New Houston Madison head coach Jason Davis knows what it takes to reach the biggest stage in Texas.
After all, just last season, he was the Austin LBJ defensive coordinator as the Jaguars became the first Austin ISD school since 1973 to make it to a state title game.
Now, as he takes over at a program that is coming off its first playoff berth in four years, Davis said it will be up to him and his coaching staff to help the Marlins continue to make strides in the right direction.
Welcome to Marlin Nation Coach Davis‼️ Let’s get this work‼️🏈@HISDAthletics @CoachDavis99 pic.twitter.com/vWt8eSgVXr
— James Madison High School (@MadisonHS_) April 29, 2022
“I always knew about Madison High School, and it was one of those schools that I said if it ever opened up, I’m going to jump on it,” Davis said. “Now, it’s all about developing these players. That’s what we’re going to do this year and for the years to come. Just motivate these players to let them know that we are here to get better year in and year out.”
Any step forward for the Marlins this season will involve senior running back Chase DeVaughn at the forefront.
To the casa 🏠 pic.twitter.com/NIXLCvwZO9
— Chase “The Ticket” DeVaughn (@lilchase1_) November 12, 2021
DeVaughn rushed for 1,643 yards and 14 touchdowns a year ago, and Davis said he hopes DeVaughn can push for 2,000 yards on the ground in 2022. Out at receiver, Jacorian Hail will also be a threat for the Marlins. He led the team with 312 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season.
Up front, Nicolas Golden will be a force at tackle for the Marlins. Davis believes he is currently flying under the radar and could be primed for a breakout year. Korey Dupre and Joseph Buggs will also be key starters on the line after both earned second team all-district honors last season.
Defensively, Davis expects Quincy Franks to be one of the best defensive ends in the district and said he could see him racking up as many as 16 sacks this season.
Meanwhile, in addition to his receiver duties, Hail likely will also play a big role at safety for the Marlins after earning second-team all-district honors there last season.
another big play from last week game 😮💨😮💨 burners pic.twitter.com/cHhSwqGxKx
— jacorian hail (@liljaaay4blk) September 29, 2021
“We got a good group of kids,” Davis said. “It’ll come down to developing these guys. I think we’ve got a good coaching staff that’s in place that’s going to develop each and every one of these guys and get them on the map.”
District play will also look a little different for the Marlins this year as they move up to 5A Division I along with Sterling, Sharpstown, Austin, and Waltrip.
District 9-5A (Football – Division 1):
-Galveston Ball
-Houston Austin
-Houston Madison
-Houston Milby
-Houston Northside
-Houston Sharpstown
-Houston Sterling
-Houston Waltrip
-Houston Wisdom— Chris Walter (@walterca1107) February 3, 2022
Madison will be competing in an almost all Houston ISD district with Galveston Ball as the lone non-HISD school in District 9-5A Division I. Last year, only three out of the nine schools made the playoffs, so competition is set to be fierce for the four playoff spots.
And as the Marlins head into a wide-open district, Davis said the biggest key for his team will be playing as one as they seek to continue to develop and go in search of their first playoff win since 2008.
“We talk about us, being united and staying strong together,” Davis said. “We want to get out of the first round of playoffs and make a deep push, but it’s just how well we handle adversity when it comes our way. As long as we stay together and stay strong, I think we can push right through it.”
2022 Houston Madison Marlins Schedule
(Bold designates District 9-5A Division I Matchup)
8/26 vs. Houston Westbury
9/2 at Houston Yates
9/9 at Galveston Ball
9/17 vs. Houston Sharpstown
9/22 at Houston Austin
10/1 vs. Houston Milby
10/6 at Houston Waltrip
10/15 vs. Houston Northside
10/21 at Houston Wisdom
11/4 vs. Houston Sterling
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