Top 25 Early Contenders high school football team preview: No. 8 DeSoto

Top 25 Preseason Early Contenders - No. 8 DeSoto
View images by photographer Alik McIntosh from his preseason photo shoot with the Eagles.


Todd Peterman's first season as head coach at DeSoto didn't go according to plan. Frankly, it went a little haywire at the start, losing the first two games and three of four.

Going 6-6 and winning a playoff game in Texas 6A-D1 is pretty decent, but by DeSoto standards: "We didn't get it done. I didn't get it done."

But Peterman didn't run the DeSoto offense meticulously for 17 years by looking backwards. The Eagles righted their flight by the end of 2015 and with 14 returning starters, 21 players who have been offered college scholarships and the addition of one of the nation's top quarterbacks, DeSoto is once again not only in the state mix, but the national conversation.



Just like last year when it was No. 5 in among the national Early Contenders. This season the Eagles are No. 8.

"We're back," Peterman said. "We're ready to get after it and start competing. Our team motto this year is ‘Let's find out.' We'll find out real soon."

See the DeSoto Early Contenders photo shoot

With 425 kids in the program and 66 seniors among about 100 players on the varsity team, Peterman has plenty of personnel to work with. Seventeen of the 21 scholarship offers are at the Division I FBS level.

"We got the numbers and we got the kids, now it's just a matter of getting it done," Peterman said.

The Players
The addition of 6-foot-1, 213-pound dual threat quarterback Shawn Robinson certainly propelled the Eagles from another team of promise to legitimate state title contender.



The nation's No. 81 recruit overall and No. 4 dual-threat QB according to 247Sports Composite, Robinson and his family moved from Denton in the spring, giving DeSoto another piece to its already abundant puzzle.

The Eagles already return talented junior dual threat quarterback Courtney Douglas (6-2, 215), but TCU commit Robinson, who tallied 7,216 yards of offense and accounted for 81 touchdowns in two seasons at Guyer (Denton), will be hard to keep out of the lineup.

Robinson's mother Andrea accepted the girls basketball coaching job and his father Othell will coach DeSoto's receivers. Othell Robinson and Peterman starting in the coaching business more than two decades ago.

Peterman said that Robinson is DeSoto's first five-star quarterback, but that he and Douglas will compete for playing time in the Eagles' fast-paced, multiple tempo offense.

"It's not a delicate situation – if you're on the team, the player who plays best and works the hardest will get the playing time," Peterman said. "That goes for all positions."

Of Robinson, he said: "He's an incredible talent and a student of the game. It's a little different offense than he's used to but much more similar to TCU where he's going. Obviously, it's a good fit."



With a number of future college skill players, plus the offensive line which is the strength of the team, Robinson has much to work with.

Junior running back Kelan Walker (6-1, 205) already has multiple Division I offers and he, along with Jamonne Williams and Richie Washington, will get the brunt of the carries.

"We run 65 percent of the time, but probably put up more passing yards," Peterman said.

The receiving threats are many, with Colorado-bound Laviska Shenault and Tennessee-bound KD Nixon leading the way, along with junior Byron Hanspard jr and seniors Emmet Perry and Samuel Hunter, all future college players.

The offensive line is loaded with size and talent, led by Texas-bound Xavier Newman (6-4, 285), Missouri commit Hyrin White (6-6, 295) and LSU-bound Edward Ingram (6-3, 315).

"The boys average 306 pounds along the offensive front," Peterman said. "They're not just big, but skilled, and in shape. There's a lot of leadership in that line."



The defensive front is led by third-year starting tackle Wesley Green (6-0, 315) and linebacker Kemonte Yow (6-1, 230) is the defense's heart and soul. Kolby Watts is another stout inside linebacker.

The defensive backfield is another team strength, with safeties Mike Singleton (6-0, 200) and German Green (6-2, 171) and cornerbacks Isaiah Stewart (6-0, 180) and German's twin brother Gemon Green (6-2, 170).

Peterman hired special teams coordinator and assistant head coach Courtney Sterling last season and the move paid off, as the Eagles were 7-for-9 on field goal tries.

"That's more field goals than we made the five previous years combined," Peterman said. "It's going to pay off."
The Schedule
DeSoto, especially Robinson, will be tested heavily on Sept. 2 in a home game with Guyer.

Not only is Guyer loaded with talent, but it might have a little extra incentive to knock off its former star quarterback.

"It will be extra challenging for us because they are an incredibly good team and incredibly well-coached," Peterman said. "But I don't think there will be any extra hard feelings on their part. Shawn's family moved. He's a well-grounded young man. I'm sure it might be a little different for him at first, but once the game starts, it will be like any other.



"But it should be a great game."

Peterman said a win that night would go a long way to, opposed from last year, getting off to a good start.

"I think we're all ready to get going," Peterman said. "I wish we'd start the season tomorrow."