L.D. Bell Blue Raiders

Head Coach: TJ Dibble (6th season; 22-28 record)

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

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

L.D. Bell Blue Raiders Key Players and Storylines

L.D. Bell has certainly made strides under T.J. Dibble. The Blue Raiders now have three .500 or better finishes in their five seasons under his leadership. In the five seasons before his arrival, L.D. Bell never won more than three games.

The next step is making the playoffs and that is in reach this season with 13 returning starters.

The offense particularly is in great shape. Dual threat quarterback Braylon Harris (1,247 passing yards; 574 rushing yards) is back at the helm and he’ll have great protection in front of him. 6’4” 340-pound tackle Willie Alusa, 6’2”, 270-pound tackle Sisefa Fakailoatonga, 6’0”, 380-pound guard Sioeli Tupou, and 6’2”, 255-pound center Simon Higdon all return on what will be a massive offensive line.

Junior Season Tape 📽️
101 QB Rating ✅✅ 4.6 GPA 📚

1,821 Total Yds 💨
18 Total TDs 💪🏽

— Dual Threat —
1247 Passing Yds 📈
11 Passing Tds 🔥
66% Completion 🎯
3 ints

574 rushing Yds 📈
8 Rushing TDs 🔥
5.22 Yards per carry 💪🏽

Texas 6A Football QB1@DibbleTj @Coach_Wilk pic.twitter.com/l5bbF9gbS1

— Braylon Harris (@BraylonHarris27) November 17, 2025

The main question marks come at the skill positions where Harris is the leading returning rusher and senior Gavin Roberson’s 183 yards from last season are good enough to make him the leading returning receiver.

Defensively, linebacker Aisea Poese (90 tackles) is the player to watch, while senior defensive end Siale Mapakaitolo will lead L.D. Bell’s pass rushing efforts. In the secondary, the Blue Raiders can lean on the experience of senior cornerbacks Demarcus Seaton (26 tackles) and Tre’Von Taylor (15 tackles and one INT).

One other area of attention for Dibble and his staff will be finding a new kicker and punter for this season. However, with the experience they have on both sides of the ball, the Blue Raiders are feeling optimistic. Dibble believes if everything comes together, they will have a shot to not only snap their 12-year playoff drought but compete for a district title as well.

2026 Schedule

*- Denotes District 8-6A Contest

27-Aug Thursday vs. Rowlett at Pennington Field 7:00pm 

4-Sep vs. Plano West at Pennington Field 7:00pm

11-Sep @ Sachse at Homer B. Johnson 7:00pm

*25-Sep @ Irving Nimitz at Joy & Ralph Ellis Stadium 7:00pm 

*2-Oct vs. Grand Prairie at Pennington Field 7:00pm

*8-Oct Thursday @ Haltom at Bridville FAAC 7:00pm 

*16-Oct vs. Irving at Pennington Field 7:00pm

*23-Oct @ South Grand Prairie at Gopher Warrior Bowl 7:00pm

*30-Oct Pink Out vs. Irving MacArthur at Pennington Field 7:00pm

*5-Nov Thursday @ Trinity at Pennington Field 7:00pm