For another title, THS must reload on defense
It might be puzzling to some why Texas High is favored with Marshall to win another District 16-5A championship.
The Tigers were tri-champions last fall with Longview and Marshall, but only one starter returns on defense.
Can Texas High simply reload?
“We’re essentially starting over completely on defense,” said THS coach Barry Norton, who enters his 18th season as the Tigers’ head man. “What it means is that we don’t have any experience. We have some talent and ability, the kids just have to step up and perform.
“You can replace the size, strength and athleticism, but not the experience. We’re making great strides everyday in practice. I think we’ll be a good defensive football team when it’s all said and done. The question is how quickly can we get to that point.”
Senior Marquis Alexander (5-9, 250) is the lone returner on the defensive side. He had 25 tackles in 2015.
Alexander will be up front with a lot of unproven talent.
“We’d like more depth on the interior part of the defensive line,” Norton said. “We’re working more bodies, trying to get everyone where they belong and trying to find the right combination. You like to have a three-man rotation at tackle to feel good about it.”
Norton said it’s also important to have at least a three-man rotation at end.
“We have packages where we move our ends inside,” he said. “That creates more depth on the inside.
“We can move a linebacker down to the end spot to create more depth. With today’s football, you’re trying to get as much length and speed on the field as you can. I think we’re big enough, and we’ll be fine. Technique-wise we’ve got to be good at what we do.”
Going into the Tigers’ first game, Norton said he believes his rotation at end will feature juniors Leonard Parks (6-3, 230), Dejonta Harper (6-2, 220) and Deidrick Reeves (6-2, 215).
“In certain packages those guys can play inside,” Norton said. “The fact we’ve played the same scheme fourteen years should also help us come along fast on defense, but it’s still going to take some time.”
The rotation at linebacker includes seniors Xzavier Hopkins (5-10, 205), Deshen Villa (5-10, 180) and juniors Davon Williams (6-0, 205) and Chris Arnold (5-10, 200).
“Hopkins is at a new position; his measureables are outstanding and off the chart,” Norton said. “Villa is just a good athlete, who will also play some running back. He’s extremely important to us in the kicking game and special teams. Williams played some middle linebacker last year.”
Norton is very excited about his secondary people.
Senior Eric Sutton (5-8, 160) played some safety last season. He was a good nickel back in 2015, and Norton describes him as really smart and always in the right position.
Javel Jones (6-1, 185) is another senior that Norton’s staff is looking at playing safety.
Sophomore Chris Sutton, Eric Sutton’s younger brother, is another candidate at safety. He had two interceptions, one for six points, in the Tigers’ preseason scrimmage with Atlanta.
“Like his brother, Chris just seems to be in the right spot all the time,” Norton said. “He’ll play in our nickel situations, maybe some at safety.”
Junior Jaqualen Brown (6-0, 175) will be one corner.
“Going into the last week of practice we’re still looking for the other cornerback,” Norton said. “Quan Hampton could be the other corner. He wants to play both ways. We’re always looking for a third and fourth cornerback, too. Senior D.T. Hunter could be another corner. I think we’ll be fine in the secondary.”
Senior Kyle Choate (5-9, 170) will be the Tigers’ punter.
“I’m always a defensive guy first,” the coach said. “I still believe winning games comes down to playing solid defense, the kicking game and protecting the football. We may have to be a little more aggressive on offense this year until the defense comes around. We’ll be OK, hopefully the first time out.”
It wouldn’t be surprising if Texas High’s offense carries the defense early this season because there will be no shortage of weapons.
Norton said that every great team has to be solid at quarterback and that’s one position where the Tigers are blessed with depth.
Senior Cade Pearson (6-2, 200), junior Riley Russell (6-0, 185) and sophomore Coltin Clack (6-2, 200) give Norton the most depth Texas High’s head coach has had in his 30-year coaching career.
“Cade is a good football player who understands our system,” Norton said. “He’s better today than he’s ever been in his life. He can run and throw the ball well.”
Pearson ran for 154 yards and two TDs last season, while completing 108 of 198 passes for 1,672 yards and 18 touchdowns.
Graduation claimed the Tigers’ top runner (Jakardi
Graduation claimed the Tigers’ top runner (Jakardi Witcher, 1,550 yards, 16 TDs), but Norton expects Devuntay Walker (5-11, 190) and Markese Martin (6-0, 215) to be good backs. Both saw limited action in 2015, combining for 227 yards.
“I think we’ll be very good at running back,” Norton said. “I like everything I’ve seen from Walker and Martin. They have each gotten better through spring and summer work. They’re both unselfish, and you couldn’t ask for better kids to coach. They can both run, catch the ball and they’re powerful.”
Others expected to get carries are Villa and Chris Sutton.
And if the Tigers are to be successful running the ball, the offensive line must be solid.
Returning in the line are giant seniors Kam Arnold (6-3, 300) and Dylan Raley (6-3, 295). The have a combined five years of experience.
“They were good, solid players last year,” Norton said.
Rounding out the O-line will be seniors James Tarantino (6-0, 265), Jey Shon Hawthorne (5-11, 250) and junior Elian Bustos (6-2, 276).
Tarantino played defense last year, but he has been moved to center this season. Hawthorne will play guard.
“Our first five offensive linemen are going to be a really good unit,” Norton said. “We’re looking for depth. We need three guys to be backups in that spot. We need a backup center, tackle and guard. Our fear going into the year was depth in both lines.”
Pearson’s passing numbers could easily be better this fall with leading receiver Quan Hampton back in action. He caught 27 passes for 477 yards and five TDs last season.
“Hampton is as good an athlete as there is around; He’s has as good, or better, hands of anyone I’ve ever coached, and that’s saying a lot,” Norton said. “His skill set is phenomenal. He’s just not real big. He runs a 4.4 in the 40, and has a 40-inch vertical.”
Hunt had 14 receptions last season for 237 yards and three TDs. Brown saw action on the varsity, and sophomore Chris Lyles (5-9, 170) will be in the mix.
Norton is not sure who the starting tight end will be. The candidates are Chris Arnold, sophomore Ladd Preston (5-10, 215) and Hopkins.
The Tigers’ kicking game had not been settled either with only a week left before the opener.
“Right now we’ve got two or three prospects; We always try to have three or four deep-snappers, too,” Norton said. “We put a lot of emphasis and time in on the kicking game. You can win games with the kicking game.
“We’ve got some really good legs out of soccer.”
It’s evident Norton is enthusiastic about the 2016 season.
“This has been a tremendous group to work with,” he said. “It’s my experience when you have a close group, you have a good season.”
Texas High hasn’t won a playoff game since 2009. Norton makes no excuses, but notes who the Tigers have been losing to.
“Matchups are the whole thing in the playoffs,” he said. “We’ve played John Tyler four of the last six years, and they were better than us. I’d like to say it was something different, but it’s not.
“We played McKinney North one year and they had a tailback who is playing out at USC right now. We couldn’t tackle him. We couldn’t handle John Tyler’s quarterback last year, and before that they had a quarterback who is now a Heisman Trophy candidate at Houston.
“We know we haven’t won a playoff game in a long time, and we’re going to get Highland Park’s district this year. The first round matchup is going to be tough every year in Region II.”