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District 4-6A Season Preview

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The UIL served up a brutal realignment draw for the squads in District 4-6A. With the addition of Northwest from 5A and Euless Trinity from 3-6A, six of these nine programs made the playoffs a year ago. Now, there’s only four tickets available to be punched.

Here’s what to watch for in a district that should produce dogfights week in and week out.

Byron Nelson Bobcats

Head Coach: Travis Pride (9th season; 52-42 record)

Last Season:  13-1; 7-0 (Lost to Southlake Carroll in regional final)

Byron Nelson Key Players and Storylines

The Bobcats got over a couple of humps last year, beating Southlake Carroll for the first time in school history, a win that boosted them to their first-ever district title.

However, they couldn’t repeat the feat in the playoffs, falling to the Dragons 56-7 in the regional final.

The Bobcats have some retooling to do heading into this season with just 19 lettermen back. Among them are six returning offensive starters and three on defense.

They should still pack a punch offensively. Running back Tucker James (1,309 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns) has great strength and speed out of the backfield.

Receiver Ezra Malamura (772 receiving yards and six touchdowns) is a versatile option who will be a key leader for the offense. He’ll pair well in the passing attack with Leo Almanza (518 receiving yards and nine touchdowns), who has “terrifying speed and length.”

Quarterback Grant Bizjack will be tasked with getting the ball to these playmakers. The senior saw limited reps last year as a backup. He’ll add another dimension to this Bobcat offense with his ability to make plays with his legs.

Defensively, the Bobcats will also lean heavily on Almanza in their secondary. His senior leadership and talent will be vital in what should be a young position group.

In the front seven, linebacker Jacoven Julian has the speed to be disruptive in opponents’ backfields. He had 13 tackles for loss a year ago. Up front, defensive tackle Darryl Ntouba is “the strongest player on the team.”

The Bobcats put up over 46 points per game a year ago, and they have the potential to put up those fireworks again this season. How quick the defense comes together could determine just how much of threat this Bobcat team will be at the state level.

Euless Trinity Trojans

Head Coach: Aaron Lineweaver (3rd season: 11-12 record)

Last Season: 7-5; 5-2 in district (Lost to Midland Legacy in area round)

Trinity Key Players and Storylines

After a 4-7 campaign in 2022, Trinity rebounded in its second year under Aaron Lineweaver, advancing to the area round of playoffs. They were oh-so-close to going even deeper in the postseason, but they came up short to Midland Legacy 57-55 in double overtime.

The Trojan offense averaged over 46 points per game a year ago and returns eight starters from that unit.

TJ Tupou (1,656 passing yards and 13 touchdowns) is heading into his third year as the starter. He’s a dual threat option for the Trojans and has great accuracy when he does throw the ball. Ethan Wright can do it all for this Trinity offense. He was the district’s Utility Player of the Year last season. Rounding out this offensive trio is bell cow back Josh Bell. He rushed for nearly 2,000 yards a year ago.

Tight ends are also a big part of the Trinity offense, so it helps the Trojans have Lukus Sanchez, who is a “tough run blocker” and also “does a great job in the passing game.”

Offensive lineman Pupunagatoa Katoa will pave the way up front. He has double-digit Division I offers.

On the other side of the ball, the Trojans have just four starters back. Defensive end Michael Tilmon is the player to watch on that side of the ball. He’ll bring plenty of toughness to the Trojan defensive front.

Lineweaver said this team has no shortage of experience. That bodes well as Trinity looks to continue its yearly tradition of making noise in the playoffs.

Keller Indians

Head Coach: Carl Stralow (13th season; 66-62 record)

Last Season: 7-4; 4-3 in district (Lost to North Crowley in bi-district)

Keller Key Players and Storylines

Keller hasn’t earned four-straight playoff berths since the 1960s. The Indians have that feat in reach this year as they look to continue the nice run they are currently on.

Quarterback Beckham Robinson is back after a strong junior season (2,036 passing yards and 25 touchdowns). Alongside him, senior running back Kyle Owens (644 rushing yards and three touchdowns) had a couple breakout performances a year ago as the backup. Now, he’s poised to be the main man toting the rock for the Indians.

Keller graduated its top two receivers from last season, so senior Will Adams (367 receiving yards and two touchdowns) and junior Brock Meek (258 receiving yards and three touchdowns) should be next in line in the passing attack. Up front, the Indians have a stud anchoring the offensive line in TCU commit tackle Killian Registe.

On the other side of the ball, linebackers Andrew Jurasek and Matthew Reagan were all-district selections a year ago. Defensive end Caleb Muse is a player to watch off the edge after a promising sophomore campaign.

In the secondary, there’s another junior helping lead the way in corner Baron Brown. He was a second team all-district selection in 2023.

With Robinson back offensively and a ton of talent returning on defense, things are looking promising for Keller as it looks to leave its mark in a crowded 4-6A.

Keller Central Chargers

Head Coach: Eric Vance (1st season)

Last Season: 0-10; 0-7 in district

Keller Central Key Players and Storylines

The Chargers nabbed Eric Vance as their third head football coach in school history this offseason. Vance was most recently the defensive coordinator at LD Bell, where he played a role in taking the Blue Raiders from a 2-8 program in 2021 to a seven-win team last season.

Now, he’ll hope to see similar results at Keller Central.

The Chargers have 40 lettermen back, including eight starters on offense and six on defense.

Quarterback Landon Smith (619 passing yards and four touchdowns) will lead the offense again this fall. Masen Caudle (146 receiving yards and two touchdowns) will be a big target with his 6’5″ height and reliable hands. Up front, senior Dakota Lewis will anchor the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, linebacker Hayden Snow (87 tackles, five TFLs) led the Chargers in tackles a year ago. Safety Austin Martin (76 tackles) is another physical playmaker. He was Keller Central’s second-leading tackler in 2023.

Brycen Barden will be Keller Central’s premier threat coming off the edge. He has great speed and physicality.

The Chargers will be starting from scratch this year as Vance looks to instill a new culture throughout the program. He wants to see his guys compete with “tenacity, effort, and expectation to succeed” as they look to get back moving in the right direction in 2024.

Keller Timber Creek Falcons

Head Coach: Austin Kaehn (1st season)

Last Season: 7-4; 5-2 in district (Lost to Euless Trinity in bi-district)

Timber Creek Key Players and Storylines

Timber Creek has clinched consecutive playoff berths for the first time in school history. Now, it’ll be up to Austin Kaehn to keep that streak alive after Marshall Williams resigned to join the staff at Lovejoy.

Kaehn served as the defensive coordinator last year and has been on staff at Timber Creek since 2021. He’ll know firsthand that he has some good talent to work with as 13 starters (seven on offense/six on defense) return from last year’s squad.

The offensive line is a big strength as Blake Smith, Jacob McCandless, Joshua Mayshaw, and Nick Frausto are all back.

That should give a good foundation for the Falcons passing attack. Quarterback Carson Porter is an “intelligent leader” behind center and he has two physical receivers to rely on in Adrian Corley and Caleb Mendji. Porter and Corley were first team all-district selections last year.

Defensively, Kaehn admits the Falcons are a little undersized up front, but they have some talented linebackers returning. Tristen Armstrong has plenty of speed and brings a wealth of experience as a three-year starter. Alongside him, three-year letter winner Logan Summers is described the “heart and soul of the team.”

In the secondary, Elijah Wilkerson does a “great job playing the ball,” while Emmanuel James and Caden Dickerson both are returning lettermen. Kaehn said both will bring plenty of physicality to the field.

Kaehn knows that District 4-6A will bring plenty of challenges for his Falcons. But with the players they have returning, he believes his squad should take another step forward this season as they expect to be in the playoff mix.

L.D. Bell Blue Raiders

Head Coach: TJ Dibble (4th season; 30-30 record)

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

L.D. Bell Key Players and Storylines

Momentum is continuing to build at L.D. Bell.

Last season, the Blue Raiders beat their archrivals Trinity for the first time in 25 years. Their seven wins were also the most in a single year since 2013.

Now the focus is on beating a playoff drought that stretches back to 2013.

Five starters are back on each side of the ball for TJ Dibble’s squad.

The Blue Raiders have to replace dual threat quarterback Maddox Olatunde, but the leading receiver from last year’s squad Delvechio Ellis (220 receiving yards and three touchdowns) returns.

Up front, senior tackle Jayden Ayala has great size to be an anchor on the offensive line at 6’4″ and 300 pounds. He’s not the only LD Bell lineman that will be tough to get around this year. The Blue Raiders also boast Justin Kamara (6’2″ and 330 pounds).

Defensively, safety Mason Erickson (58 tackles and nine TFLs) is a three-year starter. Senior defensive end Christian Osae should be disruptive coming off the edge.

LD Bell also has a weapon on special teams in kicker AJ Rosen. He’s their lone returning first team all-district selection. A year ago, he made 14 of 18 field goals with a long of 48 yards.

The talent coming through this LD Bell program is undeniable. A year ago, their JV and varsity combined record was 26-4. Now, after back-to-back finishes above .500, they’re hoping this will finally be the year they make it back to the playoffs.

Northwest Texans

Head Coach: Bill Poe (11th season; 69-43 record)

Last Season: 10-3; 6-2 (Lost to Abilene in regional semifinals)

Northwest Key Players and Storylines

Northwest will play 6A football for the first time since 2015 this fall. Bill Poe has turned this program into a playoff regular at the 5A level with six-straight postseason appearances, the longest streak in school history.

Now, they’ll see if they can be just as competitive as the highest level of Texas high school football.

It won’t be easy with just four starters back on offense and two returning on defense.

They do still have some talent at the skill positions. Nate Jean (650 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns) is an “elusive running back with great vision,” while Kobey Wall (579 receiving yards and five touchdowns) was the Texans’ leading receiver a year ago. One player to watch coming through the Texan pipeline is sophomore running back Caris Sela. Head coach Bill Poe believes he has Division I potential.

Guards Charles Mugo and Caleb Mormon are both three-year starters on the offensive line.

Senior Ryder Norton will presumably be Northwest’s starting quarterback this year. He led its JV team to a 9-1 record last year.

Defensive back Jay Harrington is the Texans’ leading returning tackler. If the Texans need a play from their front seven, linebacker Mason Fritz (three sacks) and defensive end AJ Williams (24 tackles, five TFLs) will be the players to watch.

Dealing with roster turnover and moving up a classification will be a tough combination for Poe and his staff. They’ll need to rely on that run game offensively as they look to settle in a new quarterback and several key pieces on defense early on in the fall.

Northwest Eaton Eagles

Head Coach: Elis Miller (8th season: 40-35 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 2-5 in district

Eaton Key Players and Storylines

The Eagles will be hoping for a postseason return this fall after watching from home the past two seasons.

Luckily for head coach Elis Miller and staff, they have eight starters back on offense and six on defense.

There’s a new but familiar face behind center this year as Mason Stubbe shifts to quarterback from his receiver position. Predictably, he’ll be a dual threat. Miller said he’s a great leader and that his play “will determine how good [Eaton] can be on offense.”

He’ll have a big play target to aim for in three-year starter Talan Holmes (600 receiving yards and seven touchdowns). Up front, Miller called center Tristan Gable “the strongest kid in the history of the program.” The Eagle offensive line will go as Gable goes.

Defensively, the Eagles will be formidable on the defensive line. Alijah Lash is a stud pass rusher who should draw double teams and “free up other guys to make plays on defense.” Lash was the district’s defensive newcomer of the year last season.

And if one threat wasn’t enough, athletic defensive tackle Deonte Lewis is another player who will demand a double team from opposing offensive lines.

Behind them, senior Ben Self will be tasked with leading the secondary.

Eaton was just 1-3 in one-possession games a year ago, so Miller is hoping his team can respond to adversity better this fall.

And with talent back on both sides of the ball, he’s setting the bar high. Miller said a return to the playoffs will be the bare minimum he expects from his team this fall.

Southlake Carroll Dragons

Head Coach: Riley Dodge (7th season; 78-8 record)

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

Southlake Carroll Key Players and Storylines

The Dragons may not have won the district title for the first time in six years last season, but they certainly got their revenge in the playoffs. After losing to Byron Nelson in late October, they destroyed the Bobcats 56-7 in the regional final. They were just one score away from an appearance in the 6A Division II State Title Game, falling just short, 45-38, to DeSoto in the state semifinals.

The Dragons have a trio of talented juniors ready to breathe some fire offensively this season. Speedy junior quarterback Angelo Renda (547 passing yards and seven touchdowns) appears poised to step into the starting role this season after seeing some action as a backup a year ago. Running back Davis Penn burst onto the scene a year ago with 1,577 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. He’s committed to Baylor. Out at receiver, junior Brock Boyd (825 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) is a three-star prospect. His older brother Brady currently plays at Texas Tech.


The offense also has some senior leadership. Penn will team up with USC commit Riley Wormley (901 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns) to make one of the most formidable backfield duos in the state this year. Four-star tight end Jack Van Dorselaer (301 receiving yards and five touchdowns) is primarily a blocker for that loaded backfield, although he did expand his role as a pass-catcher last season.

On the offensive line, the Dragons have James Madison commit Trent Wilson leading the way.

Flipping to the other side of the ball, Southlake Carroll will boast a new-look defense this fall. Senior defensive tackle Austin Davidge should make his presence felt after racking up 12 tackles for loss last season. However, he’s the only one of the Dragons’ 11 first or second team all-district honorees from last season that return.

They do boast a weapon on special teams in kicker Gavin Strange. The junior is regarded as one of the best kickers in the nation in his class.

Offense was the calling card of this Dragon team a year ago as they averaged over 53 points per game a year ago. That unit looks just as dangerous again this season as they gear up to make another run at a state title.

 

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