Hughes Springs

District 10-3A Division II

OUR PICKS

1. Daingerfield 2. Hooks 3. DeKalb 4. New Boston 5. Queen City 6. Redwater 7. Hughes Springs

Daingerfield Tigers

COACH: Davin Nelson (7th season, 61-20 at Daingerfield)

ALL-TIME: 658-366-25

STADIUM: Mickey Mayne Tiger Stadium, 202 Tiger Drive, Daingerfield, 75638

2023 RESULTS: 11-4 state semifinalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 21/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 14

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Chase Johnson, Sr., 6-1, 207 … WR Kenny Mosley, Sr., 6-0, 180 … RB Ashton Williams, Jr., 5-10, 180 … C Nick Wallace, Sr., 5-11, 279 … WR Reign Wallace, So., 5-8, 150 … G Trey Anderson, Sr., 6-8, 349 … WR Mason Williams, Jr., 6-2, 165 … OL Devin Gholston, Jr., 6-1, 317 … WR Jakyrin Craver, So., 5-11, 155 … WR Tyler Brown, Sr., 6-2, 177 … RB Bryson Lee, Sr., 5-9, 193 … RB Tamar Palmer, So., 5-10, 164 … RB Trent Boyd, Sr., 5-7, 153 … RB CT Elkins, So., 5-7, 151 … OL Markell Reeves, Jr., 6-3, 297

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: SS Kenny Mosley, Sr., 6-0, 180 … DT Nick Wallace, Sr., 5-11, 279 … FS Reign Wallace, So., 5-8, 150 … DT Trey Anderson, Sr., 6-8, 349 … CB Mason Williams, Jr., 6-2, 165 … DL Devin Gholston, Jr., 6-1, 317 … FS Jakyrin Craver, So., 5-11, 155 … SS Tyler Brown, Sr., 6-2, 177 … LB Bryson Lee, Sr., 5-9, 193 … OLB Tamar Palmer, So., 5-10, 164 … CB Trent Boyd, Sr., 5-7, 153 … So., CB CT Elkins, So., 5-7, 151 … DL Markell Reeves, Jr., 6-3, 297

2024 Outlook: Daingerfield advanced all the way to the state semifinal in 2023, and is motivated to march further in 2024. The Tigers can inch closer to a state championship game appearance because of the returns of senior quarterback Chase Johnson (153 completions, 2,953 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, 94 carries, 768 rushing yards and 18 rushing touchdowns), senior receiver and strong safety Kenny Mosley (60 receptions, 1,126 receiving yards, 14 touchdowns, 78 tackles, seven interceptions, five pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and one fumble recovery), junior running back Ashton Williams (118 carries, 1,242 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, three receptions, 18 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown, four returns, 346 yards and two return touchdowns), senior center and defensive tackle Nick Wallace (56 pancakes, 39 tackles, four quarterback pressures, two tackles for loss, and one sack allowed), sophomore receiver and free safety Reign Wallace (six receptions, 57 yards, and one touchdown), senior guard and defensive tackle Trey Anderson (26 tackles, two quarterback pressures, one sack, and one fumble recovery), junior receiver and cornerback Mason Williams (19 receptions, 286 yards and three touchdowns), junior offensive and defensive lineman Devin Gholston (36 pancakes), sophomore receiver and free safety Jakyrin Craver, senior receiver and strong safety Tyler Brown, senior running back and linebacker Bryson Lee (153 tackles, seven quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, four sacks, four fumble recoveries, and one defensive touchdown), sophomore running back and outside linebacker Tamar Palmer (28 tackles, four pass breakups, two tackles for loss and one sack), senior running back and cornerback Trent Boyd (16 carries, 91 yards, one touchdown, 33 tackles, and two interceptions), sophomore CT Elkins (seven tackles), and junior offensive and defensive lineman Markell Reeves.

Hooks Hornets

COACH: Chris Birdwell (10th season, 62-39 at Hooks)

ALL-TIME: 424-371-4

STADIUM: Hornet Stadium, 601 East Avenue, Hooks, 75561

2023 RESULTS: 10-1 area round finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 18/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 14

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Rod Bailey, Sr., 6-1, 175 … QB Ripken Bidwell, Jr., 5-11, 190 … WR Jorge Velazquez, Sr., 6-0, 172 … RB Dontravious Coulter, Sr., 5-8, 193 … OL Blaze Connel, Jr., 6-0, 231 … OL Grant Rampy, Jr., 5-9, 245

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Rod Bailey, Sr., 6-1, 175 … LB Ripken Bidwell, Jr., 5-11, 190 … Ra’Kadrian Minter, Sr., 6-3, 227 … LB Dontravious Coulter, Sr., 5-8, 193 … DL Carlos Patino, So., 5-11, 237

2024 Outlook: Hooks plans to build on the momentum of its current five-season playoff streak in 2024. The Hornets have a great football history because it has advanced to 32 postseasons since the 1959 campaign. They expect to excel again this fall because of senior receiver and defensive back Rod Bailey (20 receptions, 401 receiving yards, six receiving touchdowns, 309 return yards, two return touchdowns, 35 tackles and 10 pass breakups), junior quarterback and linebacker Ripken Birdwell (110 completions, 2,239 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, 60 carries, 497 rushing yards, eight rushing touchdowns, 90 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and two sacks), senior defensive end Ra’Kadrian Minter (89 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, four sacks, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries), junior linebacker Jasper Crain (107 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery), senior receiver Jorge Velazquez (17 receptions, 255 yards and three touchdowns), senior running back and linebacker Dontravious Coulter (27 carries, 386 yards, five touchdowns, 52 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles), junior offensive linemen Blaze Connel (23 pancakes) and Grant Rampy (17 pancakes), and sophomore Carlos Patino (51 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery).

DeKalb Bears

COACH: Troy Zeringue (2nd season, 8-3 at DeKalb)

ALL-TIME: 472-433-30

STADIUM: Bear Stadium, 200 Southwest Neighbors Street, De Kalb, 75559

2023 RESULTS: 8-3 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/15

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: H-Back

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OT/DT Tanner Hawkins, Sr., 6-4, 325 … QB Jalen White, Sr., 6-1, 180 … G Cole Triplett, Sr., 6-2, 250 … RB Dom Dunn, Jr., 5-9, 205

DEFENSE: 10-1

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: S Kobe Spurgeon, Sr., 6-3, 170 … S Walker Matteson, Jr., 5-9, 160 … S Tanner Copeland, Jr., 6-0, 170

2024 Outlook: DeKalb knows what it takes to advance to the University Interscholastic League postseason because it has qualified for 27 playoff appearances since 1940. The high school’s long tradition has also translated to recent success. That has been on display during the first three football seasons since the school’s current senior class arrived on campus in 2021. The group understands that playing beyond the regular season and district play and making consecutive playoff appearances are the expectations, and plans to add a fourth straight postseason chapter in 2024. The Bears will be boosted by experienced leaders and Class of 2025 prospects like quarterback Jalen White, two-way tackle Tanner Hawkins, guard Cole Triplett, and safety Kobe Spurgeon. White fits into the important role that will guide the team’s offensive unit, and will be protected by Hawkins and Triplett. Spurgeon will also team up with Hawkins on the defensive side to cover the area from the secondary to the trenches. The team will also top the competition because it has the necessary depth to compete with the region’s best. A lot of the extra backing will come from the team’s junior class. Walker Matteson and Tanner Copeland are expected to step into their defensive secondary roles as safeties, while Don Dunn will be a rushing force that will keep opponents on their toes.

New Boston Lions

COACH: Jody Littleton (3rd season, 12-12 at New Boston)

ALL-TIME: 410-506-16

STADIUM: Lion Stadium, Sunset Street and College Street, New Boston, 75570

2023 RESULTS: 6-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/15

LETTERMEN LOST: 11

OFFENSE: Multiple I

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Ashton Rowden, Jr., 6-0, 195 … RB Jomar Smith, Sr. … OL Eli Walker, Jr. … QB Justin Allen, Sr. … OL Evan Stuppard, Jr. … OL Westin Pepper, So. … OL Jockoby Kasitati, Jr. … OL Kenny Hoffman, Jr. … OL Dakota Fowler, Sr. … OL Tristian Stovall, Sr.

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Will Erwin, Sr. … DL Shawn Veals, Sr. … DL Eli Walker, Jr. … DL Evan Stuppard, Jr. … DB Kason Campbell, Jr. … DL Westin Pepper, So. … DB Adrian Myrks, Sr. … DL Jockoby Kasitati, Jr. … LB Kenny Hoffman, Jr. … DL Dakota Fowler, Sr. … DL Tristian Stovall, Sr.

2024 Outlook: New Boston expects to advance to and win in the 2024 UIL postseason after its 2022 and 2023 area round playoff finishes. The Lions have come a long way since the current millennium and 21st century began because they have earned 10 of their 13 postseason appearances since 2002. Previously, they only qualified for the 1942, 1953 and 1984 playoff events. This year, they will receive a season-long attack from junior running back Ashton Rowden (1,106 total rushing yards, 100.5 yards per game, 114 points, and 19 touchdowns), senior running back Jomar Smith (473 total rushing yards, and 43 yards per game), senior defensive back Will Erwin (73 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, four sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass breakups), senior defensive lineman Shawn Veals (64 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, five sacks, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble), junior offensive and defensive linemen Eli Walker and Evan Stuppard, senior quarterback Justin Allen, junior defensive back Kason Campbell (38 tackles, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, one pass breakup, and one blocked kick), sophomore Westin Pepper, senior defensive back Adrian Myrks, junior offensive and defensive lineman Jockoby Kasitati, junior offensive lineman and linebacker Kenny Hoffman, and senior two-way linemen Dakota Fowler and Tristian Stovall.

Queen City Bulldogs

COACH: David Wilbanks (1st season, 0-0 at Queen City)

ALL-TIME: 269-449-9

STADIUM: Smith-Wall Stadium, 905 Houston Street, Queen City, 75572

2023 RESULTS: 5-6 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 15/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Multiple Gun

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Hunter Parker, Sr., 6-2, 185 … RB Jason Joffray, Jr., 5-9, 175 … WR Brayden Wiley, Sr., 5-8, 170 … OL Willie Grundy, Sr., 5-10, 215 … OL Levi Byrum, Jr., 6-2, 245 … OL David Jackson, So., 6-3, 285 … WR DJ Henson, Jr., 5-11, 150 … OL Riley Newkirk, So., 5-11, 290 … OL Noah Williams, Sr., 6-1, 250 … WR DeKetrick Smith, Sr., 6-0, 165 … RB Kordell Fredrick, Jr., 5-8, 190 … WR Bryce Belk, Sr., 5-11, 175 … WR Trenton Belk, So., 5-10, 145 … QB Malaki Richardson, Jr., 5-10, 160 … WR Derell Sewell, So., 5-9, 145 … OL Xander Brown, Jr., 6-2, 295

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Jason Joffray, Jr., 5-9, 175 … DB Brayden Wiley, Sr., 5-8, 170 … DE Levi Byrum, Jr., 6-2, 245 … DL David Jackson, So., 6-3, 285 … LB TJ Guest, Jr., 5-8, 150 … DE Noah Williams, Sr., 6-1, 250 … DB DeKetrick Smith, Sr., 6-0, 165 … LB Kordell Fredrick, Jr., 5-8, 190 … DB Bryce Belk, Sr., 5-11, 175 … DB Trenton Belk, So., 5-10, 145 … DB Malaki Richardson, Jr., 5-10, 160 … DB Derell Sewell, So., 5-9, 145 … DL Xander Brown, Jr., 6-2, 295

2024 Outlook: Queen City had a slow start to its program because it didn’t qualify for a postseason until 1977, but things have changed in the past four and a half decades. The Bulldogs heated up in the 1990s and 2000s before advancing to their ninth and most recent appearance in 2023. They are coming off their seventh bi-district finish, and advanced as far as the area round in 1989 and 1991. Queen City snapped a 10-year postseason drought last fall, and has the necessary group to punch consecutive tickets for the third time in program history (1991-1993 and 2000-2001) in 2024. The Bulldogs’ offensive unit will be guided by quarterbacks Hunter Parker and Malaki Richardson, running backs Jason Joffray and Kordell Fredrick, receivers Brayden Wiley, DJ Henson, DeKetrick Smith, Bryce Belk, Trenton Belk and Derell Sewell, and offensive linemen Willie Grundy, Levi Byrum, David Jackson, Riley Newkirk, Noah Williams and Xander Brown. The team will also need to slow down opponents, and will lean on a defensive unit that features linebacker Jason Joffray, defensive back Brayden Wiley, defensive end Levi Byrum, defensive lineman David Jackson, linebacker TJ Guest, defensive end Noah Williams, defensive back DeKetrick Smith, linebacker Kordell Fredrick, defensive backs Bryce Belk, Trenton Belk, Malaki Richardson and Derell Sewell, and defensive lineman Xander Brown.

Redwater Dragons

COACH: Bryce Haugh (1st season, 0-0 at Redwater)

ALL-TIME: 164-325-3

STADIUM: Dragon Stadium, 120 Red River Road, Redwater, 75573

2023 RESULTS: 4-6 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Multiple Pro

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Marquez Jones, Sr., 5-10, 160 … QB Gavin Carrell, Sr., 6-2, 210 … RB Nick Farrar, Sr., 5-7, 165 … RB Colt Morrow, Sr., 5-8, 165 … TE Mason Rampy, Jr., 6-1, 220 … OL Maddox Matkoff, So., 5-9, 235 … WR JJ Vaughn, So., 5-10, 160 … OL Colton Tutor, Sr., 6-1, 260 … OL Austin Ingram, Sr., 6-2, 255 … TE Ryan Satterfield, Sr., 6-0, 205 … OL Nick Yim, Sr., 5-9, 310

DEFENSE: Multiple 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Braelan Morgan, So., 6-1, 190 … DL Lawson Angel, Jr., 5-8, 216 … LB Colt Morrow, Sr., 5-8, 165 … DB Tanner Ingram, Jr., 5-10, 150 … DE Mason Rampy, Jr., 6-1, 220 … DL Maddox Matkoff, So., 5-9, 235 … DB JJ Vaughn, So., 5-10, 160 … DL Colton Tutor, Sr., 6-1, 260 … DL Austin Ingram, Sr., 6-2, 255 … LB Ryan Satterfield, Sr., 6-0, 205 … DL Nick Yim, Sr., 5-9, 310

2024 Outlook: Redwater has a very recent playoff history, and snapped a five-year postseason drought and appeared in the bi-district round in 2023. The Dragons didn’t clinch a playoff berth until 1993, but they used that moment as a launching pad to set up their 11 appearances between then and last fall. They now want take the next step towards more late season success in 2024. The Dragons will heat up with senior receiver and defensive back Marquez Jones (37 receptions, 776 yards, 1,138 all-purpose yards, and 19 touchdowns), senior quarterback Gavin Carrell (79 completions, 1,350 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns and seven rushing touchdowns), senior running back Nick Farrar (179 carries, 1,002 rushing yards, and seven touchdowns), sophomore linebacker Braelen Morgan (55 tackles and one forced fumble), junior defensive lineman Lawson Angel (59 tackles, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one interception), senior linebacker and running back Colt Morrow (73 tackles, five tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception), junior defensive back Tanner Ingram, junior tight end and defensive end Mason Rampy, sophomore offensive and defensive lineman Maddox Matkoff, sophomore receiver and defensive back JJ Vaughn, senior two-way linemen Colt Tutor Austin Ingram and Nick Yim, and senior tight end and linebacker Ryan Satterfield.

Hughes Springs Mustangs

COACH: Blake Worley (1st season, 0-0 at Hughes Springs)

ALL-TIME: 463-461-34

STADIUM: Mustang Stadium, 701 Russell, Hughes Springs, 75656

2023 RESULTS: 0-10

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 27/22

LETTERMEN LOST: 1

OFFENSE: TBD

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB EJ Searcy, Sr., 5-10, 142 … RB Chris Collins, Sr., 6-3, 160 … FB Tanner Westmoreland, Sr., 5-10, 190 … RB Murrow Bryson, So., 6-1, 180 … OL Joe Jedlick, Jr., 5-9, 230 … OL Trent Akers, Jr., 5-9, 300 … TE Isaac Pemberton, So., 6-1, 185 … FB O’Zarion Hudson, Sr., 5-11, 190 … QB Hayden Smith, So., 5-9, 140

DEFENSE: TBD

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: CB EJ Searcy, Sr., 5-10, 142 … DB Chris Collins, Sr., 6-3, 160 … LB Tanner Westmoreland, Sr., 5-10, 190 … DB Murrow Bryson, So., 6-1, 180 … DL Joe Jedlick, Jr., 5-9, 230 … DL Trent Akers, Jr., 5-9, 300 … OLB Isaac Pemberton, So., 6-1, 185 … LB O’Zarion Hudson, Sr., 5-11, 190 … DB Hayden Smith, So., 5-9, 140

2024 Outlook: Hughes Springs has some work to do in a top-heavy district in 2024, but it gets a fresh start with new head coach Blake Worley starting his tenure. The Mustangs luckily have a lot of history on their side because they have galloped to 21 playoff victories in 25 postseason appearances since the 1941 season. They can learn from their predecessors to demonstrate the necessary district success in 2024 because 23 of their program’s playoff berths have occurred since 1985. They will also need to find their footing again, and their next stride can begin with their current senior class. Hughes Springs expects a lot out of their 2025 prospects. Some of them include senior running back and cornerback EJ Searcy, senior running back and defensive back Chris Collins, and senior fullback and linebacker Tanner Westmoreland. Their charge back attempt will also depend on roster depth and players in different age groups. Fans can expect important efforts on both sides of the ball because of the playmaking abilities of sophomore running back and defensive back Murrow Bryson, experience of junior two-way linemen Joe Jedlick and Trent Akers, youthfulness of sophomore tight end and outside linebacker Isaac Pemberton, leadership of senior fullback and linebacker O’Zarion Hudson, and sophomore sensation quarterback and defensive back Hayden Smith.