Liberty-Eylau early favorite to take 7-4A, DI crown

After Paris won the District 7-4A, Division I title last fall, Liberty-Eylau is the early favorite to claim another league championship under fourthyear head coach Steve Wells, who led L-E to the title in 2014 and 2015.

The Leopards went 4-1, their only loss to Paris, and return 21 lettermen and have 35 seniors on the roster.

Quinlan Ford returns eight starters on each side of the ball, while every other team brings back either six or seven starters on either side.

Paris won its opening playoff game but went no deeper after second-round loss. LibertyEylau, Princeton and North Lamar each bowed out in the bi-district round.

LIBERTY-EYLAU

The Leopards aim to make another deep run and return some key elements to help make some noise in the playoffs.

Orion Williams is back at defensive end after missing nine games with an injury. QB Decorian Phillips, who accounted for 2,500 yards and 23 TDs as a junior, returns to make the calls on offense. Also back is the leading receiver, Isaiah Cross, for his junior season after pulling in 50 balls for over 600 yards a year ago.

Senior De’Andre Hoof and junior Cedric Dickerson will be the main running backs in the Leopards’ up-tempo offense.

The Leopards will need to stay healthy with a brutal non-district schedule that features Gilmer, Carthage, Texas High, Atlanta and Pleasant Grove.

PARIS

Paris could once again challenge for the district title, returning 26 lettermen after graduating 24.

Running back Donovan Williams rushed for over 1,700 yards and 19 scores last season and will again be the feature of the Wildcats’ offense.

Paris will need to develop a QB and key defensive spots, but Jordan Furtch returns in the secondary with 125 tackles and six interceptions, and Vershaud Richardson is back up front on defense. Richardson had 99 tackles and six sacks last fall.

PRINCETON

The largest school in the district brings in new head coach Clint Surratt after a 5-6 season and 2-3 in district.

The Panthers graduated 22 and return just 18. QB Brendon Strickland returns after throwing for 1,300 yards and eight TDs a season ago, and Alex Flores and Jacob Pardon are offensive spark plugs.

Elmer Cruz returns to anchor the defense from his linebacker spot, and Quinton Goodwin will be featured in the secondary at cornerback.

NORTH LAMAR

The Panthers graduated 13 and return 21, many of those starters a year ago.

The search for a quarterback may stop at receiver/defensive back Josh Dangerfield or coach’s son Kobey Emeyabbi. Tyler Hill will be the feature back after sharing carries last fall and still managing 546 yards and seven scores.

Linebacker Jeremiah Guenther will lead the defense, with Dangerfield being a solid stopper in the secondary.

ANNA

After a 5-0 start to the season, the Coyotes managed just a 1-4 record in district play.

Anna returns 17 after graduating 16. Keelan Crosby, who was hobbled last year at QB during district play, will aim to stay healthy as a dual-threat QB.

Mel Readus returns at running back for Anna, which will have to pull off an upset according to the preseason poll to be able to clinch a playoff spot.

QUINLAN FORD

The Panthers bring back 25 of 32 lettermen from a season ago in Todd Wallace’s Wing-T, runheavy offense.

Linus Beierschmitt is the statistical leader on both sides returning at quarterback and safety. Beierschmitt rushed for 587 yards and passed for 760, with 11 total touchdowns. He also had 57 tackles and a pair of interceptions on defense.

Darion Rodriguez is also a two-way starter for Ford, rushing for 305 yards and collecting 44 tackles.