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District 11-2A Division II

OUR PICKS

1. Lovelady 2. Tenaha 3. Overton 4. Mount Enterprise 5. Cushing 6. Grapeland 7. Alto

Lovelady Lions

COACH: Will Kirchhoff (5th season, 47-15 at Lovelady)

ALL-TIME: 371-448-18

STADIUM: Lion Stadium, 11839 Texas State Highway 19, Lovelady, 75851

2023 RESULTS: 13-1 regional finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 13/10

LETTERMEN LOST: 12

OFFENSE: Gun Run

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Tyler Gilchrist, Sr., 5-10, 210 … WR Kye Terry, Sr., 6-2, 180 … QB Lance Pierce, Sr., 6-0, 175 … RB Cortavies Whitaker, Sr., 5-11, 175 … WR CJ Wiley, Jr., 6-2, 170

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE Tyler Gilchrist, Sr., 5-10, 210 … DB Kye Terry, Sr., 6-2, 180 … DB Cortavies Whitaker, Sr., 5-11, 175 … OLB Alan Baskin, Sr., 5-10, 170 … MLB Lane Wilson, Jr., 5-10, 185 … LB Cason Watson, Jr., 5-9, 170 … DB CJ Wiley, Jr., 6-2, 170

2024 Outlook: Lovelady didn’t advance to the postseason until 1979, and had to wait until 2005 to experience its second playoff berth, but times have changed enough in its favor to allow its young fans to only be familiar with football playoff appearances. The Lions have advanced to every postseason event since the 2009 season to mark off 15 of their 19 appearances. The program’s expectations definitely don’t change for the upcoming 2024 campaign because it marched all the way to the 2023 regional final. This year’s lineup wants to prove that there’s more up its sleeves, and will lean on a varsity of versatile players to move closer to a possible state championship game appearance. Kye Terry is a senior receiver, defensive back, kick returner and punt returner, Tyler Gilchrist is a senior offensive lineman and defensive end, Cortavies Whitaker is a senior running back and defensive back, and CJ Wiley is a junior receiver and defensive back. The team also has talented solo acts like senior quarterback Lance Pierce, senior outside linebacker Alan Baskin, junior middle linebacker, and junior linebacker Cason Watson. Ultimately, Lovelady’s late 2024 landing spot will come down to the continued development of depth across the team roster.

Tenaha Tigers

COACH: Marlon Byrdsong (1st season, 0-0 at Tenaha)

ALL-TIME: 548-421-27

STADIUM: Raymond Jackson Stadium, 138 College Street, Tenaha, 75974

2023 RESULTS: 10-3 regional semifinalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 22/12

LETTERMEN LOST: 7

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Brikelian Kenney, Sr., 5-11, 165 … TE Seth Stokes, Sr., 6-5, 245 … OL Jaylon Williams, Sr., 5-11, 310 … C CJ Suell, Sr., 6-0, 230 … WR/RB A’vante Fredieu, Sr., 5-9, 165 … TE Trace Holmes, Jr., 6-0, 200 … RB Kajavion Ross, Jr., 5-9, 165 … OL Keren Cato, So., 5-10, 250

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: S Brikelian Kenney, Sr., 5-11, 165 … DE Seth Stokes, Sr., 6-5, 245 … DT Jaylon Williams, Sr., 5-11, 310 … DL CJ Suell, Sr., 6-0, 230 … DB A’vante Fredieu, Sr., 5-9, 165 … E Trace Holmes, Jr., 6-0, 200 … LB Kajavion Ross, Jr., 5-9, 165 … DL Keren Cato, So., 5-10, 250

2024 Outlook: Tenaha has qualified for 35 postseason appearances since 1941, and is coming off its second regional semifinal in a four-year stretch between 2020 and 2023, so it has deep season expectations in 2024. The Tigers are scratching and clawing at the right time, and has the necessary roster to build on their recent success. Brikelian Kenney (134 completions, 1,609 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 76 carries, 529 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 71 tackles and five interceptions) is the team’s offensive leader at quarterback, and also plays safety in the defensive secondary. Tight end and defensive end Seth Stokes, offensive lineman and defensive tackle Jaylon Williams, center and defensive lineman CJ Suell, tight end and defensive end Trace Holmes, and offensive and defensive lineman Keren Cato play important roles on both sides of the trenches. A’vante Fredieu (10 carries, 119 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions, 185 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, and 41 tackles) is all over the field at wide receiver, running back and defensive back, so keep an eye on him on offense and defense. Another key piece that provides depth and success on both sides of the ball is running back and linebacker Kajavion Ross.

Overton Mustangs

COACH: Scotty Laymance (2nd season, 11-11 at Overton, 17-24 overall)

ALL-TIME: 455-456-24

STADIUM: Coach Chetster Roy Stadium, 501 East Henderson, Overton, 75684

2023 RESULTS: 10-2 area round finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 12

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Bryce Still, Sr., 5-8, 160 … WR Jayden Edwards, Sr., 6-0, 170 … OL Vance Fletcher, Sr., 6-0, 280 … WR Rylan Holleman, Jr., 6-1, 180 … RB Justin Weir, So., 5-10, 185 … OL Ethan Oates, So., 6-3, 290 …WR Brody Brown, Jr., 6-0, 165 … OL Tucker Dike, Jr., 6-0, 230 … OL Elijah Dorsey, So., 5-10, 245

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Bryce Still, Sr., 5-8, 160 … DB Jayden Edwards, Sr., 6-0, 170 … DL Vance Fletcher, Sr., 6-0, 280 … DB Rylan Holleman, Jr., 6-1, 180 … LB Justin Weir, So., 5-10, 185 …DL Ethan Oates, So., 6-3, 290 …DB Brody Brown, Jr., 6-0, 165 … DL Tucker Dike, Jr., 6-0, 230 … DL Elijah Dorsey, So., 5-10, 245

2024 Outlook: Overton snapped a five-year playoff drought and appeared in the bi-district in 2022 before he eventually topped those accomplishments with an even better area round finish in 2023. Now, the Mustangs are aiming for deeper run as the 2024 season approaches. The program plans to make the most of its hot streak with a confident group of athletes. The team’s trek will begin with senior quarterback and defensive back Bryce Still (227 completions, 3,200 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns, 80 carries, 456 rushing yards, and nine rushing touchdowns), senior receiver and defensive back Jayden Edwards (75 receptions, 1,346 yards and 19 touchdowns), two-way senior in the trenches Vance Fletcher, deep offensive and defensive threat in receiver and defensive back Rylan Holleman (42 receptions, 563 yards and three touchdowns, 20 tackles, and two interceptions), two-way attacker in running back and linebacker Justin Weir (103 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two sacks, one interceptions and one fumble recovery), two-way lineman Ethan Oates (69 tackles, five tackles for loss, and two sacks), receiver and defensive back Brody Brown (39 tackles, eight pass breakups, two tackles for loss, and two interceptions), and an offensive and defensive line duo in Tucker Dike and Elijah Dorsey.

Mount Enterprise Wildcats

COACH: Scott Ponder (3rd season, 6-14 at Mount Enterprise; 145-11 overall)

ALL-TIME: 247-370-10

STADIUM: B.W. Jackson Field at John Webb Stadium, 1002 West Rusk, Mount Enterprise, 75681

2023 RESULTS: 5-5 bi-district finalist

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 19/20

LETTERMEN LOST: 6

OFFENSE: Slot T

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: FB Kaegan Ash, Jr., 6-0, 195 … HB Tracey Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 195 … TB Aadin Alsup, Jr., 5-10, 165 … TB Konner Pollard, Sr., 5-9, 155 … FB Aiden Rogers, Sr., 5-9, 180

DEFENSE: 44

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DE/LB Kaegan Ash, Jr., 6-0, 195 … FS Tracey Thompson, Sr., 6-0, 195 … OLB Aadin Alsup, Jr., 5-10, 165 … ILB Konner Pollard, Sr., 5-9, 155 … OLB Tanner Wilburn, Jr., 5-8, 155 … ILB Aiden Rogers, Sr., 5-9, 180

2024 Outlook: Mount Enterprise has spikes of success throughout its history, and one of those occurred last fall. The Wildcats celebrated the 60th anniversary of their first ever postseason appearance in 1963 with their 16th overall in 2023. They have had to go the extra mile to earn each and every one of those playoffs berths, and want to build on their bi-district finish from a year ago. The team’s versatile lineup of players starts with Kaegan Ash (2,837 rushing yards and 38 touchdowns) at the fullback position on offense and at both the defensive end and linebacker on defense. Tracey Thompson (786 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns, and 42 tackles) splits his time between halfback and free safety, Aadin Alsup (299 rushing yards, 23 tackles, and two touchdowns) and Konner Pollard (88 tackles) will play for the same tailback and linebacker groups, and Aiden Rogers (61 tackles) is nearby at fullback while also serving as inside linebacker. Mount Enterprise’s depth also needs single-focused players, and outside linebacker Tanner Wilburn is a player to watch in that category. The players’ hard work paid off on the field in 2023, but head coach Scott Ponder deserves similar praise for his sideline and practice leadership and direction before his third season begins this fall.

Cushing Bearkats

COACH: Josh Moore (7th season, 30-31 at Cushing)

ALL-TIME: 266-482-9

STADIUM: J F Whitaker Field at Bearkat Stadium, #1 Bearkat Drive, Cushing, 75760

2023 RESULTS: 4-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 13/11

LETTERMEN LOST: 7

OFFENSE: Flexbone

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Eli Dawson, Sr., 5-11, 160 … RB Gavin Crumpton, Sr., 5-10, 170 … OL John Lawerence, Sr., 5-10, 180 … OL Jacob Conway, Jr., 6-0, 185 … OL Gatlin Anthony, Sr., 5-10, 180 …. FB Landon Castillo, Jr., 5-10, 190 … FB Ja’keiss Mitchell, Jr., 5-11, 205 … RB Caigin Angelo, So., 5-5, 150

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Eli Dawson, Sr., 5-11, 160 … OLB Gavin Crumpton, Sr., 5-10, 170 … LB John Lawerence, Sr., 5-10, 180 … DL Jacob Conway, Jr., 6-0, 185 … LB Daiden Perry, Jr., 5-8, 160 … DL Gatlin Anthony, Sr., 5-10, 180 …. LB Landon Castillo, Jr., 5-10, 190 … DL Ja’keiss Mitchell, Jr., 5-11, 205

2024 Outlook: Cushing had to wait a very long time for its first ever playoff appearance, but it finally broke through in 1990 and 1997, and followed a 21-year drought with four more between 2018 and 2022 to extend their playoff berth total to six. The Bearkats were bi-district finalists during their first five playoff appearances before they broke through and advanced to the area round in 2022. The Nacogdoches County program took a step back in 2023, but it can still navigate the 2024 slate with a versatile group of players. It plans to quickly regroup, so it can continue to rise up the playoff charts for years to come. That trend starts with quarterback and defensive back Eli Dawson (80 carries, 703 rushing yards, seven rushing touchdowns, 30 completions, 695 passing yards and 13 passing touchdowns), and running back and outside linebacker Gavin Crumpton (63 carries, 712 yards and eight touchdowns). The team’s depth continues with offensive lineman and linebacker John Lawerence, two-way linemen Jacob Conway and Gatlin Anthony, linebacker Daiden Peery, full back and linebacker Landon Castillo, and full back and defensive lineman Ja’keiss Mitchell. Running back Caigin Angelo falls in an individual category, but he’s explosive as well.

Grapeland Sandies

COACH: Jordan Wood (4th season, 8-22 at Grapeland)

ALL-TIME: 473-480-34

STADIUM: Grapeland Sandies Stadium, 1007 North Olive Street, Grapeland, 75844

2023 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 20/17

LETTERMEN LOST: 6

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Maleek Johnson, Jr., 5-8, 170 … OL Jesse Ellington, Jr., 6-2, 305 … WR Keavy Burns, OL Rickie Gilmore, Sr., 6-4, 265 … QB Sean Walker, Jr., 5-9, 165

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Trey Gilmore, Sr., 6-3, 235 … LB Diego Fajardo, So., 5-8, 165 … LB Bryson Johnson, Sr., 6-0, 180 … DL Semaj Wagner, Sr., 6-0, 185

2024 Outlook: Grapeland produced all 27 of its postseason berths between 1936 and 2020, but it’s in the middle of a down period that hasn’t produced a playoff appearance since. The Sandies have one of the best Texas high school mascots, and need to bounce back from the 8-22 start to the Jordan Wood head coaching tenure that began in 2021. The climb back will depend on improvement in district play that has produced a 3-14 mark during the same stretch of time. The 2024 on-field effort will come from experienced upperclassmen players all across Grapeland’s roster. The list of talents include 2025 and 2026 prospects like junior running back Maleek Johnson, senior linebacker Trey Gilmore, junior offensive lineman Jesse Ellington, junior receiver Keavy Bruins, senior offensive lineman Rickie Gilmore, junior quarterback Sean Walker, senior linebacker Bryson Johnson, and senior defensive lineman Semaj Wagner. The team also needs to develop talents, so current sophomore linebacker Diego Fajardo can team up with them once the other Sandies’ athletes have graduated high school.

Alto Yellowjackets

COACH: Brock Grigsby (3rd season, 7-13 at Alto)

ALL-TIME: 605-394-34

STADIUM: Cam’ron Matthews Field, Jacket Road, Alto, 75925

2023 RESULTS: 0-10

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 20/18

LETTERMEN LOST: 3

OFFENSE: 11 P Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: ATH Zack Battle, Sr., 6-2, 180 … WR Tim Bond, Sr., 5-10, 155 … OL Jordan Guevara, Sr., 6-0, 240 … QB Camdyn Almond, Jr., 6-0, 165

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Anthony Battle, Sr., 6-0, 165 … DE JJ Rollins, Sr., 6-2, 180

2024 Outlook: Alto struggled throughout the 2023 football season, and eventually suffered a winless campaign, but it’s still not far off from a successful playoff era. The Yellowjackets stung the competition enough between 1992 and 2021 to produce 28 of their 40 program postseason appearances. They advanced to 11 consecutive playoffs between 1992 and 2002 before another double-digit stretch of 16 straight between 2004 and 2019. Prior to that, they clinched their first 12 playoff berths between 1935 and 1990. Their most dominant period included four consecutive berths between 1983 and 1986. Alto’s 2024 comeback charge will start with a group of upperclassmen on the offensive side of the ball. Junior quarterback Camdyn Almond plays the most important position for his team’s offensive unit, and will benefit from senior offensive lineman Jordan Guevara’s blocking as he connects with senior athlete Zack Battle and senior receiver Tim Bond at different spots on the field. The Yellowjackets will also need to slow down opponents. Luckily, they have playmakers at multiple defensive positions. Two of them are senior defensive back Anthony Battle and defensive end JJ Rollins. The experience across Alto’s roster can make waves at the right moments this fall, so opponents can’t overlook this feisty squad.