6A

Team Preview: Cedar Hill Longhorns

by
Adam Ogburn
July 29

Cedar Hill Longhorns

Head Coach: Nicholas Ward (1^st Season)

Last Season: 2-8; 2-5 in district

Cedar Hill Key Players and Storylines

After a run of successful seasons, including an appearance in the 2020 6A Division II State Title Game, last year did not go to plan for the Longhorns as they finished 2-8.

This year, following the departure of Carlos Lynn to Crowley, Nicholas Ward takes over the program. Ward was most recently the defensive backs coach at Midlothian. However, before that, he had served as Cedar Hill’s defensive backs coach from 2020-2021.

Ward, a Seagoville high graduate, said it’s good to be back in familiar territory.

“It means a lot to return to Cedar Hill,” Ward said. “There are around 40 players in the program whose families I know or one of my brothers know from growing up on the southern side of Dallas. It is like returning home.”

Despite last year’s disappointment, there’s no shortage of talent at Cedar Hill. Eight starters return on offense and five are back on defense.

That offensive experience will be crucial as the Longhorns look to improve on a season where they averaged just 18 points per game.

Quarterback Anthony Edwards (886 passing yards and three touchdowns) is back for his second year under center, and he’ll have plenty of weapons at his disposal. The receiver room has some promising talent and will be led by senior Le’Keldrick Bridges (335 receiving yards and two touchdowns), who has been receiving looks from the Division I level.

Up front, Ward expects Leroy Wooldridge to lead the offensive line after earning second team all-district honors last season.

Defensively, edge Zhaiylen Scott will lead the Longhorns in the trenches alongside defensive tackle Robert Young. Scott already has double digit Division I offers. The secondary will have no shortage of talent either with second team all-district cornerback Dante Wesley, and SMU commit Alexander Rodgers leading the way. Rodgers just transferred in from Dallas Kimball.

After last season’s down year, there is plenty of work to be done. However, Ward said his players won’t be caught dwelling on last fall. The goal for his team in 2023 is to turn the lessons learned last season into wins on the field this year.