The District of Doom reached new heights last year as Duncanville won the 6A Division I title and DeSoto took home the 6A Division II title.
Things got even tougher this offseason when realignment added 5A regional finalist Lancaster and the Mesquite schools to this already loaded district.
Here’s what to watch for in District 11-6A.
Cedar Hill Longhorns
Head Coach: Nick Ward (2nd Season; 8-6 record)
Last Season: 8-6; 4-3 in district (Lost to DeSoto in regional final)
Cedar Hill Key Players and Storylines
Cedar Hill proved last year that playing in the District of Doom gets you ready for playoff football. Despite a fourth place finish, the Longhorns made a run all the way to the fourth round of playoffs.
It was a remarkable turnaround in the first year for the Longhorns under head coach Nick Ward. Back in 2022 before he took over, the Longhorns finished 2-8.
Signs continue to point up for this Cedar Hill program that returns 14 starters this season. Ward believes that as many as 12 players on the current roster have the ability to go play Division I football.
On the offensive line, Jordan Coleman is a three-star prospect, while LeRoy Woolridge was also a second team all-district selection a year ago. Devin Coleman is another three-star prospect. He played some offensive line last year but should also have an impact at defensive tackle.
When it comes to playmakers, receiver Cedric Mills is poised to take over as the leading option in the passing attack. Running back Dayshun Reese-Williams brings plenty of power and should create a dangerous tandem with Cededrick Castleberry in the Cedar Hill ground game.
Scrimmage highlights uploading 🔥@TheCoachNWard @Coach_D_Wynn @RecruitTheHill1 @coaCHhutch92 pic.twitter.com/aes8C54OL5
— Dayshun Reese (@xclusive7x) May 4, 2024
On the other side of the ball, junior defensive end Sir Nate Young should pair with Coleman to create some headaches for opposing offensive lines. Linebacker Carlos Porter was a first team all-district selection in 2023 and should be one of Cedar Hill’s leading tacklers again this season.
This is a team with plenty of motivation. Ward said that the visit of current Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire, who led Cedar Hill from 2003-2016, helped inspire his players to set their sights on a state championship this upcoming year. And with last year’s playoff run under their belt, you wouldn’t rule out the Longhorns playing into December in 2024 for the second-straight year.
Dallas Skyline Raiders
Head Coach: Jacody Coleman (3rd season; 2-18 record)
Last Season: 2-8; 1-6 in district
Skyline Key Players and Storylines
Jacody Coleman will be encouraged by what he saw from his squad last year after a winless campaign back in 2022. The Raiders won three games on the field and also had two of their losses come by just two points each.
The Raiders have a trio of junior playmakers to watch offensively. Quarterback Donta Ware looks set to take over the quarterback position after moving in from Mesquite. However, he could be pushed by sophomore Joseph Marsh, who has showed a lot of potential.
Running back Tramell Minter (655 rushing yards and three touchdowns) is hard to get on the ground and carries the potential to take it the distance. Junior receiver Delvin Cook (342 receiving yards and two touchdowns) may be set for a breakout 2024 season. He was Skyline’s leading receiver a year ago and is getting looks at the Division I level.
Defensively, Elijah Barnes (65 tackles, 12 TFLs) is the star of the show. The Texas commit is a playmaker who can do it all, He had three sacks, four interceptions, and six forced fumbles in 2023. Alongside him, Adam Dweh (76 tackles, nine TFLs) and Rohan Clarkson (74 tackles, eight TFLs) are also back at linebacker, so Skyline has no shortage of talent in the middle of the field.
Skyline’s Elijah Barnes off the edge for thr sack@ElijahBobarnes1 | @SKYLINEfb | @TA_Recruiting pic.twitter.com/XY8p5K6qqn
— Jason Howell (@Jason_Howell) September 1, 2023
Behind them, safety Sammy Shepherd (80 tackles) was Skyline’s leading tackler last season. That earned him Defensive Newcomer of the Year honors.
Winning games is not easy in the District of Doom. However, last season showed Coleman and his Raiders are continuing to chip away as they aim to build themselves back into a playoff-caliber program.
DeSoto Eagles
Head Coach: Claude Mathis (6th season; 59-10 record)
Last Season: 15-0; 7-0 in district (6A Division II State Champion)
DeSoto Key Players and Storylines
A 49-35 win over Duncanville in the regular season and a 74-14 demolition of Summer Creek in the 6A Division II state title game solidified DeSoto as arguably the best high school football team in Texas a year ago.
The Eagles return 29 lettermen and 12 starters (seven on offense/five on defense) from last year’s squad.
Head coach Claude Mathis loves the personnel in the trenches led by Syracuse commit Byron Washington at offensive tackle and nose guard Marshall Kirven (67 tackles, 17 TFLs) and edge rusher Keylan Abrams (87 tackles, 21 TFLs) on defense. Washington is a great lead blocker for the run game at 6’7″ and 380 pounds. Defensively, Abrams has the “quickest get off” among players that Mathis has coached, and Kirven has great strength and often requires a double team from opposing offensive lines.
At the offensive skill positions, DeSoto has some legit studs. Texas A&M commit running back Deondrae Riden Jr. (1,044 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns) is an all around back who can take over games when DeSoto needs it. SMU commit Daylon Singleton (1,210 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns) has lightning quick speed and is almost impossible to match up with one-on-one.
Deondrae Riden Jr. runs one in for an Eagles TD!
Eagles up 15-0 after the PAT. @JackBox | #UILState | @BallySports | @UILTexas | @FootballDesoto | @SC_BulldogFB pic.twitter.com/kaK08Hvmfx
— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) December 17, 2023
On the other side of the ball, behind the defensive line, the Eagles have Sael Reyes (60 tackles) as the captain of their secondary. Mathis entrusts him with making the in-game calls needed to set his teammates up for success.
Linebacker is where Mathis has the most questions. He said there will be a lot of youth in that position group.
However, with the talent DeSoto has coming back after a dominant 2023 season, the Eagles should be among the top teams in Texas yet again this fall.
Duncanville Panthers
Head Coach: Reginald Samples (10th season; 105-19 record)
Last Season: 14-1; 6-1 in district (6A Division I State Championship)
Duncanville Key Players and Storylines
Reginald Samples finally broke through in 2022 leading Duncanville to a state title. Now, the question will be can anyone stop the Panthers. They picked up their second consecutive state title a year ago with a 49-33 win over North Shore.
Their roster this year is yet another laundry list of Division I talent. They have arguably the top quarterback-receiver duo in the state in Alabama commit Keelon Russell (3,483 passing yards and 38 touchdowns) and Oregon commit receiver Dakorien Moore (1,523 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns). That’s not all either. The Panthers also have junior tight end Zachery Turner (683 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns) and junior receiver Ayson Theus (613 receiving yards and two touchdowns). Both are three-star prospects.
A look at what Oregon is getting in Duncanville WR Dakorien Moore @thereal_kori2x pic.twitter.com/BtzjFfNuJx
— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) July 5, 2024
The Panther offensive line looks set to be a brick wall again this season too. They have Arizona State commit Desean Bryant at tackle, Texas State commit Ameer Ross at guard, and versatile lineman Kam Newhouse who can play any position up front. He’s also getting Division I looks.
Defensively, SMU commit safety Tyren Polley Jr. can make plays all over the field. He and Lamar commit safety Nehemiah Borner are Duncanville’s two leading returning tacklers from last season. The Panthers also have two corners in SMU commit Javion Holiday and three-star junior Braylon Edwards (79 tackles, three interceptions), a Wilmer-Hutchins transfer, who can slow down opposing receivers on the perimeter.
In the front seven, linebacker Mason Williams and edge rusher Kevin Ford Jr. made a living in opposing backfields a year ago. Expect to hear their names called a lot this season.
Duncanville has the talent the Panthers have come to be known for in recent years. It’s a pretty safe assumption you can pencil them in for some more December football again this season.
Lancaster Tigers
Head Coach: Leon Paul (4th season; 27-11 record)
Last Season: 8-6; 4-3 in district (Lost to Forney in regional final)
Lancaster Key Players and Storylines
Lancaster will play 6A football for the first time this fall. The Tigers are coming off their deepest playoff run in four years. And it was nearly even more. The Tigers lost a 43-41, double overtime heartbreaker to Forney in the regional final.
15 starters return from that squad (seven on offense/eight on defense), which should set up Lancaster well to make the jump to 6A.
Quarterback Carter Jones (1,895 passing yards and 20 touchdowns) is back under center for the Tigers for the third-straight year. He has great arm strength which bodes well when you have a big target like three-star receiver Emmanuel Choice (562 receiving yards and six touchdowns).
2025 Lancaster WR Emmanuel Choice. @EmmanuelChoice7 | @KWhitley20 | @TheCoachPaul7 | @LancasterFBwebo pic.twitter.com/d5tSHe4HNl
— Andrew Hattersley (@AndrewHatts) May 13, 2024
Up front, Lancaster has a sturdy anchor in the trenches in 6’4″, 320-pound offensive lineman Osborne Duncan.
Defensively, Lancaster has a great leader in linebacker Ke’Breion Winston. He’s a tackling machine who’s getting looks from several Division I schools. Also in the front seven, defensive lineman Jayden Shaw has great strength. And when other teams look to the air, physical defensive back Braylan McDonald will be a key player in the secondary.
Lancaster head coach Leon Paul has high expectations for his squad in 2024. According to Paul, the biggest challenge his team will have to overcome on the field is getting used to the speed and size at the 6A level. Still, after last season’s success, the Tigers will look to make an instant impact in their district in 2024.
Mesquite Skeeters
Head Coach: Vincient Green (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-8; 0-6 in district
Mesquite Key Players and Storylines
The Skeeters had a late offseason coaching change as DeMarcus Harris departed to join the North Crowley staff.
Vincient Green will serve as Mesquite’s interim coach in 2024. He has five starters back on offense and six returning on defense to work with as the Skeeters look to bounce back from a 2-8 campaign in 2023.
The offense has some players that can create a spark. Quarterback Sir’Maje Wallace (987 passing yards and eight touchdowns) is a three-year starter. He has some rising stars in the skills department. Running back Antoine Smith is “super athletic” and “can play anywhere on the field.” Sophomore receiver Trysten Shaw is another playmaker who is “dynamic with the ball.”
TD Mesquite!!! Rather than run out the clock with 1:37 left, Skeeters put together a drive that ends with this 15-yard pass from Sir’Maje Wallace to Jeremiah Johnson to cut it to 27-14, 0:20, 2Q #txhsfb @SkeeterRecruits pic.twitter.com/jKaaL2Oypo
— Devin Hasson (@DevinHasson) October 7, 2023
Defensively, edge rusher Haven Garrett has great speed and athleticism. He’ll need to play a big role on an inexperienced defensive line.
Behind him, the Skeeters should have a strong linebacking corps led by Dakarai Spencer (41 tackles, three interceptions). He has a “knack for finding the ball”. Alongside him, fellow linebacker Radavion Wilson (64 tackles, five TFLs) is Mesquite’s leading returning tackler.
In the secondary, cornerback Loyd McIntosh has “playmaking ability on an island.” He’ll certainly be busy against some of the star receivers 11-6A has to offer. The Skeeters also have safety David Okorie (48 tackles). He was a third team all-district selection in 2023.
After last year, Mesquite wants to make sure it leans into the fundamentals in 2024. The Skeeter coaching staff expects to have a “physical, disciplined, well-coached team,” that will compete each and every play this fall.
Mesquite Horn Jaguars
Head Coach: Courtney Allen (3rd season; 13-8 record)
Last Season: 5-5; 2-4 in district
Horn Key Players and Storylines
Three one-possession losses in district play a year ago denied the Jaguars a playoff berth. Win any one of those three games and they would have gone dancing.
Now, they’ll be put to the test in the District of Doom as they slide over from 10-6A to 11-6A.
They’ll have a change at quarterback after Legend Bey transferred to North Forney. That means junior running back Levon Morton will take on an even more important role this year. He rushed for 1,103 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago.
Mesquite Horn takes advantage of the fumble with a Levon Morton TD run to give the Jaguars a 14-7 lead with 7:50 to go. pic.twitter.com/u1KE9VzHgg
— Andrew Hattersley (@AndrewHatts) September 15, 2023
Offensive tackle Lamont Rogers will pave the way for the backfield. A four-star prospect at 6’6″ and 310 pounds, he committed to Missouri in early July. Fellow tackle Kole Seaton is also getting Division I looks.
When it comes to the Horn passing attack, Jamari Andrews (445 receiving yards and four touchdowns) is the player to watch. He led the Jaguars in receiving yards a year ago.
Defensively, Horn is strongest on the back end. Junior safety Markel Ford (56 tackles, four interceptions) is a Texas A&M commit. He was 10-6A’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year in 2023. The Jaguars also have Jace Williams and Malachi Youngblood (69 tackles, nine TFLs) at defensive back. Youngblood is their leading returning tackler from last season.
The Jaguars have Division I talent on both sides of the ball. After coming up just short of the playoffs last season, they’ll certainly be hungry as they embark on playing in the District of Doom.
Waxahachie Indians
Head Coach: Shane Tolleson (4th season; 25-11 record)
Last Season: 9-3; 5-2 in district (Lost to Rockwall in area round)
Waxahachie Key Players and Storylines
The playoffs have become an expectation for Waxahachie under head coach Shane Tolleson. The Indians have made the postseason in all three years under his leadership.
Tolleson and his coaching staff have some retooling to do offensively as just four starters are back. Powerful running back Wade Lemons (652 rushing yards and eight touchdowns) will take on a big role this year following the graduation of quarterback Ramon McKinney Jr.
Sophomore Jerry Meyer III is expected to fill McKinney’s shoes of leading the Indian offense this year. Tolleson said despite his youth, he has “elite arm strength.”
He’ll have some good options at receiver too. Trenton Kidd (318 receiving yards and three touchdowns) led the Indians in receiving yards last year and can play running back too. Kohen Brown brings elite speed to the receiving corps, and Mike Esparza (233 receiving yards and one touchdown) and Micah Cook should get snaps offensively in addition to starting in the Indians’ secondary.
Waxahachie will have good leadership in the trenches with offensive lineman Daryl Martin II and defensive tackle Jacob Ervin. Both are three-year starters.
Also in the front seven defensively, edge/linebacker Cade Pointer has great physicality. In the secondary, corner Eli Thompson is a versatile player who is great in coverage and can also come up and make tackles. He’ll be joined by Esparza and Cook.
The Indians will likely lean on their defense early on with seven starters back. That unit allowed just over 20 points per game a year ago.
And althoguh Tolleson noted Waxahachie will be young in some positions, he’s hopeful that all the pieces will come together and allow the Indians to make another playoff run this fall.
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
