Games are at 7 p.m. unless noted and are subject to change.
1. Houston
Coach: James Thomas
Last season: 13-2 (defeated Murfreesboro Oakland, 24-9, to win the Class 6A state championship)
Players to watch: QB Chandler Day (senior); WR-DB Andre Allen Jr. (senior); ATH-DB Ladeadrick James (senior); WR-DB D.J. Miller (senior); RB Celley Davis (junior); LB Owen Waggener (senior); LB Ben Killebrew (senior); LB Donnell Yarbrough (senior); DE Trayshon Shaw (senior); DL Garrett Hagan (senior); DL Kedrick Donald (senior); OL Nick Royston (senior)
Top newcomers: LB-RB Khori Faulkner (sophomore); TE-WR-DE Jonas Jimerson (junior); QB Cannon Day (freshman)
Schedule: Friday: Briarcrest; Aug. 31: DeSoto Central at NW Mississippi CC; Sept. 6: at Germantown*; Sept. 13: Cordova*; Sept. 20: Whitehaven*; Sept. 27: at Tupelo; Oct. 4: at Bartlett*; Oct. 10: at Arlington*; Oct. 25: White Station*; Nov. 1: Collierville*
*— Region 8-6A game
The scoop: The Mustangs won their first state championship in program history thanks in large part to a stellar defense; coordinator Tom Kliman’s unit allowed just 26 points in five postseason contests.
Several key contributors are back including what may be Tennessee’s best secondary. Allen, James and Miller are joined by 5-11, 180-pound senior Chase Manning, who missed 2023 with a torn ACL. The linebacker corps is terrific as well and Faulkner is a newcomer who figures to make an instant impact after moving to the area from Nebraska.
On offense, Day was an all-state selection and Davis should slot in nicely for the graduated Damon Sisa. The secondary standouts will also get their touches on offense and the addition of Jimerson provides another potent weapon.
The biggest question is the offensive line, where four of the five starters have graduated. But in talking to Thomas and his staff you since the quiet confi... Click here to read full article
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