Leisz has squad rolling into semifinal
Explosive Knights ready to defend SPC large-school football crown
Episcopal football team opens its Southwest Preparatory Conference title defense this weekend. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle escapes a tackle.
The Episcopal football team will open its Southwest Preparatory Conference title defense this weekend, hosting Fort Worth Country Day at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Simmons Field in a largeschool semifinal game. The Knights, 8-1 overall, completed a perfect 5-0 run through the South Zone with a 34-3 victory over Houston Christian. Episcopal is the clear favorite, not that head coach Steve Leisz sees it that way.
“It’s a new season and every team is zero and zero,” Leisz said. “It doesn’t really matter what we’ve done up to this point.”
But it’s hard not to notice what the Knights have accomplished. They’re averaging 44 points and 494 yards per game against a highly competitive schedule. Episcopal’s only loss was a 28-21 decision to St. Thomas in mid-September.
“A big part of our success has been our senior leadership,” Leisz said. “We have some talented kids, but the older ones have kept everyone focused.”
Senior quarterback Preston Heard is one of the many headliners on the roster. Heard has completed 122 of 191 pass attempts for 2,133 yards, 36 touchdowns and only five interceptions. He’s also has 74 carries for 588 yards and seven scores.
“Preston was last year’s SPC Player of the year and is the Preseason Player of the Year and he’s lived up to the expectations,” Leisz said. “Preston has the ability to change plays at the line of scrimmage. He reads the blitz well. He has four or five options on every play, but he usually makes the right call.”
Junior running back Jake Levrier has sparked the ground game. Levrier has carried the ball 161 times for 1,291 yards and 15 touchdowns, in addition to grabbing 21 passes for 486 yards and eight scores.
Episcopal also has a pair of dangerous slot receivers in sophomore Jaylen Waddle and senior J.T. Hildebrand. The elusive Waddle has caught 42 passes for 838 yards and 10 touchdowns. Hildebrand, a returning all-SPC performer, has accounted for nearly 1,000 all-purpose yards and tallied seven touchdowns.
The offensive line is the SPC’s best. Senior Gio Pancotti (a Texas Tech University commit) and junior Walker Little pave the way from the tackle positions, while seniors Lane Drager and J.P. Tatum are the guards and senior Brian Kirksey is the center.
Episcopal’s defense is anchored by junior nose guard Marvin Wilson, one of the country’s most sought-after prospects. Also on the defensive line are the two ends, juniors Mathew Leggett and Bo Mannon.