The Top 10 Texas high school football defenses in 2019

Photo by Russell Wilburn

Share or Save for Later

Share on Twitter Share on Facebook Save to Favorites

Welcome to TXHSFB Inside the Numbers — where Dave Campbell's Texas Football take the data that makes up Texas high school football, and try to figure out what it means looking back and looking forward. Today: the best defenses in Texas high school football in 2019.

The climb for the Diboll Lumberjacks has been slow, but steady. After bottoming out in 2016 at 2-9, the Lumberjacks have gradually become more dangerous, to 6-4 in 2017 and 10-2 in 2018. For coach Blake Morrison's squad, a lot of that can be tied directly to an improved defense, nearly halving their defensive points allowed per game average from 29.8 in 2016 to 15.5 in 2018.

If 2017 and 2018 were a "hop" and a "skip", 2019 was decidedly a "leap."

Diboll assembled the best 11-man defense in Texas high school football in 2019, allowing a mere 5.2 points per game in their breakout 11-1 season — the Lumberjacks' second undefeated regular season in program history, and its first sice 2000. The Lumberjacks had one of 3A's most fearsome front sevens, led by LBs Hayden McLeroy and Chase Tamez, and DLs Herbert Gums, Jeremiah Gums and Hezekiah Freeman. That's not to say their secondary was any easier to beat: the Lumberjacks put all four DBs on the District 11-3A DI all-district team in Jorrin Thompson, Tyveon Williams, Jermiah Setter-Watts and Jaylon McMillan. All told, Diboll pitched five shutouts (technically six, though Buna scored on a safety in their bi-district playoff matchup) and held 10 of its 12 opponents to single-digit point totals.

Not far behind them, San Saba's defense was among the fiercest in all of the state, allowing just 7 points per game. While QB Sean O'Keefe and RB Eli Salinas got a lot of deserved headlines, it was the Armadillos' defense that was arguably more dominant, leaning on LB Risien Shahan, DL Jett Hibler and DB Jake Faught to hold opponents in check all year. Ten of the Armadillos' 14 opponents failed to crack double-digit points, including six shutouts.

Traditional defensive standout programs follow close behind in Cy-Fair (8.0 points allowed per game), East Bernard (8.5) and Austin LBJ (8.5). The rest of the top 10 includes small-school powers (Ralls, Alto and Lindsay) and 6A powerhouses, including 6A DII champion Austin Westlake (9.0) and 6A DI runner-up Duncanville (9.8).

Cy-Fair was the most dominant defense in Class 6A; Austin LBJ was 5A's best defense; in 4A, the defensive crown belonged to Sealy (12.6 points per game), edging out West Orange-Stark for the honor; 3A's top defense was Diboll; and San Saba had the best scoring defense team in 2A.

_____

Become a DCTF Insider today for exclusive insight from the best team of reporters in the Lone Star State! CLICK HERE!

Your subscription will include:

  • Instant access to all of our content that is marked Insider at www.texasfootball.com.
    • Includes exclusive podcasts, recruiting news, and our full High School Football rankings and score predictors
  • A mailed copy of the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preview 
  • A mailed copy of the Recruiting/Rising Edition of Dave Campbell’s Texas Football
  • Access to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football vast array of archived magazines

This article is available to our Digital Subscribers.
Click "Subscribe Now" to see a list of subscription offers.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In to access this content.

Sign In
Don't Miss Any Exclusive Coverage!

We've been the Bible of Texas football fans for 64 years. By joining the DCTF family you'll gain access to all of our exclusive content and have our magazines mailed to you!