THE ZONE: District 8-2A Division I

Published 7:34 pm Monday, August 26, 2024

District 8-2A Division I

OUR PICKS

1. Frankston 2. Corsicana Mildred 3. Kerens 4. Cayuga 5. Price Carlisle 6. Cross Roads

FRANKSTON INDIANS

COACH: Paul Gould (seventh year at Frankston, 30-34; Overall 72-51, previously at Alto)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 292-323-16

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 7-13

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 13

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 5

STADIUM: Jeff and Opal Austin Stadium, 100 W. Perry St., Frankston 75763 (Capacity: 1,341)

2023 RESULTS: 7-4 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 20/8 offensive/7 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 9

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Tyler Rogers, Sr., 5-10, 190 … WR A.J. Donnell, Jr., 6-2, 170 … OL Tucker Palmer, So., 6-2, 195 … TE David Holladay, Jr., 5-11, 190 … QB Carson Bizzell, Jr., 5-10, 185 … OL Brayden Dotson, Sr., 6-2, 255 … K Coleman Merritt, Sr., 5-11, 190 … OL Carson Allen, Sr., 6-1, 235 …

DEFENSE: 3-3 Stack

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Reese Hicks, Sr., 6-0, 190 … DB Bradlee Gould, Jr., 5-9, 195 … DL Hudson Smith, Jr., 6-2, 195 … DB Brayden Gray, So., 6-1, 165 … LB Timmy Ryals, Sr., 5-9, 185 … DB Tristan McCoy, Jr., 5-10, 160 … LB Aydan Lewis, Jr., 6-1, 205 … LB Braylon Donnell, Jr., 5-8, 175 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Indians can look to Rogers as a consistent rusher after he rushed for 956 yards and 16 touchdowns in 2023. … Playmaker Donnell is back after a stellard sophomore season in which he was named Offensive MVP of the district, rushing for 710 yards with 11 TDs, passing for 586 yards and 4 TDs with 715 receiving yards and six TDs. … Bizzell is back as QB. He was first-team all-district, throwing for 1,158 yards and 13 TDs. … Merritt booted 52 of 57 PATs. … Bradlee Gould had two interceptions last season. …

Schedule

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

Sept. 6: at Huntington

Sept. 13: Grapeland

Sept. 20: Scurry-Rosser

Sept. 27: at Groveton

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Corsicana Mildred*

Oct. 18: Kerens*

Oct. 25: at Carlisle*

Nov. 1: Cross Roads*

Nov. 8: at Cayuga*

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

CORSICANA MILDRED EAGLES

COACH: Jeff Callahan (third year at Mildred, 11-9)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 407-463-30

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 12-22-1

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 1

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 23

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 10

STADIUM: Asby Field at Eagle Stadium, 5475 US 287, Mildred 75109 (Capacity: 1,941)

2023 RESULTS: 6-4 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/8 offensive/7 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 5

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Ashton Frye, Sr., 5-9, 165 … QB Ashton Moore, Sr., 5-10, 180 … TE Brennan Moore, Sr., 6-2, 185 … WR Justin Ovalle, Sr., 5-11 185 ..

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Barron Tatum, Jr., 6-1, 195 … DL Joseph Centeno, Jr., 5-9, 240 … LB Trenton Harris, So., 5-10, 165 … FS Caleb Hallmark, Jr., 5-11, 185 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Eagles have two Ashtons in the backfield — RB Frye (603 yards, 6 TDs) and QB Moore (635 passing yards, 4 TDs). … Defensive back Ashton Moore had four interceptions last season. …

Schedule

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

Sept. 6: Rice

Sept. 13: at Blooming Grove, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: x-vs. Clarksville, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 27: at Moody, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Frankston*

Oct. 18: Cayuga*

Oct. 25: at Kerens*

Nov. 1: Carlisle*

Nov. 8: at Cross Roads*

x-at Texas A&M-Commerce

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

KERENS BOBCATS

COACH: Brent Watkins (first year)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 572-410-41

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 28-37

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 39

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 24

STADIUM: A.G. Godley Field, 200 Bobcat Lane, Kerens 75144 (Capacity: 1,318)

2023 RESULTS: 6-5 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 11/5 offensive/6 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 6

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Muziq Gunnell, Sr., 5-10, 170 … RB Nehemiah Massey, Sr., 5-11, 170 … TE Isaiah Carter, 6-1, 205 … OL Kooper Hill, Jr., 6-0, 210 …

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Mykel Lattimore, Sr., 5-10, 170 … DE Daniel Lewis, 6-1, 225 … DL David Limon, Sr., 5-10, 230 … DE Isiah Jordan, Jr., 6-2, 190 …

2024 OUTLOOK: After finishing fourth the last two years, the Bobcats are expected to contend for the district championship.

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Bremond

Sept. 6: at Axtell

Sept. 13: Elkhart

Sept. 20: Dawson

Sept. 27: at Scurry-Rosser

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Cross Roads*

Oct. 18: at Frankston*

Oct. 25: Mildred*

Nov. 1: Cayuga*

Nov. 8: at Carlisle*

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m.

CAYUGA WILDCATS

COACH: Jacob Magee (fourth year at Cayuga, 19-14)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 211-280-5

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 16-14

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1 (2009)

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 2

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 15

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 4

STADIUM: Scarborough Stadium, 17750 US 287, Cayuga 75832 (Capacity: 1,888)

2023 RESULTS: 7-5 area finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/7 offensive/8 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 7

OFFENSE: Multiple wing

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Gunner Douglas, Jr., 6-4, 175 … OL Zach Johnson, Sr., 5-10, 220 … C Cameron Thompson, Jr., 6-2, 260 … OL Dylan Crawford, Jr., 6-2, 195 … FB Harris Reynolds, Jr., 5-9, 160 … RB Ethan Castaneda, Fr., 5-8, 150 … RB Logan Villa, Fr., 6-2, 185 …

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: CB Dominic Johnson, 6-5, 175 … DE Camron Stegall, Jr., 6-6, 215 … Shiloh Peckham, Sr., 5-11, 205 … LB Jaden Davis, Sr., 5-8, 165 … DE Hayden Schranck, Jr., 6-0, 165 … FS Brady Harrison, So., 6-1, 160 … Lb Harlan Walzel, So., 5-11, 185 … LB Trace Sims, So., 6-0, 165 …

2024 OUTLOOK: The Wildcats have one of the tallest teams in Class 2A — 6-4 quarterback Gunner Douglas, 6-5 CB Dominic Johnson and 6-6 DE Camron Stegall. … Douglas tossed for 622 yards and 5 TDs. … Peckham rushed for 648 yards and 9 TDs. …

Schedule

Aug. 30: Grapeland

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

Sept. 13: at Itasca

Sept. 20: Italy

Sept. 27: at Dallas Inspired Vision

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: Carlisle*

Oct. 18: at Mildred*

Oct. 25: Cross Roads*

Nov. 1: at Kerens*

Nov. 8: Frankston*

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

PRICE CARLISLE INDIANS

COACH: Connor Sharp (second year at Carlisle, 4-7)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 496-405-26

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 25-21

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 24

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 16

STADIUM: Arrowhead Stadium, 8960 FM 13, Price 75687 (Capacity: 1,282)

2023 RESULTS: 4-7 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/8 offensive/8 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 9

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Antonio Ibarra Jr., So., 5-11, 175 … WR Roberto Camacho, Sr., 5-10, 185 … WR Trent Eaves, Sr., 5-9, 160 … RB Jonathaon Lopez, Sr., 5-8, 170 … WR Ivan Garza, So., 5-10, 165 … RB Sevyn Medford, Jr. 

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL William Ibarra, Jr., 6-1, 250 … LB Elvis Hernandez, So. … DL Bryan Garza, So. … DL Chuy Enriquez, Jr.

2024 OUTLOOK: The Indians are four wins away from 500 victories in school history. … Three players from last year are in the collegiate ranks — WR/DB Clayton Hart (Air Force Academy), TE/DE/K/P David Deleon (East Texas Baptist) and QB Fernando Espinoza (East Texas Baptist). … Coach Sharp expects Ibarra big year both at quarterback and linebacker. … With five offensive linemen returning, the Indians are expecting big things in 2024.

Schedule

Aug. 30: at Mount Enterprise

Sept. 6: Overton

Sept. 13: at San Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

Sept. 20: at Brook Hill

Sept. 27: Shelbyville

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Cayuga*

Oct. 18: at Cross Roads*

Oct. 25: Frankston*

Nov. 1: at Mildred*

Nov. 8: Kerens*

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m. unless noted

CROSS ROADS BOBCATS

COACH: Brett Zamzow (second year at Cross Roads, 3-7)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 103-328-4

ALL-TIME PLAYOFF RECORD: 0-1

STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

TITLE GAME APPEARANCES: 0

PLAYOFF BERTHS: 1

DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIPS: 0

STADIUM: Rock Tower Stadium, 14434 Hwy 59, Cross Roads 75148 (Capacity: 900)

2023 RESULTS: 3-7

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 12/6 offensive/5 defensive

LETTERMAN LOST: 16

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Riley Brown, Sr., 5-9, 165 … C Angel Vazquez, 5-10, 290 … RB Oliver Tilley, So., 5-10, 175 … RB Tristin Himes, Sr., 5-7, 165 …

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Owen Perry, Jr., 6-0, 225 … LB Ethan Smith, Jr., 5-9, 150 … LB Hunter Joslin, Sr., 5-9, 170 …

2024 OUTLOOK: QB Brown will be a four-year starter and is hopeful of guiding the Bobcats to their first playoff appearance since 2003. He connected on 85 of 152 passing attempts for 1,044 yards with 11 TDs and just four interceptions. … Perry earned first-team all-district at defensive end. … Vazquez has been a three-year starter at center. … Himes and Smith are anxious to get back on the field after mssing all of 2023 due to injury. … Tilley rushed for 793 yards and 8 TDs on 136 attempts.

Schedule

Sept. 6: at Meridian

Sept. 19: Jewett Leon

Oct. 4: open

Oct. 11: at Kerens*

Oct. 18: Carlisle*

Oct. 25: at Cayuga*

Nov. 1: at Frankston*

Nov. 8: Mildred*

*District 8-2A Division I Game

All games at 7 p.m.