2014 Football Preview: East Texas’ Private Schools

Four of TAPPS Division II, District II teams reside in East Texas and are primed to take on some of the Metroplex's best private school teams during the 2014 season.

This will be a fun district with Bishop Gorman, Brook Hill, Tyler All Saints and Tyler Grace squaring off in the same district against the likes of Dallas Christian, Dallas Shelton and Frisco Legacy Christian.

Here is what you need to know about the four East Texas private schools in Division II, District II.

Private School Preview

PLAYMAKERS

• Malik Alley, LB, Sr., Brook Hill
• Tyler Bate, LB, Jr., Bishop Gorman
• Blake Bengston, OL, Sr., All Saints
• Seth Brasher, WR, Jr., Brook Hill
• Matt Brunsen, QB, Jr., All Saints
• Connor Hobbs, WR, Sr., Bishop Gorman
• Chandler Nutt, ATH, Sr., Tyler Grace
• Zach Tatman, RB, Sr., Tyler Grace

TOP GAMES

• Aug. 28 -- Tyler Grace vs. Canton (at All Saints)
• Aug. 30 -- Eustace at All Saints
• Sept. 5 -- Tenaha at Brook HIll
• Sept. 12 -- Bishop Gorman at Troup
• Sept. 12 -- Alto at Brook Hill
• Sept. 26 -- Brook Hill at Dallas Christian
• Oct. 10 -- Brook Hill at Tyler Grace
• Oct. 17 -- Tyler Grace at All Saints
• Oct. 17 -- Bishop Gorman at Brook Hill
• Nov. 7 -- Tyler Grace at Bishop Gorman

Bullard Brook Hill Guard

Coach: Bobby Brasher

2013 record: 6-5 (bi-district finalist)

Returning starters: 9 offensive, 10 defensive

Players to watch

• LB Malik Alley, Sr., 6-1, 220
• WR Seth Brasher, Jr., 6-2, 180 (8 TDs, 902 receiving yards)
• LB Tyrone Brown, Sr., 6-1, 205
• LB Alex Hale, Jr., 6-3, 165
• LB Chris McCuen, 6-1, 165

2014 outlook: The Guard are in great shape with 19 starters returning and just three lettermen lost from last year's playoff team. Junior receiver Seth Brasher is already drawing college attention and could explode onto the East Texas recruiting scene this season. He had 902 receiving yards and eight touchdowns last season on a team that suffered its fair share of growing pains.

The squad also has an elite linebacking corps and should be trouble for any opposing offense in both the passing and running games. Tyrone Brown leads the way with 58 tackles. Brook Hill should have a fair amount of depth behind its starters.

With non-district games against Edgewood, Tenaha and Alto of the UIL, the Guard should be able to face a wide variety of circumstances in league play. The Guard looked poised for their best season in TAPPS Division II yet. Its toughest district test will come against Dallas Christian in the district opener on Sept. 26.

Tyler All Saints Trojans

Coach: Mike Hall

2013 finish: 1-9

Returning starters: 8 offensive, 9 defensive

Players to watch

• OL Blake Bengston, Sr., 5-8, 240
• ATH Luke Lee, Jr., 6-3, 210
• DE Trey Rowe, Sr., 6-3, 250
• RB Jace Evans

2014 outlook: Experience matters in high school ball and the Trojans have plenty of it. Mike Hall's team returns 17 starters from last year's squad, a team that had to look within on the way to a 1-9 finish. There's plenty to look forward to this season though. This should be a much improved roster. It has only lost three lettermen from last season.

Furthermore, All Saints should enter TAPPS league play with some wars under its belt. The team will play Eustace, Overton and Carlisle from the UIL before beginning Division II, District II play. The team will know what to do when it faces adversity within its district.

Luke Lee (6-3, 210) is a standout linebacker and should contribute a good amount to the offense. The offensive line is in great standing and there are several impact offensive and special teams players to aid in the cause.

Tyler Bishop Gorman Crusaders

Coach: Coby Gipson

2013 finish: 5-5

Returning starters: 6 offensive, 9 defensive

Players to watch

• LB Tyler Bate, Jr., 6-2, 200
• QB Michael Goodwin, Jr., 5-10, 190
• WR Connor Hobbs, Sr., 6-4, 215
• LB Martin Guzman
• DL Jordan Morales
• OL Hunter Sattler

2014 outlook: Bishop Gorman returns the bulk of its starters, 15 total, and has some nice depth with 24 returning lettermen from its 5-5 team a year ago. There's a lot to like about this team, especially its front seven. Linebacker Tyler Bate returns to his spot and recorded 113 tackles in 2013.

The Crusaders will be breaking in a new quarterback. Michael Goodwin, a junior, is thought to be a two-year signal calling solution. Goodwin has an excellent target to throw to in Connor Hobbs (6-4, 215). Hobbs has great speed for his height and scored 11 touchdowns on the way to breaking 1,000 yards receiving last season.

Bishop Gorman should be contending for a playoff spot deep into the 2014 season along with Frisco Legacy Christian and Tyler Grace. Those two games are the Crusaders' biggest on the schedule.

Tyler Grace Community Cougars

Coach: Mike Maddox

2013 finish: 7-4 (bi-district finalist)

Returning starters: 7 offensive, 5 defensive

Players to watch

• DB Mason Dacus, Jr., 6-0, 165
• OT Chris McLeod, Sr., 6-0, 195
• ATH Chandler Nutt, Sr., 6-1, 180
• RB Zach Taxman
• WR Jonny Spitzer

2014 outlook: The Cougars have some true athletes in line for the upcoming season. Chandler Nutt is a player who could make a splash in TAPPS Division II, District II with versatility on offense and defense. Nutt inherited the quarterback role last season after an injury sidelined Kade Clayton.

The current signal caller should have some confidence after an impressive performance last season and a second-best performance at the ETSN.fm Football Recruiting Combine in June among nine regional standouts.

Jonny Spitzer, a receiver, had some nice highlights last season and returns for his senior year. Zach Tatman has a lot of like as the team's primary running back. Tyler Grace also will enjoy an experienced offensive line. The defense will be headlined by Nutt, Spitzer, defensive lineman Call Florence and defensive backs Mason Dacus and Layton Sizemore.

The Cougars experienced team reached the playoffs last season. Clinching a spot in Division II, District II is a reasonable expectation.