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District 6-3A Division I

OUR PICKS

1. Jefferson 2. Tatum 3. Atlanta 4. Gladewater 5. Sabine 6. White Oak 

Jefferson Bulldogs

COACH: Antwain Jimmerson (9th season, 158-55 overall, 48-30 at Jefferson)

ALL-TIME: 547-423-31

STADIUM: W.F. Lockett Stadium, #1 Bulldog Drive, Jefferson, 75657

2022 RESULTS: 8-3 Bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 22/10

LETTERMEN LOST: 17

OFFENSE: Spread I (Multiple Set)

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Kamran Williams, Jr., 5-10, 180 … OL Bryce Clark, Sr., 6-1, 290 … OL Zack Hulscher, Jr., 6-4, 285 … WR Chris Love, Jr., 6-1, 150 … HB Keshawn Whitaker, Jr., 6-0, 190 … OL Keiland Williams, So., 6-1, 240 … K/P Domonik Rivers, Sr., 5-10, 185

DEFENSE: 4-3 (Multiple Front)

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Bryce Clark, Sr., 6-1, 290 … S Judsen Carter, Sr., 6-0, 175 … DE Travis Harris, Sr., 6-3, 220 … DB Chris Love, Jr., 6-1, 150 … DE Keshawn Whitaker, Jr., 6-0, 190 … DL Keiland Williams, So., 6-1, 240

2023 Outlook: Jefferson led District 6-3A Division I football teams with eight total season wins in 2022, and is aiming to top its bi-district finish from a year ago in 2023. The Bulldogs’ attack will start with running back Kamran Williams (1,000 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns), safety Judsen Carter (111 tackles and 14 tackles for loss), kicker and punter Domonik Rivers (made 29 of 30 PAT attempts and three of four field goal attempts, and averaged 37 yards per punt), defensive end Travis Harris (85 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and eight sacks), wide receiver and defensive back Chris Love (nine receptions, 243 yards and four touchdowns), defensive end and half back Keshawn Whitaker (85 tackles, 14 tackles for loss and 10 sacks), two-way linemen Bryce Clark (85 percent grade) and Keiland Williams, and offensive lineman Zack Hulscher (80 percent grade).

Tatum Eagles

COACH: Whitney Keeling (2nd season, 119-45 overall, 6-5 at Tatum)

ALL-TIME: 493-358-26

STADIUM: Eagle Stadium, 483 Hill Street, Tatum, 75691

2022 RESULTS: 6-5 Bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/10

LETTERMEN LOST: 19

OFFENSE: Flexbone

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Cole Watson, Sr., 6-1, 190 … WR Carson Gonzalez, Sr., 5-10, 165 … OL Xavier Cook, Sr., 5-11, 220 … WR Luke Sigler, Jr., 6-2, 175 … WR Jordan Chambers, Jr., 6-5, 200 … WR Cayden Tatum, Jr., 5-9, 170 … WR/QB Jacorie Bradley, Jr., 6-1, 175

DEFENSE: 50

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Cole Watson, Sr., 6-1, 190 … DB Carson Gonzalez, Sr., 5-10, 165 … DL Xavier Cook, Sr., 5-11, 220 … DB Luke Sigler, Jr., 6-2, 175 … DB Cayden Tatum, Jr., 5-9, 170 … DL Xavier Moore, Jr., 6-1, 200

2023 Outlook: Tatum has advanced to 27 UIL postseasons since 1993, and it plans to keep that movement going when it competes during the 2023 campaign. The Eagles expect big things from quarterback and linebacker Cole Watson (47 completions, 676 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, 176 carries, 1,765 rushing yards, 28 rushing touchdowns, and 111 tackles), wide receiver and defensive back Carson Gonzalez (24 catches, 387 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns, 45 tackles and six interceptions), wide receivers and defensive backs Luke Sigler (456 yards and eight touchdowns) and Cayden Tatum (296 yards, four touchdowns, 88 tackles and six interceptions) and receiver Jordan Chambers (11 catches, 187 yards and three touchdowns). The squad will also lean on the services of two-way lineman Xavier Cook, receiver and quarterback Jacorie Bradley, and defensive lineman Xavier Moore.

Atlanta Rabbits

COACH: Tyler Morton (2nd season, 7-4 at Atlanta)

ALL-TIME: 579-422-33

STADIUM: Rabbit Stadium, 705 Rabbit Boulevard, Atlanta, 75551

2022 RESULTS: 7-4 Bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 20/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 12

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Markeylin Batton, Jr., 5-11, 180 … QB Peyton Harrison, Jr., 6-2, 185 … WR Marquavion Owens, Sr., 5-8, 170 … WR Jayden Riley, So., 5-7, 170 … WR Jalarrion Andrews, Sr., 5-8, 170 … TE Asher Wells, Jr., 6-1, 190 … OL Ty Waldon, Jr. 6-0, 220 … RB Marshawn Woodberry, So., 5-9, 180

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Markeylin Batton, Jr., 5-11, 180 … Star Marquavion Owens, Sr., 5-8, 170 … DB Jayden Riley, So., 5-7, 170 … LB Carmello Henderson, Sr., 6-0, 200 … DB Jalarrion Andrews, Sr., 5-8, 170 … LB Asher Wells, Jr., 6-1, 190 … DL Marshawn Woodberry, So., 5-9, 180

2023 Outlook: Atlanta stormed back from a winless 2021 season when it won seven games and finished as a bi-district finalist in 2022, so it plans on staying on the right track during the 2023 campaign. The Rabbits can hop further because of running back and defensive back Markeylin Batton (87 carries, 660 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, and two kickoff returns for touchdowns), quarterback Peyton Harrison (77 completions, 1,223 yards and 12 touchdowns), star and receiver Marquavion Owens (72 total tackles, eight and a half tackles for loss, two interceptions and one pick six), wide receiver and defensive back Jayden Riley (32 catches, 409 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns), linebacker Carmello Henderson (60 total tackles and nine and half tackles for loss), defensive back and wide receiver Jalarrion Andrews (45 tackles and eight pass break-ups), linebacker and tight end Asher Wells, running back and defensive lineman Marshawn Woodberry, and offensive lineman Ty Waldon.

Gladewater Bears

COACH: Jonny Louvier (4th season, 30-26 overall, 20-14 at Gladewater)

ALL-TIME: 555-422-33

STADIUM: Jack V. Murphy Stadium, 2406 Hendricks Street, Gladewater, 75647

2022 RESULTS: 3-8 Bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 12

OFFENSE: I Formation

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: TE Jobey Shico, Sr., 6-4, 220 … QB Kyron Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 185 … WR JT Maddox, Sr., 5-10, 165 … FB Keondre Powers, Jr., 6-0, 205 … TB Nathan Smith, Jr., 6-1, 185 … QB Luke Brown, So., 5-11, 180 … TB Carsin Cooper, So., 5-11, 185 … TB Jeremiah Flanagan, So., 5-10, 180

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Jobey Shico, Sr., 6-4, 220 … DE Israel Cerda, Sr., 6-0, 200 … DB Kyron Wilson, Sr., 6-0, 185 … DB JT Maddox, Sr., 5-10, 165 … S Frank Sierra, Sr., 5-10, 170 … DL Keondre Powers, Jr., 6-0, 205 … DL Nathan Smith, Jr., 6-1, 185

2023 Outlook: Gladewater lost five of its first six games in 2022, but it bounced back with two late season victories to extend its playoff streak to five seasons and finish as a bi-district finalist. The Bears expect more 2023 success when they lean on two-way playmakers like quarterback and defensive back Kyron Wilson (88 completions, 1,326 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns), wide receiver and defensive back JT Maddox (eight catches, 178 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns), defensive end and tight end Jobey Shico (87 tackles and 11 tackles for loss), defensive lineman and full back Keondre Powers (40 tackles), and tailback and defensive lineman Nathan Smith in 2023. The team’s roster rounds out with defensive end Israel Cerda (78 tackles, 15 tackles for loss and five sacks), safety Frank Sierra (49 tackles for loss), and tailbacks Carsin Cooper and Jeremiah Flanagan.

Sabine Cardinals

COACH: Cody Gilbert (2nd season, 2-8 overall)

ALL-TIME: 316-523-22

STADIUM: James Bamberg Stadium, 5424 Farm to Market 1252 West, Gladewater, 75647

2022 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 26/17

LETTERMEN LOST: 8

OFFENSE: Doubles/Trips

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Colt Sparks, Jr., 6-5, 190 … RB Cade Silvertooth, Sr., 5-9, 180 … RB Cason Patterson, Jr., 5-11, 175 … WR Hudson McNatt, Jr. 6-2, 160 … WR Caleb McKinney, Sr., 5-9, 160 … TE Joseph Royce, Sr., 5-11, 220 … OL Hudson Coker, Jr., 6-0, 230 … WR Bryce Pobuda, So., 6-2, 155 … OL Mason Gatlin, Jr. … OL Hudson Pepper, Sr. … TE Zane Shearer, Jr., 6-5, 215 … RB Luke Kirkindoll, Sr. … WR Clayne Simmons, Sr. … OL Isaac Hubbard, Jr. … K Jovany Jaimes, Jr.

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Colt Sparks, Jr., 6-5, 190 … LB Cade Silvertooth, Sr., 5-9, 180 … LB Cason Patterson, Jr., 5-11, 175 … DB Hudson McNatt, Jr. 6-2, 160 … DB Caleb McKinney, Sr., 5-9, 160 … DE Joseph Royce, Sr., 5-11, 220 … DL Hudson Coker, Jr., 6-0, 230 … DB Bryce Pobuda, So., 6-2, 155 … DL Mason Gatlin, Jr. … DL Hudson Pepper, Sr. … DL Steven Calico, Sr. … OLB Zane Shearer, Jr., 6-5, 215 … ILB Tristan Peterson, Sr. … DB Luke Kirkindoll, Sr. … DB Clayne Simmons, Sr. … DL Isaac Hubbard, Jr.

2023 Outlook: Sabine advanced to five UIL postseasons between 2014 and 2021, but it took a step back with only two wins in 2022. The Cardinals can soar back in 2023 because Colt Sparks (1,585 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 700 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns) returns at quarterback and defensive back, both Cade Silvertooth (365 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, 42 total tackles and two sacks) and Cason Patterson (340 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 20 total tackles) will suit up again at running back and linebacker, Hudson McNatt (22 catches, 350 receiving yards and three touchdowns), Caleb McKinney (25 catches, 309 yards, one touchdown, 14 tackles and two pass break-ups) and Bryce Pobuda (eight catches, 100 yards and one touchdown) are back at wide receiver and defensive back, and Joseph Royce (58 tackles, six tackles for loss and five sacks) remains a presence at tight end and defensive end.

White Oak Roughnecks

COACH: Michael Ludlow (1st season, 0-0 at White Oak)

ALL-TIME: 578-326-26

STADIUM: Roughneck Stadium, 200 South White Oak Road, White Oak, 75693

2022 RESULTS: 3-7

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 9/4

LETTERMEN LOST: 22

OFFENSE: Power Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Collin Wheat, Jr., 6-3, 215 … QB Jaxsen Ludlow, So., 5-10, 155 … OL Dakota Greene, So., 6-1, 215 … WR David Watson, Sr., 6-0, 160 … RB/WR De’Arious Williams, Sr., 6-1, 160 … WR Levi Sipes, So., 5-11, 175 … WR Gavin Sipes, Sr., 5-10, 155 … OL Lucas Frazier, Jr., 6-1, 200 … WR Tyson McKinney, So., 5-7, 130 … RB Kenny Poul, So., 5-8, 170 … OL Ryan Owens, Sr., 5-10, 245 … RB Logan Ladwig, So., 5-7, 160 … OL Kelton Cates, Jr., 5-8, 190 … OL Jackson Thorp, Sr., 5-10, 240

DEFENSE: Multiple Odd

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Collin Wheat, Jr., 6-3, 215 … DB Jaxsen Ludlow, So., 5-10, 155 … DE Dakota Greene, So., 6-1, 215 … DB David Watson, Sr., 6-0, 160 … DB De’Arious Williams, Sr., 6-1, 160 … DB Levi Sipes, So., 5-11, 175 … DB Gavin Sipes, Sr., 5-10, 155 … DE Lucas Frazier, Jr., 6-1, 200 … DB Tyson McKinney, So., 5-7, 130 … LB Kenny Poul, So., 5-8, 170 … DL Ryan Owens, Sr., 5-10, 245 … DB Logan Ladwig, So., 5-7, 160 … DL Kelton Cates, Jr., 5-8, 190 … DL Jackson Thorp, Sr., 5-10, 240

2023 Outlook: White Oak missed the UIL postseason for the second straight season in 2022 because it followed a 3-2 non-district record with an 0-5 league mark, so it will continue to work towards a stronger finish during the 2023 season. The Roughnecks’ turnaround attempt will start with quarterback and defensive back Jaxsen Ludlow (119 completions, 1,554 yards and 11 touchdowns), and running back, wide receiver and defensive back De’Arious Williams (144 carries, 818 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, 16 catches, 105 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown). They will be backed up by two-way linemen Collin Wheat, Dakota Greene, Lucas Frazier, Ryan Owens, Kelton Cates and Jackson Thorp, wide receiver and defensive back combos David Watson, Levi Sipes, Gavin Sipes and Tyson McKinney, running back and linebacker Kenny Poul, and running back and defensive back Logan Ladwig.