District 6-4A DI
Kennedale
Fort Worth Benbrook
Fort Worth Dunbar
Fort Worth Western Hills
Lake Worth
Fort Worth Castleberry
Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis
District Crown Seems as Open as Ever
If there was ever a year to not see Kennedale team atop district standings, 2019 would seem like the year for that to happen. Kennedale has been a district champion ever since moving up to 4A in 2014 and were 3A district champs the two years prior to that.
That doesn't mean Kennedale won't be repeating as the 6-4A district champions but with a team only returning six starters from a year ago and teams like Dunbar and Benbrook nipping at Kennedale's heals last year, the district crown is definitely up for grabs. But not until the reigning district champ is unseated can you predict anything other than that.
Four of Kennedale's returning starters reside on the defensive side of the ball, which is where it made a name for itself last year, limiting teams to just over 16 points a game and pitched four shutouts over a five-game span – including three straight. Four-star junior safety Johnny Coffey anchors the defense after recording seven interceptions last year.
Benbrook made the playoffs after just its third varsity season and finished second in district thanks to a 29-28 win over Dunbar. Three starters on each side of the ball return including two-way starter Trevonne James (DE/TE).
Despite being predicted here to finish third, the disparity between first and third is quite small. It's very conceivable that Dunbar could win district this year thanks to having 13 returning starters from a year ago, including two-way starter Aaron Cooper, who caught eight touchdown passes and ran for another five.
We put Fort Worth Western Hills in line to make a jump into the playoffs – leapfrogging Lake Worth – as it brings back 12 starters from last year, which includes nine on the offensive side of the ball. This is also the second year down in the 4A classification, and despite winning only one district game last year, the return of running back Jonathan Banks and wideout KD Carr as well as the two-QB system from last year could lead to bigger gains on offense.
The top three spots could, and probably will, look drastically different at the end of the year than they do now, but it's expected Kennedale, Benbrook and Dunbar will safely be in the playoffs barring any catastrophic injuries. The fourth playoff spot will more than likely feature three teams - Western Hills, Lake Worth and Castleberry - vying for a playoff berth.
VYPE Preseason Awards
MVP: WR/S Aaron Cooper, FW Dunbar
Offensive MVP: RB Johnathan Banks, FW Western Hills
Defensive MVP: S Johnny Coffey, Kennedale
Breakout Player of the Year: QB William Green, FW Benbrook
Sleeper Team: Lake Worth
