2018 Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor high school football preview: No. 4 Allen

By Zack Poff Aug 9, 2018, 1:30pm

Led by Theo Wease and Grant Tisdale, Eagles return majority of state-title winning squad.

Video: Early Contenders presented by Shock Doctor
We set the tone for 2018 by looking at high school football's elite.


Head coach: Terry Gambill

Last season: 16-0, No. 3 national ranking, 6A Division-1 UIL Texas state champs.

Last decade: 139-9

Famous alumni/players: Jonathan Williams, Buffalo Bills RB; Kyler Murray, two-time MaxPreps National Player of the Year; Uzoma Nwachukwu  Dallas Cowboys WR; Shawn Tolleson, Tampa Bay Rays pitcher.



Star power (According to 247Sports): 5-star recruits — 1; 4-star recruits — 1; 3-star recruits — 5
Head coach Terry Gambill proudly hoists the trophy following his team's victory in the UIL 6A Division 1 championship game at the end of last season.
Head coach Terry Gambill proudly hoists the trophy following his team's victory in the UIL 6A Division 1 championship game at the end of last season.
File photo by Robbie Rakestraw
KEY PLAYERS

WR Theo Wease (6-3, 200, Sr.) — The Oklahoma commit is the No. 5 rated wide receiver from the Class of 2019.

QB Grant Tisdale (6-1, 205, Sr.) — The Ole Miss commit threw for over 2,000 yards and rushed for 1,000-plus yards in 2017.

OT EJ Ndoma-Ogar (6-3.5, 320, Sr.) — An Oklahoma commit who is the No. 8 offensive guard in the Class of 2019.

DT Jayden Jernigan (6-1, 280, Sr.) — The Oklahoma State commit is one of the top defensive tackles in the Lone Star State.

RB Andrew Henry (5-10, 180, Sr.) — Will be the featured back in 2018 after transferring from The Episcopal School of Dallas.
Receiver Theo Wease
Receiver Theo Wease
File photo by Neil Fonville
KEY GAMES

Aug. 24 —  at Hebron (Carrollton) *season opener



Sept. 7 — vs. East (Salt Lake City)

Sept. 14 —vs. Coppell

Oct. 19 — Dallas Jesuit
Quarterback Grant Tisdale
Quarterback Grant Tisdale
File photo by Neil Fonville
STORYLINES

• Allen is looking to repeat as state champs in 2018 and return the majority of starters from last year's team.

* The Eagles have not lost more than two games in any season since 2006 and won their fifth state title since 2008 last season.

• Allen has gone 30-1 since Gambill took over as head coach before the 2016 season.

• Tisdale and Wease are one of the best quarterback/wide receiver duos in the country. The Eagles lost Brock Sturges from last year's state championship team but replace him a very talented Henry, who checks in as a 3-star with multiple division one offers.



• The Eagles will be one of the most physical teams in the trenches led by Ndoma-Ogar on the offensive line and Jernigan on the defensive side.