THE ZONE: Six Man

Published 8:56 pm Monday, August 26, 2024

UNION HILL BULLDOGS

COACH: Josh Bragdon

STADIUM: Bill Bass Stadium, 2197 FM 2088, Gilmer 75644

2023 RESULTS: 11-1/3-0 district

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 10/3 offense, 4 defense

LETTERMEN LOST: 3

OFFENSE: Tight

DEFENSE: 4-2

NOTABLES: Spreadback E.J. Mowery (6-1, 155) … TE/DE Abel Montero (5-9, 216) … QB/DB Payton Dunn (6-0, 150) … TE Eli Meneoza (6-1, 190) … LB/RB Jacob Brewster (5-7, 165)

2024 OUTLOOK: Mowery is back to head up the offense after passing for 1,272 yards and 22 touchdowns with just two interceptions and rushing for 1,134 yards and 34 TDs in 2023 … Mendoza rushed for 536 yards and 9 TD and will be another weapon on offense, and both players will play a big part of the success on defense after Mendoza recorded 3 sacks and Mowery came away with 70 tackles and four interceptions

LEVERETT’S CHAPEL LIONS

COACH: Keith Hughes

STADIUM: Lion Stadium, 8956 Highway 42/135 North, Leverett’s Chapel 75666

2023 RESULTS: 8-3/3-0 district

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 12/3 offense, 1 defense

LETTERMEN LOST: 4

OFFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSE: Multiple

NOTABLES: Spreadback Trent Wheat (5-10, 190)

2024 OUTLOOK: The Lions have been consistent winners, carving out a 32-14 record over the past five seasons … New coach Hughes, who has made stops at Savoy, Louise and Whiteface, brings back a solid piece to the puzzle in Wheat, but LC lost heavily to graduation and will have to grow up quickly.

CHRISTIAN HERITAGE SENTINELS

COACH: Griff Mauldin

STADIUM: Sentinel Field, 2715 FM 1855, Longview 75604

2023 RESULTS: 8-2/4-0 district

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 12/4 offense, 4 defense

LETTERMEN LOST: 2

OFFENSE: Spread

DEFENSE: 2-1-3

NOTABLES: RB/LB Thomas Peeler (5-7, 170) … ATH/DB Luke Stone (5-7, 155) … RB/LB Mays McDill … WR/DB Eli Roraback … OL/DL Slayde Hopson … RB/LB Matthew Mauldin … OL/DL Griffin Holt … QB/LB Owen Holcomb

2024 OUTLOOK: The Sentinels have the talent and depth to make a long run in the playoffs. Peeler is a dynamic game-changer on both sides of the ball, having rushed for 980 yards and 21 TD, caught a TD pass and recorded 47 tackles, 12 TFL and two interceptions in 2023 … Stone will pace the defense after racking up 49 tackles, three interceptions and three defensive TDs, but expect him to play a bigger role on offense also … McDill (48 tackles, 2 TD on offense) is a physical athlete with a high motor, and Roraback had 43 tackles, seven receptions on offense and hit on 50 of 56 extra points.

TRINITY SCHOOL TITANS

COACH: Austin Blackwell

STADIUM: Titan Field, 215 Teague Street, Longview 75601

2023 RESULTS: Did not play

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS:

LETTERMEN LOST: NA

OFFENSE: Spread

DEFENSE: 2-4

NOTABLES: QB/WR Cooper Ivy (6-0, 180) … WR Grayson King (5-6, 160) … QB/WR Hudson Heath (6-0, 180) … T Zac Daniel (6-2, 210)

2024 OUTLOOK: The Titans took two seasons off, returned for a year and then took last year off, but will return to the field with a new coach in Blackwell. Ivy, King and Heath are all freshmen, and Daniel is a junior, so youth will be an issue as the program tries to find its footing.