District 6-3A D-I Preview: Eustace + Malakoff Eyeing Title

With only two East Texas teams, District 6-3A Division I shouldn't have much drama.

Kemp appears to be the favorite after returning 16 starters from a state semifinalist squad in 2017. However, East Texas representatives Malakoff and Eustace will do their best to challenge the Yellowjackets for the title. Regardless, all three should end up playoff teams.

Three Dallas teams; Dallas Oak Cliff, Dallas Madison and Dallas A+ Academy, round out the district. Of these, Dallas Madison likely has the best chance at finishing fourth and securing the final playoff spot.

Without further ado, here is the ETSN.fm District 6-3A D-I preview.

District 6-3A D-I Preview

PLAYMAKERS

WR/DB Jasie Bowie, Sr., 6-0, Kemp
LB Boomer Irvin, Sr., 6-2, 215, Kemp
QB/LB Cameron Clamon, Sr., 6-3, 205, Kemp
WR/DL Parker Busch, Sr., 6-3, 205, Malakoff
LB Everardo Garcia, Sr., 5-8, 160, Malakoff
LB Colby Rush, Jr., Malakoff
QB/DB Alejandro Sánchez, Sr., 5-9, 165, Eustace
OL/LB Kole Graham, Sr., 5-10, 200, Eustace
WR/DB Ethan Austin, Sr., Eustace
RB/DB Marcus Cobbin-Hill, Sr., 5-8, 150, Dallas Madison
OL/DL Ruben "Bear" Bowman, Jr., 6-3, 305, Dallas Madison
RB/LB Jisiah Joseph, Sr., 5-9, 160, Dallas Oak Cliff
ATH Alexis Gonzalez, Jr., 5-7, 150, Dallas A+ Academy

TOP GAMES

Malakoff at Eustace, Nov. 2
Kemp at Malakoff, Nov. 9
Eustace at Kemp. Oct. 12
Eustace at Dallas Madison, Nov. 9

1. Kemp Yellowjackets

Coach: Lee Wilkins
2017 finish: 13-2 (3A D-I state semifinalist)
Returning starters: 7 offensive, 9 defensive

Players to watch

WR/DB Jasie Bowie, Sr., 6-0
LB Boomer Irvin, Sr., 6-2, 215
QB/LB Cameron Clamon, Sr., 6-3, 205
RB/DB Desmond Jones, Sr., 5-9, 161
WR/CB Dezmond Tutson, Sr., 5-10, 160
WR/DB Brock Dedie, Sr., 6-5, 180

2018 outlook: Kemp stands alone as the clear favorite in this district. The Yellowjackets return 16 starters from a team that was a win away from playing for a state championship this past season. Jasie Bowie is a star on both sides and finished with 400 yards receiving, four touchdowns and five interceptions in 2017. He will again lead the Yellowjackets. Irvin will lead the defense after posting 186 tackles and three blocked punts last year. Cameron Clamor brings experience as a three-year starter at quarterback. Teams are going to be hard pressed to compete with Kemp this season.

2. Malakoff Tigers

Coach: Jamie Driskell
2017 finish: 9-2 (3A Division I bi-district finalist)
Returning starters: 5 offensive, 5 defensive

Players to watch

WR/DL Parker Busch, Sr., 6-3, 205
DL Caleb Adams, Sr., 6-2, 220
LB Everardo Garcia, Sr., 5-8, 160
OL/DL Kyler Dalrymple, Sr., 6-1, 200
OL Brenden McClintock, Sr., 6-2, 230
RB/DB R.J. Carr, Jr.
WR/DB Andreas Garrett, Jr., 5-11, 170
LB Colby Rush, Jr.

Offense: The offense will need some adjusting after losing six starters this offseason. Parker Busch will look to use his size to contribute at receiver and R.J. Carr hopes to show off his speed at running back. Malakoff has relied on offense to carry the team in recent years, but will need a couple of players to have breakout seasons if it hopes to compete at the same level. The Tigers averaged 45.3 points per contest in 2017.

Defense: The defense, on the other hand, seems in a bit better of a place. Although the Tigers lose six starters on this end as well, the ones back were key pieces this past season. Colby Rush is back at linebacker after leading the team in tackles and will have Garcia alongside him. Busch will play on the defensive line, where Caleb Adams will join him to create a tough front line.

2018 outlook: Malakoff looks like a team with a chance to get back into the playoffs. The offense should come around and the defense will be solid. This spells another year of success for coach Jamie Driskell and the Tigers.

3. Eustace Bulldogs

Coach: Steve Smith
2017 finish: 6-4
Returning starters: 7 offensive, 6 defensive

Players to watch

QB/DB Alejandro Sánchez, Sr., 5-9, 165
OL/LB Kole Graham, Sr., 5-10, 200
WR/DB Ethan Austin, Sr.
LB Bryce FIscus, Sr.
WR/LB Blake Martin, Sr., 5-10, 165
OL Francisco Gomez, Jr.

Offense: Alejandro Sanchez was a main cog in the Bulldogs' offensive scheme this past season. Sanchez, who plays quarterback, finished with more than 2,000 total yards and 27 touchdowns in 2017. His return bodes well for Eustace, as does the return of top receiver Ethan Austin. Look for Blake Martin to see some targets, too and for Francisco Games and Kole Graham to lead the offensive line.

Defense: Austin will also be key on the defense, where he plays defensive back. Linebacker Kole Graham finished with 120 tackles this past season and will look to lead the group again. Eustace gave up a respectable 20.5 points per game in 2017, but will look to improve on that this season.

2018 outlook: Steve Smith enters his first season as coach with hopes of getting the Bulldogs back to the playoffs. He has the roster to do it as several key players from 2017 return. The offense should continue to run through Sanchez, while the defense should remain solid. Expect a playoff appearance from Eustace in 2018.

4. Dallas Madison Trojans

Coach: Marcus Gates
2017 finish: 3-7
Returning starters: 6 offensive, 6 defensive

Players to watch

RB/DB Marcus Cobbin-Hill, Sr., 5-8, 150
OL/DL Ruben "Bear" Bowman, Jr., 6-3, 305
WR Cedric Pellum, Jr., 6-2, 170
RB/LB Derrious Kinney, Sr., 6-1, 170
DB Dedric Kinney, Jr., 5-8, 140

2018 outlook: Dallas Madison looks like the last playoff team from this district. After finishing 3-7 a season ago, the Trojans should have better luck this year. Marcus Cobin-Hill and Derrious Kinney will likely split time in the backfield and will also play big roles on defense. Bowman will be key on both sides of the ball. Look for the Trojans to turn it around this season, even if it's only minor.

5. Dallas Life Oak Cliff Lions

Coach: N/A
2017 finish: 2-8
Returning starters: 6 offensive, 5 defensive

Players to watch

RB/LB Jisiah Joseph, Sr., 5-9, 160
RB Elijah Sheppard, So., 5-8, 130
QB Davione Nash, Jr.
OL Lamonte Hawley, Sr., 5-10, 290
OL/DL Keleion Purvis, Sr., 5-10, 240

2018 outlook: Jisiah Joseph and Elijah Sheppard will split carries at running back. They'll have a solid line to run behind with Lamonte Hawley and Keleion Purvis returning. Even so, don't expect much from the Lions this season.

6. Dallas A+ Academy Knights

Coach: Tarance Lewis
2017 finish: 0-8
Returning starters: 7 offensive, 7 defensive

Players to watch

WR Abel Salazar, Jr.
ATH Alexis Gonzalez, Jr., 5-7, 150
WR/LB Osvaldo Romo, Jr., 6-1, 150

2018 outlook: Dallas A+ Academy has won only one games since it joined the UIL in 2016. They move up to 3A D-I from 3A D-II, which could spell another winless season. Look for Abel Salazar to lead the way at receiver and Alexis Gonzalez to make an impact all over the field.