Under the Microscope: 5A DII District 6

Cover Photo via @PoteetRecruits on Twitter

We're taking a look at 5A DII District 6 today! There are a few strong teams at the top and plenty of returning talent in the district. There will be several teams fighting for the final playoff spot. Let's take a look at how it might all play out.

Adamson Leopards

Adamson finished 4-6 in 2019 and a one-point loss to Spruce at the end of the regular season kept the Leopards from a .500 season. Adamson will get another shot at Spruce in district play in 2020 and will also have games against Jefferson and Conrad - teams they beat in 2019. The Leopards are returning some talent on both sides of the ball as they look to challenge for a playoff spot in 2020.

Conrad Chargers

Conrad has some work to do in 2020. The Chargers finished 2019 with a 1-9 record with the lone win coming over Jefferson. Josh Ragsdale is taking over as head coach after James Davis served as an interim coach in 2019. Ragsdale is tasked with helping the Chargers improve their win total after going 2-18 over the last two seasons.

Hillcrest Panthers

Hillcrest started 6-1 in 2019 before fading down the stretch and losing its final three games. The Panthers finished 6-4 but missed the playoffs in 2019. The good news for Hillcrest is star running back Nasir Reynolds will be back to help lead the offense. Hillcrest handled Conrad in non-district play a year ago but didn’t face any other team in its new district last season. Keep an eye on Hillcrest as a team that could make the playoffs in 2020.

Jefferson Patriots

Jefferson failed to win a game in 2019 though the Patriots almost beat Conrad. They have a shot at Conrad again in 2020 but will face six teams in district that they lost to a year ago. Returning an experienced quarterback always helps and Jefferson has that in Jonathan Ware.

Kimball Knights

Kimball will look to build on a 7-4 record from a year ago. The Knights are returning plenty of talent on offense as well as their best player on defense in four-star cornerback recruit Ishmael Ibraheem. Kimball finished 4-2 against teams in its new district last season with the losses coming against South Oak Cliff and Seagoville. The Knights will have a pair of dynamic receivers back in Cam Nelson and Kyron Henderson. Quarterback Keith Hargraves is back and so is backfield mate and SMU commit Brandon Epton Jr. at running back. Look for Kimball to make some noise in district play.

Seagoville Dragons

Seagoville finished 2019 with a 7-4 record and a first round playoff exit. The Dragons will have playoff aspirations again in 2020 after going 5-1 against teams in its new district a year ago. Seagoville returns talent at receiver and in the secondary and should expect to make the playoffs in 2020.

South Oak Cliff Golden Bears

South Oak Cliff is the only team in this district to win a playoff game last season. The Golden Bears defeated Midlothian before falling to a resurgent Frisco team in the next round. South Oak Cliff went 6-0 against teams in its new district last season en route to a 9-3 finish. They return talent all over the field in the form of a strong senior class. Linebackers Jaydon Williams and Jai Jones lead the way. Williams is an Arizona State commit while Jones will be heading to Boise State. Cornerback and Stanford commit Jimmy Wyrick is back to lead the secondary and the defense also returns three-star recruit Jalen Jones at linebacker. Running back and San Diego State commit Cam Davis is back to lead the offense. Expect South Oak Cliff to make a run at a district championship and have some playoff success.

Spruce Timberwolves

Spruce finished the 2019 season with a 4-6 posting. The good news for the Timberwolves is that three of those four wins came against teams they’ll face in district play again this year. Spruce lost a close game against a Seagoville team it will face again in 2020. Improvement is needed if the Wolves want to make the playoffs, but it isn’t inconceivable.

Mesquite Poteet Pirates

Mesquite Poteet rebounded from an 0-3 start to finish the regular season with a 5-5 record. The Pirates lost to Magnolia in the first round of the playoffs and are in an entirely new district in 2020. Devon Martin is being recruited by some of the top schools in the nation from his tight end position and will be a player to watch in this district. Poteet should expect to make the playoffs in 2020.

Team to Watch

My team to watch is the Kimball Knights. I expect Kimball to be competitive in district play and possibly win a playoff game or two. The Knights are returning talent all over the field and that gives me hope that Kimball will follow up a successful 2019 season with an even better 2020 campaign.

Player to Watch

My player to watch is Mesquite Poteet tight end Devon Martin. The dynamic tight end is a threat downfield and his big frame allows him to go up and get the ball over defenders. There's a reason Martin is being recruited by the likes of Alabama and Baylor and I expect Martin to have a big senior season for the Pirates in 2020.