District 12-5A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 12-5A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                        Enroll./Bracket

1. Longview               2,165 DII

2. Rockwall-Heath      2,144 DII

3. Mesquite                2,811 DI

4. Mesquite Horn        2,219 DI

5. Tyler Lee                2,621

6. North Mesquite        2,493

7. Rockwall                  2,312

MESQUITE SKEETERS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 13

Coach: Robbie Robinson

2011: 7-6 DI region semifinals

Returning Starters: 9 Off/9 Def

Game Changers: QB Alex Cooper, Sr; DB Charles Grant, Jr

Returning All-State Players: OL Daniel Mafileo, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DB Anthony Canady, Sr; QB Cooper, WR Dameon Gamblin, Sr; WR Rashard Higgins, Sr; OL Daniel Mafileo, Sr; LB Jalen Montgomery, Jr; RB Junior Session, Sr; LB Marlin Simmons, Sr; LB Traa Strong, Sr

Storylines: The return of 18 starters including nine All-District performers from a region semifinalist has made Mesquite a team to watch. The Skeeters’ wealth of experience includes QB Cooper (2,500 yards, 21 TDs), RB Session (1,000 yards, 20 TDs) and WR Higgins (688 yards, 7 TDs).

MESQUITE HORN JAGUARS

Coach: Rodney Webb

2011: 4-7 DII bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 7 Off/7 Def

Game Changers: LB D.J. Green, Sr; QB/ATH Destri White, Jr

Returning All-District Players: DL Kalen Elia, Sr; LB DJ Green, Sr; DL Colton King, Sr; RB Treyvon Marsh, Sr; WR Brian O’Bannon, Sr; QB/ATH White, OL Erick Wren

Storylines: Horn returns a very talented lineup including exciting QB White, a dual-threat who wowed everyone in ’11. RB Marsh and WR O’Bannon will also give the Jaguars a potent offense. Defensive linemen Elia and King will help free LB Green to roam sideline to sideline. Keep an eye on ATH Justyn Oliphant who could be Horn’s next big playmaker.

NORTH MESQUITE STALLIONS

Coach: Michael Robinson

2011: 5-5

Returning Starters: 3 Off/2 Def

Game Changers: OL Dezmand Candelarie, Jr

Returning All-District Players: DB Thomas Oberg, Sr

Storylines:  Coach Robinson and his staff face the challenge of replacing 17 starters including key skill positions. King Davis has graduated, leaving the quarterback slot open for a newcomer. RB Corey Hunt will get start as the team’s featured rusher. OL Candelarie is arguably the team’s top offensive performer. The defense will be led by sophomore LB Jalen Scott, LB Elijah Banks and DB Oberg.

ROCKWALL YELLOWJACKETS

Coach: Scott Smith

2011: 3-7

Returning Starters: 7 Off/4 Def

Returning All-District Players: LB Chris Hinckley, Jr; LB Daniel Roland, Sr

Storylines: The Yellowjackets not only must move up to a tough 5A district, but also reconfigure their offense. Dylan Campman shifts from WR to QB. He’ll look to WR Zach Berryman as his main target. Rockwall will tryout several RBs. LBs Hinckley and Roland are back after All-District campaigns in ’11.

ROCKWALL-HEATH HAWKS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 12

2011: 11-2 4A region semifinals

Returning Starters: 5 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: DL Jay Arnold, Sr; LB Raaquan Davis, Sr; DL Jordan Points, Sr;

Returning All-District Players: DL Arnold, LB Davis, RB Rico Henderson, So; WR Shyon Motlaugh, Sr; DL Points, OL Chase Regian, Sr;

Storylines: A dominating defense should ease Heath’s move up to 5A and contend for a playoff berth. DL’s Arnold and Points are both Texas A&M commits. LB Davis returns as the team’s leading tackler. The Hawks also return offensive catalysts RB Henderson, who was an All-District pick as a freshman, and WR Motlaugh.