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It will be a battle week-in and week-out for all four playoff spots in 11-6A, where each team returns a handful of players on both sides of the ball.

OUR PICKS

1. Longview
2. Rockwall
3. Mesquite Horn
4. Mesquite
5. Tyler Lee
6. Rockwall-Heath
7. North Mesquite

LONGVIEW LOBOS

Coach: John King (16th season, 168-36)

All-time: 729-345-52

Stadium: Lobo Stadium, 201 E. Hawkins Parkway, Longview, TX 75605

2018 result: 16-0; 6A, DII state champions

Returning lettermen/starters: 28/8

Lettermen lost: 39

Offense: Pro-I

Offensive notables: QB Haynes King, Sr., 6-3, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Kaden Kearbey, Sr., 6-0, 170 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ TE Jhailon Braden ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Parker Cox, Sr., 5-11, 255 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ RB Kaden Meredith, Jr., 5-9, 185 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ ATH JD Williams ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Kyas Moore

Defense: 4-2-5

Defensive notables: DL Sawyer Goram-Welch, Sr., 6-4, 275 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Tyshawn Taylor, Sr., 5-10, 195 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ S Robert Pierce, Sr., 5-9, 165 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ CB Dakirin Buchanan ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Kybrien Jackson-Jamerson, Jr., 6-0, 190

2019 outlook: ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s hard to reach the mountaintop and even harder to stay there. ThatÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s where the defending state champion Lobos find themselves entering the 2019 season after running the table with a 16-0 season to bring Longview its first state championship in 81 years. Now, the Lobos must replace a number of key players as they shift gears to title defense. The loss of 39 lettermen with four starters returning on each side of the ball will be a difficult task but those returners are back at key spots for the Lobos, who return 35 percent of the rushing yards, 25 percent of the receiving yards and 34 percent of the total tackle numbers from 2018. QB King returns after passing for 3,665 yards with a 41-to-4 touchdown-to-interception mark as a junior. Kearbey proved to be a reliable target in 2018 with 553 receiving yards and the Lobos will look to fill a gap at receiver, a spot that could be filled with do-it-all Williams. On the ground, the Lobos have to replace two 1,000-yard rushers but Meredith, with a blend of strength and speed, put up 646 yards with 11 touchdowns as a sophomore. Up front, Cox is a three-year starter and is the veteran on the line by far. Defensively, Goram-Welch (15 TFL, 5 sacks) leads the charge up front ahead of returners Taylor (121 tackles, 15 TFL) at linebacker, Pierce (65 tackles, 7 INTs) at safety and Buchanan (45 tackles, 9 PBUs) at cornerback. Jackson-Jamerson and well as junior Laqualon Hale saw quality time at linebacker as sophomores and are joined by newcomer Shannon Jackson in the secondary. LongviewÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s non-district schedule includes powers in Lufkin and West Monroe, La. as well as rivals John Tyler and Marshall before beginning the 11-6A race and officially kicking off the climb back to the top.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Lufkin; Sept. 6 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Marshall; Sept. 12 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at John Tyler, 7 p.m.; Sept. 20 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ vs. West Monroe, La., 7:30 p.m., Independence Stadium, Shreveport, La.; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite Horn*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall-Heath*; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at North Mesquite*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Tyler Lee*; Nov. 8 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite* (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

ROCKWALL YELLOWJACKETS

Coach: Rodney Webb (7th season, 48-26; 130-73 overall)

All-time: 570-421-31

Stadium: Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium, 1197 T.L. Townsend Drive, Rockwall, TX 75087

2018 result: 8-3; 6A, DI area round

Returning lettermen/starters: 34/12

Lettermen lost: 32

Offense: Multiple Spread

Offensive notables: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Sr., 6-1, 195 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ RB Zach Henry, Sr., 5-11, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Mat Joyce, Sr., 6-5, 310 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR JJ Williams, Sr., 6-0, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Carson Haynes, Jr., 6-1, 250 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ ATH Alex Orji, Soph., 6-3, 200

Defense: 3-3 Stack

Defensive notables: S Tyler Ashworth, Sr., 5-9, 170 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ CB PJ Barber, Sr., 5-7, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Tyson Neighbors, Jr., 6-0, 205

2019 outlook: Offensive firepower paired with what Webb calls a young defense ÐÔÊӽ紫ý˜eager to break outÐÔÊӽ紫ý™ has the Yellowjackets poised to make some noise in 2019. Smith-Njigba, an elite Ohio State commit, got things done on both sides of the ball but particularly on offense, where the Yellowjackets put up 500 yards per game, including a shootout loss to state finalist Allen. Henry returns in the backfield behind some size on the line and Rockwall has key returners at a lot of positions both ways to be a force in 11-6A and beyond.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Highland Park; Sept. 6 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Garland Rowlett, 7 p.m.; Sept. 13 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Arlington Bowie; Sept. 20 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Arlington Martin; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Longview*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite Horn*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall-Heath*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ North Mesquite*; Oct. 15 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Tyler Lee*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite*; Nov. 8 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

MESQUITE HORN JAGUARS

Coach: Chris Hudler (1st season, 0-0; 0-0 overall)

All-time: 100-91-0

Stadium: E.H. Hanby Stadium, 401 E. Davis Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149; Mesquite Memorial Stadium, 2411 W. Scyene Road, Mesquite, TX 75149

2018 result: 5-8, 6A, DII regional finals

Returning lettermen/starters: 23/11

Lettermen lost: 31

Offense: Multiple Spread

Offensive notables: RB NÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Kowski Emory, Sr., 5-10, 170 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Daimonte Williams, Sr., 6-3, 305 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Donovan Payne, Sr., 6-5, 200 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Cameron Jackson, Sr., 5-19, 170

Defense: Multiple

Defensive notables: LB Quavon Grant, Sr., 5-10, 200 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Nick Garcia, Sr., 6-1, 230 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ CB John Burris, Jr., 5-11, 160 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ S Marquis Edwards, Soph., 5-11, 170 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL Matthew Robles, Sr., 5-9, 245

2019 outlook: Momentum finished with the Jaguars in 2018, which turned in one of the more impressive turnarounds in the state after a 0-7 start to the season. First-year head coach Hudler takes over a senior-laden squad who is poised to get things going quicker in 2019. Emory is a prospect after an all-around junior season and the Jaguars have targets out withed in Payne and Jackson (26-429, 3 TDs). Robles (54 tackles) is back up front ahead of Grant (128 tackles, 13 TFL) and Garcia (132 tackles, 3 sacks) at linebacker as well as experience in the secondary.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at John Tyler, 7 p.m.; Sept. 6 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Highland Park; Sept. 13 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Cedar Hill; Sept. 20 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Arlington; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Longview*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall-Heath*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ North Mesquite*; Nov. 8 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Tyler Lee* (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

MESQUITE SKEETERS

Coach: Jeff Fleener (3rd season, 6-14)

All-time: 477-455-37

Stadium: E.H. Hanby Stadium, 401 E. Davis Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149; Mesquite Memorial Stadium, 2411 W. Scyene Road, Mesquite, TX 75149

2018 result: 5-5, 6A, DI bi-district

Returning lettermen/starters: 37/12

Lettermen lost: 37

Offense: Spread

Offensive notables: RB LaÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Darius Turner, Sr., 6-0, 191 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ QB Dylan McGill, Sr., 6-3, 188 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR JaÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Darion Smith, Sr., 5-8, 153 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ ATH K.B. Frazier ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Seth Robinson

Defense: Multiple

Defensive notables: DL/LB JarÐÔÊӽ紫ý™rion Smith, Sr., 6-0, 218 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ S Dewayne Adams, Sr., 5-11, 158 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB/S Alec Rice, Sr., 5-11, 198 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Jayden Brown ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DB JaÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Travion Rudd

2019 outlook: Heading into his third season at the helm, Fleener and the Skeeters are trending upward and have several key pieces ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ seven returners on defense and five on offense ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ to lead the charge. Turner is a big-time back, McGill has the ability to make plays on the ground and through the air and Adams is back to lead the secondary. After a 1-9 season, the Skeeters made the playoffs last year and will be in the hunt this season.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Lake Highlands; Sept. 5 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Grand Prairie, 7 p.m.; Sept. 13 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Plano West; Sept. 19 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Hurst Bell, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite Horn*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall-Heath*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at North Mesquite*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Tyler Lee*; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall*; Nov. 8 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Longview* (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

TYLER LEE RED RAIDERS

Coach: Kurt Traylor (3rd season, 8-12; 8-12 overall)

All-time: 291-333-20

Stadium: Earl Campbell Field at CHRISTUS Trinity Mother Frances Rose Stadium, 700 Fair Park Drive, Tyler, TX 75701

2018 result: 2-8

Returning lettermen/starters: 32/15

Lettermen lost: 29

Offense: Power Spread

Offensive notables: TE Jamal Ligon, Sr., 6-3, 250 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ RB Jamarion Miller, Soph., 5-10, 175 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ QB Mark Patton, Sr., 6-6, 240 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR TeÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Vion Massey, Sr., 5-11, 165 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Dion Daniels, Jr., 6-4, 250

Defense: 50

Defensive notables: DL Jamal Ligon ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ CB TeÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Vion Massey ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ S Elliott Davison, Sr., 6-0, 180 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Carson Gallagher, Jr., 6-1, 210 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL TJ Hawkins, Sr., 5-11, 200 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Jack Janis, Jr., 6-1, 195

2019 outlook: Lee returns heavy hitters and numbers in key spots on both sides of the ball, a trend that continues throughout 11-6A. Two-way standout Ligon, a North Texas commit that had a team-best 70 tackles, leads a defense that returns a number of Red Raiders that either started or got playing time in 2018. The defense must be big for Lee this season to go with an offense that returns Patton (1,083 passing yards) and Miller, the district newcomer a year ago.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Marshall; Sept. 7 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ vs. John Tyler, 7 p.m.; Sept. 14 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Nacogdoches, 7 p.m.; Sept. 20 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite Poteet, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall-Heath*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ North Mesquite*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite*; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Longview*; Nov. 8 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite Horn* (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

ROCKWALL-HEATH HAWKS

Coach: Mike Spradlin (1st season at Heath; 124-64 overall)

All-time: 90-55-0

Stadium: Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium, 1197 T.L. Townsend Drive, Rockwall, TX 75087

2018 result: 3-7

Returning lettermen/starters: 27/10

Lettermen lost: 30

Offense: Spread

Offensive notables: QB Taven Paxton, Sr., 6-0, 195 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ QB Josh Hoover, Soph., 6-1, 198 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Casey Curtain, Sr., 6-2, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Jaden Jones, Sr., 6-2, 190 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Hunter Smith, Jr., 6-5, 290

Defense: 3-4

Defensive notables: LB Grady Brewer, Jr., 6-0, 218 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL Trae Martin, Jr., 6-3, 230 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL Jaden Allen, Sr., 6-2, 235 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL Marques Sowels, Sr., 6-1, 200

2019 outlook: ItÐÔÊӽ紫ý™s a new era for the Hawks under Spradlin, who takes over after serving as AD at Magnolia after a successful run as the head coach at Temple, and the freshness is evident in a few areas for the longtime coach: a new offense, a new defense and a new culture. The Hawks have a nucleus on offense with WRs Curtain (848 receiving yards) and Jones to go with a quarterback battle between Paxton and Hoover. Defensively, the Hawks have size and speed in the front seven to usher in a new area at Heath.

Schedule: Aug. 29 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Keller Timber Creek, 7 p.m.; Sept. 6 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Wylie; Sept. 13 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ FW Richland; Sept. 19 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ McKinney North, 7 p.m.; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Tyler Lee*; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Longview*; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite Horn*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Nov. 7 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at North Mesquite*, 7 p.m. (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)

NORTH MESQUITE STALLIONS

Coach: Tim Seder (2nd season, 1-9; 1-9 overall)

All-time: 303-203-11

Stadium: E.H. Hanby Stadium, 401 E. Davis Drive, Mesquite, TX 75149; Mesquite Memorial Stadium, 2411 W. Scyene Road, Mesquite, TX 75149

2018 result: 3-6

Returning lettermen/starters: 21/8

Lettermen lost: 20

Offense: Two-Back Multiple

Offensive notables: QB KaÐÔÊӽ紫ý™Maury Thompson, Sr., 6-1, 175 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL LaMarr Campbell, Sr., 6-1, 265 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ WR Marcus Yow, Jr., 6-0, 170 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Roman Reyna, Sr., 6-2, 271 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ OL Tristan Cox, Sr., 6-1, 293

Defense: 3-4

Defensive notables: DL Davion Carter, Soph., 6-0, 270 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DB Samuel Inyang, Sr., 5-10, 180 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ DL Jalen Delance, Sr., 6-0, 260 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Tim Cobb, Jr., 6-1, 215 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý¦ LB Jordan Colston, Sr., 5-11, 195

2019 outlook: Year two under Seder hopes to be a bounce-back season for the Stallions, who have six wins over the past two seasons. QB Thompson welcomes back a few out wide in Yow (293 yards) and Torrion Smith. Defense is where the Stallions are posed to make the biggest impact with the likes of Carter and Delance up front ahead of a returning linebacker corps.

Schedule: Aug. 30 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Arlington Sam Houston, 7 p.m.; Sept. 6 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Lakeview Centennial; Sept. 12 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ FW Paschal, 7 p.m.; Sept. 20 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at FW Haltom; Sept. 27 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Open; Oct. 4 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Tyler Lee*; Oct. 11 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Mesquite*; Oct. 18 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Rockwall*; Oct. 25 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Longview*; Nov. 1 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ at Mesquite Horn*; Nov. 7 ÐÔÊӽ紫ý“ Rockwall-Heath*, 7 p.m. (* indicates district game; All games at 7:30 p.m. unless noted)