MaxPreps 2013 Preseason Xcellent 25 Football preview: No. 15 DeSoto

DeSoto (Texas) raced to a 14-0 start last season but it all came to an end in a memorable 51-36 loss to Allen in the Class 5A-I semifinals. The unfulfilled quest for the state title should have the same, if not better, shot at happening this season.

Head coach Claude Mathis' squad has improved in each of the last three seasons. Now, with a loaded defense and an always-potent offense, 2013 could be the season in which DeSoto plays for - and wins - a state title.

Mathis believes his defensive line will be the program's best ever. It features junior Bryce English, already committed to Texas, as well as Shaquel Jackson and Johnavhan Grahm, all of whom started last season.

The linebackers will also have some inexperience. Look for Howard Wilson and Chris Orr to have productive seasons.



Orr's older brother, Nick Orr, will lead the secondary. According to Mathis, he'll likely graduate as the school's all-time leader in games played.

The offense returns quarterback Desmon White, who was wildly productive as a junior, throwing for 3,521 yards and rushing for another 1,335. Chris Lacy is back at receiver after making 29 catches for 339 yards and three touchdowns.

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The team's offensive line will be new, which will certainly be a challenge early on. But the biggest replacement will be at running back, as Jatory Sparks-Brown takes over as the team's primary ballcarrier, stepping in for Dontre Wilson, now at Ohio State.

Local look: "Quarterback Desmon White and wide receiver Chris Lacy alongside running back Jatory Sparks-Brown will be one of the more dynamic offenses in the country. Plenty of speed on offense. Nick Orr returns for what is one of the more underrated defenses in the entire state."
- Christopher Lyke, owner/publisher, TexasHSFootball.com
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Size: Class 5A

Enrollment: 2,641



2012 finish: 14-1, Class 5A-I semifinalist

Head coach: Claude Mathis

Years at school: 5

Career record: 72-39

Notable players coached:

OL Evan Washington (LSU)

OL Curtis Riser (Texas)



RB Dontre Wilson (Ohio State)
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No. of returning starters: 2 (offense), 8 (defense)


Key losses:

RB Dontre Wilson

DB Taylor Lewis

OL Sergio Phillips


Key returners:



QB Desmon White

WR Chris Lacy

DB Nick Orr

DL Bryce English

DL Shaquel Jackson


Key newcomers:



RB Jatory Sparks-Brown

QB Tristen Wallace

WR Akile Davis
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Toughest game: A Sept. 29 matchup on the road against Class 5A-II finalist Cedar Hill, a team that might be able to match DeSoto's athleticism, will be a telling challenge for Mathis and his squad.

Question mark: Can DeSoto's running backs, led by Sparks-Brown and a new offensive line, take pressure off returning quarterback White? Can the team's defense live up to lofty expectations and perform in big games?

Local outlook: There are many teams in the DFW area that have the potential to be very good. Which ones realize that potential remains to be seen. In addition to Allen, Coppell and DeSoto, Southlake Carroll, Arlington Bowie, Cedar Hill and Skyline could all figure into the national rankings this fall.

Overall outlook: Each year, DeSoto is among the fastest and most athletic teams in the country. In 2013, that will likely be true again. At least to start the season, the team's defense will probably be far ahead of its offense, something that it might not be accustomed to. If both sides of the ball are clicking in December, there's no reason why White can't lead DeSoto to a state title.



Coach quote: "We feel if we get our offensive line back to where it was, we're going to surprise a lot of people again. We have to make sure our offensive line comes through for us. That's our biggest worry this year."
- Head coach Claude Mathis
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