2017 Early Contenders high school football preview: No. 7 DeSoto

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Video: 2017 Early Contenders - No. 7 DeSoto
Host Zack Poff breaks down one of the most talented teams from the Lone Star State.

Head coach: Todd Peterman

Last season: 16-0, No. 2 national ranking, beat Steele in the 6A-D2 UIL Texas state title game, 38-29

Last decade: 105-27, one state title



Famous alumni/players: Former NFL RB Tatum Bell, former Doak Walker Award winner Byron Hanspard, Super Bowl MVP and five-time Pro Bowl linebacker Von Miller, former NFL LB Zach Orr, former MLB pitcher and current Colorado Rockies pitching coach Steve Foster PLAYERS TO WATCH

WR B.J. Hanspard Jr. (6-0, 170, Sr.) — The Top-15 athlete in the Class of 2018 is an Arkansas commit.

QB Courtney Douglas (6-0, 235, Sr.) — The senior takes over as the starting quarterback in 2017.

RB Kelan Walker (6-0, 205, Sr.) — The Houston commit is a Top 25 running back in the Class of 2018.

CB Gemon Green (6-2, 165, Sr.) — He's committed to Michigan.

CB German Green (6-2, 170, Sr.) — Just like his twin brother, he's committed to Michigan. KEY GAMES

Sept. 7 — at Guyer (Denton, Texas)



Sept. 29 — vs. Cedar Hill (Texas)

Oct. 27 — vs. Duncanville (Texas)

STORYLINES

* DeSoto has one of the toughest jobs in all of high school football, replacing 2016 Gatorade State Football Player of the Year Shawn Robinson. Up next at the quarterback position is Douglas, who has been waiting for his chance for three years. He had to sit behind Tristen Wallace during his first two seasons and Robinson in 2016. Douglas has looked fantastic over the summer, expect him to have a big senior campaign.

* The Eagles had to deal with some drama over the summer when ISD trustees debated upon whether to bring back the only head coach to ever lead DeSoto to a state championship. They determined that Todd Peterman should come back.

* DeSoto proved it can win big games in 2016, so don't expect things to change one year later even if the Eagles have to replace some key players from last year's championship team.