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2025 District 3-6A Season Preview

3-6a team previews football

Austin Roof Inspection


The defending 6A Division I state champion calls District 3-6A home.

Everyone will be chasing North Crowley, which won its first state title in 21 years last fall.

However, that’s far from the only storyline. Last year, Mansfield Legacy snapped a five year playoff drought. Can anyone else jump into the top four spots this season?

Here’s what to watch for in District 3-6A.

Boswell Pioneers

Head Coach: Wes Weaver (3rd season; 7-13 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 27 (4 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Boswell Key Players and Storylines

It’ll be time for the young guns to show out at Boswell with a small senior class by 6A numbers on this year’s roster. Head coach Wes Weaver expects a number of juniors to start this year his squad.

That is especially true at the skill positions. Junior running back Chance Lassiter will get the ball in his hands early and often after finishing with 1,500 total yards last year. Fellow juniors Peyton Rhodes and the speedy Jaxon Trammell should step up as two of Boswell’s top receivers.

The Pioneers also get Dju Dju Lords (1,413 passing yards) back at the quarterback position. Sophomore Tyler Reyes can play behind center too and led the Pioneers to their lone victory last season. He also has the versatility to playing running back and receiver as well.

Hudson Norwich, another sophomore, is an “intense competitor” and will play a big role on the offensive line with his leadership.

On the other side of the ball, the linebacking corps should anchor the Boswell defense. Senior Nate Rosales will be the “leader of the defensive unit” while fellow senior Anthony Villari is Boswell’s leading returning tackler.

In the secondary, sophomore cornerback Isaac Bongdonga will play a key role. Safety Major Diego can be a major pain to opposing players with his physicality.

What Boswell may lack in veteran leadership, it makes up for in depth. That has Weaver confident his team can bounce back from last year’s 1-9 campaign and compete for a playoff spot this fall.

Crowley Eagles

Head Coach: Carlos Lynn (3rd season; 15-9 record)

Last Season: 8-5; 5-1 in district (Lost to Guyer in regional semifinals)

Returning Lettermen: 32 (6 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Crowley Key Players and Storylines

Crowley was flying high a year ago. The Eagles advanced to the third round of the playoffs for the first time since 1971.

The next goal? Find a way to play in December.

A defense with eight returning starters will be a tough test for any opposing offense. Kansas State commit Brandon Ford is a lockdown corner. Linebacker Tyler Hooper (57 tackles, 10 TFLs) will keep the middle of the field in order with his experience as a three-year starter.

Defensive end Jayden Terry (80 tackles, 10 TFLs) is a dynamic threat off the edge. He’s Crowley”s leading returning tackler. Defensive tackle Sebastian Reyes (41 tackles) has proven to be a great run stopper at six-foot-one and 270 pounds.

On the other side of the ball, receiver Antayvious Ellis (794 receiving yards and 11 TDs) is the player to watch. Running back Joseph Banks (153 rushing yards) is poised for a breakout year after seeing some playing time as a freshman a year ago. He’ll pair well with 2024 1,000-yard rusher junior Kenyon Cotton (1,126 rushing yards and eight TDs).

Up front, tight end Julius Cogbill brings versatility as both a blocker and a pass-catcher. Offensive tackle Alexander Herrera is an opponent’s nightmare at six-foot-six and 315 pounds.

The Eagles will be young in some spots, but this is a program that has a lot of belief after last year’s success. Head coach Carlos Lynn has set the bar even higher this year as the Eagles seek a district title and another deep playoff run.

Mansfield Tigers

Head Coach: Greg George (7th season; 33-29 record)

Last Season: 8-3; 4-2 in district (Lost to Trinity in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 15 (5 returning starters on offense/4 on defense)

Mansfield Key Players and Storylines

Mansfield is coming off its winningest season in seven years. However, the Tigers graduated a lot from that team with just 15 lettermen returning this fall.

Now, it remains to be seen whether that youth will be a strength or weakness for Greg George’s bunch.

Micah Lankford is poised to step into the starting quarterback role this season. The Tiger coaching staff is excited about his potential with his arm strength and leadership ability. Look for 6’4″ Zion Robinson (527 receiving yards and eight touchdowns) to be his go-to target. Robinson has a number of Division I offers, and his father was an Olympic qualifier in the 800 meters.

Up front, junior Oliver Escudier is the lone returning starter on the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, defensive back Saadel Davis had an outstanding spring as he looks to be an impact player in the secondary. In the front seven, senior Kit Carpenter is expected to be “the leader on the defense at middle linebacker”, while junior Jordan Brandon is an athletic threat at defensive end. He is one of Mansfield’s four returning starters on that side of the ball.

The faces may be new, but George’s expectations in Mansfield are the same. He’ll want this group to hit the ground running as they look to build off of last year’s strong campaign.

Mansfield Lake Ridge Eagles

Head Coach: Kirk Thor (14th season; 66-80 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 0-6 in district

Returning Lettermen 39 (7 returning starters on offense/6 on defense)

Lake Ridge Key Players and Storylines

The past two seasons have been a bit bumpy for Lake Ridge with no district wins, but this year’s group is poised to take a big step forward with 39 lettermen returning.

Head coach Kirk Thor said this year’s group has characteristics that remind him of some of the most successful squads that have come through Lake Ridge.

Leading the charge offensively is junior quarterback Deshaun Edwards (797 passing yards; 327 rushing yards; 9 total TDs). He’s a dual threat who got some starts towards the tail end of last year. His blind side will be well protected with five-star left tackle Felix Ojo, who will be a great leader for this Eagles’ squad.

Edwards also has plenty of speed to work with at receiver led by inside receiver Noel Butler (302 receiving yards and four touchdowns), who runs both the 4X100 and 4X200 for Lake Ridge.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Jayden Cuppit‘s name will be called a lot on Friday nights. He can make plays sideline to sideline and has been attracting Division I interest.

In the secondary, the Eagles have even more speed with safety Tylen Hockett (41 tackles), who will be in charge of preventing big plays. He had seven pass breakups a year ago.

Not only does this team have potential on paper, Thor has been excited to see the way they’ve put in the necessary work to improve over the offseason. He’s got high hopes for this fall as the Eagles look to get back in the playoff mix for the first time in seven years.

Mansfield Legacy Broncos

Head Coach: Jeff Hulme (5th season; 10-31 record)

Last Season: 3-8; 3-3 in district (Lost to Southlake Carroll in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 22; (6 returning starters on offense/4 on defense)

Legacy Key Players and Storylines

The Broncos broke through with their first playoff appearance in five years last season.

Now, they’ll aim for a repeat effort with ten starters back from that team.

They’ve got some options at quarterback. Junior Jake Jenkins was supposed to start last year but suffered a broken leg early in the season. Senior Nate Wilson (780 passing yards and five touchdowns) took over for him the rest of the way. Wilson also has the versatility to play multiple positions.

Whoever gets the start will have a sturdy foundation up front with 6’5″ tackle Khalil Sanogo and guard Jeremy Odunsi, who are both returning starters.

The Broncos did graduate their two leading receivers, but Dre Thomas (230 receiving yards and two TDs) is back. He’s elusive in the open field and is also a threat as a punt returner.

Opposing quarterbacks will have to be weary of cornerback Aisten Randall. He led the Broncos in interceptions last year as a sophomore. The Broncos also have some experience to lean on at linebacker with Trent Hamann (90 tackles, seven TFLs) and Angelo Freeman (40 tackles) back from last year’s squad.

Hulme said he’ll need some guys to step up as the season approaches as the Broncos look to improve their depth, but he likes the overall chemistry his team has.

He’ll hope that togetherness will carry them through any growing pains as they look to get back to the postseason again this fall.

North Crowley Panthers

Head Coach: Ray Gates (4th season; 42-2 record)

Last Season: 16-0; 6-0 in district (Beat Westlake in 6A Division I State Title Game)

North Crowley Key Players and Storylines

For the first time in 21 years, North Crowley heads into a season as a defending state champion. The Panthers won their second state title in school history with a 50-21 victory over Westlake in last year’s 6A Division I state title game.

The Panthers will have to replace their starting quarterback and top running back and receiver from a year ago. However, head coach Ray Gates has plenty of talent coming up through the pipeline.

Junior running back Kiante Ingram (612 rushing yards and 13 TDs) is a three-star prospect heading into his third year on varsity. North Crowley has plenty of size in its receiving corps. Senior receiver Aiden Whitmore is 6’5″ and tight end Jeramie Cooper (189 receiving yards and four TDs) will be another big target at 6’2″ and 235 pounds.

Keep an eye on sophomore receiver Damarion Mays too. He’s a move in from Life Oak Cliff, who had over 1,600 yards in 2024.

John Turntine III will anchor the interior of the offensive line. He’s a four-star prospect at 6’3″ and 285 pounds.

The defense last year gave up just 17.8 points per game, and there are many key returners on that unit. Opposing quarterbacks have to be weary of the North Crowley secondary. Texas Tech commit safety Aaron Bradshaw, safety Elijajuan Houston, Colorado State commit cornerback Thomas Cook Jr., and highly touted junior cornerback Jerry Outhouse Jr. (44 tackles and five INTs) all have next-level talent.

Senior defensive ends Donovan Ughanze and DeMorey Beasley will be tasked with leading the pass rush.

North Crowley isn’t going anywhere with just two losses under Ray Gates in the last three seasons. With talent back on both sides of the ball, the Panthers will believe they have a shot at a second-straight state title this fall.

Weatherford Kangaroos

Head Coach: Aubrey Sims (5th season; 21-20 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-4 in district

Returning Lettermen: 27; (7 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)

Weatherford Key Players and Storylines

Weatherford has been knocking on the door of the playoffs in each of the past three seasons. However, the Kangaroo coaching staff said the future is looking bright with over 250 players currently in the high school football program.

The offense has a number of key players back. Offensive tackle Rhett Gray, a three-star prospect, will pave the way for the Kangaroo running game. That will be spearheaded by junior DJ Quimby, who can make opponents miss with his elusiveness.

Weatherford’s coaches are excited to see what junior quarterback Cutter Kennedy can do after missing last year due to injury. He’ll have no shortage of options at receiver with Jakob Hemphill (378 receiving yards and two TDs), who transferred in from Arlington Heights, Bryant Davis (247 receiving yards), and 6’2″ Robert Mask.


The defense has some more holes to fill with just three returning starters. The secondary will be the strongest part of that unit with physical safety Moises Barco leading the way and safety/linebacker Liam Riley (60 tackles, four TFLs) back as Weatherford’s leading returning tacklers.

In the front seven, the Kangaroos have plenty of versatility. Kade Burlison can play linebacker or defensive end, while Stetson Wells can line up anywhere on the defensive line. Linebacker Kaddilac Galindo (26 tackles, two TFLs) brings good experience to the middle of the field.

Weatherford has been just one game short of the playoffs the past three seasons. This year will be all about finishing as it looks to snap that drought.


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