Longview won its first state football championship in 81 years.
A father and son combination helped lead the Lobos to that achievement.
Malakoff advanced to a state final for the first time in program history in a season filled with adversity.
A younger brother of a former John Tyler Lion burst onto the scene as a freshman at Tyler Lee, sparked by a breakout game against the crosstown rival.
It was that kind of football season for East Texas, and all of these moments helped shape the 2018 Tyler Morning Telegraph All-East Texas Football Team.
Haynes King grew up wanting to play quarterback for the Longview Lobos. The junior threw for 3,665 yards on 183 of 273 passing with 41 touchdowns and four interceptions to lead the Lobos to a perfect 16-0 record and the Class 6A Division II Championship. King also rushed for 568 yards and eight touchdowns.
Those credentials helped earn King — the Class 6A Built Ford Tough Texas High School Player of the Year — All-East Texas Offensive Player of the Year honors.
King is considered one of the top quarterbacks in the country for the Class of 2020, and he has numerous offers, including LSU, Miami, Oregon, Arkansas, Auburn, Baylor, Tennessee and UCLA.
King’s father, John King, was selected as the All-East Texas Coach of the Year.
Following a 16-0 season, the Longview head coach moved to 169-35 during his tenure with the Lobos.
Jamarion Miller, who is the younger brother of former John Tyler star Damion Miller, made the most of his first year in high school football. The freshman running back carried the ball 119 times for 807 yards and seven touchdowns.
In just his second varsity game with the Tyler Lee Red Raiders, Miller rushed for 152 yards on 16 carries with two touchdowns, including a 44-yarder, against John Tyler.
While it was another great year for offense in East Texas, there were also some standout defensive performers.
Van junior defensive end Jayden Jacobs was among the defensive stars, and he captured All-East Texas Defensive Player of the Year honors. Jacobs finished with 132 tackles, 27 tackles for loss, 17 sacks, six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery and three passes broken up.
In Week 8, Jacobs finished with 16 tackles (5 for a loss), six quarterback pressures, two sacks, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery to be named the American State Bank Player of the Week.
The first-team quarterback is Lindale’s Dillon Heinaman — 236 of 360 for 3,009 yards, 33 touchdowns and 11 interceptions passing; 118 carries for 435 yards and four touchdowns rushing. He has signed with Hardin-Simmons.
First-team running backs are John Tyler’s Rod Hawkins (176 carries, 1,418 yards, 13 touchdowns), Longview’s Jessie Anderson (151 carries, 1,082 yards, 26 touchdowns, Abilene Christian signee) and Gladewater’s Eligia Carter (260 carries, 2,606 yards, 24 touchdowns).
First-team receivers are John Tyler’s Ke’Andre Street (37 catches, 921 yards, 10 touchdowns, Houston signee), Longview’s Kamden Perry (87 catches, 1,864 yards, 18 touchdowns, Incarnate Word signee) and Van’s Ethan Robinson (84 catches, 1,251 yards, 18 touchdowns).
The first-team tight end is Pine Tree’s Keshon Williams (39 carries, 262 yards, eight touchdowns; 17 catches, 301 yards, two touchdowns, Tulane signee).
The first-team offensive line is Tyler Lee’s 6-5, 280-pound senior Beaux Limmer (98 percent grade, 98 pancakes, no sacks allowed, Arkansas signee), John Tyler’s 6-3, 305-pound senior Chance Billington (90 percent grade, 20 pancakes, 25 knockdowns, one sack allowed, Louisiana-Monroe signee), Athens’ 6-6, 295-pound junior Garrett Hayes (90 percent grade, 96 pancakes, no sacks allowed), Longview’s 6-3, 250-pound senior Marcus Harry (90 percent grade, 58 pancakes), and Malakoff’s 6-1, 250-pound senior Brendan McClintock (97 percent grade, 63 knockdowns, one sack allowed).
The first-team kicker is John Tyler senior Frankie Sanchez (56 of 58 on extra points, 9 of 13 on field goals, long of 46, 39 touchbacks on kickoffs, 83 points scored).
The first-team utility player is Tyler Lee junior Jamal Ligon. Ligon played fullback, tight end and defensive end to earn District 11-6A Player of the Year honors. He had two carries, both for touchdowns. He had 14 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown. He had three two-point conversions. Ligon had a 97 percent grade as a blocker. On defense, he had 63 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 22 quarterback pressures and six sacks. Ligon has offers from Alcorn State, Arkansas State, Army, Houston Baptist, Illinois State, North Texas, Texas Southern and Texas State.
First-team defensive linemen are Whitehouse senior tackle Darius Trimble (68 tackles, eight tackles for loss, five sacks, two pass breakups, one forced fumble, one blocked field goal), Lindale sophomore end Jaymond Jackson (52 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine sacks, five quarterback pressures, two pass breakups), Lufkin senior tackle Carl Williams (45 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, three quarterback knockdowns, five quarterback pressures, two forced fumbles, Stephen F. Austin signee) and Henderson senior end Keivie Rose (50 tackles, two sacks, 25 quarterback pressures, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, five pass breakups, Louisiana Tech signee).
First-team linebackers are Sabine senior Kobe Renfro (156 tackles, three sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, 18 tackles for loss), Longview junior Tyshawn Taylor (121 tackles, three sacks, 15 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one pass breakup) and Van senior A.J. Zarate (140 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, two interceptions and one defensive touchdown).
First-team defensive backs are Longview senior Jephaniah Lister (135 tackles, two sacks, six tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, five pass breakups), Brook Hill junior Seth Moss (seven interceptions, 14 pass breakups, two tackles for loss, 40 tackles), John Tyler’s Cameron Grant (52 tackles, three tackles for loss, three interceptions, 20 pass breakups, one forced fumble, Texas A&M-Commerce signee) and Pittsburg’s Jaylon Jimmerson (101 tackles, two tackles for loss, eight interceptions, one fumble recovery, Incarnate Word signee).
The first-team punter is Tyler Lee junior Mark Patton (35.5 yard per punt average, long of 62, two inside the 20).
The first-team return specialist is Carlisle senior Gerald Turner (nine kick returns, 35.67 yards per return, 10 punt returns, 21 yards per return, three return touchdowns; 92 of 156 passing, 1,576 yards, 15 touchdowns; 141 carries, 1,436 yards, 32 touchdowns).
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Tyler Morning Telegraph
All-East Texas Football Team
Offensive Player of the Year — Haynes King, Longview, junior, quarterback
Defensive Player of the Year — Jayden Jacobs, Van, junior, defensive end
Newcomer of the Year — Jamarion Miller, Tyler Lee, freshman, running back
Coach of the Year — John King, Longview
First Team
Offense
QB — Dillon Heinaman, Lindale, senior
RB —Rod Hawkins, John Tyler, senior
RB — Jessie Anderson, Longview, senior
RB — Eligia Carter, Gladewater, sophomore
WR — Ke’Andre Street, John Tyler, senior
WR — Kamden Perry, Longview, senior
WR — Ethan Robinson, Van, senior
TE — Keshon Williams, Pine Tree, senior
OL — Beaux Limmer, Tyler Leem senior
OL — Chance Billington, John Tyler, senior
OL — Garrett Hayes, Athens, junior
OL — Marcus Harry, Longview, senior
OL — Brendan McClintock, Malakoff, senior
K — Frankie Sanchez, John Tyler, senior
UTILITY — Jamal Ligon, Tyler Lee, junior
Defense
DL — Darius Trimble, Whitehouse, senior
DL — Jaymond Jackson, Lindale, sophomore
DL — Carl Williams, Lufkin, senior
DL — Keivie Rose, Henderson, senior
LB — Kobe Renfro, Sabine, senior
LB — Tyshawn Taylor, Longview, junior
LB — A.J. Zarate, Van, senior
DB — Jephaniah Lister, Longview, senior
DB — Seth Moss, Brook Hill, junior
DB — Cameron Grant, John Tyler, senior
DB — Jaylon Jimmerson, Pittsburg, senior
P — Mark Patton, Tyler Lee, junior
RETURN SPECIALIST — Gerald Turner, Carlisle, senior
Second Team
Offense
QB — Devlen Woods, John Tyler, senior
RB — Carter Bates, Edgewood, senior
RB — Keilyn Williams, Longview, senior
RB — Jordan Jenkins, Lindale, sophomore
WR — Kendrion Johnson, Whitehouse, senior
WR — Andreas Garrett, Malakoff, junior
WR — Kelvontay Dixon, Carthage, junior
TE — Parker Busch, Malakoff, senior
OL — James Sandifer, Lindale, senior
OL — Jere Saranpaa, Brook Hill, junior
OL — Tristian Seahorn, Gladewater, senior
OL — Kevion Booty, Carthage, senior
OL — Gavin Roberts, Longview, senior
K — Jose Vasquez, Pine Tree, senior
UTILITY — Louie Garza, Carlisle, junior
Defense
DL — Zack Moore, Winona, senior
DL — Christian Hartsfield, John Tyler, senior
DL — Jaylon Allen, Longview, senior
DL — Quanterrius Brown, Carthage, junior
LB — Caleb Adams, Malakoff, senior
LB — Brady Odom, Henderson, junior
LB — Matt Adams, Troup, senior
DB — Jerrin Thompson, Lufkin, junior
DB — Airik Williams, Lindale, sophomore
DB — Elliott Davison, Tyler Lee, junior
DB — Kitan Crawford, John Tyler, junior
P — Ridge Preston, Van, senior
RETURN SPECIALIST — Dakota Pullum, Winona, senior
Third Team
Offense
QB — Jake Smith, Bishop Gorman, senior
RB — Trevion Sneed, Mineola, sophomore
RB — Elijah Rankine, Van, junior
RB — Gabe Nelson, Pine Tree, senior
WR — Tra Fluellen, Gilmer, senior
WR — Keithlen Griffin, Pittsburg, senior
WR — Jay Price, Carlisle, senior
TE — Clifford Brown, Winona, senior
OL — Ty’Kieast Crawford, Carthage, junior
OL — Kyan Milton, Tyler Lee, senior
OL — Angel Sarmiento, John Tyler, junior
OL — Braeden O’Bannon, Bullard, senior
OL — Andres Martinez, West Rusk, senior
K — Fernando Jaimes, Sabine, junior
UTILITY — Kike Betancourth, Bishop Gorman, senior
Defense
DL — Deundre Blanton, Kilgore, junior
DL — Casen Grasch, Cayuga, junior
DL — Abel Euceda, Gilmer, senior
DL — Ky Thomas, Elkhart, junior
LB — Peyton Snow, Winona, sophomore
LB — Walker Adams, Carlisle, senior
LB — Josh Williams, Palestine, senior
DB — Drew McNeel, Harmony, senior
DB — JJ Kellum, Van, junior
DB — Jacory Ware, Carthage, senior
DB — Champ Mathis, Marshall, senior
P — Russell Wynne, All Saints, junior
RETURN SPECIALIST — Tristan Driggers, Hallsville, senior
Honorable Mention
Alba-Golden — Zane Smith
Alto — Vi’Dareous High, Skyler Atkins, Cayle Irvin, Foster Hall, Cayle Irvin, Harmon West, Dalton Mabrey
Athens — Nathan Sims, Kenshawn Barron
Atlanta — Jawan King, Caleb Hamilton
Beckville — Carlos Campos
Bishop Gorman — Zack Bradford, Tyler Hobbs, Dozie Ifeadi, Chris Jones, Chase Crumpton, Jeremiah Milton
Brook Hill — Khalan Griffin
Brownsboro — Cole Williams
Bullard — Nic Hooley, Dakotah Walsworth
Carlisle — Aaron Galleagos
Carthage — Gunner Capps, Tucker Smith, Mason Courtney, Kel Williams, J.T. Romero, Quinton Owens, Desmond Hicks, Rayvon Ingram, Steven Darden
Cayuga — Chase Cooper, Kaden Joyce, Dalton Fitzpatrick, Carter Grasch, Cody Hearrell
Chapel Hill — Robbie Williams III, Khristion Little
Cushing — Keyontae Rollison
Daingerfield — Jakauri Woods, Jakobie Craver, Trevante Royal, Tacodi Williams, Sidney Royal, Tyrese Grant
Elysian Fields — Ryan Wilkerson, Michael Ramirez, Tony Mason, Jade Ashalintubbi, Carson Holland
Fruitvale — Gavin Sulc, Payton Thompson
Garrison — Sabastian Porter
Gilmer — Adan Ibarra, Raciel Orona
Gladewater — Danny Badger, Rashaud Johnson
Grace Community — Braydon Stone, Uchenna Uduma
Grand Saline — Zane Taylor, Reed Deatherage, Grant Lewis, Bryce Smith, Luke Melton
Grapeland — Rick Frauenberger, Josh Ackley, B.J. Lamb, Lane Dreher, Blake Howard, Cooper Sheridan, Keizion Ashford
Harmony — Barrett Hill, Easton Blackstone
Jefferson — Dee Black, T.Q. Jackson, Eric Gipson, Kannon Glover, Brennan Varnell. Trace Smith
John Tyler — Ja’Bralen Yarber, Tyrell Jones
Lindale — Conner Boyette, Matthew Grady
Linden-Kildare — LaDavian Johnson, Ty Patterson
Longview — J.K. Martin, Kaden Meredith
Lufkin — Breylon Garcia, Ja’Vasia Brunson
Malakoff — Darion Peace, Keevie Rose, Kyler Dalrymple, Lincoln Rogers, Hector Romero, Colby Rush
Marshall — J.J. Green, Tahj Washington, Savion Williams, Christian Hood, Michael Washington, Kayce Hurd, Brevin Randle
Mount Enterprise — Kendre Miller, Zach Johnson
Mount Pleasant — Dorian Glinton
Nacogdoches — Jake Smith
Overton — Hudson Rogers
Palestine — Jeremiah Davis, Elvin Calhoun, Keshawn Nonette, Quintin Cook
Pine Tree — J.J. Sparkman
Pittsburg — Desmond Allen, Keontae Burns, Keilyn McCain, Camryn Edney
Pleasant Grove — Ben Harmon, Bruce Garrett, James Wiggins, Dillon Williams, Landon Jackson, Marcus Burris, Bladen Reaves, Kamren Woods, Tyler Kelley
Quitman — Trey Berry
Rusk — Jeremy Johnson, Jermaine Lewis
Sabine — Landon McKinney
Spring Hill — Gage White, Daryn Beck, Morgan Bradford, Zach Henry, Brandon Krenek, Efren Barcenas, Richey Matkin, Brendon Davenport
Tatum — O.B. Jones, Jachais Jenkins
Troup — Weslee Ross, Max Hale
Union Hill — Keelon Caffey, Colt Mallory, River Scudday, Riley Griffith, Luke Batts, Colt Mallory, Omar Aguillon
Waskom — T.K. Hamilton, Jacob Reeves
West Rusk — Trevor Henson
Whitehouse — Flint Herrington
White Oak — Bo Reddic
Wills Point — Demontre Hill, Ja’Quez Thompson, Josh Davis
Winona — Quin Johnson, Keylon Kincade Jr., Nick Garrett, Brandon Henson, Jay Godlock, Ashton Smith, Arimon Ford