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DISTRICT 9-4A DIVISION I

OUR PICKS: 1. CHAPEL HILL 2. KILGORE 3. LINDALE 4. PINE TREE 5.PALESTINE 6. HENDERSON 7. MABANK

CHAPEL HILL BULLDOGS

COACH: Jeff Riordan (6th year at school, 46-23; 113-40 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 357-424-12

STADIUM: Bulldog Stadium, 13172 State Highway 64 East, Tyler, 75707

2023 RESULTS: 13-3

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 22/12

LETTERMEN LOST: 16

OFFENSE: Spread/Gun

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Demetrius Brisbon, Sr., 6-1, 178 … RB Rickey Stewart, Sr., 6-0, 195 … WR Trevor Brooks, Sr., 5-9, 185 … OL Keldrick Davis, Sr., 6-2, 305 … RB Ja’borian Cook, Sr., 5-7, 170 … OL Braylen Allen, Sr., 5-10, 270 … WR/KR Jonah Riordan, Sr., 5-9, 168 … WR Damarcion Blaylock, Jr., 5-8, 155 … OL Amari McCuin, Soph., 6-1, 255 … RB Tyrell Gause, Sr., 5-7, 155 … OL Sutherland Singer, Sr., 6-2, 240 … OL Derek Tovar, Sr., 5-9, 245

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Demetrius Brisbon, Sr., 6-1, 178 … LB/P Trevor Brooks, Sr., 5-9, 185 … DL Isaiah Collins, Jr., 5-10, 250 … LB Ja’borian Cook, Sr., 5-7, 170 … DL Braylen Allen, Sr., 5-10, 270 … DB Damarcion Blaylock, Jr., 5-8, 155 … DL Amari McCuin, Soph., 6-1, 255 … DL Henry Thirkhill, Jr., 5-7, 255 … DL Dallas Gipson, Jr., 5-9, 240 … DB Tyrell Gause, Sr., 5-7, 155 … DL Derek Tovar, Sr., 5-9, 245 … DL Matthew Walker, Sr., 6-0, 200 … DB Josh Castaneda, Jr., 5-11, 165

2024 OUTLOOK: Chapel Hill has been a force in the postseason the past three years, making two state semifinal appearances and then breaking through to the Class 4A Division I championship game in 2023, falling to Anna, 26-0. Brisbon and Stewart have been the starting quarterback and running back duo the entire time, combining to go 13-3 in the playoffs in their career. Brisbon, a three-star Baylor commit, threw for 2,027 yards and 26 touchdowns last season while running for 1,733 yards and 13 touchdowns. Stewart, a four-star Texas commit, ran for 2,855 yards and 40 touchdowns, and he had 284 yards and four touchdowns receiving. Chapel Hill graduated the bulk of its receiving. Brooks, Riordan (20 catches, 141 yards) and Blaylock (18 catches, 202 yards, four touchdowns) will step into larger roles in the offense. Davis and Allen are back on the offensive line. McCuin is a sophomore who the coaching staff expects big things from, and Singer and Tovar are also on the offensive line. Cook (38 carries, 430 yards, five touchdowns) is another option in the backfield. Defensively, Brooks is back after compiling 143 tackles, 39 tackles for loss and 15 sacks. He is also a weapon at punter, where he averaged 40.1 yards per kick. Cook (119 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions) is also back at linebacker. Collins (62 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five sacks), Allen (22 tackles), McCuin, Tirkhill (41 tackles, four tackles for loss), Gipson (42 tackles, seven tackles for loss), Tovar (15 tackles) and Walker (52 tackles, three tackles for loss) give the Bulldogs depth on the defensive line. Blaylock (16 tackles, eight passes broken up), Gause (15 tackles) and Castaneda (48 tackles, one interception) are in the secondary. Emmanuel Valencia is expected to take over at kicker after making six extra point attempts last year. Chapel Hill is ranked No. 2 in the preseason in Class 4A Division I, so the expectation is to once again compete for a district title and make a deep run through the postseason as the Bulldogs look to win their first state title since 2011.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Jasper

Sept. 6: Gilmer

Sept. 13: at Whitehouse

Sept. 20: Carthage

Sept. 27: Lindale*

Oct. 4: at Palestine*

Oct. 11: Kilgore*

Oct. 18: at Mabank*

Oct. 25: Pine Tree*

Nov. 1: at Henderson*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m.

*District 9-4A Division I Game

KILGORE BULLDOGS

COACH: Clint Fuller (4th year at school, 33-8)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 588-376-30

STADIUM: R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium, Harris St. at Simmons St., Kilgore, Texas, 75662

2023 RESULTS: 12-2

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 24/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 21

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Jayden Sanders, Sr., 6-2, 185 … WR Javon Towns, Sr., 5-9, 160 … WR La’Keyleon Graves, Jr., 6-3, 185 … RB Rayshawn Williams, Soph., 5-8, 170 … RB Isaiah Watters, Jr., 6-0, 190 … OL Daniel Garcia, Jr., 6-3, 270

DEFENSE: 3-4

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Jayden Sanders, Sr., 6-2, 185 … DL Wylie Mitchell, Sr., 6-2, 245 … DL Jackson Tucker-Phillips, Sr., 6-2, 265 … DB Javon Towns, Sr., 5-9, 160 … DL Cameron Christian, Jr. 6-2, 285 … LB La’Keyleon Graves, Jr., 6-3, 185 … LB Isaiah Watters, Jr., 6-0, 190 … LB Laperrion Graves, Sr., 6-0, 185 … DB Ja’Kalen Sheffield, Jr., 5-8, 170

2024 OUTLOOK: Not many programs have operated on the level of Kilgore since 1995. In that span, the Bulldogs have missed the playoffs just twice (2006 and 2010), playing in the last 13 postseasons with three consecutive seasons of at least 10 wins. The Bulldogs also advanced to the state quarterfinals in the past two seasons and three of the past four seasons. In all four of those seasons, though, Kilgore has been eliminated by a district foe — Lindale in 2020 and Chapel Hill in the past three postseasons. Kilgore has eight players back on defense, including three-star cornerback Jayden Sanders (35 tackles, three interceptions), who has offers from Michigan, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Texas Tech and more. Other key defenders are Towns (95 tackles, seven interceptions, Mitchell (71 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss), Tucker-Phillips (69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, four sacks), Christian (81 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks), La’Keyleon Graves (83 tackles, four tackles for loss), Laperrion Graves (65 tackles) and Sheffield (57 tackles). Sanders 927 catches, 697 yards, seven touchdowns) is also a factor on offense. Williams (80 carries, 612 yards, four touchdowns as a freshman) returns in the backfield, and the Bulldogs historically run the ball well. It will be a new-look offensive line that will be led by Garcia. Fuller said team speed and leadership should once again have the Bulldogs among the top teams in the district.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Carthage

Sept. 6: Whitehouse

Sept. 13: at Gilmer

Sept. 20: Pleasant Grove

Sept. 27: at Pine Tree*

Oct. 4: Henderson*

Oct. 11: at Chapel Hill*

Oct. 18: Lindale*

Oct. 25: at Palestine*

Nov. 7: Mabank*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m.

*District 9-4A Division I Game

LINDALE EAGLES

COACH: Chris Cochran (8th year at school, 53-33)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 415-487-17

STADIUM: Eagle Stadium, 200 Stadium Dr., Lindale, Texas, 75771

2023 RESULTS: 7-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 27/13

LETTERMEN LOST: 15

OFFENSE: Spread with multiple TE

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Chad Ward, Sr., 6-0, 172 … RB Nathan Bradford, Sr., 5-11, 195 … … WR Jackson Parker, Jr., 5-9, 165 … OL Cameron Griffin, Jr., 6-0, 276 … K/P Seth Baggett, Sr., 5-11, 198 … RB A’Million Johnson, Jr., 5-11, 178 … … TE Reed Carnathan, Soph., 6-2, 180 … WR Aiden Warnell, Sr., 5-10, 165 … OL Jack Kirk, Sr. 5-10, 162 … QB Hudson LeGrow, Sr., 6-4, 165 … QB David Lindig, Soph., 5-10, 150 … OL Trey Rozell, Sr., 6-0, 265

DEFENSE: 4-2-5

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Kaleb Walker, Jr., 6-3, 245 … DB Chad Ward, Sr., 6-0, 172 … LB Nathan Bradford, Sr., 5-11, 195 … DB Jackson Parker, Jr., 5-9, 165 … LB A’Million Johnson, Jr., 5-11, 178 … LB Asher Medders, Jr., 6-1, 184 … DL Reed Carnathan, Soph., 6-2, 180 … DB Aiden Warnell, Sr., 5-10, 165 … DL Gunner Johnson, Sr., 5-9, 230 … DB Hudson LeGrow, Sr., 6-4, 165 … DL Matthew Kenney, Sr., 6-4, 190 … DB David Lindig, Soph., 5-10, 150 … DB Jaryn Eagans, Sr., 6-4, 165

2024 OUTLOOK: Lindale has won at least seven games and made the playoffs in six straight seasons after going without a winning record from 2012-17. The Eagles also have won at least one playoff game the past four years, including a state championship game appearance in 2020. Lindale has eight starters back on defense. Walker (45 tackles, nine sacks), Carnathan, Johnson (21 tackles) and Kenney ((20 tackles) will man the defensive line. Bradford (69 tackles, two forced fumbles), Johnson and Medders (21 tackles) are the linebackers. In the secondary, the Eagles have Ward, Parker (56 tackles, two interceptions), Warnell (39 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles), LeGrow (44 tackles, two interceptions), Lindig and Eagans (17 tackles) are in the secondary. LeGrow and Lindig are the candidates to take over at quarterback for the graduating Clint Thurman, who finished his Lindale career with 7,758 total yards, which ranks No. 1 in program history. Caleb Hart (80 carries, 417 yards, five touchdowns), Bradford and Johnson are options at running back. Ward (31 catches, 636 yards, eight touchdowns) is a top target at receiver, and Parker, Warnell and Carnathan are other receiving targets. Griffin, Rozell and Kirk will lead the offensive line. Baggett is a weapon at kicker and punter. Lindale will be young in 2024, but returning defensive linemen and linebackers give Lindale a chance to remain in playoff contention in a tough district, especially if the offense comes around.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 29: Hallsville

Sept. 6: at Mount Pleasant

Sept. 13: at Van

Sept. 20: Gilmer

Sept. 27: at Chapel Hill*

Oct. 11: Palestine*

Oct. 18: at Kilgore*

Oct. 25: Mabank*

Nov. 1: at Pine Tree*

Nov. 8: Henderson*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m.

*District 9-4A Division I Game

PINE TREE PIRATES

COACH: Jason Bachman (3rd year at Pine Tree, 8-13)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 400-456-19

STADIUM: Pirate Stadium, 3737 W Loop 281, Longview 75604

2023 RESULTS: 6-5

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 19/11

LETTERMEN LOST: 13

OFFENSE: Multiple

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: QB Matt Cates, Sr., 6-2, 190 … OL Peyton Davis, Sr., 6-3, 265 … WR Jordan Taylor, Sr., 5-8, 150 … RB L’Marion Hunter, Sr., 5-7, 170 … RB Dalan Montgomery, Soph., 5-8, 167

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: LB Seth McFarland, Sr., 6-3, 225 … DB Kalil Deckard, Sr., 5-9, 149 … LB Kesean Bowie, Jr., 5-9, 162 … DB Earl Williams, Jr., 5-7, 150

2024 OUTLOOK: Pine Tree had a big turnaround in year two under Bachman, going from 2-8 in 2022 to 6-5 in 2023, making the playoffs in the Pirates’ final season in Class 5A. Pine Tree drops down to Class 4A and returns seven starters on offense. Cates (1,421 yards passing, 13 touchdowns; 630 yards rushing) is back to lead the offense with Taylor (36 catches, 667 yards, eight touchdowns) as a target. Hunter (110 carries, 704 yards, eight touchdowns) and Montgomery (112 carries, 395 yards, two touchdowns as a freshman) give the Pirates explosiveness in the backfield. Davis will be a three-year starter up front and will guide the offensive line. Leading the defense is three-star Houston commit McFarland (82 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery) at linebacker. He is joined at linebacker by Bowie (41 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss). Deckard and Williams (20 tackles) return in the secondary. The Pirates graduated their defensive line of Dealyn Evans (Texas A&M), Brock Reddic (Northwestern State) and Quinton Clark (Kilgore College) and will look for new faces to step up.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Gilmer

Sept. 6: Van

Sept. 13: at Dallas Carter

Sept. 20: Hallsville

Sept. 27: at Kilgore*

Oct. 4: at Mabank*

Oct. 18: Henderson*

Oct. 25: at Chapel Hill*

Nov. 1: Lindale*

Nov. 8: at Palestine*

All games are at 7:30 p.m.

*District 9-4A Division I Game

PALESTINE WILDCATS

COACH: James Reyes (1st year at school, 0-0; 25-11 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 527-540-40

STADIUM: Wildcat Stadium, 1600 S. Loop 256, Palestine, Texas, 75801

2023 RESULTS: 4-6

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 20/9

LETTERMEN LOST: 17

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: OL Baylynn Williams, Sr., 6-5, 295 … QB Coyt Cooper, Jr., 6-2, 185 … ATH Julius Walker, Soph., 6-1, 175 … RB Dreylon Spurlock, Sr., 5-7, 170 … OL Ronnie Williams, Jr., 5-9, 240

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DL Carson Applewhite, Jr., 6-3, 220 … DB S’Vioarean Martin, Jr., 6-3, 185 … DL Joseph Flynn, Sr., 5-10, 235 … DB J’Mauri Jackson, Sr., 5-10, 165

2024 OUTLOOK: Former Nacogdoches assistant Reyes returns to East Texas to take over the Wildcats after three seasons as the head coach at Lumberton, where he won 25 games and led the Raiders to the playoffs in all three seasons, including an 11-win campaign in 2022. Palestine missed the playoffs last season for the first time since 2018 but was eliminated by Lumberton in the first round in 2022. Palestine was dealt a huge blow in June when three-star running back Jon Denman, who holds offers from Oklahoma State, Houston, Michigan State, Arizona, Boston College, Utah and more, transferred across town to Palestine Westwood. But talent is still there for the Wildcats. Offensive lineman Baylynn Williams is choosing between Louisiana, Louisiana Tech and Sam Houston. He is joined on the line by Ronnie Williams. Cooper is the signal caller with Spurlock joining him in the backfield, and Walker is a dynamic athlete. Defensively, Applewhite and Flynn lead the way up front with Martin and Jackson patrolling the secondary. Martin has offers from Arizona, California, Houston, Michigan State, North Texas, Texas State, Tulsa and UTEP.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: at Nacogdoches

Sept. 6: Jasper

Sept. 13: at Athens

Sept. 20: Marshall

Sept. 27: at Henderson*

Oct. 4: Chapel Hill*

Oct. 11: at Lindale*

Oct. 25: Kilgore*

Nov. 1: at Mabank*

Nov. 8: Pine Tree*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m.

*District 9-4A Division I Game

HENDERSON LIONS

COACH: Clay Baker (2nd year at school, 2-8; 45-25 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 590-436-54

STADIUM: 700 Lion St., Henderson, Texas, 75654

2023 RESULTS: 2-8

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 18/11

LETTERMEN LOST: 16

OFFENSE: Spread

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: RB Jesstin Starling, Jr., 5-4, 160 … OL Johnathan Bateman, Sr., 6-2, 383 … WR Lemarion Coleman, Jr., 5-10, 165 … TE Jordan Ervin, Jr., 6-1, 216 … WR Amauri Murphy, Jr., 5-11, 160 … QB Vince Howard, Jr., 6-0, 180 … WR Macen Jones, Jr., 5-10, 180 … ATH Brailon Walker, Soph., 6-0, 155 … RB Trevor Kind, Sr., 5-10, 225 … WR Aumaz Jackson, Soph., 5-9, 160

DEFENSE: Multiple

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Lemarion Coleman, Jr., 5-10, 165 … DL Jordan Ervin, Jr., 6-1, 216 … DL Kiyun Pellum, Sr., 6-1, 242 … DB Amauri Murphy, Jr., 5-11, 160 … DB Corey Harper, Jr., 5-8, 160 … DB Anthony Newman, Sr., 5-10, 155 … DB LaKelton Freeney, Sr., 5-7, 160 … DL Isiah Vasquez, Jr., 6-0, 219 … LB Trevor Kind, Sr., 5-10, 225 … DL Trae McAlister, Sr., 5-11, 239 … DB Trey Sanders, Jr., 5-9, 150 … DB Aumaz Jackson, Soph., 5-9, 160

2024 OUTLOOK: Henderson has just 10 wins during the past four seasons, which all resulted in missing the postseason after going to the playoffs in eight of 10 seasons, including winning a state championship in 2010. Baker took over his alma mater in 2023 after he went 43-17 in five seasons at Carlisle. Starling (133 carries, 1,042 yards, six touchdowns) is back as the engine of the offense behind an offensive line that loses four starters and will be headlined by the 6-2, 383-pound Bateman. Howard (26 of 39, 198 yards, two touchdowns) is expected to be the starting quarterback, and he has Ervin (five catches, 159 yards), Coleman, Murphy, Jones, Walker and Jackson at his disposal. Newman (61 tackles, four tackles for loss, two sacks), Coleman (61 tackles five tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries), Pellum (39 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks), Ervin (48 tackles, three tackles for loss), Kind (34 tackles), McAlister (31 tackles) and Harper (two interceptions) are back on defense.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Athens

Sept. 6: Liberty-Eylau

Sept. 13: at Jacksonville

Sept. 19: Gainesville at A&M-Commerce, 7 p.m.

Sept. 27: Palestine*

Oct. 4: at Kilgore*

Oct. 11: Mabank*

Oct. 18: at Pine Tree*

Nov. 1: Chapel Hill*

Nov. 8: at Lindale*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 9-4A Division I Game

MABANK PANTHERS

COACH: Zack Hudson (7th year at Mabank, 22-36; 66-75 overall)

ALL-TIME RECORD: 386-454-24

STADIUM: Panther Stadium, 822 W. Mason Street, Mabank, 75147

2023 RESULTS: 1-9

RETURNING LETTERMEN/STARTERS: 29/15

LETTERMEN LOST: 11

OFFENSE: Pistol

OFFENSIVE NOTABLES: WR Ty Perkins, Sr., 5-10, 150 … WR Noah Romero, Sr., 6-0, 190 … OL Aaron Roden, Sr., 6-1, 240 … WR Daylon Gibbs, Sr., 6-3, 170 … OL Joseph Morrison, Jr., 6-2, 220 … QB Kaden Penland, Sr., 6-2, 180 … WR Brayden Linder, Sr., 5-7, 160

DEFENSE: 4-3

DEFENSIVE NOTABLES: DB Ty Perkins, Sr., 5-10, 150 … DB Case Holt, Sr., 5-6, 150 … DB Noah Romero, Sr., 6-0, 190 … DB Gavin Foote, Jr., 5-10, 170 … DB Wayne Langford, Jr., 5-10, 170 … DL Ray Brager, Jr., 6-0, 240 … DL Caden Polk, Sr., 6-1, 250 … LB Race McCullough, Sr., 6-1, 190 … DL Rev Neighbors, Sr., 6-3, 190 … LB Cam Wilkinson, Sr., 6-0, 195

2024 OUTLOOK: Mabank hasn’t made the playoffs since 2007, and now the Panthers go from a district with 2023 Class 4A Division I champion Anna to one with Class 4A Division I runner-up Chapel Hill. Mabank will have to find some offense after scoring just 82 points in all of 2023. Linder (11 catches, 143 yards), Perkins, Romero and Gibbs will look to make plays on offense with Penland leading the way as the signal caller. The Panthers bring back 10 starters on defense, including Romero (75 tackles) and Polk (two sacks). The Panthers will be strong in the secondary.

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SCHEDULE

Aug. 30: Bullard

Sept. 6: at Kemp

Sept. 13: at Wills Point, 7 p.m.

Sept. 20: Canton

Oct. 4: Pine Tree*

Oct. 11: at Henderson*

Oct. 18: Chapel Hill*

Oct. 25: at Lindale*

Nov. 1: Palestine*

Nov. 3: at Kilgore*

All Games are at 7:30 p.m. unless noted

*District 9-4A Division I Game