches, 234 yards, four touchdowns), Hustead, Johnson and Wallace are the targets at receiver. Meadows, Walker, Adams and Reeves will handle things on the offensive line. Poteete (131 tackles, 15 tackles for loss), who was the Class 3A Division I championship game Defensive MVP, is back at linebacker. Elliott (84 tackles, 24 tackles for loss), Norrell (80 tackles, 34 tackles for loss) and Studley (120 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, three fumble recoveries) are also back on defense. Malakoff has won 27 consecutive district games, last losing a district game on Nov. 9, 2018, before winning five straight games to reach a state championship game for the first time. Now, the Tigers enter a new district that includes Winnsboro and Mount Vernon, both of which Malakoff defeated in last year’s playoffs.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: West Rusk, 7:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 13: Madisonville, 7:30 p.m.

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

Oct. 4: Commerce*

Oct. 11: at Mineola*

Oct. 18: Eustace*

Oct. 25: at Rains*

Nov. 1: Mount Vernon*

Nov. 8: at Winnsboro*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game

WINNSBORO RED RAIDERS

COACH: Josh Finney (6th year at Winnsboro, 45-15; 130-47 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 497-492-37

STADIUM: Red Raider Stadium, 409 Newsome St., Winnsboro 75494

2023 RESULTS: 12-1

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 21/11

LETTERMEN LOST: 25

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Camden Capehart, Jr., 5-7, 145 … RB Tyson Johnson, Sr., 5-9, 190 … OL Payton Turner, Sr., 6-1, 340 … K Rudy Calderon, Soph., 160 … OL Kanyon Russom, Sr., 5-11, 225 … OL Keagan McNeil, Sr., 6-3, 225 … QB Nolee Carroll, Jr., 5-10, 170 … RB Neree Castleberry, Soph., 6-1, 190

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Gage Fulmer, Jr., 6-1, 200 … DL Dylan Seay, Sr., 6-1, 240 … DB Chayne Tedford, Sr., 5-10, 185 … DB Cole Batchelor, Sr., 5-9, 165 … DL Karson McNeil, Soph., 6-3, 260 … LB River Canaday, Soph., 6-1, 190

2024 OUTLOOK: Winnsboro was elite on offense last season, averaging 52.2 points per game and starting the season 12-0 before falling to Class 3A Division I state champion Malakoff in the third round of the playoffs. Star quarterback Kyler Finney (190 of 298, 3,526 yards, 38 touchdowns, three interceptions; 118 carries, 1,016 yards, 14 touchdowns) and receiver Will Wilcox (67 catches, 1,301 yards, 14 touchdowns) are gone, but the cupboard is not bare for the Red Raiders. Capehart (39 catches, 1,022 yards, 17 touchdowns) is one of the more electric receivers in the state. The Class 3A champion in the 100-meter dash in a time of 10.44 seconds, Capehart is a three-star recruit in the class of 2026 with offers from Mississippi State, Arizona State, California, Marshall, North Texas, UTSA, UNLV, UTEP and Sam Houston. Johnson (195 carries, 1,301 yards, 14 touchdowns) is back at running back, and sophomore Castleberry will also contribute in the backfield. Carroll is expected to take over at quarterback behind an offensive line that features Turner, Russom and Keagan McNeil. Fulmer (27 tackles for loss) and Seay (21 tackles for loss) are monsters up front on the defensive line. Fulmer was a state qualifier in wrestling, which helps him against opposing offensive linemen. Sophomore Karson McNeil will join Fulmer and Seay up front. Tedford and Batchelor patrol the secondary, while sophomore Canaday will be a key player at linebacker. Calderon made 11 field goals and 92 extra points as a freshman and is a weapon on special teams. The rematch with Malakoff won’t have to wait until the playoffs this year as the Tigers are in the district now and will visit Winnsboro in the regular season finale on Nov. 8.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Tatum

Sept. 6: at Redwater

Sept. 13: Honey Grove

Sept. 20: Hooks

Sept. 27: at Commerce*

Oct. 4: Mineola*

Oct. 11: at Eustace

Oct. 18: Rains*

Oct. 25: at Mount Vernon*

Nov. 8: Malakoff*

All Games are at 7 p.m.

*District 7-3A Division I Game

MOUNT VERNON TIGERS

COACH: Clayton George (2nd year at school, 8-4; 28-26 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 546-429-28

STADIUM: Don Meredith Stadium, 1 Tiger Drive, Mount Vernon 75457

2023 RESULTS: 8-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 18

OFFENSE: Multiple spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Daweson Witherspoon, Jr., 5-10, 180 … OL CJ Clayton, Jr., 5-9, 230 … QB Cade George, Jr., 6-2, 170 … OL Son Tran, Jr., 5-10, 245 … OL Connor McCurdy, Soph., 6-5, 250 … WR Wesley Salinas, Jr. 6-3, 170 … OL Gage Todd, Sr., 6-0, 200

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Ryder Bowers, Jr., 6-1, 180 … DL CJ Shelton, Sr., 5-9, 235 … LB Will Tucker, Sr., 5-10, 175 … DL Abraham Ciraiz, Sr., 5-11, 225 … DB Carsen Summerlin, Sr., 5-9, 155 … DB Jayden Doss, Sr., 5-11, 160 … DB Abraham Posada, Jr., 5-10, 155 … DL Landry Moss, Jr., 6-2, 180 … DB Scott Sigala, Jr., 5-10, 170 … DL Andres Diaz, 5-9, 215

2024 OUTLOOK: Mount Vernon has enjoyed a run of success under the late Dickie Meeks, Josh Finney, Art Briles and Brad Willard. Meeks left Mount Vernon in 2005 after guiding the Tigers to the playoffs in all of his six seasons. After he left, the program didn’t return to the playoffs 10 straight seasons. Meeks went back to Mount Vernon in 2015 and led the program to the playoffs in 2016. The Tigers made the playoffs in the two seasons apiece for Finney, Briles and Willard to make it seven consecutive postseason appearances. Willard left after the 2022 season to take the offensive coordinator post at Tyler Legacy, and he’s now the head coach at Liberty-Eylau. To replace Willard, Mount Vernon called on former Tyler Lee (now Legacy) head coach Clayton George. George was the head coach of the Red Raiders in 2016 when they went 2-8. George was the head coach at Dallas Hillcrest in 2004-05 and then at Haltom in 2006. He then joined the staff at the University of North Texas. George was most recently the offensive coordinator at Plano. In George’s first season at Mount Vernon, the Tigers went 8-4 before losing in the playoffs 66-21 to Class 3A Division I champion Malakoff, which is now in a district with Mount Vernon. Witherspoon (226 carries, 1,627 yards, 25 touchdowns; 12 catches, 206 yards, one touchdown) is back at running back behind an offensive line of Clayton, Tran, McCurdy and Todd. Cade George (55 of 77, 865 yards, five touchdowns) returns at quarterback after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 6 of 2023. Salinas takes over as the top target at receiver. Defensively, Bowers (61 tackles), Shelton (44 tackles, nine tackles for loss, four sacks) and Doss (nine interceptions) are all back for the Tigers.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: New Diana

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

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

Sept. 20: Atlanta

Sept. 27: at Mineola*

Oct. 4: Eustace*

Oct. 11: at Rains*

Oct. 25: Winnsboro*

Nov. 1: at Malakoff*

Nov. 8: Commerce*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game

MINEOLA YELLOWJACKETS

COACH: Aaron Slider (2nd year at school, 4-6; 5-25 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 530-536-49

STADIUM: Meredith Memorial Stadium, 1044 W. Loop 564, Mineola 75773

2023 RESULTS: 4-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 14/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Gun T

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Colton McMahon, Sr., 6-2, 185 … WR Ainsley Steward, Jr., 5-11, 165 … OL David Reyes, Sr., 6-0, 200 … OL Juan Cervantes, Jr., 6-0, 310 … OL Juan Villanueva, Jr., 5-10, 245 … QB Braelyn Geremonte, Soph., 5-9, 160 … K Noah Turner, Sr. … TE DJ McDowell, Sr. … OL Javaryon Brumsey, Sr.

DEFENSE: Even

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Eddie Guerra, Jr., 6-0, 190 … DB Ainsley Steward, Jr., 5-11, 165 … DL Juan Cervantes, Jr., 6-0, 310 … DL Juan Villanueva, Jr., 5-10, 245 … DB Braelyn Geremonte, Soph., 5-9, 160 … LB Blaine Harris, Sr. … DL DJ McDowell, Sr. … DL Javaryon Brumsey, Sr.

2024 OUTLOOK: In 2023, Mineola missed the playoffs for the first time since 2019 and just the second time since 2012. The Yellowjackets return nine starters on offense, but will have to replace the quarterback position. In steps sophomore Braelyn Geremonte. He will have a dynamic weapon at his disposal in McMahon, who had 36 catches for 879 yards and seven touchdowns and 49 carries for 398 yards and four touchdowns after coming over from Whitehouse. Steward (20 catches, 215 yards) can also make plays. Reyes, Cervantes, Villanueva and Brumsey form a solid offensive line. Turner is one of the better kickers in the area. Defensively, Guerra (90 tackles, four sacks) is back at linebacker, where he will be joined by Harris. Cervantes, Villanueva, McDowell and Brumsey play up front, while Steward (three interceptions) and Geremonte will patrol the secondary.

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SCHEDULE

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

Sept. 6: Scurry-Rosser, 7:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 20: at Paris North Lamar, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: Mount Vernon*

Oct. 4: at Winnsboro*

Oct. 11: Malakoff*

Oct. 18: at Commerce*

Nov. 1: Eustace*

Nov. 8: at Rains*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game

COMMERCE TIGERS

COACH: John McSheffery (5th year, 19-21)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 540-517-45

STADIUM: Ernest Hawkins Field at Memorial Stadium, 1606 Hwy 24, Commerce 75428

2023 RESULTS: 7-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 21/15

LETTERMEN LOST: 18

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB KD Ford, Sr., 6-3, 220 … WR Wyatt Marker, Jr., 6-0, 160 … RB Jordan McMurray, Jr., 5-9, 170 … RB Sedarrius Love, Sr. 5-11, 190 … OL Jacori Hearn, Jr., 6-0, 280 … WR Donovan Maria, Soph., 5-11, 160 … WR Tey Nash, Sr., 5-11, 160 … WR Drelon Crosby, Sr., 6-2, 205 … OL Jaddan Coleman, Jr., 5-11 250 … K Rey Maldonado, Sr., 5-11, 165 … WR Malik Garcia, Jr., 5-10, 165 … RB Daqualan Colbert, Sr., 5-7, 165 … WR Tyler Wheeler, Sr., 6-3, 175

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL KD Ford, Sr., 6-3, 220 … DB Wyatt Marker, Jr., 6-0, 160 … LB Jordan McMurray, Jr., 5-9, 170 … LB Parker Wilcox, Sr., 6-1, 185 … DB Sedarrius Love, Sr. 5-11, 190 … DL Mar’Kadden Mapps, Jr., 5-9, 235 … DL Markease Aubrey, Jr., 5-5, 220 … DB Donovan Maria, Soph., 5-11, 160 … DB Tey Nash, Sr., 5-11, 160 … DB Drelon Crosby, Sr., 6-2, 205 … DL Xavier Fugitt, Sr., 6-4, 220 … DB Malik Garcia, Jr., 5-10, 165 … DB Daqualan Colbert, Sr., 5-7, 165 … DL Tyler Wheeler, Sr., 6-3, 175

2024 OUTLOOK: Last season, Commerce had its first winning season since 2014 and went to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Tigers also scored more than 300 points in a season for the first time since 2017. Eight starters are back on that offense. McMurray (721 yards, five touchdowns) is back at running back. Marker (366 yards, two touchdowns), Maria, Nash and Crosby are among the options at receiver. Hearn and Coleman lead the offensive line. Ford (347 yards passing, 127 yards rushing) is a rare quarterback/defensive end combo. Wilcox (77 tackles, nine tackles for loss), Crosby (38 tackles, four sacks, eight tackles for loss) and Love (two interceptions) lead the defense.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Edgewood

Sept. 6: at Blue Ridge

Sept. 13: at Farmersville

Sept. 20: Whitesboro

Sept. 27: Winnsboro*

Oct. 4: at Malakoff*

Oct. 18: Mineola*

Oct. 25: at Eustace*

Nov. 1: Rains*

Nov. 8: at Mount Vernon*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game

RAINS WILDCATS

COACH: Bryan Oakes (2nd year at school, 1-9; 2-47 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 329-500-28

STADIUM: Wildcat Stadium, 371 FM 3299, Emory 75440

2023 RESULTS: 1-9

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 14/12

LETTERMEN LOST: 9

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Tylin Oakes, Sr., 5-11, 180 … WR Trinton McKinney, Sr., 5-10, 170 … WR Trent Kirby, Sr., 5-10, 165 … OL Kam Vinson, Sr., 5-11, 250 … OL Carson Blalock, Sr., 5-6, 235 … WR Danny Centeno, Sr., 5-8, 170 … WR Kenneth Griffith, Jr., 5-10, 165 … OL Jason Jones, Jr., 5-9, 225 … RB Jabari Shields, Soph., 180

DEFENSE: 3-4 multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Trinton McKinney, Sr., 5-10, 170 … DB Trent Kirby, Sr., 5-10, 165 … DL Kam Vinson, Sr., 5-11, 250 … DL Carson Blalock, Sr., 5-6, 235 … DB Danny Centeno, Sr., 5-8, 170 … DB Kenneth Griffith, Jr., 5-10, 165 … DL Jason Jones, Jr., 5-9, 225 … LB Jabari Shields, Soph., 5-10, 180

2024 OUTLOOK: Rains is looking to make the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Wildcats averaged 16.6 points per game last season while allowing 38.6 points per game. Tylin Oakes gives Rains experience at quarterback, while McKinney, Kirby, Centeno and Griffith form a veteran receiving corps. Rains returns four starters on the offensive and defensive lines with Vinson, Blalock and Jones among those. Rains lost a lot of production at running back and linebacker, and Shields, a sophomore, will look to step up at both of those positions.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Lone Oak, 7:30 p.m.

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

Sept. 13: Grand Saline, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Paris Chisum

Sept. 27: at Eustace*

Oct. 11: Mount Vernon*

Oct. 18: at Winnsboro*

Oct. 25: Malakoff*

Nov. 1: at Commerce*

Nov. 8: Mineola*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game

EUSTACE BULLDOGS

COACH: Jimmy Cantrell (1st year at Eustace, 0-0; 47-42 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 228-418-11

STADIUM: Bulldog Stadium, Henderson St. at FM 316 S, Eustace 75124

2023 RESULTS: 0-10

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 25/16

LETTERMEN LOST: 8

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: TE Bryson Nichols, Jr., 6-2, 200 … OL Colten Carpenter, Sr., 5-6, 275 … OL Hunter Lane, Sr., 6-2, 300 … OL Adan Maltos, Sr., 5-7, 300 … OL Ranger McKee, Sr., 6-0, 240 … RB Colton Lawson, Jr., 6-3, 175 … RB Mason Patek, Soph., 5-8, 160 … QB Rhett Dyer, Sr., 6-0, 160 … RB Ethan Marquez, Jr., 5-8, 175 … RB Andrew Lowe, Sr., 6-0, 170

DEFENSE: 5-2

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Bryson Nichols, Jr., 6-2, 200 … LB Nick McKee, Sr., 5-9, 215 … DL Hunter Lane, Sr., 6-2, 300 … DL Adan Maltos, Sr., 5-7, 300 … DL Ranger McKee, Sr., 6-0, 240 … DB Colton Lawson, Jr., 6-3, 175 … LB Ethan Marquez, Jr., 5-8, 175 … DB Andrew Lowe, Sr., 6-0, 170

2024 OUTLOOK: Eustace hasn’t made the playoffs since 2018 and went winless last season, averaging 7.8 points per game and allowing 54.8 points per game. The Bulldogs will have a new leader as Jimmy Cantrell, who was the head coach at Mabank from 2004-11 will take over. Eustace has eight starters back on both sides of the ball. Dyer (7 of 16, 59 yards, one touchdown), will be the quarterback with Rummel (eight catches, 85 yards, one touchdown) as the top returning receiver. Patek (80 carries, 372 yards, five touchdowns) will handle running back duties. Nick McKee (53 tackles) and Ranger McKee (two sacks) are back on defense, along with Nichols, who will be a force on both sides of the football. Carpenter, Lane, Maltos and Ranger McKee form a strong offensive and defensive front.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at White Oak

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

Sept. 13: Rice

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

Sept. 27: Rains*

Oct. 4: at Mount Vernon*

Oct. 11: Winnsboro*

Oct. 18: at Malakoff*

Oct. 25: Commerce*

Nov. 1: at Mineola*

All Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted

*District 7-3A Division I Game