Arlington played an absolute slew of away games this year. They were only 1-2 at home, but ended up with a really good 5-3 record in away and neutral games. They were close, very close to ending up with a much better record than they had as well. The Colts were 6-5 on the year, but only lost by two to a talented South Grand Prairie team in the season opener and had some wheels fall off in closing moments against other really good teams.
It didn’t help that they played Flower Mound Marcus, one of those teams that will always be at least solid in predistrict as well. It didn’t help that they had to drive to Abilene to play the Abilene Eagles in the first round, a game they lost 65-36. Arlington can put points on the board and they can lock you down on defense, their issue just seemed to be consistency. the talent is definitely there, they just need all of the parts to work in unison.
The bad news: Arlington will lose a couple of players at key positions, like quarterback and across the defensive backfield. The good news: speed, and lots of it, will be back.
Key Losses
QB Caelan Day, WR Rashad Anderson, LB Dwayne Tate, CB Darion Ruffin, S Shawn Steele
We can’t talk about underrated players without talking about Caelan Day. The former Arlington signal caller was nothing short of magnificent in his role, gutting defenses with his legs as well as his arm. Rashad Anderson has to be mentioned as well, the hard running senior was an integral part of their offense.
Dwayne Tate might have been a tad undersized at linebacker, but he sure didn’t play like it. Arlington will miss his explosive playmaking ability. Steele and Ruffin’s lockdown ability will be missed as well.
Key Returners
FS Kyron White, RB Kenland McCray, WR D’Montae Davis, WR/LB Trey Cleveland, C Jacob Russ
Here’s the good news for Arlington High – Man, oh man, they have so much talent and speed returning. Jacob Russ is going to be a part of that group as well, paving the way for the run game from his offensive line position. Kenland McCray will provide explosiveness, and Trey Cleveland should see his role in the offense expand. D’Montae Davis is likely going to have a monster year, one that will build on his second-team All-District performance.
Kyron White is the most talented member of a defense that will have a lot of talented players returning. The sophomore has already been the Defensive Player of the Week in the Dallas area once, and his legend will continue to grow. Cleveland will be back as well, and he’s going to be a problem for offenses again as he gets after the edge with his quickness.
The Verdict
Arlington will have the speed, they’ll have the talent, and if they can find an adequate replacement for Caelan Day, they will definitely be able to move the ball consistently.
The main question for the Colts is simple: can they get both sides of the ball to play well at the same time? Arlington will have the talent, that much is assured. There’s no reason why this team shouldn’t be playing a couple rounds deep in the playoffs, and no reason why they shouldn’t at least challenge for the district crown.
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