Who’s the fastest?
Daingerfield, Hooks, Paul Pewitt to battle for top spot in 7-3A
Excitement and surprises will be under the Friday night lights when teams from District 7-3A get together. There will be plenty of showdowns, shootouts, and the fastest team will probably win it all.
Daingerfield is the defending district champion after going 5-1 in district play. Hooks and Paul Pewitt went 4-2 each. Also in the mix is New Diana, who were 2-4 in district last season.
DeKalb and Ore City were both 3-3 in district play last year, but it was the Bears who secured a playoff spot. Queen City finished last and went 0-6.
The Hornets were are finalist and had a season record of 6-6.
DAINGERFIELD
The Tigers return eight starters on offense and seven on defense. The offense is led by athlete Reggie Jeter (6-2, 175), who starts at quarterback.
Jeter is a great all-around player who had 1,008 total yards, 17 touchdowns, 41 tackles and three interceptions.
The offensive line is anchored by senior left guard A.J Carroll (6-1, 280) and junior right guard Zack Gilmore (6-0, 290).
The defense is led by Jeter and Jakauri Woods (6-2, 185) along with senior outside linebacker and strong safety Timmyon Broner (5-9, 165).
PAUL PEWITT
The Brahmas have five returning starters on offense and three on defense.
Lucas Hungerford (5-10, 170), a senior, leads the offense at quarterback. Hungerford amassed 2,915 total yards in 2016.
Speedy running back Labrandon Houston (5-9, 190) comes back for his senior year. Houston had 1,063 yards on 180 totes and nine TDs last season.
Senior wide receiver Nick Garrett (5-11, 175) will be Hungerford’s primary target. Garrett hauled in 15 passes for 301 yards last year and starts at cornerback.
HOOKS
The Hornets return seven starters on offense and seven on defense.
Wide receiver and safety Marquiz Estell is back as a twoway starter. Estell, a sophomore, has blazing speed and really good hands.
Starting at quarterback will be either junior Connor Price (6-0, 175), who threw for 1,025 yards last season and started 11 games, or sophomore Mason Vasquez (5-11, 180).
Getting the bulk of the carries is senior running back Phillip Dickerson. Dickerson piled up 800 yards rushing in a 3-back rotation a year prior. Senior Necoma Sanders will get playing time at running back as well.
DEKALB
The Bears have seven returning starters on offense and eight on defense.
Running back JaQuan Jackson will see the bulk of the carries. Jackson has good field vision, is a physical speed.
Quarterback Tristen Jamison is back from last year’s 1.325 yard season. Jamison threw for 11 touchdowns last season, is a leader, and has a strong arm.
Catching a lot of Jamison’s passes are speedster juniors Jason Jackson and Logan Corbett. Corbett and Jason Jackson did not get a chance to play last year due to injuries. runner, and has good
NEW DIANA
The Eagles return eight starters each on offense and defense.
Quarterback Jackson Sampson threw for 2,700 yards and 25 touchdowns last season, and is back for his third year as a starter.
The defense is led by defensive end Aron Jahr, who made 100 tackles last season, and defensive lineman Christian Sapp, who had 21 stops a year ago.
ORE CITY
The Rebels have three returning offensive starters and eight on defense coming back.
Ore City will rely on the leadership of quarterback Tanner Organ and running back Garrett Young. Last season, Young was out with an injury most of the year.
Spearheading the defense are returning linebacker Aaron Nigreville and defensive lineman Jose Lopez. Nigreville totaled 102 tackles in 2016, while Lopez made 59 stops.
QUEEN CITY
Seven offensive starters and eight on defense are back for the Bulldogs.
Sophomore Dylan Scott (6-0, 150) earned the starting quarterback role. Scott has a good arm, is smart, and does well in reading defenses.
Sophomore Kemya Hicks (5-9, 155) and junior David Price (5-9, 155) will get most of the carries at running back.
Queen City looks to improve upon a 1-9 record a year ago.
Senior guard Daniel Keene (6-0, 230) anchors the offensive and defensive lines and is a 3-year starter.