Football previews provided by Dave Campbell's Texas Football
Arlington Heights Yellowjackets6-4A
Coach: Ged Kates.
Lettermen R/L: 26/21.
2009: 9-3 /5-0 district.
Starters returning O/D: 6/7.
Players to watch: WR Marquis Jackson (6-0, 200, 4.3), DE Jake Knowles (6-0, 190, 4.7), CB Jordan Price (5-8, 165, 4.3), CB Joe Howard (5-11, 180, 4.5).
Top juniors: WR Dennis Brooks (6-0, 175, 4.5).
Top sophomores: DT Troy Swift.
Other prospects: QB Omar Valadez, DL LaDarrius Mayfield, DL Davante Alexander, OL Othon Perales, LB Alex Faoro, LB Logan Kidwill, FB Tony Dias.
2010 notes: The 'Jackets got this large Fort Worth district a rare first-round playoff win, then promptly lost their coach to Hutto. In steps first-time head coach Kates, an assistant under the previous regime. In a district that featured Texas signee Darius White, a fellow WR, it was Jackson was voted the district MVP. Jackson was almost as good rushing (602 yards, 4 TDs) as he was receiving (987 yards, 15 TDs). Arlington Heights also returns the reigning defensive MVP, DE Knowles (106 tackles, 18 TFL, 5 sacks), the "emotional leader of the defense," Kates said. CBs Price (5 INTs) and Howard (33 tackles, 2 INTs) have lockdown ability, a treasure to have in this spread-offense era. QB Valadez (1,502 yards, 18 TDs) started every game.
