04/14/20

Under the Microscope: 3A, 4A and TAAPS

DFW Offseason - Week One

3A/4A/TAPPS Preview

We are kicking off our Under the Microscope series with a preview of 3A, 4A and TAPPS! Check back here every week as we move through each 5A and 6A district! Today we will be covering the top teams to watch in DFW this fall in the 3A, 4A and private school ranks!

3A

Grandview Zebras

The Grandview Zebras have a chance to enter the ranks of immortality with a third straight state championship. Quarterback and safety Dane Jentsch has accomplished more in his career than most players accomplish in a lifetime. He has won two state championships and won offensive and defensive MVP in both games. According to a Twitter post from Jentsch, he’s passed for nearly 7,000 yards and rushed for over 2,700 yards. That’s to go with 126 total touchdowns and 10 interceptions at safety. Oh, and I should mention Jentsch is returning for his senior campaign. Jentsch has just begun to receive college scholarship offers and other colleges are likely to follow. Immortalizing himself and Grandview in Texas High School Football history would put the cherry on top of a remarkable prep career before he moves on to the next level.

Very few teams ever get a shot to win three straight state championships. Even less actually do it. Allen did it with Kyler Murray. Galena Park North Shore will have a chance to do so this year with Dematrius Davis and Shardrach Banks back for their senior seasons. What Grandview can pull off behind Jentsch this season would put the Zebras in rarified air.

Gunter Tigers

The Gunter Tigers went 15-1 with a 43-22 victory over Paul Pewitt in the 3A DII State Championship Game. The only loss was to 3A DI runner-up Pottsboro, a team the Tigers will have to face again in 2020. Gunter has won two state championships in the last several years and will be poised to make it back to Arlington in 2020.

4A

Argyle Eagles

Replacing dynamic quarterback Bo Hogeboom won’t be easy but Argyle is replacing talent at nearly every other position on the field. Whoever steps up at quarterback will have a speedy receiver to get the ball to in Cole Kirkpatrick. Jasper Lott is a big target at tight end and the Eagles have more than enough talent returning along the offensive line. That includes names like Texas Tech commit Jack Tucker and center Blake Spence. Argyle lost to Waco La Vega deep in the playoffs last season but will be a favorite to make it back to Arlington and play for a state championship in 2020.

Kennedale Wildcats

The Kennedale Wildcats will be another team to keep an eye on 4A Division I. Kennedale went just 7-4 last season, falling to China Spring in the playoffs. However, the Wildcats return star defensive back J.D. Coffey. Kennedale made a run to the state championship game when he held down the secondary as a Freshman. Coffey has seen his recruitment blow up since his Freshman season and he will try to help the Wildcats make it back to Arlington.

TAPPS

Parish Episcopal

Parish Episcopal returns star quarterback and SMU commit Preston Stone. The talented senior will try to lead the Panthers to a repeat as TAPPS champions. Stone passed for 3,200 yards and 37 touchdowns while also rushing for 800 yards and an additional 11 touchdowns. Parish Episcopal will have to face some other talented teams in the area, but with Stone returning, the road to that state title will go through the defending state champions.

Fort Worth All Saints

The Brockermeyer twins are back for All Saints. After missing his junior campaign, top recruit Tommy Brockermeyer will be healthy for his senior season. That’s a major addition to a team that finished last season a disappointing 5-5, including 3 straight losses to end the season. Tommy and James will be blocking for quarterback Hampton Fay. The six-foot-five pro style quarterback is a three-star recruit with multiple offers. He won’t have to worry much about getting sacked next season and can focus on getting the ball to his receivers. All Saints won’t be an easy out in the playoffs this fall.

Liberty Christian

Liberty Christian returns Mississippi State commit Daniel Greek at quarterback. The Warriors will have a tough schedule that includes a matchups with defending champion Parish Episcopal and the runner-up in John Paul II. Liberty Christian went just 3-8 last year after Antonian Prep ousted the Warriors 28-22 in the first round of the playoffs. Greek will be a name to watch in his senior season and Liberty Christian could be a problem for several area teams.

TC- Cedar Hill

The defending Division II Champions won’t be playing a TAPPS schedule in 2020. Instead, TC- Cedar Hill will be playing a national schedule after winning 3 straight state titles in Texas. Four-star quarterback Shedeur Sanders is back for his senior season. His dad, Deion Sanders, yes, that Deion, is the offensive coordinator for TC- Cedar Hill. Sanders will likely return to coach his son for one more season and also help guide him through the recruiting process. The younger Sanders holds offers from Alabama, Baylor and Florida, among others.