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Post by cujo2002 on Feb 3, 2020 9:21:13 GMT -6
7-5A Division I: Longview John Tyler Highland Park Sherman Wylie East West Mesquite McKinney North
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Post by cujo2002 on Feb 3, 2020 9:30:22 GMT -6
Like I said before I would not be shocked if they put HP in east Texas, and what did they do
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wp4l
Rookie
Posts: 14
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Post by wp4l on Feb 3, 2020 9:39:27 GMT -6
Enrollments:
Highland Park – 2,209
Longview – 2,186.5
West Mesquite – 2,165
McKinney North – 2,135
John Tyler – 2,111
Wylie East – 2,077
Sherman – 1,951.5
Projected 2020 7-5AD1 Rankings:
1. Longview
2. Highland Park
3. Sherman
4. McKinney North
5. West Mesquite
6. John Tyler
7. Wylie East
Projected 7-5AD1 District MVP’s
Overall: SR RB Kaden Meredith, Longview
Offensive: SR QB Brayden Schager, Highland Park
Defensive: SR LB Laqualon Hale, Longview
Team Previews
Longview Lobos
Head Coach: John King 179-37 (90-6) 16 seasons at Longview
2019 result: 11-1 (6-0), 6A DII Area
Returners: O = 5, D = 5
Returning All State: 1
Returning All District: 7
Post Haynes King era has officially begun in Longview as the Lobos will have a signal caller in 2020 not named Haynes King for the first time since Week 5 of 2017. And although the greatest three year run in program history came to an unexpected early end in 2019, plenty of optimism remains in Longview for the foreseeable future as John King approaches his 17th season at the helm for the Lobos. Solid pieces return for the Longview on both sides of the ball as the Lobos make the move from 6A to 5AD1. It starts in the backfield with SR RB Kaden Meredith (5’9.5 180) who is eyeing Longview rushing records after an all-state performance in 2019. SR FB Markevion Haynes (5’9.5 205) started in Longview’s backfield but battled injuries in 2019. He’s now 100% and ready to go. Meredith and Haynes are going into their third year in Longview’s backfield. Longview rotated a ton at WR in 2019, and the two best return in Sophomore WR Jalen Hale (6’3 175) and SR WR CJ Hopkins (6’0 170). Hale was the first freshman to play varsity football at Longview in nearly 3 decades and is a future major recruit. TE will be solid as usual with SR Austin Pencheon (6’0 200) elevating from TE2 to TE1. SR LG Tavion Sterling (6’1 290) will anchor Longview’s offensive line. Longview’s defensive front seven should once again be a strong point on the entire team as SR DL Joe Jones (6’3 275) is back to anchor the DL. The level behind the DL will once again have plenty of speed and pop with SR LB Laqualon Hale (5’10 205) and SR down safety/strong safety Kybrien Jackson-Jamerson (6’2.5 210) returning for their third varsity season in Longview’s front seven. SR’s Shannon Jackson II (5’8 165) and Tyree Hale (5’9 160) will return to their safety positions in the secondary and SR Antonio Onofre (6’1 190) returns at K. Reinforcements are also on the way from combined 17-3 subvarsity, such as promising sophomore QB Landyn Grant (6’2 180). Some big names may graduate but as usual, Longview will be Longview.
Highland Park Fighting Scots
Head Coach: Randy Allen 250-35 21 seasons at Highland Park
2019 result: 11-2 (7-0), 5A D1 Regional
Returners: O = 4, D = 4
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 9
A huge senior class graduates for Highland Park, a group that helped bring Highland Park two state titles the past three seasons. However, we have seen this story and how it unfolds numerous times over the years with Highland Park under long time, legendary HC Randy Allen. Those wins aren’t disappearing in 2020. First off, in case you were wondering, Highland Park does have another signal caller that will play D1 college football. SR Brayden Schager (6’2 195) is one of the best kept secrets in DFW. 2022 QB Hayden Ferguson (6’3 220) is also on college recruiter radars. So Highland Park is in good hands at the QB position as usual. Good news as they’ll need the skill at the QB position since the skill positions on offense will be inexperienced. What won’t be inexperienced is the offensive line. Highland Park may have the best OL in all of 5A in 2020. Four of five return up front for the Scots in SR LT Jack Leyrer (6’6 275), SR LG Sam Morse (6’1 250), SR C Will Gibson (6’4 280) and SR RT Henry Hagenbuch (6’2 260). There’s a ton of experience among those four seniors up front. On defense, Highland Park has to replace the entire defensive front, but JR DE Jack Curtis (6’4 220) saw significant playing time as a sophomore and is a future major FBS recruit. Behind him at LB is SR Patrick Turner (6’2 220) who also has high recruiting stock going into spring. The Highland Park secondary, much like the OL, brings back a lot of experience. SR DB Sam Session (5’10 165), SR S Walker Cobb (6’1 185) and SR CB Ford Frazar (5’11 160) all return in the secondary. Cobb and Frazar were 1st team all-district players in 2019.Also, talk about a tough stadium to go into and win, Highlander Stadium makes a strong case for being the toughest place to play in Texas. Since Randy Allen took over the Scots in 1999, Highland Park is a whopping 107-2 at home. Most recently Highland Park had the longest active home winning streak at 33 games before Frisco Lone Star snapped it Week 3 of 2019. Highland Park may be losing a ton, and on the surface it appears that way. But when you dive deeper, Highland Park is clearly on the way to another big season. Don’t be fooled; the Scots will be no pushovers in 2020.
Sherman Bearcats
Head Coach: J.D. Martinez 19-23 (11-13) 4 seasons at Sherman
2019 result: 6-4 (3-3), No Playoffs
Returners: O = 5, D = 5
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 5
A key week seven loss in Texarkana to Texas High ultimately resulted in Sherman missing out on playoff action in 2019. But there are some bright spots for Bearcat faithful to look forward to in 2020 that could result in a return to the post season. The brightest spot would have to be the Bearcat passing attack where four of five all district players return. It starts with SR QB Tate Bethel (6’0 175) who put up 1,935 passing yards and 23 total TD’s. That was 2nd most passing yardage in district 7-5A behind McKinney North’s Dillon Markiewicz. All of his top targets who were also all district players return in SR WR Sean Husband (5’9 170), SR WR/CB Benji Omayebu (5’9 175) and SR TE/WR Jacoby Hunt (6’3 203). SR RT Matt Parks (6’0 235) is the lone returner up front for the Bearcats. Five starters also return on defense for Sherman. Omayebu and SR Jeff Banks (5’10 165) return to their starting CB spots. SR SS Mathias Coleman (5’11 185) was all district in 2019 and was one of the best defensive players in 7-5A. SR MLB Brandon Bonilla (5’10 215) returns in the middle of the Bearcats’ 3-3 defense. SR DE Donja Orr-Knight (5’10 195) is the lone returner on the defensive line. Sherman will have to address four holes on the OL as well as holes in the defensive front, but everything around those two areas have solid foundation. The Bearcat JV did have a 0-10 year in 2019 but the 9th grade team went 7-2, winning the district title. There were also several key 2022 guys on varsity like WR Elijah Coleman (6’3 170) who caught 3 TD’s as a sophomore and has a lot of potential. Bearcat Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in all of 5A and Sherman is only a year removed from post season play. A playoff appearance for the Bearcats certainly isn’t out of the question in 2020.
McKinney North Bulldogs
Head Coach: Mike Fecci 66-54 (44-31) 11 seasons at McKinney North
2019 result: 10-2 (6-0), 5A D1 Area
Returners: O = 4, D = 6
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 8
It has been an up and down era for McKinney North football under HC Mike Fecci. A true rollercoaster ride over the years. 2019 was one of the ‘up’ years for McKinney North as they ripped off a 10-2 record, winning district 7-5A and advancing to 5A D1 area round ultimately losing to a good Lancaster team. Big names from a program record breaking offense like RB Manny Fincher, TE Brandon Frazier and QB Dillon Markiewicz, who was 7-5A’s most valuable player, all graduate. All three will be playing D1 football on Saturdays now. Tough players to replace but quality remains on this team. For one thing, McKinney North returns one of the best WR’s in all of 5A. SR WR JJ Henry (6’0 180) was 7-5A co-offensive player of the year as a junior after hauling in 76 receptions for over 1400 yards and 18 total TDs. Henry is breaking every McKinney North receiving record in the book. McKinney North appears to be solid up front with three all-district players back in SR LT Brandon Nelson (6’4 300), SR RT Seth Holmes (6’2 285) and JR RG Seteye Akpabio (6’3 315). Akpabio is one of the best class of 2022 guards in the state. Trench play will be a strength on the Bulldog defense as well as all four defensive linemen return. JR DE Dylan Frazier (6’5 250) was 7-5A’s defensive newcomer of the year and is emerging as one of the top defensive linemen in Texas for class of 2022. If the name sounds familiar, his brother was TE Brandon Frazier who was one of the most highly recruited 2020 TE’s in the nation. SR Ethyn Dennis (6’3 200) returns at the other DE position, a first team all-district selection due to his long frame, athleticism and ability to get into backfields. SR’s Yarmon Evans (5’11 260) and Keyon Davis (6’0 270) return to their positions in the interior defensive line. The other two defensive returners are located in the secondary: JR S Luke Paley (6’2 180), who could also be in the mix at WR, and SR CB Michael Norris (5’11 165). There wasn’t a lot of success for McKinney North’s subvarsity teams as they went a combined 7-12 but Mike Fecci, 7-5A coach of the year, and his Bulldogs will be looking to build off 2019’s success.
West Mesquite Wranglers
Head Coach: Frank Sandoval 0-0 (0-0) 1st season at West Mesquite
2019 result: 2-8 (2-4), No Playoffs
Returners: O = 5, D = 9
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 4
West Mesquite is cracking in a new head football coach in 2020 after Jeff Neill was reassigned after seven seasons at the helm. MISD ultimately chose Coach Frank Sandoval, and what a great hire that was. Sandoval comes from 4A Mexia where he led them to several playoff appearances the past few years. Before that, he was a defensive assistant under former Cedar Hill HC Joey McGuire. So not only is he bringing a winning attitude to a culture that desperately needs it, he brings championship pedigree. And for Sandoval, he couldn’t have arrived at a better time. West Mesquite returns 14 starters, amongst the highest in the district. 5 of them come on offense, led by JR QB Kevin Jennings (6’0 165) who is a dual threat DFW sleeper and the leader of a talented 2022 class for the Wranglers. The WR depth will be insane, as Jennings completed passes to seven different WR’s in 2019, all of which return. This includes SR WR/S Jakobe Walton (5’11 175) who is one of the best utility players in DFW. The OL will be anchored by SR LT Lenny Medrano (6’2 280), will have to replace four starters up front. Coach Sandoval is a defensive guy, and his Wrangler defense returns a whopping 9 starters. The entire DL returns, led by JR Trevion Mitchell (6’4 235) who could be emerging as a D1 prospect this off-season. All three linebackers return in SR OLB Diego Nino (5’9 200), SR LB Jose Torres (5’9 185) and SR OLB Augustine Pokowa (5’9 180). In the secondary, Jakobe Walton will return to his free safety position. SR SS Brodrick Benton (5’10 180) and SR CB Clivarion Walker (5’10 170) round up the returners in the secondary. Think about this, about 20 players return for West Mesquite who either started or received significant playing time. 7 of them were from the 2022 class. That’s an insane amount of experience returning. The Wranglers always had the horses but a lot for West Mesquite depended on who Mesquite ISD would hire as their next head coach. They hit a homerun with Coach Sandoval.
John Tyler Lions
Head Coach: Ricklan Holmes 69-31 (40-10) 8 seasons at John Tyler
2019 result: 3-8 (3-3), 5A D1 Bi-District
Returners: O = 6, D = 5
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 4
The worst season in Coach Ricklan Holmes tenure as John Tyler’s HC came in 2019. The Lions turned in a 3-8 season and although JT squeezed into the postseason, it was arguably the worst season for the program since 2007. CUJO will have to rely on experience and pieces from a talented but young 2023 group to push them in the right direction in 2020. Experience in particular, where JT returns 11 starters. Most of which resides on the offensive side of the ball. JT has a pair of runners returning who received significant playing time in SR Kameron Medlock (5’8 160) and JR Jakyron Lacy (6’0 195). JT may have to lean on the running game so look for those two to share carries for JT in 2020. Up front is where JT may be at peak strength. The Lions return nearly the entire OL with JR LG Cornelius Hartsfield, C LeTavion Erwin, JR RG Kadarius Tave and SR RT Ashton Williams returning. JR WR Robert Draper returns outwide. On defense, JT returns two on the defensive line in SR DL Preston Johnson and SR DL LaTravion Hawkins who turned in a 1st team all-district performance in 2020. The CUJO secondary is looking promising. SR CB Keelan Erwin had an all-district performance in 2020. Both safety positions return in SR S Travion Ates and rising sophomore S/WR Xavier Tatum. The largest area of concern on the entire team would have to be at the LB level where JT will replace all four starters. They will look to a subvarsity that went combined 11-9 for replacements. JT is a program of rich tradition and high expectations and the ceiling of John Tyler’s season in 2020 will depend a lot on the QB situation which appears to be in the air going into the spring.
Wylie East Raiders
Head Coach: Mike Dormady 3-17 (0-12) 2 seasons at Wylie East
2019 result: 2-8 (0-6), No Playoffs
Returners: O = 8, D = 5
Returning All State: 0
Returning All District: 1
The past two seasons have been fairly rough for the Wylie East football program. And not just on the varsity level. The Raider 9th grade went 2-6 while the JV went 3-6-1 in 2019. That’s a tough pill to swallow. On a positive note, the program returns the highest number of offensive starters in the district. SR QB Cade Adamson (5’11 170) returns to lead the Raider offense. Almost all of his targets return in JR Josh Hollingsworth (5’10 170) and a pair of 2023 wideouts in CJ Jackson and TJ Washington (5’10 170). Washington is the lone returner on the team that landed on the all-district list. At RB, SR Bam Johnson (5’8 180) also returns and could have a breakout year behind an offensive front that returns SR LG Orlando Melchor, SR RG Frank Moslener and SR RT Javan Lopez (5’11 255). There are more holes to fill on defense but experience returns in the interior defensive line in SR’s Reggie Brooks (6’3 295) and William Schulmeistrat (6’3 260). GilbertVilla returns at LB after seeing a ton of time as a sophomore. SS Caden Roeschen (5’8 165) also saw a ton of time as a sophomore while SR Cade Dorethy returns at his CB spot. Wylie East has yet to win a district game under HC Mike Dormady. It’ll be very tough to end the drought in 2020, but Wylie East is a program that isn’t too far off from 9 and 10 win seasons. A new year awaits and anything is possible.
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Post by cujo2002 on Feb 3, 2020 9:45:00 GMT -6
You do see that there was already a thread posted right
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wp4l
Rookie
Posts: 14
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Post by wp4l on Feb 3, 2020 10:38:45 GMT -6
John Tyler non district schedule: W1 vs Texas High W2 vs Tyler Lee W3 @ Nacogdoches W4 @ Mesquite Horn
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Post by cujo2002 on Feb 3, 2020 13:14:02 GMT -6
Highland Park has to come to JT and Longview this season.
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wp4l
Rookie
Posts: 14
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Post by wp4l on Feb 3, 2020 14:30:54 GMT -6
Longview 2020 schedule
W1 vs Temple @ AT&T Stadium W2 @ Marshall W3 vs Tyler Lee W4 vs West Monroe, LA @ Shreveport's Independence Stadium W5 vs West Mesquite W6 @ Wylie East W7 vs Highland Park W8 @ Sherman W9 Bye W10 vs McKinney North W11 @ John Tyler
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wp4l
Rookie
Posts: 14
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Post by wp4l on Feb 3, 2020 14:45:06 GMT -6
John Tyler 2020 schedule
W1 vs Texas High W2 @ Tyler Lee W3 @ Nacogdoches W4 @ Mesquite Horn W5 @ Mckinney North (Thurs) W6 BYE W7 vs West Mesquite W8 @ Wylie East W9 vs Highland Park W10 @ Sherman W11 vs Longview
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Post by LoboFan07 on Feb 3, 2020 14:45:46 GMT -6
Not crazy about going to Sherman. but oh well. More worried about parking more than anything.
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Post by cujo2002 on Feb 3, 2020 15:31:13 GMT -6
Not crazy about going to Sherman. but oh well. More worried about parking more than anything. You have to park downtown and walk to the stadium and it is small. Band and drill team will up most of the sitting.
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Post by LOBOFAN84 on Feb 17, 2020 12:39:31 GMT -6
Not crazy about going to Sherman. but oh well. More worried about parking more than anything. We need to make a day of this!!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2020 13:20:25 GMT -6
Hey Longview fans, are yall excited about moving back down to 5A or would yall rather play 6A?
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Post by LOBOFAN84 on Feb 17, 2020 13:36:23 GMT -6
Hey Longview fans, are yall excited about moving back down to 5A or would yall rather play 6A? For me personally, I would rather play in 6A. I cannot give a definitive why, though. I enjoy the 6A atmosphere. What I will hate is, getting used to playing in 5A and we will have to go back up again. One day, we will no longer be on the bubble; 6A will outgrow us completely. What I do like, is new teams to play. Because of our location, we only have a certain group of teams that we ALWAYS play and we would like to be able to branch out a little. Moving up and down gives us that opportunity.
As long as our guys are competitive, I will always be happy with whatever classification we are put in, though.
GO LOBOS!!
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Post by LoboFan07 on Feb 17, 2020 14:04:43 GMT -6
Hey Longview fans, are yall excited about moving back down to 5A or would yall rather play 6A? I have mixed emotions.
I live in Richardson, so obviously I'm happy about any type of DFW district the Lobos get put in.
I was fine with the drop to 5A this time, knowing of the split, but the talk of there being an actual chance of us going south to Houston had me pretty upset...knowing I'd miss almost of the away games (it's tough for me to get to home games on a Friday night as it is).
I love our current district, outside of that trip to Sherman.
But I won't lie, I loved the Longview/Rockwall district game every year. Thankfully we have the Highland Park game to test us.
I don't think McKinney North and Sherman will be huge tests for us, though at least the Sherman game is on grass (something we've only had to deal with three times in the last near two decades). Wylie East and West Mesquite are just meh. John Tyler isn't the toughest competition currently, but they always play us tough.
As 84 said, I love the idea of getting to play new teams. We're stuck in this weird era of Longview football, where our schedule hasn't been changing much. All the old rivalries of the 12-5A days are gone, but the admins have been trying to save what they can of them with the Marshalls, Lufkins and John Tylers. I'm honestly shocked we schedule Tyler Lee this season. So we're not in a district that's changing on a 6A level, and we're not changing much on the non-district schedule to try and save a already dead rivalry in Marshall at least. It just gets stale for 7 weeks tbh. 11-6A is an improving district (or whatever they are now), but it's still not there. So while Mesquite would challenge for a quarter, that's about it. While Heath will improve, they're still no where near where they need to be. Even Horn has completely fallen off. Now, it's not like our new district will be ultra competitive in the top two (unless JT has a surprise season), but at least we get some new teams and we get to go to some new stadiums. Haven't played Highland Park since the mid 80s, haven't played Sherman since the mid 70s. So I'm excited about that.
Then the playoff match ups should be pretty interesting as well. The idea of College Station or someone like that coming to Lobo Stadium (or heaven forbid something happens to our season and we have to travel) is fun. Getting to be in a region with Denton Ryan, Lone Star and Lancaster...on top of a potential 2nd meeting with Highland Park...I love that. Especially since we have such a high fan base living in the Metroplex, and knowing most of those games would probably be in the DFW area...
As opposed to having to think about traveling to Baylor, or down to Houston to face teams a lot of Lobo Nation doesn't know (Klein Collins for example before three years ago).
5A is a better fit for us, for all sports tbh, but football is what it is. It's a different world than when we were in 5A last time. It'll be interesting to see what happens.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 17, 2020 20:44:38 GMT -6
I for one enjoy the company of Longview in 5A. It gives 5A another quality program and East Texas a legit playoff power. No offense against Lufkin or Marshall but they have not carried the torch very well.
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