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2025 District 5-6A Season Preview

5-6A football preview

Austin Roof Inspection


Three teams from District 5-6A made it to at least the third round of the playoffs a year ago, and six out of the eight squads finished at .500 or better.

Every win will have to be earned this fall.

Here’s what to watch for in District 5-6A.

Coppell Cowboys

Head Coach: Antonio Wiley (4th season; 33-4 record)

Last Season: 12-1; 7-0 in district (Lost to North Crowley in regional semifinals)

Returning Lettermen: 7; (2 returning starters on offense/3 on defense)

Coppell Key Players and Storylines

Coppell will be welcoming a whole new crop of Cowboys to the rodeo this fall. Only seven of its 64 lettermen from last year return.

However, the Cowboys coaching staff believes the raw talent coming up through the ranks will allow them to still compete at a high level.

The secondary will be their strong suit with lockdown corner Tyree Roberson (3o tackles and 4 INTs) and safety Tyrell Roberson (33 tackles and 2 INTs), who will be the quarterback of the Coppell secondary.

In front of them, middle linebacker Lincoln Gardner is ready to burst onto the scene while fellow junior Madden Montague (21 tackles) has “the speed of a defensive back with linebacker power.”

The Cowboy coaching staff is very high on their sophomore class. Defensive tackle Aaron Isbell might be the pick of the lot. He’s “quickly emerging as a force to be reckoned with.”

Offensively, almost every single yard of production from last year graduated. Slot receiver Will Kennington and 6’4″ jump-ball threat Brandon Veail are both ready to contribute in the passing attack.

Up front, junior Eric Anguiano can make an impact on the offensive line in addition to his defensive tackle role.

Despite the inexperience across the board, the Coppell coaching staff feels like there’s plenty of potential for this year’s squad. With the program’s tradition, the playoffs remain the expectation for this group in 2025.

Denton Braswell Bengals

Head Coach: Kent Laster (3rd season; 6-14 rec0rd)

Last Season: 2-8; 1-6 in district

Returning Lettermen: 23 (6 returning starters on offense/7 on defense)

Braswell Key Players and Storylines

Braswell has a good group back this fall as the Bengals look to improve upon last year’s 2-8 campaign.

Senior quarterback Brayden Mansell is exactly the leader the Bengals need operating their offense. He has some key weapons around him too with Chris Johnson, who has led Braswell in receiving yards the past two seasons, and running back Zahir Trufant, who made an impact as a sophomore last season.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Huran Brown will make other teams feel his presence with his “size, strength, and tackling.” Alongside him, Tyrice Hoskins “is great off the edge” from his outside linebacker spot.

Defensive end Adrien Donnerson will be another threat opposing tackles will have to be weary of with his “size and athleticism.”

Head coach Kent Laster believes the combination of an experienced defense with an offense that has plenty of weapons at running back and receiver should bode well for Braswell. He believes this group can hit the ground running as the Bengals look to push for their first playoff berth in six years.

Denton Guyer Wildcats

Head Coach: Reed Heim (4th season; 31-9 record)

Last Season: 10-4; 5-2 in district (Lost to Southlake Carroll in regional final)

Returning Lettermen: 30 (3 returning starters on offense/7 on defense)

Guyer Key Players and Storylines

Guyer has been a model of consistency with 17-straight playoff appearances. And after a first round exit in 2023, last season was more of what has come to be expected from the Wildcats as they advanced all the way to the regional final.

If they’re to make a run this season, it will start with their highly experienced defense. The Wildcats’ front seven is not to be messed with. Defensive lineman Khyren Haywood (67 tackles, 22 TFLs) brings “power and athleticism” to the interior, while four-star defensive end Zane Rowe (75 tackles, 19 TFLs) will be Guyer’s premier pass rushing threat.

Behind them, linebacker Ryder Garcia (109 tackles, 20 TFLs) was Guyer’s leading tackler a year ago, while fellow linebacker Kaedyn Cobbs, an Illinois commit, is a two-way star, who brings plenty of “power and speed” to the middle of the field.

Offensively, the Wildcats will need to reload after being hit hard by graduation. They do have confidence that junior Zephyr Kreye is ready to step in to the starting quarterback role with his “athleticism and arm strength.”

He will have help around him with Cobbs (359 rushing yards and six touchdowns) at running back and DJ Reese (906 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) and Kansas commit Corbin Glasco at receiver. Reese was Guyer’s leading pass-catcher a year ago.

Expectations are always high at Guyer, and that’s no different this year. After two years without a district title, the Wildcats are eyeing to end this fall back on top of District 5-6A with another deep playoff run.

Flower Mound Jaguars

Head Coach: Brian Basil (10th season; 46-48 record)

Last Season: 5-5; 2-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 27 (5 returning starters on offense/6 on defense)

Flower Mound Key Players and Storylines

Flower Mound has finished 5-5 the last two seasons but has come up short of the playoffs both years.

This fall, the Jaguars have half their starters back as they look to go back dancing for the first time in four years.

They will have a new quarterback this year after Noah Spinks transferred to Summer Creek, but whoever the Jaguars roll with will have a great supporting cast. Offensive tackle Drew Evers will be playing FBS ball next season and has been busy shattering Flower Mound weight room records over the offseason.

Receiver Carter Massey (575 receiving yards and nine touchdowns) has led Flower Mound in receptions the last two seasons, while Peyton Stadler is the Jags’ jack-of-all-trades. He can play either slot receiver or running back and is not easy to take down in the open field.

On the other side of the ball, Flower Mound has a brick wall at linebacker. Chase Alves and Preston Neill are always around the football, while Jordan Olive is a pass rush threat off the edge.

With talent back on both sides of the ball, the mission in Flower Mound is simple this year. The Jaguars want to be back in the postseason after coming up just short the past couple seasons.

Hebron Hawks

Head Coach: John Towles III (4th season; 17-15 record)

Last Season: 8-5; 4-3 in district (Lost to Southlake Carroll in regional semifinals)

Returning Lettermen: 22 (9 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Hebron Key Players and Storylines

Hebron hadn’t won a playoff game in six years before the Hawks broke through with a run to the regional semifinals a year ago.

Almost the entire offense returns from last year besides quarterback PJ Clayton, who will play college ball at Rice. Whoever ends up being the signal-caller for the Hawks this year will be well protected. All five offensive linemen from last year return (tackles Tyler Elliott and Anthony Taylor, guards Amire Hale and Jake Hennekke, and center Corbin Berrier).

The skill positions are stacked too. Running back Ayson McCray-Jones (1,195 rushing yards and 12 TDs) was a first team all-district selection last year, and receivers Tyler Hoke (673 yards and nine TDs), Drew Koster (556 yards and five TDs), and Ahmad Ware all have shown the potential to be dangerous weapons in the passing attack.

Hebron’s coaching staff has more work to do defensively after the graduation of several key players. Aaron McCardell will lead a linebacking crew that has several young players who got some playoff experience last year. Up front, defensive tackle Chris Moses can impose his will on opposing offensive lines.

The good news for Hebron is that the Hawks can pull from a junior varsity defense that held its opponents to just 12 points per game last year. And as that side of the ball begins to gel, the Hawks will “look to become the hunters instead of the hunted this season” as they aim to build on last year’s playoff run.

Lewisville Fighting Farmers

Head Coach: Michael Odle (9th season; 63-30 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 6-1 in district (Lost to Allen in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 18 (7 returning starters on offense/7 on defense)

Lewisville Key Players and Storylines

The Fighting Farmers have ran into Allen in the bi-district round in each of the past two seasons, leading to first round exits. This year, head coach Michael Odle believes he has a group that is ready to overcome adversity.

Seven starters are back on each side of the ball. Offensively, it’s all about the skill positions. Running back Tenel Hill (1,163 rushing yards and nine touchdowns) “does everything well” while receiver/running back Derrick Martin is a dynamic athlete who gives the Farmers plenty of versatility. They also got a move-in from receiver Tatum Bell Jr., (924 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) who has starred at Frisco Heritage the past two seasons.

Junior quarterback Tre Williams (1,640 passing yards and 16 touchdowns) is back to lead the offense for the second-straight year. The Fighting Farmer coaching staff expects him to “make the next step in his development” this season with his elite arm talent.

Defensively, Houston commit defensive tackle Xavier Fleming (50 tackles, 11 TFLs) is Lewisville’s enforcer in the trenches. Linebacker Devin Robinson (93 tackles, 7 TFLs) is “the glue that holds everything together.” He was Lewisville’s leading tackler last season as a sophomore.

In the secondary, safety Aidan Evans (49 tackles) can be a playmaker all over the field while junior corner Taelyn Mayo (28 tackles, three FFs) is attracting attention from a number of Power Five Division I programs.

Lewisville will need to solidify the trenches on both sides of the ball with some new starters, but the Fighting Farmers have a number of electric athletes. With those playmakers and this team’s bond, Odle believes his team will be in a spot to earn some hardware when November rolls around.

Little Elm Lobos

Head Coach: Keiston Alexander (1st season)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-7 in district

Returning Lettermen: 25; (7 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Little Elm Key Players and Storylines

A year ago, Keiston Alexander was coaching against Little Elm as Coppell’s special teams coordinator. Now, he’ll be leading the Lobos into battle this fall in his first year as a head coach.

He’s got a good group to work with as 13 starters return from last year’s winless campaign. Senior Carlton Mims‘ was Little Elm’s go-to receiver a year ago (643 receiving yards and 7 TDs)  with his “big-play ability.” Fellow senior receiver Jacob Ibidapo should play a bigger role in this year’s passing attack with his “size and speed.”

Junior quarterback Max Reyes will be tasked with getting them the ball after starting several games a year ago.

Center Malik Unigbey will be the glue that holds the offensive line together. He’s got great “football I.Q. and natural strength.”

On the other side of the ball, linebacker DeMauri Steele (70 tackles) is “the quarterback of the defense” and is Little Elm’s leading returning tackler. Defensive lineman Aidan “Blue” Mayne (61 total tackles) will be the Lobos’ premier threat off the edge with his playmaking ability.

The Lobos will rely on cornerback Cason Evans to match up against opposing teams’ top receivers. Alexander said he’s got great confidence and has strong coverage skills.

Since arriving this spring, Alexander has gotten to work getting his guys to buy into a new culture at Little Elm. He said his team has developed a “no way out mentality” as they look to put in the work to be competitive in every game this fall.

Marcus Marauders

Head Coach: Mike Alexander (3rd season; 10-11 record)

Last Season: 6-4; 3-4 in district

Returning Lettermen: 29 (7 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Marcus Key Players and Storylines

Last year, Marcus missed out on the playoffs for the first time in six seasons, so the Marauders will be coming into this season hungry.

They’ll expect to be able to test teams through the air with four-star junior Colton Nussmeier (1,894 passing yards and 16 touchdowns) at quarterback. He’ll be well protected by an offensive line that returns all five starters. Expect guard Matthew Wollet, a three-year starter, to be the leader of that group up front.

The skill positions are where the Marauder coaching staff will go to work after their top two rushers and four leading receivers graduated. Alexander does like what he has with senior receiver Peyton Belton, who can be an “explosive athlete in space.”

Defensively, Marcus doesn’t have a ton of depth on the defensive line, but they do have Will Harrison (30 tackles, nine TFLs), who brings the “athleticism of a linebacker” off the edge.

Behind him, linebacker Vincent Bui reads the game really well, while physical defensive back Bradley Ume-Ezeoke (35 tackles) will be the leader of the pack for a secondary that includes safeties Easton Mitchell (70 tackles and five INTs) and Jameson Mayfield  (60 tackles and two INTs), who were both all-district picks in 2024.

Back from 2019-2021, Marcus earned at least a share of the district title each season. Alexander wants his team to be back in that mix this year as they look to take this season one week at a time.


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