Stalwarts reign, but Class 6A has no shortage of contenders

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To the naked eye, not a whole lot has changed out among the pines of Longview. Coach John King’s should once again be formidable, boasting one of the state’s best quarterbacks and a talented group of athletes running up the spine of the defense. Business as usual for one of the state’s perennial contenders.

Well, there is the small note that the Longview Lobos will enter as reigning state champions for the first time in more than 80 years. In the abstract, that shouldn’t matter much for 2019 — especially in a year without the UIL shuffling districts.

John King knows better.

“There’s a lot of people that are going to have our date circled on the calendar,” the longtime Longview coach said. “It’s going to be difficult, trying to defend a title. You’re going to get everyone’s best shot.”

The big picture, especially with the coach’s all-state son Haynes King back at quarterback, is enough for Texas Footballto think the Lobos will repeat as 6A Division II state champions. But King’s point is well-taken, and a good snapshot of Class 6A as a whole entering 2019: things may look awfully similar, but a closer look reveals enough small changes that things could go haywire in a hurry.

For example, take a look at Texas Football’s 6A rankings. If it feels familiar, it’s because it is — seven of the top 10 teams began the year ranked in last year’stop 10. But between a number of key departures for perennial powers and a rising tide of depth, there are no guarantees in the state’s largest classification.

Not even King’s Lobos.

“We have a chance to be pretty good, but the guys we’re playing are going to be pretty good, too,” King said. “And the ball bounces funny ways.”

 

REGION I

Any conversation about Region I starts with Duncanville, which hopes to avenge its agonizing state championship game loss with a loaded 2019 team that features the return of superstar quarterback (and DCTF coverboy) Ja’Quinden Jackson and a potentially elite defense led by transfer linebacker Kendrick Blackshire. Is this the year coach Reginald Samples finally nabs that elusive title?

The Panthers’ chief competitors in the Division I bracket are an array of the usual DFW suspects — Southlake Carroll, where second-year coach Riley Dodge will find new and interesting ways to deploy the multitalented R.J. Mickens; DeSoto, which welcomes back longtime coach Claude Mathis; and Arlington Lamar, where the connection of quarterback Jack Dawson and receiver Trevon West could sink any opponent.

The Division I sleeper may be San Angelo Central, as the Angry Orange feel confident that quarterback Malachi Brown’s unexpected thrust into last year’s starting role will pay dividends.

Perhaps the more intriguing storyline lies in what projects to be a wide-open Division II bracket. After all, it was surprising Amarillo Tascosa that soared into the semifinals last year, and with quarterback Joseph Plunk back to operate the flexbone offense, it’d be foolish to count them out.

The teams most likely to rule Region I are also two of the most baffling. Denton Guyer is loaded at seemingly every spot — from quarterback Eli Stowers to defensive muscle Grant Mahon to a winning coach in John Walsh; can they put it all together after a disappointing 2018? Meanwhile, Cedar Hill — which looked like a world-beater before their first-round loss to Richardson Berkner turned the entire bracket on its head — welcomes back do-it-all dynamo Quin Bright and a talented group of big men eager to put last year behind them.

Texas Footballreally likes what Hebron brings to the table, too. The Hawks may miss star receiver Trejan Bridges, but there are plenty of weapons left over and, most importantly to coach Brian Brazil, a potentially lights-out defense.

Out west, Tascosa’s biggest challenge in the Little Southwest Conference should come from Midland Lee — receiver Loic Fouonji is somehow more difficult to cover than he is to spell — while linebacker David Powers should make El Paso Franklin the Sun City’s top 6A squad.

 

REGION II

If Longview is to win two titles in two years after winning zero titles in 81, it’ll be on the strength of quarterback Haynes King, who established himself as one of the state’s best signal-callers as a junior last season. The Lobos defense welcomes back a key starter at each level of the defense, including lineman Sawyer Goram-Welch and linebacker Tyshawn Taylor, but their coach said they’ll need youngsters to step up in a big way.

And it’s not like their road is a cakewalk.

“Everybody in our district is going to be a problem for us,” John King said. “And then in round one, you could see (Hewitt) Midway, Temple, Copperas Cove? That’s all you’re guaranteed. And I know our region will be tough.”

He’s not lying — District 11-6A will be headlined by a showdown between Longview and Rockwall, but don’t sleep on Mesquite Horn, which peaked in the playoffs last year.

Of course, Region II is also home to Allen, smarting after a semifinal loss to Duncanville last year. This will be a very different Eagles team than most — long on potential, short on known commodities — that’s most reminiscent of the 2008 squad…which just so happened to win a state title. The name to know is running back Celdon Manning, who will likely carry the load early for the Eagles.

The Woodlands could be in for a resurgent year as well, boasting 16 returning starters for second-year coach Jim Rapp. If Allen stubs its toe, running back Breyton Gilford and the Highlanders look poised to run past them into a semifinal. Of course, they’ll have to find a way through Klein Collins and Klein Oak just to get out of District 15-6A.

The rest of the Region II contenders are a “yes, but” proposition. Yes, Austin Vandegrift was excellent last year, but can the defense replace key pieces lost to graduation? Yes, Hewitt Midway has potential, but are they a year way? Yes, Spring Westfield is always in the hunt, but can they find enough offense? Yes, Cy Ranch always has talent, but can new coach Sean McAuliffe — in from Converse Judson — put the pieces together quickly?

 

REGION III

Texas Footballis comfortable saying that there has never been a disparity between divisions quite like what we’ve seen — and what we will likely see again — in Region III of Class 6A.

Consider this: in 2018, every district champion in Region III — all eight of them — went to the Division I bracket.

The coaches are well aware.

“I use it as a motivator,” Atascocita coach Craig Stump said about his Eagles’ loaded Division I path. “I say, ‘You’re in a top program in the top region in the top level in the state.’ That’s exciting, and you embrace that. We’re not going to say, ‘man, I wish we could play some easy teams’.”

Atascocita, which won the region in 2017, will again have to scale a treacherous Division I mountain, knowing full well what lies ahead. But with 17 starters back from an 11-win team a year ago, including star defensive end Asyrus Simon, Stump thinks his squad — which starts the year ranked No. 9 — has the stomach for the fight.

“When we first got here, it was about making the playoffs, maybe playing on Thanksgiving,” Stump said. “But the mindset as changed. We’re expect to play in December; the question is how long we play in December. That’s the definition of success for us.”

But the final boss is a fearsome one: reigning champion Galena Park North Shore, which welcomes back seemingly every star from that unforgettable 2018 title team. From running back Zach Evans to quarterback Dematrius Davis to receiver Shadrach Banks, this Mustangs team remains loaded offensively; how they fill in the gaps on defense will tell the tale.

And then there’s Katy, who may take on a different look this season. Gone is bellcow running back Deondrick Glass, but quarterback Bronson McClelland could make the Tigers — gasp! — an aerial juggernaut. The defense is young, but this is coach Gary Joseph we’re talking about here.

North Shore, Katy and Atascocita project to the Division I bracket. So does dangerous Dickinson, 2017 state champion Cy-Fair, punishing Pearland, explosive Fort Bend Ridge Point, steady Houston Lamar…get the picture?

Meanwhile, on the Division II side, all eyes will be on Beaumont West Brook, who marched within a whisker of a state championship a year ago. Coach Eric Peevey must replace recognizable faces on both sides of the ball, but Thad Johnson and Ja’Kobi Holland give the Bruins plenty of firepower.

The team to keep an eye on here is Houston Strake Jesuit — coach Klay Kubiak put together one of the state’s most fearsome offenses in his first season, and we can’t wait to see what he does for an encore.

 

REGION IV

Let’s be blunt: while Region IV always houses San Antonio and south Texas, nobody has made themselves at home like Austin.

In the five seasons since 2008 that greater Austin has found itself aligned with Region IV instead of Region II, its teams have won the region in seven of ten opportunities. In fact, Lake Travis and Westlake have won as many Region IV titles in that span (3) as every San Antonio team combined (3).

Those two capital city powers should once again be the class of the region. Lake Travis’ offense – surprise! — should once again be excellent, led by blue-chip quarterback Hudson Card and a bevy of weapons on the outside. Westlake, too, will have its share of explosive elements — receiver Mason Mangum chief among them — though the quarterback spot for Todd Dodge’s squad remains a mystery.

If San Antonio is going to take back control of its region, Converse Judson seems like the most likely candidate, though the Rockets have plenty of newness to them, most notably on the sideline, where [NEW COACH] replaces Sean McAuliffe. Their District 26-6A bunkmate Cibolo Steele seems primed for a run as well, especially if all-everything defensive back Jaylon Jones has anything to say about it.

The most intriguing district race may be in District 28, where Brandeis, O’Connor, Brennan and Warren will duke it out for the crown, while Edinburg Vela looks poised to again claim the crown of Best 6A Team in the Valley.

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