District 11-6A
Longview
Rockwall
Mesquite
Mesquite Horn
Rockwall-Heath
Tyler Lee
North Mesquite
It's Longview, Then Everyone Else in 11-6A
It took some time, but Longview finally broke through in 2018 and won a state title. With 5-star signal caller and A&M-commit Haynes King back and ready to guide the team to another State run, Longview easily has a leg up on the rest of 11-6A - despite its obvious miscast in the latest realignment. Only eight starters return from last year's title squad but there are 28 lettermen back, so there's a lot of experience to draw from for coach John King's squad. There's talent on both sides of the ball, so expectations are going to be through the roof. Longview will just have to avoid any nasty injuries or trap games that can easily derail a season.
Rockwall is the closest challenger to Longview in 11-6A, losing by seven at home to Longview - its only district setback. The offense is potent and it all starts with 4-star wideout and Ohio State pledge Jaxon Smith-Njigba - one of 12 returning starters from a year ago and 34 lettermen coming back. Rockwall has a lot talent coming back and could make its own run in 2019.
The key for Mesquite this year is to not crater toward the end of the season - going 1-3 and a first round exit after getting off to a 5-2 start. Dylan McGill is back to lead the offense as a dual-threat quarterback and is one of 12 starters coming back - 37 lettermen return, too. Mesquite is trending up and has lots of room for improvement for this year.
An 0-7 start to the 2018 campaign did little to stop Mesquite Horn from, not only making the playoffs but making it to the regional semifinals. Last year's overall record (5-8) might not look great, but it was tale of two seasons. Coach Chris Hudler has 11 starters backs and 23 lettermen returning and will look to get off to a faster start than last year, although the pre-district schedule includes Arlington, Cedar Hill and Highland Park.
VYPE Preseason Awards
MVP: QB Haynes King, Longview
Offensive MVP: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rockwall
Defensive MVP: LB Quavon Grant, Mesquite Horn
Breakout Player of the Year: QB Dylan McGill, Mesquite
Sleeper Team: Rockwall-Heath
