Follett was the class of the district a year ago, while McLean, Miami, and White Deer duked it out for the final playoff spot. However, with the Panthers replacing their head coach this offseason and the other three teams hot on their heels, expect a fiercely competitive district battle this fall.
Follett Panthers
Head Coach: John Anderson II (1st Season)
2022 record: 9-2; 3-0 in district (Lost to Nazareth in bi-district)
Follett Key Players and Storylines
John Anderson II comes in from Sanderson to take over at Follett after Kyle Timmons left to take a position on staff at Happy.
He said he’s excited to take over a program that has now earned three-straight district titles.
“Taking over a program like Follett is an honor,” Anderson II said. “With the past success this program has had, the goal for this season is to carry on a tradition of winning they have implemented.”
Despite the graduation of last year’s district MVP Shayne Franks, Follett still returns three starters on each side of the ball.
Among those returning players are junior utility back David Meeks, who had 19 total touchdowns offensively in 2022, and senior running back Osiel Ventura (522 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns). In the passing game, 6’1” receiver Maddox Miller will be a threat opposing teams will have to keep an eye on. He earned second team all-district at the position last season.
Defensively, Justin Humbert Jr. (102 solo tackles) will be a force on the defensive line, while Meeks (101 tackles) and Ventura will play key roles from their positions in the secondary.
Anderson II said that his only concern with his team this year is that they are a little undersized. However, he thinks they can make up for it with their team speed.
This will be Follett’s third coach in just three seasons. However, with the work ethic Follett’s players have displayed, Anderson II believes his team has what it takes to maintain their perch atop the district.
“The goal this season is going to be ‘Earn The Right To Win’,” Anderson said. “Just because of the success in the past we still have to earn everything we want out of this season. There’s a lot of returners with experience [who are] willing to do whatever it takes to carry on the tradition of success this program has built.”
McLean Tigers
Head Coach: David Donnell (2nd season)
2022 record: 7-3; 1-2 in district
McLean Key Players and Storylines
McLean played for back-to-back state titles in 2018 and 2019, but the Tigers haven’t been back to the playoffs since.
Last year was particularly agonizing as a 40-38 defeat to Miami was all that stood between the Tigers and a return to the postseason.
However, head coach David Donnell expects this year to be different as he expects his Tigers to compete for a district championship. They’ll be boosted by the return of three starters on offense and four on defense.
Chief among those returnees is linebacker Scott Caldwell, who was the leading tackler for the Tigers a year ago. Donnell also expects defensive linemen Jacob Hess (51 tackles) and Cruz Rodriguez (42 tackles) and linebacker Noah Dickey (31 tackles) to also play key roles after all three earned all-district honors a year ago.
On the other side of the ball, the Tigers have a plethora of options in the backfield with running backs Jack Magee and Wrangler Margrum and quarterback Caleb Steward. All three are in line to play bigger roles for the Tigers this season.
With important players back on both sides of the ball, expect McLean to be in playoff contention yet again this year in what should be a competitive district.
Miami Warriors
Head Coach: DJ Howell (3rd Season)
Last Season: 7-4; 2-1 in district (Lost to Happy in bi-district)
Miami Key Players and Storylines
If you want to see a program that has done a complete 180 in recent years, look no further than Miami. After not winning a single district game from 2016-2019, the Warriors have now made the playoffs the past three seasons.
Now, the Warriors have yet to win any of those playoff games, but this year could be different. Head coach DJ Howell is excited for his team’ prospects this season as Miami returns all six of its starters on both sides of the ball.
“There are a lot of good programs on our schedule and in our district, so we will have our work cut out for us,” Howell said. “I do believe that we can compete for a district title and make a deep run in the playoffs. Our standards are extremely high so our work ethic and determination must meet and surpass our goals.”
The offense will run through spreadback Haiden Thompson, our reigning 1A Fan Vote Quarterback of the Year. He threw for 1,732 yards and 25 touchdowns a year ago, while adding another 1,234 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.
That combo again! Haiden Thompson to Micah Hinshaw and Miami up 59-20 over @WildoradoStangs early in the 4th. #txhsfb @Texas1AFan pic.twitter.com/WMeWfXPI7E
— Craig Sperry (@c_sperry) September 9, 2022
Fullback Luke Wheeler (243 rushing yards, 554 receiving yards, and 21 touchdowns) should be another key cog in the backfield, while offensive lineman Preston Thelen will help pave the way up front.
Defensively, Thompson (85 tackles) and Wheeler (72 tackles, 17 TFLs) were the two leading tacklers last season from their safety and linebacker positions respectively. In front of them, Thelen (40 tackles; 16 TFLs) and Evan Kelley (32 tackles) should anchor the Warrior defensive line.
Howell said his players reflect the town of Miami with their hard work, loyalty, dedication, and toughness. Now, with the pieces they have in place for 2023, the Warriors have an opportunity to put their town on the map with a playoff run this fall.
White Deer Bucks
Head Coach: Justin Rucker (8th season)
Last Season: 5-5/0-3 in district
White Deer Key Players and Storylines
White Deer failed to win a district game in 2022, but the Bucks weren’t far off from their 1A Division competition. They fell to Miami by only two scores and McLean by just two points.
And despite only returning one starter on each side of the ball this year, head coach Justin Rucker believes his Bucks will be better this season because of the young talent they have rising up in the program.
Running back/linebacker Brodie Weathers earned all-district honors on both sides of the ball a year ago and should be the leader for the Bucks on both sides of the ball.
Many of the other key contributors will be from a strong sophomore class, which Rucker referred to as “grinders.” He believes their coachability and desire to win will be the driving force for White Deer improving in the win column this year.
Full back/defensive lineman Leland Allen, running back/defensive end Davin Hext, and quarterback/cornerback Foster Black are all sophomores Rucker expects to have a significant impact for the Bucks this season.
The Bucks certainly have some question marks surrounding them heading into this year as they will rely heavily on young talent. But if the sophomore class reaches the potential Rucker believes they will, the Bucks should find themselves in the middle of a fight for their first playoff berth in three years.
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