Arlington Martin Warriors
Last Season: 11-2; Defeated by Duncanville in regional semi-finals
Head Coach: Bob Wager 15th season as Head Coach
Non-District game to watch: 8/28 vs. Lake Travis- The Warriors will welcome state semifinalists Lake Travis to town to open the season. These two have opened the season against each other the past two years, splitting the games at one each. This game will be a good test for two teams that always have high hopes for football season.
Player to watch: LB Morice Blackwell- A University of Texas commit who was the District 4-6A MVP last season. He had 128 total tackles and 13 tackles for loss a year ago and will be one to watch as one of the top players that will take the field in the entire district.
Storylines: Martin is a perennial contender and that is not going to change this year. Senior quarterback Zach Mundell, the District 4-6A Offensive MVP last year, is back to lead from behind center after throwing for 1,501 yards and rushing for 742 yards last season. Mundell 742 rushing yards led the team last season, but the next three leading rushers after him graduated, so running back is a position that will need to be filled. Leading receiver Cal Robinson is back after catching 30 passes for 488 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago. The amount of returners on defense is going to be daunting for opposing offenses. Junior DE Ernest Cooper racked up 14 tackles for loss last season and currently has 23 Division I offers from an array of power five schools. He will line up alongside DT Marquis Evans, a first team all-district selection a year ago. At linebacker, there are two tackling machines in Blackwell and Trevell Johnson, 99 tackles last season, who has six Division I offers himself. The secondary is anchored by safety Placide Djungu-Sungu, who has 17 Division I offers and was a first team all-district selection. Lenard Lemons is extremely versatile, playing corner and running back last year, as he earned first team honors as a utility player. This Martin team is incredibly talented defensively with a large number of Division I athletes. With that defense leading the way, they will be favorites to make the playoffs for the 15th year running.
