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Coach: Claude Mathis
Mascot: Eagles
Region: 1
District: 11-5A
2010: 11-3, D1 Regional finalist (L RR Stony Point, 48-72)

PROGRAM

The Eagles have qualified for the playoffs every year since 1996.  During this run, they’ve played four rounds deep three times including last season.  Prior to this run, they only made the playoffs a total of four times over a span of 39 years.

OFFENSE

Returning Offensive Starters: 6

Unit Rankings
Backfield:
Receivers:
Offensive Line:

Key Players
RB Dontre Wilson, Junior (88 car., 544 yards, 12 tds; 11 rec., 247 yards, 3 tds)
RB Devin Rushing, Senior (99 car., 570 yards, 7 tds)
OL Curtis Riser, Senior (’10 1st All-State, ’10 1st All-District)

Players to Watch
QB/DB Raheem Wilson, Senior (6’0 175 4.5)
QB Dez White, Sophomore
WR Ridge Jones, Senior (5’10 160 4.3)
WR Tony Cook, Senior (6’4 170 4.6)
WR Tavares Royal, Sophmore (6’0 190)
WR Kyle Collins, Junior
WR Chris Lacy, Sophomore (6’3 180)
OL Sergio Phillips, Junior (6’3 295)
OL Emmanuel Cross, Senior (6’1 285)
OL Devonta Leary, Junior (5’10 225)
OL Marcus McGarity, Sophomore

DEFENSE

Returning Defensive Starters: 8

Unit Rankings
Defensive Line:
Linebackers:
Secondary:

Key Players
DE Michael Richards0n, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
LB Alex Lyons, Senior (6’0 210 4.5)
CB Bryson Echols, Senior (’10 AP 1st All-State, 1st All-District)

Players to Watch
DE Denzel Murphy, Senior (’10 2nd All-District)
LB Taylor Young, Junior (5’9 190 4.7)
LB Courtlin Davis, Senior (6’0 220 4.8)
CB Vondrick Jackson, Senior (6’0 185 4.5)
SS Jordan Smith, Senior (5’11 185 4.3)
FS Nick Orr, Sophomore (5’10 165 4.5)

SCHEDULE

THE BOTTOM LINE

Offense: Call us crazy, but despite graduating QB Ryan Polite, the Eagle offense should be just fine.  This year, the playmakers are both at the running back position in junior RB Dontre Wilson and RB Devin Rushing.  Folks around DeSoto think Wilson has a chance of developing into the top back of his class.  Up front, the Eagles bring back three starters including all-state and Texas commit Curtis Riser. Sergio Phillips is expected to be the next highly recruited prospect on the line. New faces, same top notch talent.

Defense: This unit has been a little bit of an enigma for many years now.  DeSoto has the talent to compete with anyone, but as a unit, it just hasn’t clicked yet.  If you look at the program table above, you can see the disparity between their average offensive rank versus their average defensive rank over the last five years.  The Eagles are only a special defensive group away from make big noise, and seniors Michael Richardson (Texas A&M), Alex Lyons (multiple D1 offers), and Bryson Echols (Texas) could be that group.

Overrated if: The new face at quarterback doesn’t protect the ball, and the defense doesn’t improve.  The Eagles gave up 32.4 points per game last season.

Underrated if: The defensive chemistry of this group allows them to maximize their talent as a team.  The day that this aspect of the team clicks, watch out.