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2025 District 12-6A Season Preview

Austin Roof Inspection


It’s a Central Texas clash in District 12-6A.

Harker Heights won the district title in 2024, but the Knights will be in for quite the battle if they want to repeat. The race for the final playoff spots will be one to watch as well. Last season, both Copperas Cove and Bryan finished just a game outside of fourth.

Here’s are the key players and storylines to watch for each team in 2025.

Bryan Vikings

Head Coach: Ricky Tullos (4th season; 13-18 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-4 in district

Bryan Key Players and Storylines

For the past two years, Bryan has come up just one win short of the playoffs. The Vikings will be looking to flip that script this year.

And for as much as Vikings love the sea, the ground will be the key to their success this season offensively. Running back Jevalen Wade (1,490 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) is the only returner at the skill positions. He can make things happen. Last year, he averaged 7.7 yards per carry.

On the other side of the ball, defensive end Chester Gooden will be tasked with slowing down other teams’ backfields with his speed off the edge. Cornerback Troy Odle is Bryan’s go-to cover corner, while linebacker Carson Dodd can be an enforcer in the middle of the field.

The Vikings defense gave up over 44 points per game a year ago. Improvement on that side of the ball will be key as Bryan looks to get out of its rut and go dancing this season.

Copperas Cove Bulldawgs

Head Coach: Rodney Southern (1st season)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-4 in district

Returning Lettermen: 30; (4 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Copperas Cove Key Players and Storylines

After 24 years away, Rodney Southern is back at Copperas Cove. He was the Bulldawgs’ defensive coordinator in the late 1990s. Most recently, he had served as Huntsville’s head coach the past 11 seasons.

He’s ready to get to work with a group that has a senior group with plenty of experience and a junior class with great athleticism.

Running back KJ Zeigler (1,323 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns) is one of those playmakers from that juniors class. He’s a “tough, physical runner with great vision” and will be someone the Bulldawgs lean on heavily this year.

Elsewhere, the Bulldawgs will have some bite in the trenches. Tackle Marques Uini, an Arizona State commit, will anchor the offensive line.

Defensively, it’ll be double trouble off the edges with defensive ends Gilbyrt Davis (57 tackles and seven TFLs) and Matt Zeigler (15 tackles and four TFLs). Zeigler will also play some at tight end as well.

It will take some time for the Bulldawgs to settle into Southern’s new systems, but he’s optimistic about this group. He expects them to take a step forward and compete for their first playoff berth in seven years.

Killeen Kangaroos

Head Coach: Josh Sadler (4th season; 10-20 record)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-6 in district

Killeen Key Players and Storylines

The Kangaroos are ready to turn the page from 2024 after experiencing their first winless season since 1964.

The good news? Quarterback D’Angelo Ingrim (2,412 passing yards and 24 touchdowns) is back at the helm after a stellar sophomore season. He helped the Kangaroos average over 30 points per game last year.

Killeen junior quarterback D’Angelo Ingrim against Bryan on November 7, 2024

Junior tackle Avery Timms will anchor the protection in front of him. He’s already attracting Power Five interest. Explosive running back Shadrach Gordon is the next man up to lead the rushing attack after serving as the number two option this year. There are a lot more questions at receiver where pretty much the whole room from 2024 graduated.

The defense will be desperately looking to improve after allowing over 52 points per game last season. They do have a couple of playmaking juniors back with linebacker Kemell Brown and safety Deshaun Reid.

Ingram’s return under center means the Kangaroo offense should still pack a punch. Whether or not the defense can take a step forward this year will likely determine whether Killeen will be more competitive in district play.

Killeen Harker Heights Knights

Head Coach: Mark Humble (3rd season; 15-7 record)

Last Season: 8-3; 6-0 in district (Lost to Lancaster in bi-district

Returning Lettermen: 48; (8 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Harker Heights Key Players and Storylines

Harker Heights is ready to get back out on the field this fall after coming up just short in the bi-district round against Lancaster last year. An undefeated district title though in 2024 has to give this group some confidence.

So does its returning talent.

They’ll expect to be rock solid up front with a three-year starter at center in James Kerney, and two more returning starters at tackle with seniors Patrick Ramirez and Anthony Hutton.

That bodes well for Quarterback Hudson Humble (2,986 passing yards and 38 TDs), who was last year’s co-District Offensive MVP. He’ll have a receiving threat at tight end with Geoffrey Anderson, and one of the “best receivers in Central Texas” in junior Ryan Taylor (572 receiving yards and eight TDs). Junior Arshawnn Spann started every game at cornerback last year, but he’s expected to play receiver this year too.

It won’t just be the passing attack though. Explosive running backs Jaylen Mason and Jaylon Ross are a duo that Harker Heights’ trusts to pace its ground game after graduating its top two rushers from last season.

Defensively, linebacker Cooper Howard (114 tackles) is the headliner after earning all-state honors as a junior. Defensive tackle Roydell Kennedy (31 tackles, four TFLs) is a three-year starter and will pair up with Ivan Arzate, who is moving to the defensive line this year. Arzate is also an all-district wrestler.

In the secondary, Corey McMillan (81 tackles) is a Division I prospect at safety. Jordan Loney (37 tackles, one INT) can play either cornerback or safety, and junior Eric Young III may play both at defensive back and receiver.

The experience on this Knights’ roster will be their biggest asset this year. Mark Humble and his staff aren’t backing down from lofty goals either. They believe Harker Heights could be a regional finalist in 2025.

Killeen Shoemaker Grey Wolves

Head Coach: Toby Foreman (9th season; 40-43 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 3-3 in district (Lost to DeSoto in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 26 (5 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Shoemaker Key Players and Storylines

The Grey Wolves earned their fifth playoff berth in the past six seasons in 2024. However, they’ve yet to win a playoff game during that stretch, a goal this team has for this fall.

The Shoemaker coaching staff expects the defense to take a step forward this season. Defensive backs Brenden Logan (56 tackles) and William Thomas (58 tackles) bring both experience and versatility. They can each play multiple positions on the back end.

Jamon Sanders has great size and quickness on the defensive line at 6’2″ and 315 pounds. He finished with 50 tackles and 13 tackles for loss in 2024.

Troy Pless will lead the offensive line from his tackle position. He’s a University of Houston commit and stands strong at 6’5″ and 295 pounds. Shoemaker will look to get the ball in the hands of speedy running back/receiver Brandon Brown (746 receiving yards, 559 rushing yards, and 18 total TDs) as much as possible.

Jamal Polite (274 receiving yards and three TDs) is back for his second-year on varsity. The Grey Wolves expect him to have even more of an impact this year.

There are some questions at quarterback after last year’s starter Tyrieke Wade moved to Georgia, but the Grey Wolves believe the experience they have on their roster should pay off this fall. They’re aiming for yet another playoff berth as they look to grab that second playoff win in school history.

Temple Wildcats

Head Coach: Chad President (1st season)

Last Season: 7-4; 4-2 in district (Lost to Duncanville in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 29 (6 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Temple Key Players and Storylines

A familiar face is now the head coach Temple. 10 years after graduating from the high school where he played quarterback, Chad President will get the chance to lead the Wildcats into battle this fall.

He was the team’s offensive coordinator this past year, so he knows firsthand the talent he’ll have at his disposal on that side of the ball.  Quarterback Champ Mayo (2,724 passing yards and 24 TDs) burst onto the scene last year as the district’s newcomer of the year.

He’ll have plenty of help at receiver with the returning duo of Ramuhn Brown (600 receiving yards and eight TDs) and Preston Thomas (425 receiving yards and three touchdowns).

Opposing receivers may not have much fun trying to go up against Oklahoma State cornerback Jason Bradford (27 solo tackles, four INTs), and safety Houston Martin (42 solo tackles). Up front, Jamarion Carlton is a force to be reckoned with at defensive end. He’s a four-star prospect who had 11 tackles for loss a year ago.

Looking at his roster, President likes the leadership and experience he’ll get from a strong senior class this year. He hopes that will be the catalyst for the Wildcats to push for their first district championship in four years this fall.

Waco Midway Panthers

Head Coach: Joe Gillespie (2nd season; 7-4 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 4-2 in district (Lost to Waxahachie in bi-district round)

Midway Key Players and Storylines

Joe Gillespie had an instant impact in his first year at Midway. The Panthers had their winningest season since 2019.

They’ll be on the prowl on the ground again this year with junior running back Lathan Whisenton (1,289 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns), who is a Power Five prospect. He’s already heading into his third year on varsity.

Quarterback Andrew McNair (519 passing yards) saw playing time last year and looks set to take over the helm this year. Senior receivers Tyler Seith (840 receiving yards and six touchdowns) and Jaxson Burch (227 receiving yards and one touchdowns) should aid him in keeping the offense balanced.

Defensively, the Panthers would probably put their linebacking corps up with just about anyone in the district.  Jaydon Crowson (70 tackles, six TFLs), Max Mayton (115 tackles, 13 TFLs), and Chauncey King (80 tackles, seven TFLs) were all second team all-district honorees last season. Senior safety Lane Alexander (52 tackles) is another Panther who has a nose for the football.

Midway has leaders back at almost every position group. The Panthers will believe a district title is in reach after falling by just eight points to eventual district champion Harker Heights last season.

 


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