The name on the front is the same. And that means the names on the backs of the jerseys at DeSoto are impact players who will contend for a state title and elicit college recruiters.
Photo by Keith Owens
Consistency is the name of the game at DeSoto under the tenure of head coach Claude Mathis. As star recruits have come and gone, the name on the front of the jerseys has continued to rack up wins as the names on the backs of the jerseys continue to change.
In 2012, Curtis Riser (Texas), Bryson Echols (Texas), Michael Richardson (Texas A&M) and others zapped a major pool of talent from the team when they graduated. The result that next fall? A 14-1 finish.
The following season saw the departure of Dontre Wilson (Ohio State), Taylor Young (Baylor) and Jalen Mills (LSU) among others, and the team responded by posting another 14-1 record.
In the last three seasons, DeSoto is an astonishing 38-4. However, it will once again be tasked with filling major holes left by graduation. No player will be more difficult to replace during Mathis' tenure than quarterback Desmon White, a MaxPreps All-American who threw for 7,110 yards and 71 touchdowns while rushing for 2,839 yards and 28 scores in his last two seasons behind center for the Eagles.
Luckily for DeSoto, talented backup
Tristen Wallace is poised to claim the starting job. Already a more sought-after college prospect than White was, Wallace has good size (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) and surprising quickness. He should thrive immediately.
Jatory Sparks-Brown, one of the team's primary running backs a year ago, should see an increased workload after rushing for 504 yards and 11 scores last fall. He and
Larry Nixon will be an impressive one-two punch on the ground.
The group of receivers is a stacked one. It includes
Kevin Thomas (790 yards, 6 TDs),
Akile Davis (395 yards, 6 TDs) and
Lamont Johnson (242 yards, 2 TDs). Explosive sophomore
Kadarrian Nixon, who dazzled on special teams as a freshman, has the makings of one of the top receivers in his class.
The offensive line completely retooled entering last season. This year, the Eagles return all-district picks
Kendall Jennings and
Dilland Gardner, two of the team's three returning starters, along with
KeJuan King.
The defensive line also brings back one of its top players in
Bryce English. The former Texas commit is a bowling ball at tackle, standing 5-11 and tipping the scales at 315 pounds. He took home 7-5A Defensive Player of the Year honors last fall.
Punishing linebacker
Chris Orr provides stability to this year's crop of linebackers that will also feature
Carrington Nelson. The secondary returns
Quizon Jones, a second team all-district pick, and safety
Damon Weaver.
DeSoto will once again do battle with District 8-6A opponent Cedar Hill this fall, one of the most anticipated regular season games in the country. However, the Eagles have the firepower to be playing well into December, where they could see familiar foe Allen.
Local Quotes
"They have a tough schedule. Much like Allen, they are going to be road warriors. Between Allen, DeSoto and Cedar Hill, they’re either going to be on the road or tested quite a good amount of time. Even if those three end up with losses early in the season, I wouldn’t push the panic button on any of them."
- Christopher Lyke, TexasHSFootball.com (@TexasHSFootball)"DeSoto could be just as good as last year."
- Matt Wixon, Dallas Morning News (@mattwixon)
Expect Jatory Sparks-Brown to be the main running back this season - and expect big numbers too.
Photo by Keith Owens/IIIustration by Social Recluse Graphx
