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District 26-6A Season Preview

insoles to jump higher

 

 

This district had three legitimate region title contenders a year ago in Westlake, Lake Travis, and Dripping Springs.

All three of those teams will have hopes of playing into December this fall. But don’t be mistaken. This district isn’t top heavy. There’s a lot of depth behind last year’s top three teams, and the battle for the playoff spots will likely go down to the final week of the season.

Here’s what to watch for in District 26-6A.

Austin Akins Eagles

Head Coach: Joey Saxe (3rd Season)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-8 in district

Austin Akins Key Players and Storylines

Akins got bit hard by the injury bug a year ago. The Eagles lost 17 players to season ending injuries. Those injuries doomed Akins to a winless season a year ago, but head coach Joey Saxe is optimistic ahead of this fall.

Akins returns 16 total starters (10 on offense and six on defense), and for those six players who aren’t technically returning starters, each one saw meaningful game time last year because of all the injuries.

Saxe said he’s excited about an offense that he feels really fits his players’ skillsets. It will have a great foundation as Saxe feels like the offensive line led by Jamarion Carter will be the strength of the team.

Akins has to replace starting quarterback Dee Thompson, who transferred to Crockett, but Saxe believes sophomore Dylan Cagle is primed for a breakout season at running back.

On the other side of the ball, AB Gonzalez played some quarterback a year ago, but Saxe expects him to be a key player in secondary. In the front seven, linebacker JP Lopez and defensive lineman Jacob Rodriguez are the players to watch.

Akins still doesn’t have a ton of depth, but Saxe is proud of the work his players have put in throughout the offseason. He believes the returning experience the Eagles have should help them find more success on the field in 2023.

Austin Anderson Trojans

Head Coach: Donald Hatcher (2nd Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-6 in district

Anderson Key Players and Storylines

Anderson took a noticeable step forward in head coach Donald Hatcher’s first year in charge.

Its four wins were the most in a single season since 2019, and they also had a couple of one-possession defeats against Austin High and Bowie.

This year, the Trojans return half of their starters from a year ago (six on offense and five on defense).

Junior Ed Small (1,160 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns) is an elite receiver heading into his third year on varsity. With a big frame, he’s a handful for defenders to cover especially on 50-50 balls.

Brady Gephart takes over at quarterback for Fred Dale. Gephart has been waiting in the wings for this moment. He played some receiver last year for the Trojans but will line up at his primary position this fall. He’ll have junior running back Dayden Williams (186 rushing yards and two touchdowns) alongside him in the backfield.

On the other side of the ball, Colin Haines grew into his role as a starting corner last year and was the lone Trojan who had an interception in 2022. The coaching staff also believes safety Adrian Popps is poised to take a big step forward this year, while linebacker Gage Webb takes over for his older brother IV. IV had been a tackling machine for Anderson across the last three seasons and now has walked on at SMU.

Anderson will be younger this year, but the coaching staff loves the buy-in they have seen from their players and especially their leaders.

“The kids have bought in to the discipline and process it takes for the Trojans to make the playoffs this year,” assistant coach Jason Napoli said. “Our key players have put the team on their back with leadership this offseason and I am excited for the Trojan team that will take the field this fall.”

Austin Bowie Bulldogs

Head Coach: Jeff Ables (22nd Season)

Last Season: 7-3; 5-2 in district (Lost to Vandegrift in bi-district)

Bowie Key Players and Storylines

Bowie has made the playoffs in 17 of head coach Jeff Ables’ 21 seasons at the school.

However, the Bulldogs will certainly be tested this fall. Just two starters return on each side of the ball from last season’s team.

Bowie loses star running back Max Barnes, but Bralin Thomas (144 rushing yards and three touchdowns) is poised to take over as the lead back in the Bulldogs’ ground game. An all-district honorable mention last season, he’ll be a versatile athlete for Bowie to utilize. Alongside him, Cruz Tello will make the jump from JV starting quarterback to a varsity starter this fall.

Look for Tello to turn to receiver Carmine Elisarraraz (368 receiving yards and five touchdowns) in the passing attack Up front, Justice Trumpler is a two-year starter on the offensive line.

Defensively, Bowie should be strong in the trenches with Garrett Gipson (35 tackles, four TFLs) and Colin Rice. Linebacker Reagan Cooper (33 tackles) was a backup last year, but as one of the top juniors on Bowie’s roster, he’ll be thrust into a bigger role this year.

Inexperience will be a tough hurdle to clear, but Ables does like the chemistry his team has.

With so many new faces, the Bulldogs will have to grow up quick as they look to claim a playoff ticket in this crowded district.

Austin High Maroons

Head Coach: Bernard Riley (2nd Season)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-6 in district

Austin High Key Players and Storylines

Austin High was pretty young a year ago with several sophomores playing key roles for the Maroons.

This year, they will hope that gained experience from last season pays off.

Eight starters are back on offense while seven return on defense from last year’s squad. Despite all that returning experience, the Maroon coaching staff said they expect to still have to roll out some younger players again this fall.

Receiver Bryson Batts has game-breaking speed and is a threat to break one every time he gets the ball in his hands. Anthony Rodriguez returns to lead the Maroons at running back.

Tackle Jack Bisson is one of those sophomores who gained experience last year. He’ll be expected to be one of the leaders on the offensive line this fall.

On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Will Peeler and junior safety Kaleel Green were Austin High’s two leading tacklers last season. Cornerback Trent Gray is another player the Maroons have high hopes for in the secondary.

The Maroons had a great offseason. The coaching staff loved the competitiveness and physicality their players showed throughout the spring and summer.

They’ll now hope to take that competitiveness and experienced gained and turn it into victories come this fall.

Buda Johnson Jaguars

Head Coach: Steve Hoffman (5th Season)

Last Season: 4-6; 4-4 in district

Johnson Key Players and Storylines

The Jaguars finished right in the middle of District 26-6A a year ago. In their first-ever 6A season, it was a sturdy foundation to build on.

The challenge this year will be replacing their two backfield stars from a year ago, quarterback Jesse Medina and running back Ethan Ybarra.

Johnson will turn to senior quarterback Carson McMullin and junior running back Kael Hatnot to take over their roles. Both players saw playing time in reserve roles a year ago.

But while the backfield will be completely new this year, their leading receiver from last year Colton Williams (239 receiving yards) does return.

The offensive line, led by senior Caleb Gomez, will also be a strength.

Defensively, Johnson will be strong in the front seven. Ezrah Machuca is a three-year starter at defensive tackle, while linebackers Gavin Badger (56 tackles, 1.5 sacks, one INT) and Brandon Melendez (52 tackles) also return.

After playing several sophomores a year ago, Johnson will hope that experience pays off this season as it aims for its first-ever 6A playoff berth.

Del Valle Cardinals

Head Coach: Todd Patmon (1st Season)

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

Del Valle Key Players and Storylines

Todd Patmon takes over for Bobby Acosta, who departed to take a job as the offensive coordinator at Arkansas Pine Bluff.

Patmon has head coaching experience having led Austin Northeast from 2002-2004 and, most recently, Bastrop from 2013-2021.

The Cardinals are in the midst off a rebuild having won just seven games in the past three years. Their last .500 season was back in 2019 and they haven’t made the playoffs since 2016.

Del Valle played a lot of sophomores last year. The Cardinals will hope that year of game time shows on the field this year.

They’ll need to find a new quarterback after their starter graduated and their backup transferred to Anderson. However, junior running backs Kenelle Hodges (509 rushing yards and five touchdowns) and Donovan Douglas (157 rushing yards) and junior receiver Freddie Thomas (174 receiving yards) all return at the skill positions.

Defensively, linebacker Philip Mara is Del Valle’s leading returning tackler (58 tackles). Patmon’s son Coleman, a junior safety, is already getting looks from the Division I level with an offer from Kansas State.

Del Valle has some promising talent coming up through it system. The Cardinals will hope that talent can lead it to some more wins in 2023 in the gauntlet of a district it will have to face.

Dripping Springs Tigers

Head Coach: Galen Zimmerman (9th Season)

Last Season: 12-2; 7-1 in district (Lot to Vandegrift in regional final)

Dripping Springs Key Players and Storylines

Dripping Springs literally came within inches of its furthest playoff run in school history. A goal-line stand by Vandegrift on fourth and one with under two minutes to go denied the Tigers in a regional final for the ages.

This year, the Tigers have to replace Oregon signee quarterback Austin Novosad. It will be no easy task, but there are five returning starters offensively to help the new signal-caller settle in.

Also helping out the new man behind center will be receiver Kyle Koch (1,086 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns) and running back Jack Tyndall (878 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns). Texas Tech commit tackle Jacob Ponton will anchor the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, the Tigers return five starters as well. And just like the offense, there are some studs among those players as well. Leading tackler linebacker Luca Picucci (96 tackles, four TFLs) is back as is fellow linebacker Tomsen Vickery (54 tackles, eight TFLs), who is getting looks at the Division I level.

Defensive tackle Elijah Gonzales (49 tackles, four TFLs) will be a force in the middle of the trenches for opposing offensive lines to try and deal with.

Head coach Galen Zimmerman said that his team’s standards won’t change at all this year. They expect to be a “mentally tough program” that will push for a district and regional title again this season.

Lake Travis Cavaliers

Head Coach: Hank Carter (14th Season)

Last Season: 7-5; 5-2 in district

Lake Travis Key Players and Storylines

Many programs would be satisfied with a seven-win season that included two playoff victories. Not Lake Travis.

When you’ve won at least 12 games in nine out of the 13 seasons under head coach Hank Carter, the expectation is to compete for regional and state titles.

The Cavaliers return 13 total starters (seven on offense and six on defense) as they look to build off of last season.

Lake Travis’ backfield will be a strength with dual threat quarterback Kadyn Leon (1,336 passing yards and 22 TDs; 531 rushing yards and five TDs) and running back Nico Hamilton (1,278 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns).

Last year’s leading receiver Sam Self (418 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) is also back, while Carter anticipates junior Seth Galbraith (153 receiving yards and five touchdowns) taking on a bigger role this year.

On the offensive line, the veteran experience and size of Legend Cabello and Mo Oratokhai will be crucial. Both weigh in around 300 pounds and will be relied upon to lead a line that will be younger this season.

Defensive lineman Gustavo Cordova (59 tackles, three TFLs) was the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2022. Behind him, linebacker Markus Boswell (49 tackles) has double-digit Division I offers.

However, the strongest part of the Lake Travis defense will be in the secondary. The Cavaliers added Del Valle’s leading tackler from last year, safety Dre Lewis (85 tackles). They also have promising junior Cam Brooks (28 tackles) at safety, while Josiah Estes (48 tackles) returns as a key player at corner.

Last year, three of the Cavaliers’ five losses came by just one score. Carter said his team must play cleaner and execute down the stretch in order to have a more successful 2023 season.

Westlake Chaparrals

Head Coach: Tony Salazar (2nd Season)

Last Season: 14-1; 8-0 in district (Lost to North Shore in State Semifinal)

Westlake Key Players and Storylines

The Chaparrals transitioned into the Tony Salazar era with little trouble a year ago.

And although their 54-game win streak was snapped last season, it was at the hands of the buzz saw that is North Shore.

This year, Westlake returns just five starters on defense and only three on offense. However, there is no shortage of veteran experience. The Chaparrals will have over 60 seniors on their roster.

Offensively, Westlake is stacked. Second-year quarterback Paxton Land (1,515 passing yards and 16 touchdowns) has both Army commit running back Jack Kayser (1,555 rushing yards and 27 touchdowns) and Houston commit wide receiver Heath McRee (215 receiving yards and three touchdowns) at his disposal. Kayser was the District MVP lasts season.

In the trenches, Cal commit tackle Tyler Knape should lead the offensive line.

Defensively, Westlake has two lockdown corners in Denim Collins (67 tackles, three INTs) and Judson Crockett (76 tackles and two interceptions). Both were first team all-district honorees last year.

Junior linebacker Elliot Schaper (49 tackles and five TFLs) saw some playing time last year, while fellow junior defensive end Connor Vasek is looking to follow in the footsteps of his brother Colton, who will play for the Texas Longhorns this year.

Westlake has some holes to fill defensively, but the Chaparrals have the tendency to be able to reload year after year.

With a large senior class hungry for success, look for Westlake to grow throughout the season and play into December again this year.

 

CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz

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