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District 8 4A Division II

Our picks

1. Carthage 2. Athens 3. Brownsboro 4. Rusk 5. Center 6. Bullard

Carthage Bulldogs

Head Coach: Scott Surratt (18th season, 219-30)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 690-367-40

2023 RESULTS: 13-1

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 24/15

LETTERMEN LOST: 23

OFFENSE: Multiple/Pro

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB KJ Edwards, JR., 5’9, 180, OL Kash Courtney, SR., 6’4 275, QB Jett Surratt, JR., 6’2, 175, OL/DL Colt Hodges SR., 6’3 245, RB Benny Smith JR., 5’10, 195, WR JR., Keymarian Henderson 6’4 185, OL Brandon Allison, SR., 6’0, 305, TE Cade Ross, JR., 6’1, 195

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Klayton Ingram, SR., 6’0, 210, DL James Morrow, SR., 6’1, 280, LB DaQuives Beck, JR., 6’2, 200, DL Braylin Allison, SR., 6’0, 270, SS Carson Crawford, JR., 6’4, 195

2024 OUTLOOK: Carthage is coming off a 13-1 season and seventh-straight undefeated title but the Bulldogs came up short of their ultimate goal which was claiming a 10th state title in the Scott Surratt era. This season Carthage looks to return to their 2022 glory and have all the weapons, experience and talent to do so. Junior running back KJ Edwards (1,706 yards, 24 touchdown) has emerged into one of the premiere running backs in the class of 2025, Jett Surratt (3,807 yards passing and 46 touchdowns) is another year older and much stronger and the Bulldogs return a combined 15 starters (seven on offense, eight on defense). Opening paths for Edwards and protecting Surratt will be the likes of University of Arkansas verbal commit Kash Courtney, Brandon Allison and Colt Hodges who will also see time on defense. Defensively the Bulldogs will be led up front by the likes of James Morrow, Braylin Allison and Hodges who on top of giving opposing quarterbacks fits will open up holes for the likes of Klayton Ingram and DaQuives Beck to roam sideline to sideline. If Surratt can get in tuned with a young receiving core the Bulldogs could get on the same page there’s no reason for the Bulldogs to give defending 4A Division II state champion Gilmer a run and stake claim to Scott Surratt’s 10th state title at Carthage, one that would set him atop the hierarchy of Texas High School football.

Athens Hornets

COACH: Zac Harrell (sixth season, 24-28)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 497-541-29

2023 RESULTS: 6-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 17/8

LETTERMEN LOST: 23

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB David Richardson, JR., 6’2, 200, C Jaden Trigg SR., 5’11, 305, OL Jayden Davis, JR., 6’1, 305, OL Jose Pimentel, JR., 6’2, 225, WR Drayvon Russell, SR., OL Jamarzia Hill, JR., 6’2, 295, OL Gus Wickel, JR., 6’2, 245, WR Emanuel Moore, JR., 6’1, 175, OL Brandon Casas, JR., 5’10, 250

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Jase Warren, SR., 6’2, 200, LB, Mason Shelton, SR., 5’11, 195, LB Jabory Taylor, SO., 6’1 195, Julius Brewer, JR., 5’9, 165, DB Jayvn Jackson, SO., 5’11, 170, DL Charles Livingston, 6’0, 215, LB Eli Carnes, JR., 5’1l, 215, DB Rhys Groom, JR., 5’10., 175

2024 OUTLOOK: Athens is coming off a 6-5 season which was their first above .500 finish since 2019 and now the Hornets look to build even further above the .500 mark this season. Athens will be competing in 4A D-II after being moved down from 4A D-I in the previous alignment. The Hornets will be led by David Richardson who combined for 1,587 yards (1,021 passing, 566 rushing) of total offense and 18 touchdowns. Emmanuel Moore (15 catches, 298 yards, six touchdowns) is Athens’ top returning receiver and Mason Shelton (94 tackles) is the Hornets’ leading returning tackler from a season ago. Jase Warrant (77 tackles) and Jabory Taylor (47) look to improve upon last season’s totals on defense.

Brownsboro Bears

COACH: Lance Connot (fourth season at school, 12-19, 87-57)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 379-485-25

2023 RESULTS: 5-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 8/8

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Cam Anderson, SR., 6’2, 310, QB Adam Thompson, JR., 5’10, 160, OL Bradley Hudler, SR., 5’10, 240, WR Gabe Hendricks, JR., 5’9, 160, WR Danton Wright, JR., 5’10, 170, OL Robert Spencer, SR., 6’2, 230, OL Israel Medina, JR., 6’5 285

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Micah Strickland, SR., 6’1, 175, LB Bralen Kirkpatrick, SR., 6’0, 185, DL Javarius Bell, 6’2, 255, LB Jack Anderson, JR., 6’1, 210, LB/DB Reagan Ford SO., 6’0, 180, DB Curtis Warren, JR., 6’0, 170, DL Andrew Cabrera SO., 6’1, 250, LB Cade Williams, JR., 5’10, 180, LB William Sherman, SO., 6’1, 210, DL Dante Romero, SR., 6’0, 300

2024 OUTLOOK: Brownsboro saw a three game improvement in the win column from the previous year but the Bears only managed a single win in district play. This season Brownsboro is looking to top last season’s five wins by relying on their talented offensive line as junior quarterback Adam Thompson gels the offense. Thompson threw for 1,475 yards and 12 touchdowns last season but the Bears’ top returning running back rushed for just 192 yards on 31 carries in a feat that was accomplished by Micah Strickland. Strickland will make more of a lasting impact on the defensive side of the way where the incoming senior has received over 10 Division I offers.

Rusk Eagles

COACH: Thomas Sitton (fifth season, 26-19)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 494-380-36

2023 RESULTS: 6-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 16/10

LETTERMEN LOST: 12

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Brayden Grimes, SR., 6’0, 165, OG Jacob Lopez, JR., 5’10, 280,

DEFENSE: Odd

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: CB Spencer Barnett, SR., 5’10, 170, CB Aiden Barnett, SR., 5’9, 165, LB Jermichael Sturns, SR., 5’9, 200, Carter Holland, SR., 6’1, 260

2024 OUTLOOK: Rusk is coming off back-to-back 6-5 seasons and reached the postseason for the eighth straight season and look to make it nine-straight. Thomas Sitton enters his fifth season as head coach and will rely on his very athletic and fast defense that will be led by four-year player Spencer Barnett and Jermichael Sturns. Sturns combined for 115 tackles while Barnett will look to shutdown the opposing teams’ top wide out after recording five interceptions last season. The Eagles return an equal number of starters (five) on both the offense and defense.

Bullard Panthers

COACH: Colt Bradford (second season, 6-4)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 157-292-1

2023 RESULTS: 6-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 7/14

LETTERMEN LOST: 29

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Crew Bowman, SR., 6’0, 180, TE Campbell Pawlak, SR., 6’6, 230, RB Trey Wheeler, JR., 5’9, 160, OT JP Gardner, JR., 6’4, 275, OT Will Scroggins, SO., 6’6, 305, WR Jay Crain, SR., 5’9, 165, WR Hendrix Smith, SR., 6’1, 170

DEFENSE: 3-3 stack

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Trey Martin, SR., 6’0, 205, DE Dylan Fowler, SR., 6’1, 205, Neo Thomas, SR., 5’11, 240, DE Ben Villani, JR., 6’0, 215, DL Dylan Ayers, SR., 6’1, 230, LB Hudson Hykel, SR., 6’1, 190

2024 OUTLOOK: Bullard is coming off a three game improvement from the previous season but even with a 6-4 overall record, the Panthers didn’t qualify for the 4A D-II postseason. Bullard was hit hard by graduation and will return only seven starters including just two on offense. The Panthers did go 9-1 on Junior Varsity so there’s reason for optimism for a very young team. Senior Crew Bowman takes over behind center and is a dual threat with the ball in his hands. Defensively Bullard will be led by senior linebacker Trey Martin who led the Panthers in tackles with 105 to go along with two sacks and five forced fumbles.

Center Roughriders

COACH: Ricky Meeks (third season, 16-16, 38-28)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 445-558-30

2023 RESULTS: 7-4

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 12/18

LETTERMEN LOST: 22

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR TJ Belin, SR., 6’0, 170

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: S Timothy Johnson, SR., 6’1, 165, LB Cody Adkinson, SR., 6’0, 225, LB Grant Gregory, JR., 6’0, 180, LB Caleb Mosley, SR., 6’1, 170, LB Easton Wolf, SO., 5’9, 180, DE Jimmarion Smith, SR., 6’5, 190, DE Jakelvin Robinson, SR., 6’3, 210

2024 OUTLOOK: After a tremendous six win turnaround and going from 1-9 the previous year, Center went 7-4 this past season. However Center will be replacing their quarterback, leading running back and leading wide receiver this year. A team that relied so heavily on their offense last season will do so on their defense out of peer necessity this season. Senior linebacker Cody Adkinson who recorded 182 tackles a season ago will lead the Roughriders defense this season while senior safety Timothy Johnson will anchor the secondary. Senior TJ Belin is the top offensive returner from last season after recording 25 catches for 491 yards and six touchdowns.