This district doesn’t just have the best player in six-man football, it might also have the fastest.
Benjamin will be heavy favorites for the district title again this fall, but there’s plenty of intrigue beneath the Mustangs in this district.
Here’s what to watch for in District 6-1A Division II.
Benjamin Mustangs
Head Coach: Nathan Hayes (2nd Season)
Last Season: 14-0; 4-0 in district (Won 1A Division II State Championship)
Benjamin Key Players and Storylines
Benjamin dismantled its competition a year ago as the Mustangs won their first state championship in school history. So pronounced was their dominance, they won every game but one by mercy rule.
After graduating eight seniors, Benjamin has some reloading to do this year. However, the return of six-man player of the year Grayson Rigdon (1,865 rushing yards and 42 touchdowns; 800 passing yards and 16 touchdowns; 8 interceptions defensively) means that Benjamin will be a title favorite yet again this season.
His supporting cast offensively will include quarterback Tallon Hayes and running back Weston Weatherford, who the Mustangs expect to play much bigger roles this season.
OH MY @graysonrigdon1 IS A HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL!! 🎬
Benjamin Mustangs 🐎: 54
Loraine Bulldogs 🐶: 20@uiltexas | #TXHSFB | BSSW: 📺 pic.twitter.com/y4Rsb6Jx8X— BallySportsTXHS (@BallySportsTXHS) December 14, 2022
Defensively, the Mustangs remarkably gave up just 118 total points in their 15 games a year ago. Expect Hayes and Rigdon to anchor the unit from their linebacker positions. Up front. look for Malcham Williams to be an impact player in the trenches.
If the Mustangs can develop team chemistry and stay healthy, the sky will be the limit for Benjamin as long as Rigdon is leading the way. That potential has Hayes expecting another deep playoff run in 2023 as the Mustangs go in search of their second-straight state title.
“I expect us to be stronger and more disciplined this year,” Hayes said. “These kids are still out to prove that they will outwork anyone in the state.”
Chillicothe Eagles
Head Coach: Bryan White (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-7; 0-4 in district
Chillicothe Key Players and Storylines
Bryan White takes over the Chillicothe program. It’s his first-ever coaching job.
He’ll be tasked with trying to restore a Chillicothe program that has fallen on hard times recently.
After making the playoffs in six-straight years from 2012-2017, the Eagles have earned just one postseason berth since 2018.
White’s first goal is for his Eagles to find the end zone more this year. They scored eight points or less in six of their nine games last year.
Luckily, they have a good foundation to build off of up front in center Bryan Trujillo and tight end Ayden Miller. Wide recevier Reagan Belcher will be another weapon in the passing game.
All told, quarterback Kadin Stone won’t lack for options this fall.
On the other side of the ball, White said middle linebacker Caleb Cook will need to be Chillicothe’s defensive leader.
It will take time for the Eagles to get up to full speed in White’s system. However, he said their enthusiasm has been evident.
He believes if they can compete week in and week out and find ways to put points on the board, everything else will take care of itself.
Crowell Wildcats
Head Coach: Mitchell Parsley (4th season)
Last Season: 3-7; 2-2 in district
Crowell Key Players and Storylines
It was a mixed bag for the Wildcats a year ago as they 45’d two of their district opponents while losing to the other two by mercy rule.
Head coach Mitchell Parsley believes his team will be better this year given last year’s experience, especially with five starters back on both sides of the ball. He hopes that experience will give the Wildcats the boost they need to push for Crowell’s first playoff berth in three years.
Two of Crowell’s best playmakers from a year ago are back in running back Austin Hernandez and spread back Adyn Villa. They’ll be aiming to boost an offense that averaged 31 points per game a year ago.
Clayton Alvarado will lead the Wildcats in the trenches on both sides of the ball. Linebacker will also be a position of strength on defense with Angel Escalante and Hernandez, who were both all-district honorees in 2022.
With such a strong core returning, Parsley said he will be looking for other players to step up and form a strong supporting cast as the Panthers seek a ticket to the playoffs this seaosn.
Harrold Hornets
Head Coach: Shad Walker (1st Season)
Last Season: 1-7; 1-3 in district
Harrold Key Players and Storylines
Harrold has struggled for numbers at times over the past decades, a struggle that was even showcased by an ESPN documentary. The Hornets didn’t field a team from 2017-2019.
However, things appear to be turning the corner. Last year, the Hornets knocked off Chillicothe 44-26, securing their first varsity win since Halloween 2014.
Kayden Enloe should be a key player for the Hornets in the trenches, while players like Jace Perez and Kasen Holly-Ramsey will be playmakers for the Hornets.
Harrold will still be young this year with a big group of freshmen on this year’s roster. However, with the Hornets having a good group of players to compete with this year, they’ll be hopeful that last year’s win can spur the program in the right direction.
Paducah Dragons
Head Coach: Eric Rekieta (2nd Season)
Last Season: 8-3; 3-1 in district (Lost to Jayton in bi-district)
Paducah Key Players and Storylines
Eric Rekieta had a debut season to remember at his hometown program. He led the Dragons to its first playoff berth in four years last season.
Their eight wins were the most in a single season at Paducah since 2010.
The Dragons have some question marks surrounding their rushing attack following the graduation of star running back Joshua Gonzales.
However, sophomore quarterback Darren Mackey is back as is his top receiver Jayken Wright. Wright earned all-state honors a year ago. Junior Hagen Tucker will be a key weapon as well in the passing game.
Wright will be a player to watch from his position in the secondary along with Jaden Frawner.
Wright has game-breaking speed that can give opposing team fits. Look for him to lead the way in 2023 as the Dragons fill the hole left by Gonzales on both sides of the ball.
🚨 Jakyen Wright (Paducah) set a new Boys Conference 1A record in the 200m Dash with his time of 22.20s. The previous record of 22.23s was set by Zachary Adee (Happy) in 2017. pic.twitter.com/NTQlDaAt22
— Texas UIL (@uiltexas) May 14, 2023
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