Will be battle of survival when 7-4A, DII kicks off
There will be battles every week once district play starts in 7-4A, Division II.
Pleasant Grove, Gilmer, Gladewater, Atlanta, Pittsburg and Longview Spring Hill are the teams in this hotly contested district.
Gilmer went 5-0 in district a year ago and look to repeat as champions. Gladewater and Pleasant Grove each had 3-2 records, Atlanta was 2-3, Pittsburg was 2-3, and Spring Hill went 0-5.
Looking to stop Gilmer are several talented teams: Pleasant Grove was a regional semifinalist last season, Gladewater were area finalists, Atlanta just narrowly missed the playoffs, Pittsburg were bi-district finalists.
Pleasant Grove has senior leadership and are bound to make a deep playoff run.
GILMER
The Buckeyes return six starters on offense and five on defense. Gilmer lost 21 lettermen to graduation, but return 23.
Quarterback Poppy Brown (5-10, 200) runs a 4.8 second 40-yard dash and has a cannon for an arm. Last season, Brown threw for 5,013 yards with 48 touchdowns. He ran for 344 yards and eight TDs.
Catching many of Brown’s passes is receiver and defensive back Red Jones (5-11, 160). Jones runs the 40-yard dash in 4.6 seconds. Last season, Jones totaled 1,003 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.
Qua Heath (6-1, 180) is a threat at receiver and had 765 yards to go with nine scores last year.
The Buckeyes went 13-2 in 2016.
PLEASANT GROVE
The Hawks have 21 seniors and are poised to make a run for district and a state title.
Pleasant Grove is led by linebacker, tight end, and captain Xavier Benson (6-3, 215). Benson made three fumble recoveries, 89 tackles, and had an interception. Benson is also a good receiver with great hands.
Chauncey Martin (6-0, 195) made 70 tackles last season and had an interception. Martin was a first team all-district selection at safety. Martin will also play running back and is a 4-year letterman.
Senior T.J. Cole (6-0, 195) makes the transition from quarterback to fullback. Sophomore Ben Harmon (6-1, 180) gets the nod under center.
Harmon will be protected by a line that averages just over 280 pounds per player. Seniors Nick Gavriel (6-3, 310), Hunter Druhan (6-3, 240), Zach Wrinkle (6-2, 245), Drake Fowler (6-6, 306), and Austin Toler (6-0, 301) anchor the line.
Pleasant Grove will look to establish a dangerous passing game in order to open up the run in its wing-T offense.
ATLANTA
The Rabbits look to turn the frustration of just missing the playoffs a season ago, into coming back full force for a deep playoff run.
Atlanta looks to speedster Jawan King (5-11, 190), a junior, to lead the offense. King is a running back and will get most of the carries this season. Last year, King averaged 7.9 yards per touch and had four touchdowns. Look for those numbers to go up for King in Atlanta’s H-back offense. King knocks out a 40-yard dash in 4.5 seconds.
Getting the nod at quarterback is junior Andrew Samples (5-10, 175). Samples runs a 4.6 second 40-yard dash and has a great arm.
Senior Desmon Webster (5-11, 175) is a state champion track athlete and will grab many passes this season. Webster may also see playing time at running back.
Shun Hunter (6-3, 290) is back and starts on the offensive and defensive lines. Despite his size, Hunter runs a 5 second 40-yard dash and has good feet.
GLADEWATER
The Bears return six starters on offense and seven defensive starters. Gladewater went 8-3 last season.
Running back Isiah Davis (5-11, 205) is back and will get most of the carries. He will be running behind a good offensive line.
The line is anchored by Andrew Williams (5-11, 298). Williams did not allow a sack last year and had 56 pancake blocks.
Defensive back Mycah Stephens (6-1, 185) is back and made 135 tackles a year ago. Also leading the defense is Draka Ransom (5-10, 225), who plays on the line. Ransom made 62 tackles and had five sacks in 2016.
PITTSBURG
The Pirates went 5-6 last season under head coach Brad Baca. Pittsburg returns three offensive starters and five on defense.
Two-way player Keontae Burns (6-3, 175) makes his return to a team that were bi-district finalist.
Burns caught 24 passes for 261 yards and three TDs last season and also made 43 tackles as a defensive lineman. Cody Jones (6-1, 170) is a standout on the line as well and made 92 tackles to go along with seven sacks last season.
Quarterback Jaylon Jimmerson (5-10, 175) commands the offense. Jimmerson threw for 1,632 yards with 19 touchdowns a year ago.
Wyatt Logan (6-0, 200) has good size and plays fullback and tight end. Logan can catch the ball and is good at blocking.
SPRING HILL
The Panthers return nine offensive starters and seven on defense. Spring Hill went 3-7 last season.
Running back Zach Tulpa (5-11, 170) is one of the Panthers’ leaders on offense and rushed for 914 yards in 2016.
Quarterback Gage White (6-0, 175) returns under center and will have receiver Dayson Adaway (6-1, 170) as a primary target.