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2025 District 8-6A Season Preview

Austin Roof Inspection


There was a changing of the guard in District 8-6A last fall as Arlington Bowie earned its first district title in 12 years and Arlington Martin missed out on the postseason entirely for the first time in 19 years.

Who else can make some noise this season?

Here’s what to watch for in District 8-6A in 2025.

Arlington Colts

Head Coach: Scott Peach (23rd season; 141-108 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 5-2 (Lost to Richardson Pearce in bi-district)

Arlington Key Players and Storylines

Arlington secured its tenth-straight playoff berth a year ago. The Colts have a strong senior class too this year that should help carry on that tradition.

Quarterback Coleman Cravens (1,865 passing yards and 14 touchdowns) is well-versed in the system. He’s heading into his third year as the Colts’ starter. Expect Jamar Burton (556 rushing yards, 244 receiving yards) to get the ball a lot. He’s officially a slot receiver, but he also averaged 10 yards per carry on 54 carries last season.

Wake Forest commit Eli Holbrook will keep Cravens’ blindside well-protected at left tackle, while fellow senior Hank Taylor can play either tackle or guard.

The Colts have a trio of reliable leaders in its linebacking corps with junior Luis Mendoza (54 tackles, five TFLs) and seniors Troy Gaston III (42 tackles) and Troy McDaniel (46 tackles).

Defensive tackle Cam Gray and defensive end Hayden Bostick (43 tackles, four TFLs) were both all-district honorable mentions last season.

In each of the past four seasons, Arlington has fallen in the bi-district round of playoffs. With their offensive leader back in Coleman and senior leaders on defense, they will be looking to gallop over that hurdle this season.

Arlington Bowie Volunteers

Head Coach: Joseph Sam (5th season; 22-22 record)

Last Season: 8-4; 7-0 in district (Lost to Hebron in area round)

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

Bowie Key Players and Storylines

The Volunteers earned their first district title in 12 years in 2024.

An explosive offense that averaged over 44 points per game helped boost that team, and there will be no shortage of fireworks again this campaign with Bowie’s receiving corps.

Keidric Osunde-Brown (439 receiving yards and four TDs) will get plenty of attention with his explosiveness and double-digit Division I offers. However, you can’t overlook Antonio Birdow (547 receiving yards and five TDs), who can line up all over the formation, and Maxwell Nichols, Bowie’s “homerun threat” in the passing attack. Head coach Joseph Sam believes Nichols is due for a breakout year.

Quarterback Jayden Bibbs (509 passing yards and six TDs) will be handed the keys to the offense after seeing action as a reserve a year ago. He’ll have running back Denzel Ponder (229 rushing yards and seven TDs) ready to step up alongside him after the Volunteers graduated their top two rushers from a year ago.

The offensive line will be younger this year, so senior center/guard Irvin Urbina and junior Willie Gay will be needed to step up and lead that unit this fall.

Defensively, Sam is excited about the group he has back in the back seven. Linebacker Bryson Castile (59 tackles, five TFLs) is the player to watch defensively. Fellow linebacker Galatains Paogofie will be “the quarterback of the defense,” with his leadership.

On the back end, Kevin Baines (75 tackles) can bring the boom from his safety position, while fellow safety Princeton Campbell (71 tackles) is a ballhawk.

Cornerback Kyle Smith has great size at six-foot-three and the ball skills to go along with it. Up front, keep an eye on defensive tackle Mar’Chael Carter after he made an impact last year as a freshman.

The potential is there for another strong season from the Volunteers. However, Sam and his players aren’t getting carried away. They want to focus on going “1-0 every week,” and from there, they believe “the results will take care of themselves.”

Arlington Lamar Vikings

Head Coach: Billy Skinner (5th season; 13-27 record)

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

Returning Lettermen 32 (5 returning starters on offense/6 on defense)

Lamar Key Players and Storylines

Lamar has plenty of up-and-coming talent with a number of juniors set to play big roles this season.

That includes tackle Samari Wilkins, who started all ten games last season and has good size and strength at 6’1″ and 270 pounds. With other returners joining him on the offensive line, the Vikings should be sturdy in the trenches.

At the skill positions, receiver Khamill Pruitt (381 receiving yards and five touchdowns) is an “explosive, twitchy playmaker.” However, he’s the only returning Viking who caught a pass last season.

Lamar will also have a new quarterback this year. Junior Jayden Shaw looks to slide into that role after getting a few reps as the backup last season.

Defensively, the Vikings can center their defense around star linebacker Braylon Williams (151 tackles and 22 TFLs). He was the Defensive MVP of the district last season.

Opposing quarterbacks will also have to be weary of junior safeties Shahariam Thurston (49 tackles) and Xian Johnson (64 tackles and 10 TFLs).  Both are getting looks at the Division I level, and Johnson was the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2024.

The Vikings have the talent to be optimistic this season. Now, Skinner wants to make sure his group is the most “physical, prepared, and united team” in the district as they look to get back to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Arlington Martin Warriors

Head Coach: Chad Rives (2nd season; 11-11 record)

Last Season: 3-7; 3-4 record

Returning Lettermen: 18 (8 returning starters on offense; 6 on defense)

Martin Key Players and Storylines

The Warriors are ready to get back out on the field this season. A year ago, they missed the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

With 14 returning starters, Martin will expect to bounce right back in 2025.

It’ll start on the offensive line where there are three returning starters including Brandon Heath, who is “a good mix of size, power, and agility” at left tackle.

At the skill positions, running back Javion Jones-Priest looks set to take on the starting role this year. He’s got good top end speed in the open field (10.49 second 100 meter). Kevin Grant was a playmaker at safety last year (51 tackles), but now the Warriors will lean on him to lead their receiving corps.

On the other side of the ball, the Warriors are strong in the front seven with TCU commit Jesse Ford (49 tackles, 20.5 TFLs) coming off the edge at defensive end and linebacker Eli Johnson (58 tackles) right behind him captaining the defense.

In the secondary, safeties Jace Daniels (59 tackles) and Jordan Talley (55 tackles) were among Martin’s leading tacklers in 2024.

Before last season, Martin had won five straight district titles. With that standard and a number of returning starters, the Warrior coaching staff expects this team to be right back in that conversation down the stretch this season.

Arlington Sam Houston Texans

Head Coach: Chris James (4th season; 2-28 record)

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

Sam Houston Key Players and Storylines

The Texans took a step in the right direction last season. They snapped a 26-game losing streak to open the year, and then later claimed their first district win in four years.

This year, their key to success looks to be found in their ground game with senior running back Jaylen Harper (828 rushing yards and eight touchdowns) and up-and-coming sophomore Jorden Washington (168 rushing yards).

Senior Ahmad Young will lead the offensive line after he earned second team all-district honors in 2024.

The Texan defense had a fair share of highlights last year. It led District 8-6A in defensive touchdowns.

This year, they have a new defensive coordinator leading the way, and he’s got some talent to work with. Linebacker Jayden Scurlock and defensive back Isaiah Terrell are the two playmakers to watch on that side of the ball. Terrell had three pick-sixes last year. Latarius Wilborn will be a threat off the edge at defensive end and can play some tight end as well.

The Texans will need to find a new quarterback this year, but after a pair of winless seasons, it appears the puzzle pieces are beginning to come together. They’ll aim for 2025 to be another year of progress under Chris James and staff.

Grand Prairie Gophers

Head Coach: Kenchee Ross (1st Season)

Last Season: 1-9; 0-7 in district

Returning Lettermen: 10 (7 starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Grand Prairie Key Players and Storylines

Grand Prairie will be playing with heavy hearts this year after its head coach Tony Tademy passed away back in January.

Kenchee Ross comes over from Dallas White to take over the Gopher program. He led White to the playoffs all three years he was in charge.

He’s got a young group to work with this year with just ten returning lettermen. It’ll help to have a two-way stud like Mike Green, who can be a key pass catcher on offense and “shut down half of the field” on defense. Last year, he allowed just three total catches.

The Gophers also return quarterback Peyton Reis (859 passing yards and five touchdowns), who has a “high football IQ” and a “good arm.” Luzeranze Miller will anchor the offensive line. At 6’5″, 342 pounds, not only does he have great size but impressive footwork as well.

On the other side of the ball, safety Joseph Seals is another defensive captain alongside Green. Linebacker Jason Pereira (68 tackles) is a three-year letterman who makes his presence felt with his hard-hitting ability.

The Gophers may not have a ton of experience, but Ross and his staff have loved the grit they have seen so far. They’ll hope this team’s potential on paper shows up on the field this fall as they look to take a step forward in the win column.

Haltom Buffalos

Head Coach: Jason Tucker (12th season; 44-71 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 5-2 in district (Lost to Richardson in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 20 (4 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Haltom Key Players and Storylines

Haltom had a breakthrough year in 2024, returning to the playoffs for the first time in four seasons.

They lost over half their starters from that team, but the cupboard is far from bare.

Their backfield will be a strength especially with running back Vudrico Roberson (1,603 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns). He set a school record with 394 yards rushing in Haltom’s 56-49 win over Martin last year. Quarterback Dominique Mounivong is back to claim his spot as the starter. He was injured in just the third game of last season.

Up front, head coach Jason Tucker has 6’3″, 280-pound senior Amier Saadalla as the top returning offensive lineman from last year’s team.

The secondary will be the biggest question mark for the Buffs after losing some key graduates. However, it will help the back end that defensive end Damien Wayne (38 tackles, 12.5 TFLs) is back to terrorize opposing defenses. Linebacker Yurem Ortiz is another weapon in the front seven. He was the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2024.

Linebacker/defensive back Brian Connors (72 tackles) can help in the secondary if need be. “He can play anywhere in the back seven,” according to Tucker.

Last year gave this Haltom program confidence it can be a playoff contender. The Buffs now have their eyes set on that goal again this season as they seek back-to-back postseason berths for the first time since 2017 and 2018.

South Grand Prairie Warriors

Head Coach: Laban DeLay (5th season; 22-23 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 4-3 in bi-district (Lost to Lake Highlands in bi-district)

South Grand Prairie Key Players and Storylines

South Grand Prairie has now made the playoffs for 11-straight years after last fall’s 6-5 campaign.

The Warriors will look to keep the streak alive this season and an offense loaded with weapons should help.

Last year’s starting quarterback Daylon Brooks (1,746 passing yards and 19 TDs) returns as does Ryan Goss, who can play either quarterback or receiver for the Warriors.

Running back Josiah Lucas (1,403 rushing yards and 18 TDs) is positioned to be South Grand Prairie’s bell cow again this season with junior Josh Armendarez (258 rushing yards and three TDs) able to spell him when needed.

Out at receiver, Cade Wallace (702 receiving yards and 10 TDs) was Brooks’ go-to man a year ago, while junior Cash Clark (377 receiving yards and five TDs) should serve as a reliable number two option.

The linebacking core will be the strength of the Warrior defense. Noah Adams, Anthony Ellis, and Bo Chewning were all-district selections in 2024. Noah Kennedy is the player to watch on the South Grand Prairie defensive line. Head coach Laban DeLay is high on him after a promising sophomore season.

Looking on both sides of the ball, this is a Warriors squad with a good amount of experience. They’ll look to use that to their advantage as they chase after their first playoff win in three years.


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