Connect with us

6A

2025 District 9-6A Season Preview

The Garland and Wylie schools are gearing up for another go-round in District 9-6A.

Last year had a couple of close calls. Sachse won the district title thanks to just a two-point victory over Wylie East, while the final playoff spot was decided by a tiebreaker with Naaman Forest edging out Garland.

There should be no shortage of excitement again this year. Here’s what to watch in District 9-6A.

Garland Owls

Head Coach: Danny Russell (9th season; 36-44 record)

Last Season: 5-5; 4-4 in district

Returning Lettermen: 24 (8 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Garland Key Players and Storylines

The Owls ended last season in a tie for the final playoff spot, but their 28-7 defeat to Naaman Forest meant they missed out on the postseason due to a tiebreaker.

This year’s group has plenty of experience to work with as they go in search of that postseason berth. Eight starters are back on offense while seven return on defense.

Quarterback Carlos Mojica (817 passing yards) returns after starting the majority of Garland’s games last season. He’s got quite the options in gus receiving corps. Receivers Caleb Ibeneme (324 receiving yards and four TDs), Adam Rotic (205 receiving yards and one TD), and Saint Dickens (121 receiving yards) were three of Garland’s four leading pass-catchers last year.

The other player who was in that top four group last year is tight end Kaden James (168 receiving yards). He’s “a great blocker” in addition to his “tremendous hands.”

Opposing quarterbacks won’t be able to get comfortable with defensive ends Josh Kalu (41 tackles, six TFLs) and Cade McCay coming off the edge. Caden Flowers will be a strong leader for the Owls from his linebacker position alongside tackling machine Aiden Onchweri (58 tackles, 11 TFLs).

In the secondary, the Owls will turn to cornerback Colten Dunbarger to match up with the other top receivers in this district. Head coach Danny Russell has the confidence in him to “cover anyone.”

Garland still needs some players to step up to provide depth for this year’s squad. However, that top-end talent returning means Russell and company are not only looking for a playoff berth but Garland’s first playoff win in 14 years.

Garland Lakeview Centennial Patriots

Head Coach: Anthony Saincilaire (5th season; 19-21 record)

Last Season: 3-7; 3-5 in district

Lakeview Centennial Key Players and Storylines

The Patriots will be turning to a talented junior class to propel them this season. Many made an impact already last season.

Junior defensive end Khing Thibodeaux was last year’s District Defensive Newcomer of the Year. With UNLV commit junior defensive lineman Jaxson Wilson alongside him, opposing offensive lines are going to have their hands full this year. Behind them, senior linebacker Jason Freeman (90 tackles, five TFLs) has proven himself to be a reliable tackler in the middle of the field.

It’s not just the front seven either. Four-star junior cornerback Montre Jackson gives the Patriots are true lockdown option on the back end.

Center Valentine Akidi will be Lakeview Centennial’s anchor on offense. He’s attracting Division I interest. The Patriots will have to replace their quarterback and leading receiver from last year, but senior running back De’Marion Miller is back to tote the rock out of the backfield.

With so many underclassmen contributing a year ago, that experience should pay dividends this season. The defense is especially loaded as the Patriots look to push towards their first playoff berth in six years.

Garland Naaman Forest Rangers

Head Coach: Jesse Perales (7th season; 26-34 record)

Last Season: 5-6; 4-4 in district (Lost to Longview in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 28 (6 returning starters on offense; 7 on defense)

Naaman Forest Key Players and Storylines

Naaman Forest was extremely young last year and still found a way to make the playoffs. That bodes well for this year’s group with 13 starters returning.

The Rangers have to replace do-it-all quarterback DeAngelo Perales, but their receiving corps is very deep. Jonathan French Love (711 receiving yards and ten touchdowns) is back after spending last year at Prestonwood Christian, while last year’s leading receiver Braylon Deal (855 receiving yards and ten touchdowns) has great length at 6’3″.

That’s not all either slot receiver Brody Perales (349 receiving yards and two touchdowns) had a breakout freshman year and junior tight end Corey Thomas (180 receiving yards) is also back.

Naaman Forest did graduate three first team all-district offensive linemen and will be a little undersized up front, so they’ll turn to guard Isaiah Wesley to lead in the trenches.

Defensively, the Rangers have great speed at cornerback with juniors Troy Williams (39 tackles) and Devin Washington (24 tackles). Deal (58 tackles) and Perales (53 tackles) will go both ways. Deal plays safety defensively, while Perales lines up as a linebacker.

In the front seven, Ty Belshe should play a bigger role at linebacker this year, while defensive tackles Jaylon Johnson (24 tackles, four TFLs) and Cruz DeLeon bring good experience to the interior of the defensive line.

The Rangers hung around with Longview last year in the bi-district round, eventually coming up short 23-13. With so many underclassmen contributing on that team, the Rangers look poised to improve this year with that year of experience now under their belts.

Garland Rowlett Eagles

Head Coach: Derek Alford (5th season; 13-27 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-5 in district

Returning Lettermen: 26 (3 returning starters on offense; 4 on defense)

Rowlett Key Players and Storylines

There will be a lot of new faces in new places for the Eagles this year as they return just seven starters from last year’s squad. However, there’s no shortage of depth. Head coach Derek Alford said there are now over 200 players in the program from top to bottom.

Offensively, the Eagles have some key pieces back at the skill positions with running back Kelin Cottrell and receiver Braylon Griffith. Griffith is a big target at 6-foot-4 and has great speed too.

Quarterback Sam Loera has great “leadership” and football IQ. He split time last year as a sophomore, so he has some game experience under his belt. In front of him, there are some more question marks as Rowlett looks to re-tool its offensive line.

Grady Holmes is a player to watch on the Rowlett defensive line with his aggressiveness. Alford said last year was his first year playing football, so he should continue to improve with each week.

Behind him, linebacker Ke’shaun Harrison is a three-year starter and the unquestioned leader of the Rowlett defense. Defensive back Adrian Lacy has a “great burst” with 4.4 second 40-yard dash speed.

Alford feels confident that despite the turnover, his squad can be one of the top teams in District 9-6A. If they can fulfill that potential, they’ll have a shot to snap a seven-year playoff drought.

Garland Sachse Mustangs

Head Coach: Mark Behrens (22nd season; 135-90 record)

Last Season: 9-2; 8-0 in district (Lost to Rockwall in bi-district)

Returning Lettermen: 28 (3 returning starters on offense; 3 on defense)

Sachse Key Players and Storylines

Sachse won its second-straight district title last year, but the Mustangs were hit hard by graduation. Just three starters on each side of the ball return.

Luckily for Mark Behrens and company, quarterback Dirk Merrill is one of those returners. He threw for 1,660 yards and 17 touchdowns and added another 300 yards on the ground in 2024.

After Sachse’ five-leading pass catchers graduated, Merrill will need some new targets to step up. Senior Hekma Harrison will be someone who gets his number called right away. At 6’2″ with good athleticism, the Mustang coaching staff is optimistic about his potential.

Up front, center Brett Hough is back to anchor the offensive line. He’ll have help from 6’3″, 305-pound Trason Haley out at tackle.

Haley will also be a mainstay on the Mustang defensive line alongside defensive ends Julian Cole (40 tackles) and Nicco Ward (29 tackles). With linebacker Walker Williams (49 tackles) coming off a strong sophomore season too, Behrens is very high on Sachse’s front seven.

In the secondary, a number of players will make the jump from JV. Junior safety Austin Taylor is one player who the Mustang coaching staff is excited to see play at the varsity level.

The faces may be new, but the expectations will stay the same. Behrens believes his group can finish towards the top in District 9-6A again as the Mustangs gallop after their 11th straight playoff berth.

North Garland Raiders

Head Coach: Taurus Rucker (4th season; 5-25 record)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-8 in district

Returning Lettermen: 32 (9 returning starters on offense; 9 on defense)

North Garland Key Players and Storylines

North Garland will be ready to move on from 2024 after a winless campaign. With nine starters back on each side of the ball, there will be no shortage of motivation from this group to get back in the win column.

Dual threat quarterback Christian Hampton will pace the offense after playing in seven games a year ago. He’s got a reliable receiving corps to turn to with junior Juju Minor and seniors Chris Hampton and Brian Johnson.

Up front, offensive lineman Brandon Onyia has tremendous size at six-foot-six and 265 pounds and should pair well with 2024 second team all-district guard Jonathan Menjivar.

On the other side of the ball, the Raiders have a solid duo at cornerback with six-foot-three Gavin Johnson and DeMarcus Mathes, who is attracting Division I attention. Junior safety Prosper Chukwu (66 tackles) was an all-district honorable mention last year.

Up front, defensive ends David Ekanem (40 tackles, ten TFLs) and Zarren Willis (40 tackles, five TFLs) will be threats to get after the quarterback.

North Garland has made the playoffs just once in the the past 15 years. With so much experience back on the field this season though, head coach Taurus Rucker is challenging his squad to push for a .500 or better finish.

South Garland Titans

Head Coach: Antwaun Hobbs (1st season)

Last Season: 3-7; 1-7 in district

South Garland Key Players and Storylines

Antwaun Hobbs is back at his alma mater, taking over for the retired Damaso Martinez. He most recently was serving as Duncanville’s running backs coach.

The offense has a lot of key pieces to replace, including an all-district running back and quarterback. However, slot receiver Oscar Martinez (303 receiving yards and three touchdowns) is back as is fellow senior receiver/quarterback Brandon Galdames.

Defensively, linebacker Aaron Cardenas-Marin will lead the charge from his linebacker position. He was a second team all-district selection a year ago. He’s got plenty of returnees alongside him in the front seven with linebacker Juriah Coffman and defensive linemen Andres De La Cruz and Hanssel Galdames.

The Titans haven’t been in the playoffs since 2012, but last year was their winningest season since that year. Hobbs will seek to build off that momentum as he returns to his old stomping grounds.

Wylie Pirates

Head Coach: Jimmy Carter (6th season; 26-27 record)

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

Returning Lettermen: 35 (6 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Wylie Key Players and Storylines

The Pirates have made three-straight playoff appearances, and they’re eager to be in the mix again this season with a number of returning starters.

Junior running back Daylon Gordon will be a mainstay in the Pirate backfield. He’s coming off a 1,000-yard season. He’ll be paired with dynamic junior quarterback Jabrian Brake, who is set to take over as the Pirates’ signal-caller this season.

Wylie did graduate its top three receivers, but junior Samuel Acquaye (103 receiving yards and a TD) is poised to take on a bigger role this year. Acquaye was an all-district honorable mention last year as was 6’4,” 290-pound offensive lineman Dylan Hawthorne. Wylie will lean on his size in the trenches.

On the other side of the ball, Aidan Craig is back to “anchor the defensive line.”

Behind him, Tyler Helton has “a nose for the football” at linebacker, while in the secondary, Will McCoy (40 tackles) is Wylie’s leading returning tackler and junior cornerback Jimmie Strickland has the Pirate coaching staff excited about his potential.

According to the Pirate coaching staff, they will have to rely on “first-time varsity players in some key positions” this season. Their hope is that their returning stars can keep the ship sailing smoothly early on in the year as they look to settle in those new faces across the board.

Wylie East Raiders

Head Coach: Marcus Gold (5th season; 32-13 record)

Last Season: 10-2; 7-1 in district (Lost to DeSoto in area round)

Returning Lettermen: 30 (7 returning starters on offense; 5 on defense)

Wylie East Key Players and Storylines

The Raiders have been the definition of consistency under Marcus Gold. They have just two losses in each of the last three seasons.

Offensively, they have to replace their backfield production from last season, but their receiving corps is stacked. Three-star prospect Amarean Porter (1,037 receiving yards and 12 TDs) led the Raiders in receiving yards last year, and the Raider coaching staff is excited about the potential of sophomore speedster Toi Ardoin too.

Junior Brayden Parrish will be Wylie East’s best offensive lineman. He can play either center or guard.

Nash Chapman will play some at tight end, but he’ll make his presence felt the most at defensive end. He’s got great strength and toughness and made a home in opponents’ backfields in 2024 with 14 tackles for loss.

The secondary is another strength. Cornerback Ruke Eruvewetaghware is physical at 6’1″ and is someone the Raiders will rely on heavily in man coverage. Safety Nash Janshego (42 tackles) is a “great run fitter.” He was the leading tackler for the Wylie East secondary last fall.

Wylie East has finished as district runner-up the past two seasons. Last year, it was a two-point loss to Sachse that kept them from a district title. However, with a good group back this fall, the Raiders are determined to go one spot better in 2025.

Related Topics
Click to comment
Subscribe
Notify of
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

More in 6A

Tom Thumb - DFW's Grocer Since 1948
Become an Official Partner of Texas HS Football
NFHS Network - Watch Texas High School Football Online
Roof Repair & Roof Replacement Roofers VKTRY - Performance Insoles
Roof Replacement and Roof Repair by Ja-Mar Roofing & Sheet Metal