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District 6-6A Season Preview

Tom Thumb - DFW's Grocer Since 1948


 

District 6-6A is another district that has a new look to it in 2024. The Prosper schools, McKinney schools, and Allen come over from 5-6A to join the Plano schools, while Princeton moves up a couple of classifications to complete what should be an intriguing nine-team district.

Plano, Allen, and McKinney should be the favorites at the top. Plano East also made the playoffs a year ago, but after that, none of the other five schools won more than two district games in 2023. That should create plenty of motivation all around as these programs go to battle this fall.

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

Allen Eagles

Head Coach: Lee Wiginton (3rd season; 16-9 record)

Last Season: 9-5; 5-2 in district (Lost to North Crowley in regional final)

Allen Key Players and Storylines

Lee Wiginton and his staff got Allen back on track in 2023. A year after a disappointing first round playoff exit, the Eagles responded by advancing four rounds deep last fall.

That has the coaching staff feeling confident that the culture they’d envisioned has taken hold in the Eagles program. Another positive is the 13 starters Allen has returning this year.

Quarterback Brady Bricker is a physical runner who proved he can get it done in both facets of the game a year ago (1,580 passing yards, 554 rushing yards, 13 total TDs). He also has dynamic junior Caleb Smith back at his disposal out at receiver. Smith had the most receptions of any Allen receiver a year ago despite only being a sophomore.

Three-star offenisve lineman Colter Alberding will be a physical anchor for the Eagles in the trenches.

Defensively, the Eagles have two great corners in ballhawk Kai Wheaton (three interceptions) and Lebron Bauer, who the Eagle coaching staff said is a great one-on-one defender. At linebacker, Mitchell Neu (99 tackles) is a two-year starter and a solid tackler.

This Allen team is built for the wear and tear that comes with a playoff run. The Eagles have great depth heading into this season with 38 lettermen remaining.

That has optimism running high in Allen with the feeling that this year’s team has the potential to emulate the success of some of the great Allen teams of the past.

McKinney Lions

Head Coach: Nate Leonard (1st Season)

Last Season: 9-3; 5-2 in district (Lost to Highland Park in area round)

McKinney Key Players and Storyline

Nate Leonard returns home to McKinney after a 7-4 record in his lone season as the head coach at New Braunfels Canyon. Leonard is a 2010 McKinney graduate, who went on to play football at UTSA.

Leonard and his staff will be installing a new offensive scheme, so there will be a bit of a learning curve for the Lions heading into this fall. However, the presence of experienced playmakers on both sides of the ball should help ease the transition. McKinney boasts seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense.

Quarterback Jeremiah Daoud (1,123 passing yards and 12 touchdowns) commanded the offense as a sophomore and should only continue to grow this fall. The Lions did graduate their four leading rushers from a year ago, but they should still be dangerous aerially this season. Wide receiver/tight end Khristian Mackintrush (517 receiving yards and six touchdowns) brings a versatility the Lions can utiliize and is a strong blocker. Fellow receiver Ja’Bree Bickham (96 receiving yards) is a playmaker who will be one of the focal points of this offense.

Defensively, the Lions have a number of studs. Four-star linebacker Riley Pettijohn (125 tackles) has a great motor and nack for getting his hat to the ball. Defensive back Zay Gentry is extremely athletic and has two interceptions a year ago. Defensive lineman Jordan Covington (22 tackles, seven TFLs) can do it all, posing a threat as a “runner stopper and skilled pass-rusher.”

Leonard expects his team to compete at a high level at all times. He believes if they can stay healthy and locked in on learning the new scheme, they should be ready to make a playoff run come November.

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McKinney Boyd Broncos

Head Coach: Daniel Foster (3rd season; 3-17 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 0-7 in district

McKinney Boyd Key Players and Storylines

The McKinney Boyd coaching staff believes things are looking up in Bronco country after a one-win campaign in 2023.

This season, Boyd returns seven starters on offense and five on defense.

Offensively, it all starts in the backfield with a couple of multi-sport stars. Running back Tyler Wall (541 rushing yards and three touchdowns) “can run with power,” but also has good hands. He was a first team all-district selection from a year ago.

Quarterback Nick Wesloski (779 passing yards and six touchdowns) not only has the keys to the offense but is the “unquestioned leader of the team.” He also plays baseball for the Broncos and should show off that arm strength on the football field this fall.

That duo will be even more important this year after Boyd graduated its top two receivers.

Anderson Bottoms will anchor the Broncos in the trenches. He can play multiple positions on the offensive line.

On the other side of the ball, watch out for defensive lineman Junior Nyahundi (35 tackles, 6 TFLs). The Bronco coaching staff said he added 30 pounds this offseason and should be a force on the field this fall. Linebacker Noah Chumley (42 tackles, 4.5 TFLs) will be another player in the front seven who should take a step forward in 2024. The Bronco coaching staff is hoping he’ll be a threat off the edge in their 3-4 scheme.

In the secondary, Orion Vaughn has the talent to go up against the best of the best in District 6-6A. He had four interceptions a year ago.

Boyd didn’t have the season it wanted a year ago, but with 33 returning lettermen, the Broncos are hopeful that experience will make them a better unit in 2024. They believe a playoff push isn’t out of the question, but they will have to “take care of the football, play tough, and create takeaways,” to make headway in what should be a competitive district this fall.

Plano Wildcats

Head Coach: Cody White (2nd Season: 2-8 record)

Last Season: 2-8; 0-7 in district

Plano Key Players and Storylines

Plano didn’t have the year it would’ve wanted in head coach Cody White’s first season. The Wildcats finished just 2-8 and didn’t win a district game.

However, there’s reason to be optimistic about this year. The Wildcats have 45 lettermen back, including seven starters on each side of the ball.

White believes the Wildcats will be stronger at the line of scrimmage this year led by center Brock Schief on offense and defensive end David Nwabuoku on defense. Nbwabuoku is explosive off the edge and is getting looks from Division I program.

Aside from the trenches, White said quarterback Tyree Fisher will be getting the keys to the offense following the graduation of Jack Thomason. Receiver Jordan McCroy (407 receiving yards and two touchdowns) brings plenty of length and athleticism to the passing attack.

The Wildcats should also be strong in the secondary with safety Rohon Kazadi (84 tackles), a natural leader, and physical corner Donald Smith. The biggest question mark defensively will be at linebacker where White said they will lack experience heading into the season.

Looking forward to this fall, with a good amount of players returning from last year, White expects his team to show progress on the field and push towards the playoff race.

Plano East Panthers

Head Coach: Tony Benedetto (3rd season; 9-12 record)

Last Season: 6-5; 4-3 in district (Lost to Prosper in bi-district)

Plano East Key Players and Storylines

The Panthers broke through with their first playoff berth in five years last fall. However, the offense has some work to do after four offensive lineman, four receivers, and their starting quarterback all graduated.

The two returning starters offensively for the Panthers are center CJ Chaloux and running back Travis Agee. Agee burst onto the scene last season as a sophomore, pacing the Panthers rushing attack.

Alongside Agee, head coach Tony Benedetto said Jackson Hays (457 passing yards and four touchdowns) will step into the starting quarterback role. He was the backup last year but played in the regular season finale against Marcus, a game the Panthers won 30-18 to clinch their playoff spot.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers have some more pieces to work with as six starters return. The secondary will be the Panthers’ strength with three-year starters in safety Andrew Earls (64 tackles) and corner Braylon Coleman. In front of them, senior linebacker Corbin Ahman was Plano East’s third-leading tackler a year ago.

Benedetto has turned around the Plano East program in his two seasons at the helm. He said last year’s return to the playoffs must be the standard as the Panthers seek another winning record come this fall.

Plano West Wolves

Head Coach: Tyler Soukup (6th season; 14-37 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-6 in district

Plano West Key Players and Storylines

The last time Plano West had a one-win season back in 2019, Tyler Soukup had the Wolves in the playoffs two years later. He’ll hope to repeat that feat by getting things moving back in the right direction again this season.

It will take a new group leading the way after every Plano West player that earned all-district honors or an honorable mention graduated.

Bell cow running back Demetrius Harris was one of those graduates, but junior quarterback Jordan Green returns.

Defensively, the Wolves have a couple of returners in the secondary in safety Jacob Duke, who can play running back as well, and Lincoln Taylor Jr.

Virtually all of Plano West’s offensive production must be replaced besides Green. The Wolves will need some new faces to step up and quick if they’re to take a step forward in district competition this season.

Princeton Panthers

Head Coach: Ervin Chandler (4th season; 6-24 record)

Last Season: 1-9; 1-6 in district

Princeton Key Players and Storylines

Princeton will play 6A football for the first time in school history this fall. Their motto this year? STP (Something to Prove). They’re hungry after back-to-back one-win seasons.

Their passing attack looks to be in good shape heading into 2024. Junior Marcus Flowers (702 passing yards and nine touchdowns) saw some playing time last year and threw for 384 yards and five touchdowns in the Panthers’ season finale against Crandall.

He has two of Princeton’s top three receivers back from a year ago in junior Jordan Mosley (441 receiving yards and three touchdowns) and senior Jakeylen Perkins (353 receiving yards and three touchdowns). Perkins can play some running back as well.

Up front, Lane Martin was an all-district honorable mention as a sophomore last year.

Mosley can go both ways. He was a second team all-district honoree at cornerback last year. Princeton’s other five all-district honorees on defense all graduated, so they’ll need some players to step up this fall.

When their offense isn’t clicking on all cylinders, the Panthers do have a special teams weapon in Jaxson Watjen. He was a first team all-district punter last season.

This year will be a testing one for the Panthers as they jump all the way up from 5A Division II to 6A. They’ll hope that this challenge sharpens them and helps them improve as a football program as they begin this new era.

Prosper Eagles

Head Coach: Tyler Moore (2nd season; 11-2 record)

Last season: 11-2; 7-0 in district (Lost to North Crowley in regional semifinals)

Prosper Key Players and Storylines

There was no let down in year one of the Tyler Moore era at Prosper. The Eagles have now won multiple playoff games in every season since 2016.

This year, they return seven starters on offense and five on defense.

The Eagles boast a literal brick wall on their offensive line. Every one of their starters has multiple Division I offers. Senior Connor Carty is committed to Texas A&M, while Logan Cahill is a Sam Houston State commit. Juniors Zaden Krempin, Sean Stover, and Bryce Gilmore are all regarded as four-star prospects.

The run game will be a strength with that line paving the way and last year’s leading rusher Leo Anguiano running behind them.

When it comes to the passing attack, receiver Lathon Latiolais “makes the offense multi-dimensional” with his skill set, while H-Back Jayden Beasley is a physical blocker who is also a “big play threat with the ball in his hands.”

The Eagles do have to settle in a new starting quarterback, but that is really the lone hole for the offense with Moore expecting the skill positions to be even better than last season.

Prosper is strong up front on the defensive side of the ball too. Defensive tackle Jake Johnson “can dominate a football game from the inside,” while defensive end Colin Freeman is “extremely athletic.” On the back end, safety Tyson Stiggers is “great in coverage and as a tackler.”

Prosper expects to compete for a district championship and make a playoff run in 2024. According to Moore, anything short of that, “would not meet our standard.”

Prosper Rock Hill Blue Hawks

Head Coach: Mark Wilkinson (3rd season; 6-14 record)

Last Season: 3-7; 2-5 record

Rock Hill Key Players and Storylines

Rock Hill’s record may not show it at first glance, but the Blue Hawks weren’t far away from a very successful season in 2023. Four of their seven losses came by one score. This year, this group will look to seal the deal in those tight games as they go in search of their first playoff berth in their short school history.

The Blue Hawks have a playmaker leading the way offensively in dual threat quarterback Christian Lewis (1,288 passing yards, 502 rushing yards, and 12 total touchdowns). He was a first team all-district selection a year ago.

At the skill positions, expect explosive running back Jaylon Brown-Delgado (251 rushing yards and two touchdowns) to take on a bigger role out of the backfield. Isaiah Orlandi (276 receiving yards and one touchdowns) is back at receiver after earning third team all-district honors last season.

Defensively, the Blue Hawks got a big boost last season when Jayden Bradley moved in from Virginia. A three-star prospect at safety, he hit the ground running, finishing with 68 tackles and two interceptions. That was good for the district’s Defensive Newcomer of the Year Award.

Up front, keep an eye on defensive linemen Cameron Lucas and Dontrayvion Morgan. Both earned third team all-district honors in 2023.

The Blue Hawks have some key players back, so they’ll have their eyes set on punching that elusive playoff ticket. They’ll hope last year’s experience will make them a better fourth quarter team as they look to get over that hump this season

 


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