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Tom Landry Classic Preview – Cedar Hill Longhorns vs. Allen Eagles

Photo via TexasHSFootball.com

 

Allen Offense vs. Cedar Hill Defense

The Eagle offenses is a star-studded group of playmakers. Quarterback Grant Tisdale (6’1”- 205) played significant snaps as a sophomore in 2016 and completed 62% of his passes.

He’s the #2 ranked dual-threat QB for 2019 and has 14 offers, including Ohio State. Tisdale will have the luxury of handing the ball off to one of the state’s best senior running backs in Brock Sturges (5’10”-200). The Arizona State commit had a break-out junior season when he ran for 1,138 yards (7.1 average) and 16 TD’s while sharing the carries with Kirby
Bennett. He has a tremendous blend of balance, vision, and footwork.

Photo via Brian Ullestad, TexasHSFootball.com

The receivers are accomplished and explosive. Senior Carson Schleker (5’9”-180) used has outstanding quickness and excellent hands to catch 51 passes for 855 yards and 8 TD’s. He has offers from 23 colleges and that number is growing. Junior Theo Wease, Jr. (6’2”-190) has a multitude of offers, including TCU, OU, Ohio St., Texas, Georgia, Florida, & Florida St.
Wease caught 35 passes for 421 yards and 8 TD’s as a sophomore and is expected to significantly improve on those numbers in 2017.

The Eagle offensive line will be led by returning starters Trey Stratford (6’3”-275) and Mason Grosser (6’1”-336) and averages 6’2.5”-311 per starter.

The Longhorn defense will be led by one of the fastest and most talented backfields in the state. Courtney Ogilvie (5’11”-175) will be the free safety. The Navy commit was a 1st team all-district selection in 2016 and led the team in interceptions with 4. The strong safety is Jamarceon Jackson (6’0”-190), who is getting a lot of interest from FBS programs like Miami, LSU, and TCU. He can cover the field against the run or the pass, but he is a big hitter who loves contact.

Photo via John Glaser, TexasHSFootball.com

Donavann Collins (5’11”-170), a junior, is a true “lock down” corner with tremendous speed and ball skills. He was the Defensive Newcomer of the Year in District 6-6A and college recruiters love his ability to mirror receivers. Chase Abercrombie (6’1”-215) was an all-district selection last season and is a tackling-machine at inside linebacker. He had 19 tackles in a playoff game against Mansfield in 2016 and is very instinctive.

Kebreyun Page (6’3”-210) was extremely impressive in coverage during the 7on7 season this summer and is an absolute warrior – he hunts the ball carrier and arrives with violent intentions. The defensive line has several players who can impact the game, led by junior Shabazz Dotson (6’3”-270). He is a disruptive force on the D-line and already has 10 FBS offers, including Michigan.

Cedar Hill Offense vs. Allen Defense

Cedar Hill enters the season having to replace Notre Dame bound quarterback Avery Davis, so there are questions. The good news is, they have two potential answers to the question and they are both very talented. Senior Yizalle Whitfield quarterbacked the JV last season and saw some time on varsity as a slot receiver. He’s exceptionally quick and has good arm strength. If he is not the QB, he will be a major weapon as a receiver. Junior transfer (from Euless Trinity) Shayne Lawrence has excellent size and a big arm – and can also hurt defenses with his legs. Both QB’s had their moments during summer 7on7 games and the battle should be intense.

Photo via Rick Castillo, TexasHSFootball.com

Whoever emerges as the #1 QB will have weapons everywhere. Cameron Fleming (5’9”-175) is verbally committed to Memphis and averaged 10 yards per carry in 2016. He has elite speed (10.6 – 100 / 4.4 – 40) and vision and is an absolute threat to take it the distance each time he touches the ball.

Undrae Knox (6’0”-210) gives the Longhorns a “thumper” who can run downhill and keep the chains moving – he is not fun to tackle. The receiving corps is deep and talented, led by Baylor commit Josh Fleeks (6’0”-185). Fleeks, like Fleming is extremely fast (4.48 laser-timed 40) and is considered one of the state’s top deep threats. He caught 53
passes for 663 yards and 8 TD’s in 2016. He will be joined by Zakhari Franklin (6’1”160), Kobe Bivins (6’2”-180), and Quin Bright (5’9”-70) and each brings a different skill set to the table.

Bright had an exceptional 7 0n 7 season this summer and is another CH offensive player who offers elite speed and quickness. The offensive line will be big (6’3”-280 average) and athletic. Senior Parker Cupp (6’4” 280), and all-district performer in 2016 leads the way, but keep a close eye on talented juniors Steve Carter (6’3”-275) and Maurice Washington (6’1”-280).

The Eagles defense will also be led by a very talented secondary. The back-end of the defense may be as strong as any in the state. The Eagles have 3 returning starters and 6 big-time players who will make it extremely difficult to pass against in 2017. Devyn Butler (5’8”-168), all district selection Jevon Jones (5’11”-170), and Alex Schneider give Allen three excellent corners and Colton Manning (5’9”-172) and CJ Johnson (6’0”-179) are outstanding safeties. Taj Bickham (6’0”-165) is a move in with college offers and the ability to play either corner or safety.

Photo via Rick Castillo, TexasHSFootball.com

It is unique to have 6 playmakers in a high school secondary, but that is exactly what Allen has with this group. The linebacking unit is led by two players who started in 2016 – Jace Waters (6’2”-205) and Nigel Hines (6’0”-195). Waters is quick to diagnose the play and quick to the ball, while Hines in an excellent athlete who excels in coverage. The defensive line will be led by two juniors who hold multiple college offers.
Deondre Davis (6’1”-238) and Jayden Jernigan (6’0”-275) are extremely disruptive and will cause headaches for offenses all season long.

 

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