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District 12-6A Season Preview

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Central Texas is where you’ll find the teams of District 12-6A. Killeen and Shoemaker are back at the 6A level after two seasons down in 5A. They’ll replace Hutto and Weiss from this district a year ago.

Both Hutto and Weiss made the playoffs in 2023, so there’s plenty of opportunity for the teams in this district this season. Expect a tight battle for the last couple of playoff spots.

Here’s what to watch for in District 12-6A.

Bryan Vikings

Head Coach: Ricky Tullos (3rd Season: 9-12 record)

Last Season: 3-7; 2-4 in district

Bryan Key Players and Storylines

Bryan started district play 2-0 in 2023, but ended up falling just short of a playoff berth after four-straight losses to end the season. A gut-wrenching 66-63 loss to Hutto ended up deciding the final playoff spot in the district.

Head coach Ricky Tullos is confident his team can bounce back this year with 14 starters returning (nine on offense and five on defense).

The Viking offense will be dangerous when it turns to its aerial attack this year. Quarterback Boone Turner (1,778 passing yards and 15 touchdowns) has great size and speed, while receiver Terrence Lewis (948 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) is a three-star prospect who is a phenomenal leader for the Viking program.

Defensively, Bryan graduated three players who earned all-district honors in 2023. Tullos expects safety Talon Devault and defensive lineman Jaden Morris to be among that unit’s leaders this season.

Heading into the season, Tullos is still looking for players to step up to provide additional depth for the Vikings. But with those nine starters back on offense, he feels like his team should be able to push for a playoff berth this fall.

Copperas Cove Bulldawgs

Head Coach: Tony Johnson (3rd season; 4-16 record)

Last Season: 2-8 record; 1-5 in district

Copperas Cove Key Players and Storylines

Copperas Cove may not have made the playoffs since 2018, but these Bulldawgs are going to have some serious bite this season.

Eight starters are back on offense and seven return on defense, and there are some legit studs in that group.

Opposing secondaries are going to be in for a long night with a Copperas Cove passing attack that includes four-star recruit Trishtin Glass (654 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) and 6’4″ Arthur Miller (463 receiving yards and seven touchdowns), who is a big deep threat for this offense.

On the offensive line, the Bulldawgs have another Division I prospect in Marques Uini. He’s the younger brother of Michael Uini, who is now at Georgia after graduating from Copperas Cove this past winter.

Defensively, Copperas Cove will look to cause problems up front with linebacker/defensive end Gylbert Davis and defensive tackle Rion Childers. Davis is a threat off the edge and led the team in tackles last season. Childers is the “strongest player on the team.” He squats 600 pounds!

In the secondary, the Bulldawgs have a ballhawk in Teagan Facison. He had six interceptions last season and is the leader of this defense on the back end.

Head coach Tony Johnson believes this will be the year his team makes the leap and becomes a playoff squad. The skill talent on this team is undeniable, but that’s not all. Johnson praised the character of his players as they learn from their parents, many of whom serve in the armed forces.

He has seen their hard work and determination all offseason and is ready to see what they can do on the field in 2024.

Killeen Kangaroos

Head Coach: Josh Sadler (3rd Season; 10-10 record)

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

Killeen Key Players and Storylines

Killeen is back at the 6A level after two seasons in 5A. The Kangaroos return half their starters (five on offense and six on defense) from a team that came up just a game short of the playoffs in 2023.

The Kangaroos will feature some youth on offense. Their starting quarterback Roderick Norman graduated, and they will also have some inexperience on the offensive line. Head coach Josh Sadler expects center Jonah Tauilillli to be the Kangaroos’ leader in the trenches.

Running back Kardae Hicks is back to lead the ground game. He has “great vision” and is also a weapon as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. Whoever takes over at quarterback will also have the speedy Timothy Boatner to aim for. He had 900 yards a season ago.

Defensively, Sadler believes his team will be stout up front starting with nose guard Kelton Adair, who will be a strong interior stopper. Linebacker Antoine Norris is a versatile player off the edge who can stop the run or drop into coverage.

Killeen’s playoff drought dates back to 2016. If the Kangaroos want to break out the dancing shoes in November, Sadler said his team will have to take it one game at a time this fall.

Killeen Harker Heights Knights

Head Coach: Mark Humble (2nd season; 7-4 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 5-1 in district (Lost to DeSoto in bi-district)

Harker Heights Key Players and Storylines

Harker Heights finished in a three-way tie for first in 12-6A a year ago, but the Knights got a brutal bi-district draw, falling to eventual 6A Division II state champion DeSoto.

Heading into 2024, the Knights on paper have the talent back to compete for a district title. Seven starters return on offense and five are back on defense.

The Knights are spoiled at the skill positions offensively. Receiver Tyler Johnson is the already the school record holder in receptions. Fellow receiver Kai McMillan (711 receiving yards and nine touchdowns) has the elusiveness that made him a first team all-district kick returner in 2023. Rocky Crooks plays at both receiver and linebacker, while Kristian Nobles brings great size to the receivers room at 6’4″ and 200 pounds.

That list of player is just Harker Heights’ weapons in the passing attack. They also have Air Force commit Kaden Butler and last year’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year C2 Evans at running back.

Up front, James Kerney and Fernando Rodriguez were both all-district selections on the offensive line last fall.

On the other side of the ball, defensive back BJ Hood is a “sprint star” with “elite speed.” He’s Harker Heights’ leading returning tackler.

At linebacker, Cooper Howard (50 tackles, two TFLs) was a second team all-district selection a year ago. Humble also said to keep an eye on fellow linebacker Taneel Nelson and defensive end Elijah Johnson in the front seven.

The Knights do have to replace their quarterback from last year, but they are strong in almost every other position. That should bode well as they go in search of another district title.

Killeen Shoemaker Grey Wolves

Head Coach: Toby Foreman (8th season; 34-38 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 5-3 in district (Lost to Aledo in bi-district

Shoemaker Key Players and Storylines

The Grey Wolves had success in their two years playing at 5A, making the playoffs in both seasons. Now, realignment has brought them back to 6A where they’ll look to repeat that feat.

Shoemaker averaged 39.9 points per game a year ago, and its offense should have some flair again this season. Quarterbacks Malachi Jerome (1,229 passing yards and seven touchdowns) and Tyrieke Wade (907 passing yards and 11 touchdowns) split time a year ago. Both are back this year, so head coach Toby Foreman will have some options behind center.

Whoever gets the nod will have no shortage of options around them. Junior running back/wide receiver Brandon Brown (470 rushing yards, 277 receiving yards, nine total TDs) could be in for a breakout season. He’s a versatile weapon that could allow the Grey Wolves coaching staff to get creative.

In the passing game, the Grey Wolves get prolific receiver Maurice Starr (743 receiving yards and four touchdowns) back. Tight end Isaiah Butler-Tanner is a great blocker who flashes his abilities as a receiver from time-to-time.

Junior tackle Troy Pless should anchor the offensive line. He has double digit Division I offers.

Defensively. Travonne Woodley was a menace off the edge last year, finishing with 50 tackles and 16 tackles for loss. Behind him, the Grey Wolves have linebacker Jasiyah Riley (53 tackles, three TFLs) and safety Torion Thomas (54 tackles). They’re Shoemaker’s two leading returning tacklers.

Shoemaker has what it takes to have success at this level. The Grey Wolves made the playoffs in both 2019 and 2020 in their last 6A stint. They will hope the talent they have on both sides of the ball is enough to propel them into the playoff mix this time around in 12-6A.

Temple Wildcats

Head Coach: Scott Stewart (9th season; 64-32 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 0-6 in district

Temple Key Players and Storylines

Temple had been a playoff mainstay under Scott Stewart, making the playoffs in his first seven years at the helm. After a blip in the road last season, the Wildcats will be hungry to get back out on the field this fall.

They have some stars defensively leading the way. Junior defensive end Jamarion Carlton (29 tackles, four TFLs) is a four-star prospect as is junior cornerback Jason Bradford (28 tackles, one interception), who is a lockdown guy Temple can rely on. The Wildcats also have playmaking safety Lezlie Jackson (49 tackles) and middle linebacker Mikah Boldon (43 tackles, three TFLs), who should hear their names called a lot on Friday nights.

Offensively, quarterback Kade Stewart (841 passing yards and five touchdowns) should lead the way after splitting time a year ago. Expect him to look the way of receiver Christian Tutson (616 receiving yards and three touchdowns) often this season. The speedster can take the top off the defense and averaged over 23 yards per catch in 2023. Right tackle Kirk Gildon should anchor the Wildcats’ protection up front. He has received a couple of Division I offers.

Temple enters 2024 with new coordinators on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats hope that will help them have a fresh start as they look to move on from last year’s 1-9 campaign.

 Waco Midway Panthers

Head Coach: Joe Gillespie (1st Season)

Last Season: 5-6; 5-1 in district (Lost to Waxahachie in bi-district)

Midway Key Players and Storylines

Midway burst back on to the scene last year in a big way, making the playoffs for the first time since 2019.

Then this offseason, they made a big splash in the coaching carousel, bringing in former TCU defensive coordinator Joe Gillespie to take over the program.

Gillespie has six returning starters on each side of the ball to work with.

Junior quarterback Cash Pullin is ready to take over the reigns of the offense. He’s got a “good arm” and the ability to “manage the game.” He’ll be joined in the backfield by sophomore running back Lathan Whisenton (456 rushing yards and six touchdowns). He made an impact as a freshman and is always a threat to take it the distance with his explosiveness at the line of scrimmage and “breakaway speed.”

Up front, the Panthers have a great leader in tackle Michael Collins. He was a unanimous first team all-district pick last season.

On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma State commit linebacker Donovan Jones (71 tackles, six TFLs) brings the speed and athleticism to make big time plays for the Panthers.

Defensive end Carlos Talton (41 tackles, four sacks) will be a “good pass rusher” for the Panthers up front, while safety Lathan Whisenton (44 tackles) will hold down the fort on the back end of the Midway defense.

Gillespie said the Panthers have a really good foundation to build off of in the trenches on both sides of the ball. And after last year’s success, he’s eager for his squad to rack up some more wins this fall.

 


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