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6A Preview Part 2: 6-6A, 7-6A & 8-6A
It's finally here. After a lot of worry and wonder, the big schools are ready to kick off their delayed seasons. For this week, we'll be breaking down three 6A schools at a time going through 3-6A through 11-6A in three installments.
Previewing 6-6A
Graphic created by Stephen Peters
This district seems to be a district of straight chalk. Meaning, the teams that made it the playoffs last year - Marcus, Lewisville, Hebron and Flower Mound - could easily get back. This district is headlined by the strong quarterback play from Garrett Nussmeier (Marcus; signed with LSU), Taylen Green (Lewisville; signed with Boise State) and Carson Harris (Hebron; signed with Lamar).
One would expect those three to be playoff contenders again, but the fourth spot will be a toss up between Flower Mound and Coppell. Flower Mound only has eight starters returning last year while Coppell is looking to get back to the playoffs after missing out on them for the first time since 2011.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Marcus
Lewisville
Hebron
Coppell
Previewing 7-6A
Graphic created by Stephen Peters
7-6A could shape up in 2020 to be what 9-6A was in 2019, where chaos ruled the day. Up was down and left was right in that district last year.
There are a lot of new pieces together as the Irving schools meet the Richardson schools. Out of this new grouping, Jesuit looks like the clear-cut favorite, after a surprising run to the Regional Finals in 2019.
With four teams in this district that didn't win more than two games last year, there is a lot of unknown.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Jesuit
Lake Highlands
Pearce
Richardson
Previewing 8-6A
Graphic created by Stephen Peters
The Arlington schools move away from some of the Fort Worth schools and join with the two Grand Prairie schools in what seems like a very top-heavy district. Five teams - Arlington, Bowie, Lamar, Martin and South Grand Prairie - made the playoffs last year and will be vying for those four coveted spots this year.
Arlington and Arlington Martin both made the regional semis last year and return 16 and 11 starters, respectively. The other three each bring back 12 starters, so the schools are loaded.
Expect this to be a knockdown-drag-em-out district in 2020.
Projected 2020 Playoff Teams:
Martin
Arlington
South Grand Prairie
Lamar
Arlington Ready for Another Run With Target on Its Back
District 4-6A
Arlington
Arlington Martin
Arlington Lamar
Arlington Bowie
North Crowley
Arlington Sam Houston
Fort Worth Paschal
Fort Worth Trimble Tech
Arlington Ready for Another Run With Target on Its Back
Last year's 11-win season for Arlington caught many off guard, including those in its own district. But in 2019, the target is definitely on the Colts' collective back as the 14 returning starters and 46 lettermen gear up for a much deeper run. Jahari Rogers transitions to the secondary after commiting to Florida and allows Kris Sims to take the reigns at quarterback. Only getting two rounds deep this year could be viewed an underachievement for this Arlington bunch.
Don't let its 5-6 record fool you, Arlington Martin improved throughout the year last year and have 13 starters back ready to challenge for a district title. Zach Mundell can sling it and run it and should improve on his numbers from last year on the way to winning the 4-6 Offensive MVP this year.
Arlington Lamar is bringing back its own plethora of starters - 13 - back from an 11-2 finish last year. The defense will be unit that carries this team, at least initially, with eight of those starters coming back on that side of the ball, led by James Douglas (120 tackles and three sacks last year). Jack Dawson put up gaudy numbers last year and could easily replicate it again this year.
A good portion of Arlington Bowie's core from last year graduated, but have a good balance of returning starters this year - five on offense, six on defense - should help Danny DeArman's team reach the playoffs once again. Quarterback play will need to be figured out, though, so look for Bowie to lean on its defense to guide the team early in the year.
VYPE Preseason Awards
MVP: Jack Dawson, Arlington Lamar
Offensive MVP: QB Zach Mundell, Arlington Martin
Defensive MVP: LB/S James Douglas, Arlington Lamar
Breakout Player of the Year: QB Kris Sims, Arlington
Sleeper Team: Arlington Bowie