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District 5-6A Season Preview

Round Rock Hail Roof Inspection

 

This year’s District 5-6A is a mix-match of teams from 5-6A and 6-6A in the previous realignment.

Coppell, the Flower Mound schools, and the Lewisville schools come over to join the Denton schools and Little Elm in this new eight team district.

Coppell will be looking to defend its district title against new competition, while the battle for playoff spots should be tight as seven of these eight squads won at least three district games a year ago.

Here’s what to watch for in District 5-6A.

Coppell Cowboys

Head Coach: Antonio Wiley (3rd season; 21-3 record)

Last Season: 12-1; 7-0 in district (Lost to Byron Nelson in regional semifinals)

Coppell Key Players and Storylines

The Coppell Cowboys are officially a force to be reckoned with again. A year ago, they won their first district title in six seasons and completed an undefeated regular season for the first time since 2012.

Coppell has some production to replace offensive with just five starters back. However, they still do have their main leader quarterback Edward Griffin (3,170 passing yards), a Baylor commit. He was last year’s district MVP, and he does an excellent job of taking care of the football. He threw for 41 touchdowns a yar ago and had just three interceptions.

Omarion Mbakwe earned first team all-district honors a year ago despite splitting carries. This year, he’s set to be the bell cow, and the Cowboy coaching staff can’t wait to see what he’ll do in his expanded role.

Out at receiver, Tucker Cusano, a Rice commit, is Coppell’s “top returning skill player.” He had 755 receiving yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. Keep an eye on Harry Hassmann too. He just moved in from New Braunfels Canyon and is also garnering plenty of Division I attention.

Defensively, Coppell has next-level talent everywhere you look. Seven starters return on that side of the ball.

Weston Polk moved over from safety to linebacker last season and dominated, earning first team all-district honors. He’s “very athletic for a linebacker and covers ground very well.”

Blake Isbell will be a force on the defensive line. The Coppell coaching staff said he’s had a great offseason and is poised for a huge season. He’s committed to Tulsa as is his fellow defensive lineman Titus Robertson.

Behind them, safety Scott Fishpaw can do it all. He’s a three-year starter and is both a “sure tackler,” and a ball hawk. He led the Cowboys with six interceptions a year ago.

The Cowboys have a special senior class this season. The opportunity is certainly there for them to play into December as they look to build off of the success they’ve had in their first two years under head coach Antonio Wiley.

Denton Braswell Bengals

Head Coach: Kent Laster (2nd season; 4-6 record)

Last Season: 4-6; 3-4 in district

Braswell Key Players and Storylines

Braswell has only made the playoffs once in its brief school history, back in 2019, but head coach Kent Laster is feeling good about this year’s squad. Sure, the Bengals have 45 lettermen to replace from last season, but most importantly, seven starters return on each side of the ball.

The Bengals will be the strongest right in the heart of the field with their whole linebacking corps returning. That group will be spearheaded by seniors Thomas Battle (78 tackles) and Hayden Card (20 tackles, four TFLs). In addition to those two seniors, outside linebacker Omario Asem is regarded as one of the top juniors in the Braswell program.

Offensively, the Bengals will have plenty of weapons to sustain an offense that averaged 28 points per game a year ago. Quarterback Jerry Shipp is primed to step into the starting role following the graduation of Nicholas Johnson. That transition will be made a lot easier by the help he has around him. Both running back Moses Adelowo (1,135 yards and eight touchdowns) and receiver Chris Johnson (548 receiving yards and five touchdowns) return after leading their respective position groups in 2023.

Now for all the talent the Bengals do have returning, they will be young in the trenches. But despite that inexperience, Laster is confident that with the playmakers this squad will have at its disposal this fall, they should be stronger than they were a year ago.

Denton Guyer Wildcats

Head Coach: Reed Heim (3rd Season; 21-5 record)

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

Guyer Key Players and Storylines

Guyer had an uncharacteristic down year for its standards in 2023. The Wildcats failed to win a playoff game for the first time since 2017.

This year, they have just seven starters returning from that squad (five on offense and two on defense), but they have a sturdy foundation to build on in the trenches.

On the offensive line, Vance Adams and Brody Hamilton bring good size and experience.

Defensively, Xavier Ukponu is a bona fide star. He has great strength and has caught the attention of over 30 Division I programs. In addition to Ukponu, the Wildcats will also have sophomores Zane Rowe (23 tackles) and Khyren Haywood (30 tackles) at their disposal. The Guyer coaching staff noted both have great athleticism. Senior Matt Desantis is also back after finishing with 37 tackles and nine TFLs a year ago.

The Wildcats do have some unproven talent at the skill positions offensively, although they got a big addition when Oklahoma commit quarterback Kevin Sperry transferred in from Carl Albert.

Among his weapons will be receiver Corbin Glasco (395 receiving yards and four touchdowns) and tight end Jackson Shockley (197 receiving yards and two touchdowns), Guyer’s two leading returning pass-catchers from 2023. Athletic junior running back Kaedyn Cobbs is also expected to take a big jump offensively this season after getting just 12 carries a year ago. Cobbs was primarily known for his play at safety last fall where he finished with 60 tackles.

The names and faces might change, but the expectations at Guyer remain sky high. The addition of Sperry at quarterback on a team that lacks experience in some places is a big one. With his leadership, the Wildcats will seek to make another deep run in the playoffs come this fall.

Flower Mound Jaguars

Head Coach: Brian Basil (9th season; 37-37 record)

Last Season: 5-5; 3-4 in district

Flower Mound Key Players and Storylines

After missing the playoffs by just one game a year ago, Brian Basil is eager for his squad to finish the job this season.

With eight starters back on offense and seven on defense, this will definitely be a hungry group.

Offensively, it all starts with Drew Evers up front. He’s the anchor of the offensive line and already has 30 offers heading into his junior year.

Sophomore quarterback Noah Sprinks is garnering headlines. He’s a playmaker with reliable accuracy. He threw for 770 yards in just seven quarters of action last season.

Noah Erdman will be Flower Mound’s jack-of-all-trades. He’s listed as an H-back/running back, but Basil expects to utilize him in a variety of ways because of his “ability to run, catch, and throw.”

On the other side of the ball, the Jaguars won’t have a ton of depth on the defensive line to start the season.

However, they’re in good shape in the secondary with safety Silas Wilson, who Basil expects to be a leader of the defense, and scrappy corner Cade Nichol.

When the Jaguars need a play in the front seven, they’ll turn to linebacker Elijah Luneke. He has a “great nose for the football” and has led Flower Mound in tackles the past two years.

Basil said consistency will be the name of the game for the Jaguars this year. If they can compete at a high level week in and week out, they should be in the mix for their first playoff berth since 2021.

Hebron Hawks

Head Coach: John Towels (3rd season; 9-10 record)

Last Season: 5-5; 3-4 in district

Hebron Key Players and Storylines

A year ago, Hebron was left asking what could have been. The Hawks let a fourth quarter lead slip against Marcus eventually losing 34-33 in overtime. That game ended up deciding one of the district’s final playoff spots.

But with the experience back this year, the Hawks have hope 2024 will be different. Eight starters return on offense, while seven are back on defense.

You can’t talk about experience without mentioning quarterback Patrick Crayton Jr. (1,519 passing yards and 404 rushing yards; 18 total TDs) The senior returns for his second year leading the Hawk offense. The Hebron coaching staff describes him as a “great athlete who can use his arms and legs to beat you.”

The Hawks also have dynamic junior running back Asyson McCray-Jones (615 rushing yards and six touchdowns) alongside Crayton in the backfield.

Up front, Jake Henneke will anchor the Hawk offensive line from his left tackle position.

On the other side of the ball is where you’ll find Bo Onu, who the Hebron coaching staff believes is one of the best safeties in the state. He has double digit Division I offers. The Hebron secondary also boasts a lockdown corner in Gabriel White.

And when opponents try to run the ball, they’ll have to deal with William Cole, who can clog up running lanes in the trenches.

The pieces are there for Hebron to snap their now three-year playoff drought. They’ll hope last season serves as a learning experience for their veteran group that’s eager to breakthrough in 2024.

Lewisville Fighting Farmers

Head Coach: Michael Odle (8th season; 56-26 record)

Last Season: 8-3; 6-1 (Lost to Allen in bi-district)

Lewisville Key Players and Storylines

The Fighting Farmers had their season end in the bi-district round for the first time since 2020 a year ago in a nail-biting 18-17 loss to Allen.

Lewisville will have a new-look offense this year after its starting quarterback, leading rusher, and top four receivers all graduated.

Luckily for the Fighting Farmers, they have a star coming through their pipeline in sophomore quarterback Tre Williams. He is set to take over the starting job this season and is already getting looks at the Division I level. He’ll be joined by junior Tenel Harris (297 rushing yards and four touchdowns), a tough runner, who should be a key cog in the Lewisville ground game this season.

These two will be well protected up front. The Fighting Farmers boast five-star tackle Michael Fasusi and fellow senior Sean Hutton on their offensive line.

Defensively, they’re just as stacked in the trenches. The combination of edges Sean Oliver (61 tackles, 13.5 sacks) and Rhyan Sewell will give opposing quarterbacks nightmares this fall.  And if that wasn’t enough, junior defensive tackle Xavier Fleming will keep the interior on lock down too.

Oregon State commit safety Zephen Walker (48 tackles and one interception) will be Lewisville’s primary playmaker on the back end. Fellow defensive back D’Angelo King (58 tackles and two interceptions) should also make his presence felt. He has had a big offseason in the Lewisville weight room.

The Fighting Farmers are the strongest in the trenches, which is a good foundation to have. Throw in exciting playmakers like Williams leading the offense and Walker on defense and Lewisville should be fighting for playoff wins yet again this fall.

Little Elm Lobos

Head Coach: Joe Castillo (3rd season; 3-16 record)

Last Season: 1-8; 1-6 in district

Little Elm Key Players and Storylines

Joe Castillo heads into his third year at Little Elm as he tries to get the Lobos back going in the right direction. He has done it before, helping snap a 12-year playoff drought during his time at North Garland. Little Elm’s current playoff drought dates back to 2016.

The Lobos will have a new quarterback this year after last year’s starter moved to Lake Dallas. Luckily for them, they got a move-in themselves as Jace Oliver (707 passing yards, 524 rushing yards, and 12 total TDs) joins from Royse City.

He’ll have two promising juniors to aim for. Both Carlton Mims and Jacob Ibidapo made some plays a year ago and are poised to be two of the leaders of the receivers room this season. Ibidapo was honored as a second team all-district at tight end last season.

Senior Josh Govan will be one of the leaders of the offensive line. He was a third-team all-district honoree in 2023.

Defensively, speedy corner Emmanuel Eshun and safety Peyton Turman are two key seniors in the Lobo secondary. Little Elm will lean on another senior in linebacker Ryan Martin in the middle of the field.

Castillo will know from his time at Little Elm that it takes time to turn a program around. As the Lobos head into their third year under his leadership, they’ll look to be increasingly competitive against their new district competition.

Marcus Marauders

Head Coach: Mike Alexander (2nd season; 4-7 record)

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

Marcus Key Players and Storylines

The Marauders bounced back from a challenging non-district schedule last year to clinch a playoff spot in their first season under head coach Mike Alexander. It was their fifth-straight trip to the postseason.

Marcus has a number of key offensive playmakers back this year, although they may have a new face behind center. Currently, the starting quarterback battle is a tight one between sophomore Colton Nussmeier, the younger brother of LSU quarterback Garrett, and last year’s starter Dane Parlin (2,095 passing yards and 15 touchdowns).

Isaiah Kelliikipi (641 rushing yards and four touchdowns) is back to lead the Marauder rushing attack, while receivers Rhett Garza (681 receiving yards and seven touchdowns) and Charlie Bergeson (307 receiving yards and two touchdowns) will be reliable options for whoever is handed the keys to the offense this fall.

Defensively, Brock Golwas (38 tackles, three TFLs) is the name to know. A Texas Tech commit, he’ll make his impact felt in the middle of the field. Don’t be surprised if the Marauders get him some carries offensively too (258 rushing yards and 1o touchdowns in 2023). Out in the secondary, Marcus has two reliable corners to lean on in junior Bradley Ezeoke and senior Taylor Haslem.

The Marauders have a wealth of options, especially offensively this fall. That bodes well as they look to build off their solid first season under Alexander.

 

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