See how your favorite Frisco football teams fared last season: 2014 Frisco High School Football Regular season results
This time of year in Texas you can count on two things: Triple-digit temperatures and the cooling promise that high school football is right around the corner.
Before we know it, the scorching climate recedes (slightly) and the district postseason picture begins to present itself . Come playoff time, it might even be cold enough for the ice in your tea to have a fighting chance…
District 9-5A
Frisco Lone Star Rangers
2014: (7-3, 5-3) Did not make playoffs
Head Coach: Jeff Rayburn
The Frisco Lone Star Rangers made the transition from 3A to 5A last season look seamless, reeling off five straight wins, only to just miss a playoff berth.
Now, with a full season under their belt, and with a cadre of young and experienced playmakers on the roster, you’d better believe they’ll be gunning for a postseason push.
QB Jason Shelley, the catalyst for the Rangers offense, was already scary-good as a sophomore, and he has filled out some over the summer to become both bigger and faster.
Shelley (2,081 yds, 21 TDs passing and 872 yds, 13 TDs rushing) has a wide variety of elite playmakers at his disposal too, led by WRs Coby Shelton, Michael Johnson, Jaylen Dixon and RB Robert Hall. Coach Rayburn has been particularly impressed by Dixon’s showing this spring and summer, as he’s the heir apparent to WR Jordan Jones (Grambling).
“Watch out for Jaylen Dixon, who played some last year out of the slot, but will have the chance to get his hands on the football much more this season, with the departure of Jones—this kid can play.”
Frisco Wakeland Wolverines
2014: (5-6, 6-2) Bi-District Finalist
Head Coach: Marty Secord
The Wakeland Wolverines boast plenty of receiving talent. The question isn’t whether or not WRs Noah Anderson and Cole Hutchens can catch the ball, it’s who will throw it to them?
Last year’s primary QB, Anderson, is best suited as a full-time pass catcher, but depending on Coach Secord’s scheme, could see some time in play action. The primary signal caller will be either junior John Arthur or senior Mason Doerr.
2014 Lifestyle Frisco MVP Brent Altieri’s departure means more touches for RB Jay Orgi, with LB Tanner Euting (112 tackles) set to pace a defense that will miss the rush-stopping and pass-halting of Justice Williams (Illinois)
Frisco Centennial Titans
2014: (5-6, 5-3) Bi-district finalists
Head Coach: Ronny Mullins
The 2015 Centennial Titans will look much the same as last year’s bi-district finalist squad, especially at all of the skill positions. The biggest difference will be noticed on the sidelines rather than on the field. Former Prosper Athletic Director, Ronny Mullins, now calls the plays as former Titans HC Mark Howard, now calls the plays for Trinity Christian-Addison.
Mullins, who didn’t officially relinquish his position at Prosper until April 13, isn’t looking to rock the boat too much in his first season at the helm. In fact, one key decision Mullins made was to retain defensive coordinator Weldon Swann, a defensive guru and veteran of 28 years in coaching, and stick with the 3-4 as their base defense.
The Titans bring back two impact players from last season in RB Anthony Pegues (1,800 yds, 16 TDs) and QB Noah Walker (1,900 yds, 19 TDs). Pegues, an undersized tailback with a preternatural first step that ignites his speed, along with Walker will bring a full year of 5A experience to the foray as they look to lead this offense back into the postseason.
Frisco Raccoons
2014: (6-4, 5-3) Did not make playoffs
Head Coach: Vance Gibson
The Raccoons, under Head Coach Vance Gibson’s eye, had been perennial playoff contenders until last season, when they missed the playoffs despite a solid 5-3 district record.
Two things you can always count on when it comes to Raccoons football is that they will be in the thick of the postseason push, and they’ll always throw that relentless Wing-T scheme at the opposition’s defense.
Last year’s team MVP, running back Paul Terry, has returned to Canyon Randall High School for his senior season, which has left a gaping hole in the ‘Coons’ offensive scheme.
Key to the ‘Coons’ throw-back-the-clock play calling will be FB Idress Ali, who took the reins when Terry was injured a year ago, and put down 100 yards in just over three quarters of action. Look for TB Christian McCorry to tote the rock plenty as well.
An ACL injury wiped out FB Lucas Reynolds’ junior season, and his return will impactful on both sides of the ball. Reynolds, also a DE, headlines a very tough ‘Coons d-line alongside fellow DE Austin Candy. LB Kevin Matthews is a proven run-stuffer and Grayson Thorburn, Ethan Jost, Tre’on Alvin and Dallas Haley round out the ‘Coons’ highly athletic secondary.
QB Rohan Vasa impressed Coach Gibson with an outstanding spring that landed him the starting spot outright. But should he falter, Kyle Reddington waits in the wings.
Frisco Heritage Coyotes
2014: (10-3, 6-2) Division II Regional Semifinalist
Head Coach: Che Hendrix
Despite not being picked as postseason players by more than a few media members last season, the Wolverines roared all the way to the Regional Semifinals, where they were finally stopped by South Oak Cliff.
“I have noticed that we were able to shift some of the momentum from our playoff run into an excellent spring practice,” said Coyotes head coach Che Hendrix, “One way that affects us heading into this year is that we are now on the radar.”
Last year’s starting QB, Malik Walker, who was lost to graduation, won’t be easy to replace but Hendrix is confident that sophomore Amare Jones is up to the task.
“Jones is a tremendous athlete; he runs better than Walker, and can also toss the ball down the field on the go. He does needs some work in the pocket, but that’s just something that will come after he sees more and more reps on the field.”
Jones will have some of the district’s top weapons at his disposal, as WR Bubba Ogbebor (1,042, 19 TDs) and RB Kene Nwangwu (1,402 yds, 16 TDs) return for their senior season where, Coach Hendrix knows they bring more than just elite athleticism to the foray.
“Nwangwu and Ogbebor bring a work ethic that epitomizes Heritage football: Work hard and play hard. Those two kids are so much fun to coach.”
Frisco Independence Knights
2014: (1-9, 0-8) Did not make playoffs
Head Coach: Kyle Story
Knights Head Coach Kyle Story knew he’d have his hands full as he guided Independence into their inaugural season last year. As expected, they stumbled out of the gates, but still managed a win, no easy task in a state where seemingly every team is at least competitive.
This year, the former Decatur coach will have an experienced group that has plenty of talent to compete, as all 44 letterman from a year ago suit up for the school’s second season.
WRs Myles Russell—last year’s LifestyleFrisco team MVP—and Hakeem Wiley will be prime targets for QB Kyle Saddler. The running game will lead by Brandon Williams.
Frisco Liberty RedHawks
2014: (4-6, 3-5) Did not make playoffs
Head Coach: Chris Burtch
Although very formidable in both basketball and baseball, the Liberty RedHawks‘ football team has failed to make the playoffs since way back in 2011. And this season they will be at a distinct disadvantage due to a defense that boasts just one returning starter from a year ago–LB Gage Reiter.
That said, the RedHawks offense is deep enough to keep them in games, with a beefy offensive line that returns four starters, including standouts Alec Jamar and David Layton. This should provide the level of protection needed for RB Reggie Hubbard (565 yds, 6 TDs) to run rampant while also allowing sophomore RB Dmitri Jones ample space to stretch the field.
TAPPS DII-2
Frisco Legacy Christian Eagles
2014: (4-6, 1-6) Did not make playoffs
Head Coach: Alan Embry
The jump from DIII to DII proved an arduous one for the Eagles of Legacy Christian last season. The segue into one of the toughest private school districts in the state was made worse by the transfer of their 2013 MVP Ryan Davis, who returned to Prosper High.
After a 3-0 start in non-district play, the Eagles lost six in a row to their new district foes, wiping away any hope of a postseason appearance, just one year removed from being State Semifinalists in DIII. Coach Ambry knew there’d be some growing pains that come with playing bigger schools.
“One thing I noticed, aside from deeper rosters, was a quicker pace. The depth from these bigger schools means they have far fewer kids playing on both sides of the ball; this allows an entire unit to rest and come back in fresh. One area of focus for our team this year will be to implement some platoons, so our guys can get some rest too.”
Legacy’s offense will revolve around RB Chase Eisenmann, who rushed for just south of 2,000 yards (1,899, 16 TDs) as a sophomore last season. With senior C John Norris clearing the running lanes, there is no reason to think that Eisenmann won’t have another standout season.
With Tanner Lee deciding to concentrate solely on baseball, there are some question marks in regards to who will helm the signal calling duties. Look for either junior Taylor Hatchell, or sophomores Tyler Griffith and Ethan McKasson to get the nod behind center.
