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District 10-6A Season Preview

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This district welcomes in a couple of high-flying 5A programs in Forney and Longview. They replace Mesquite and Mesquite Horn, who slide over to 11-6A.

Those changes have created what should be a buzz saw of a district after six of these seven programs made the playoffs last season.

Here’s what to watch in what should be an extremely tight District 10-6A.

Forney Jackrabbits

Head Coach: Jeff Fleener (4th season; 27-10 record)

Last Season: 13-2; 6-1 in district (Lost to Aledo in state semifinals)

Forney Key Players and Storylines

Forney is moving up to 6A at a good time. The Jackrabbits are coming off a 13-2 season where they made a run all the way to the 5A state semifinals. It was their deepest playoff run since another semifinal run back in 2002.

The Jackrabbits have next-level talent on both sides of the ball.

Bell cow running back Javian Osborne is coming off a season where he rushed for 2,154 yards and 37 touchdowns. Oh, and he’s just a junior this year. Forney did graduate its starting quarterback, but it’s nice when you can replace him with Adrian Peterson’s younger brother. Nelson Peterson Jr. moved in from Sunnyvale. He’s a dual threat that will look to continue to grow into his potential this season.

Out at receiver, it’s another junior leading the way. Imari Jehiel (431 receiving yards and six touchdowns) is poised to step into a bigger role in 2024. He just picked up an offer from TCU.

Defensively, the Jackrabbits are a backfield’s nightmare. Their leading tackler from 2023, linebacker Landry Hopkins (132 tackles and seven TFLs), is back. Alongside him, Texas A&M commit Kelvion Riggins (88 tackles, 12 TFLs). Riggins and fellow linebacker Xzavier Young are both threats off the edge. They were Forney’s second and third-leading sack leaders last season.

Forney certainly has the playmakers to make a splash at the 6A level. Don’t be surprised if the Jackrabbits hit the ground running in 10-6A this fall.

Longview Lobos

Head Coach: John King (21st season; 223-46 record)

Last Season: 11-2; 7-0 in district (Lost to Lancaster in regional semifinals)

Longview Key Players and Storylines

Longview is back in 6A for the first time since 2019. The Lobos have had recent success at this level though, taking home the 6A Division II title back in 2018.

They have some turnover to contend with this time around as just nine starters from last year’s squad are back (five on offense; four on defense). The Lobos will be strongest in the trenches offensively. Fernando Longoria, Ja’Morion George, and Cedric Wrighten are all returning starters on the offensive line.

Kelving Washington (737 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns) will be the primary playmaker for the run-heavy Longview offense. He finished as the team’s second leading rusher and receiver last season. Head coach John King said quarterback Maverick Rowe will be handed the keys to the offense after the graduation of Andrew Tutt. Rowe threw for 315 yards on 29 attempts in 2023.

Defensively, Brenden Reese (61 tackles, eight TFLs) and Kason Brooks (74 tackles, 10 TFLs) are two tackling machines at linebacker. But besides them, defensive lineman Isaiah Horton (42 tackles and 11 TFLs) and safety Bryan Peoples (41 tackles) are the only two other returning starters on that side of the ball.

Longview has taken home back-to-back district titles in 5A. However, with plenty of graduates to replace on both sides of the ball, King believes his team will be in for a fight this year if they want to extend that streak this fall.

North Forney Falcons

Head Coach: Marcus Shavers (1st Season)

Last Season: 9-3; 4-2 in district (Lost to Cedar Hill in area round)

North Forney Key Players and Storylines

Marcus Shavers comes over from McKinney to take over for Eric Luster, who departed to take the head coaching job down at Brazoswood.

The Falcons are coming off a season where they earned their first playoff berth since 2020.

This year, they’ll have to replace first team all-district quarterback Tamarion Crochett, who transferred to Cedar Hill, and their top three receivers from a year ago. That means a lot of responsibility will fall to their dynamic backfield duo of Andikan Asuquo and Kellen Sanders. Both were all-district honorees a year ago.

Defensively, the Falcons are in good shape at defensive back with ballhawk safety Caleb Holt and lockdown corner Gianni Edwards. They also added Forney transfer Josiah Turner, who is beginning to get looks at the Division I level.

At linebacker, both Slate Starrett and Jaylon Gray are back after earning third team all-district honors last season.

Shavers led McKinney to playoff wins in each of his last two years at the school. With the talent he’ll have to work with at North Forney, he’ll hope to repeat that feat with the Falcons this season.

Rockwall Yellowjackets

Head Coach: Trey Brooks (5th season: 40-9 record)

Last Season: 11-2; 6-0 in district (Lost to Spring Westfield in regional semifinal)

Rockwall Key Players and Storylines

Every Rockwall game was a fireworks show last year with the Yellowjacket offense putting up over 51 points per game. That helped Rockwall make the third round of playoffs for the first time since 2019.

And fortunately for the Yellowjackets, six of their starters from that unit return this season.

Head coach Trey Brooks believes he has one of the best quarterbacks in the state in Wisconsin commit Landyn Locke (1,702 passing yards and 19 touchdowns). Making Locke even more of a threat is the fact he’ll have two Division I caliber receivers at his disposal with Triston Gooch (1,216 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns) and Jack Duckworth, who will also play a lot of cornerback.

Up front, good luck getting by Chase Iwunze. At 330 pounds, he’s “physically capable of blocking anyone lined up across from him.”

Defensively, Rockwall had its struggles last year, allowing 35 points per game. However, there will be almost an entirely new starting lineup this year with just two starters back.

The Yellowjackets are well stocked on talent at the defensive end position with North Mesquite transfer Leander Parrish (53 tackles and five sacks) and Edwin Gonzalez-Salas (47 tackles, four TFLs). Parrish is “explosive and a great pass rusher,” while Gonzalez-Salas is “long, rangy, and physical.” Brooks said the play of both up front will help their second and third-level defenders make plays as well.

The Yellowjackets may have some inexperience especially defensively, but there’s no questioning the weapons they have on offense. With the way this program has been rattling off 10-win seasons under Brooks, expect them to be a player in 6A Region II yet again this season.

Rockwall-Heath Hawks

Head Coach: Rodney Webb (2nd season; 9-3 record)

Last Season: 9-3; 5-1 (Lost to Duncanville in area round)

Rockwall-Heath Key Players and Storylines

Rodney Webb picked up right where he left off after taking a year away from coaching. He led the Hawks to the area round last season, the fourth-straight year Rockwall-Heath has won a playoff game.

This year will be another test as the Hawks won’t have a ton of experience with just four starters back on each side of the ball.

At quarterback, Landen Dutka (482 passing yards and three touchdowns) will step into the starting role after backing up Caleb Hoover a year ago. Dutka has the leadership qualities to succeed. He’ll serve as a team captain this year.

Jackson Traa (192 receiving yards and three touchdowns) is the next man up at receiver after Heath’s four leading players at that position graduated. Traa has “a big body and tremendous hands.” He will be tough to keep quiet on Fridays.

On the offensive line, Cooper Shepherd is a three-year starter.

Defensively, the Hawks have the talent in the front seven to cause opposing backfields trouble. Defensive tackle Isaac Martin has a “great burst” while defensive end De’Von Turner had 13 tackles for loss in 2023.

Linebacker Layne Yudizky will be another one of Heath’s team captains this year. He and Martin are the Hawks’ two leading returning tacklers.

For the lack of experience the Hawks may have at the starting positions, Webb does like his team’s depth with 34 lettermen returning. He has set the bar high, expecting his team to go out and earn the #1 seed for this district in the 6A Division I playoffs.

Royse City Bulldogs

Head Coach: Andrew Colvin (1st season)

Last Season: 3-7; 1-5 in district

Royse City Key Players and Storylines

Royse City’s new head coach has some familiarity with its district opponents. Andrew Colvin most recently served as Rockwall’s Offensive Coordinator, where the Yellowjackets averaged over 51 points per game under his lead in 2023.

He has a fresh canvas to work his offensive magic on as the Bulldogs return just one offensive starter.

Junior quarterback Jamion Richardson will be handed the keys to the offense this season. He’s an “electric player with a strong arm.”

Fellow junior Zavier Brown is also tasked with much more responsibility this year as he steps into the RB1 role. Receiver Jammel Ward should stretch defenses. He’ll be Royse City’s “deep threat” and a jump-ball threat too at 6’5.”

The Bulldogs will need senior tackle Ensley Joseph to anchor the offensive line. He has a great football IQ which will be vital for an inexperienced unit.

Defensively, Royse City has five starters back. It will be strongest in its secondary with Texas State Cordarian Powell, who has the athleticism to “play any position.” He’s joined in the backend by “big time playmaker” Lukas Olvera.

In the front seven, the Bulldogs will need to lean on the senior leadership of linebacker Billy Jones (95 tackles, four TFLs) and defensive lineman Sebastian Lopez (49 tackles). Jones is Royse City’s leading returning tackler.

While his squad may not have a ton of experience, Colvin expects them to be the toughest team on the field each week. He’s hopeful that will help them stay in the playoff race as they look for their fifth postseason berth in six years.

Tyler Legacy Raiders

Head Coach: Beau Trahan (2nd season; 3-8 record)

Last Season: 3-8; 3-3 in district (Lost to Wylie East in bi-district)

Tyler Legacy Key Players and Storylines

The Raiders made it back to the playoffs in head coach Beau Trahan’s first year at the helm.

Now, they’ll look to build off of the foundation laid a year ago with half of their starters returning (seven on offense and four on defense).

Every single one of their starting offensive linemen will be back this season led by guard Cash Acker. He was a second team all-district selection a year ago.

Last year’s leading receiver Za’Bryan Hood is back. He’s a great route runner with reliable hands. Tight end JP Rainer is a versatile player who will be another weapon in the passing game.

On defense, the Raiders have to replace several starters, but they still do have a couple of key players back.

Linebacker Nathaniel Kirksey is seemingly everywhere between the white lines. He led the Raiders with 161 tackles a year ago. Defensive end Simeon Garner will be the leader in the trenches. He’s got great length at 6’4″ and 235 pounds.

Behind them, Ethan Brown (124 tackles and eight tackles for loss) provides “great range in the back end.”

Heading into this fall, Trahan said the expectation is for his players to be the “most physical team each Friday night for 48 minutes.” Win or lose, he wants to see them compete week in and week out.

 

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