For secondaries matched up against DeSoto wide receiver Johntay Cook II this year, good luck.
The five-star Texas commit terrorized opposing defenses with 806 receiving yards and 19 touchdowns a year ago. DeSoto head coach Claude Mathis said he is looking for much the same out of Cook this year.
“There’s nobody in the state of Texas that can guard [Cook] one-on-one,” Mathis said. “They’re lying if they say they can, so they’re going to roll their coverage towards him. He’s very special. I think he has some of the best hands out there [and] he’s just such a crisp route runner.”
Newest #Texas WR commit Johntay Cook (@_jayythegreat_) encompasses everything you want at the position. Speed, hands and crisp route running.
Big time addition to the 2023 class. @TFB_Texas pic.twitter.com/N2u4orJPDJ
— CJ Vogel (@CJVogel_TFB) June 29, 2022
Cook and the DeSoto offense already flashed its potential at the state 7-on-7 tournament in late June, where the Eagles won the Division I championship with a 27-14 win over Midlothian Heritage.
And although Mathis was relegated to a spectator during the tournament since high school coaches aren’t allowed to coach, he was impressed by how his players performed.
“I was very proud of them,” Mathis said. “Not having coaches on the field to coach them, they had to grow up themselves and coach themselves and be leaders and overcome adversity. They had in their mindset that they weren’t going to lose, so I thought they did a fantastic job.”
Thank You to all the Family and Friends that supported the Parent Led @FootballDesoto 7v7 Team. The GoFundMe, Raffle Tickets, and bringing Water and Gatorade to help was very much appreciated. Our boys did their part and brought home the Div.1 State 7v7 Championship! 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/XyrwWZHyg3
— Dr. Mathis😘 (@LovelyLoriM1) June 26, 2022
Now the question will be if DeSoto can take the next step after making it to the regional finals the past two seasons.
Mathis has led DeSoto beyond that stage before. The Eagles made back-to-back state semifinal appearances in 2012 and 2013 during his first stint in charge (2008-2014).
After trying his hand as the running backs coach at SMU, Mathis returned to DeSoto in 2019 following a two-year stint at Marshall. When he arrived at DeSoto, he immediately got to work on restoring the culture of the program. Three years later, he said he feels good about where DeSoto is at heading into the 2022 season.
“It’s been a whirlwind, a lot harder this time around, but we’re in a great place right now,” Mathis said. “Time has definitely helped us, and we finally have the culture back to where we want it to continue to move on.”
Looking at the DeSoto offense, Cook will have a new quarterback this year throwing to him as junior DJ Bailey steps in to the starting role. Bailey saw some reps last year, throwing for 610 yards and nine touchdowns. He helped lead the Eagles to their third-round playoff victory over Westfield after entering the game in the third quarter.
“He’s doing a heck of a job right now,” Mathis said. “He’s doing a really good job of being the leader of the offense and getting people lined up. I think his maturity level has really grown ever since the season has been over with.”
Elsewhere offensively, Mathis is looking for his son Crimson to step up at the receiver position after he dealt with injuries during his junior year. Tylan Crochett is also expected to have a big impact at the receiver position after moving in from North Forney where he had 700 receiving yards a year ago.
Another name to watch will be sophomore receiver Daylon Singleton. Mathis is high on his potential, saying that he believes Singleton will take off just as Cook did during his sophomore year.
In the backfield, Mathis said some new faces will be instrumental for the Eagles this season. That includes Texas commit Tre Wisner, a move-in from Waco Connally who rushed for 900 yards a year ago.
That DeSoto ground game is gonna be the truth. P5s from across the country are watching close with 2023 Tre Wisner, 2024 Jaden Trawick, and 2025 Tiger Riden all big time playmakers@1waytreway | @trawick_jaden | @riden_jr pic.twitter.com/uwIsqiOKK3
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) April 14, 2022
And while DeSoto’s offensive skill positions are loaded, its secondary might be just as talented. Mathis predicts it will be the strong suit of the Eagle defense.
Among the leaders of the unit will be Caimon Mathis, who is Crimson’s twin brother, safety Jamarion Ravenell (66 tackles in 2021), safety DeMichael Porter (30 tackles), junior cornerback Mario Buford, and senior cornerback Brian Hollins, who moved in from Mansfield.
All five of those players have multiple Division I offers, a testament to the talent on the back end of the Eagle defense.
DeSoto 2024 CB Mario Buford will not be shook@riogocrazy | @FootballDesoto | @CoachSweeny | @TrustMyEyesO | @FlightSkillz | @drobalwayzopen pic.twitter.com/mP7xSQYOoF
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) January 16, 2022
In the front seven, Brandon Booker (92 total tackles) is back at linebacker after finishing as DeSoto’s second-leading tackler a year ago. Mathis also said he expects Jamari Laye to step up and have a big year for the Eagles.
Up front, Mathis said he is looking for junior Jason Douglas and senior Ryan White to step into bigger roles on the defensive line.
But even with all the talent at its disposal, DeSoto still will be thoroughly tested by District 11-6A. Commonly referred to as “The District of Doom,” the Eagles will have to square off with powerhouses Cedar Hill and Duncanville along with Waxahachie, which has made the playoffs the past two years. Making proceedings even more difficult this year is the addition of Dallas Skyline, which has made the playoffs 26 of the last 28 seasons.
“I just think that it’s going to be one of those districts where you have to bring your “A-Game” every week,” Mathis said. “It’s like the SEC. It’s gotten harder adding Skyline and Mansfield Legacy.”
2022 new District 11-6A pic.twitter.com/qKYg8lLIFR
— Neiman Ford (@mrfordtrey4) February 3, 2022
Now with the 2022 season fast approaching, the Eagles are looking to add another piece of hardware to go along with their 7-on-7 trophy. However, Mathis said he wants to make sure his team doesn’t get caught up in the opinions of outsiders as the Eagles chase their first state title since 2016.
“We’ve got to make sure we stay the course and worry about us,” Mathis said. “It’s one goal, one dream we have this year, and we got a chance to do it.”
We apologize for the wait. We’ve been busy grinding. #DesotoU pic.twitter.com/9tIRLza6KJ
— DeSoto Football (@FootballDesoto) May 5, 2022
2022 DeSoto Eagles Football Schedule
(Bold Designates District 11-6A matchup)
8/26 vs. St. Augustine NOLA (LA) (at Beaverton, Oregon)
9/3 vs. St. Frances Academy (MD) (at Fort Worth, Texas)
9/10 vs. South Oak Cliff
9/16 at Dallas Skyline
9/23 vs. Waxahachie
10/7 vs. Mansfield Legacy
10/14 at Mansfield Lake Ridge
10/21 vs. Cedar Hill
10/28 at Duncanville
11/3 vs. Mansfield
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