ETSN.fm Preseason Class 6A/5A Poll: No. 2, Tyler Lee Red Raiders

The Tyler Lee Red Raiders carry the flag as East Texas' only member of Class 6A, and for the first time since 2010, Lee reached the postseason last year. And with a talented nucleus of offensive talent returning, the Raiders begin the season No. 2 in the ETSN.fm preseason Class 6A/5A poll.

The biggest reason for Lee's turnaround as a program has been quarterback Zach Hall, who has guided the Red Raiders to nine wins in two seasons leading the offense. That might not sound like much, but Lee managed just four wins total the previous three years combined.

Following a solid debut season as a sophomore, Hall really broke out in 2014. He finished his junior year with 3,488 yards (2,001 passing and 1,487 rushing), and accounted for 38 touchdowns.

Hall (5-11, 170), the preseason Offensive Player of the Year on the ETSN.fm East Texas Super Team, is currently being recruited by a handful of FBS programs as a defensive back with offers from Baylor, Missouri, and Texas Tech.

But the quarterback isn't the only reason to be excited about Lee's offense, which averaged 44.2 points and 512 yards per game in 2014.

Fourth-year head coach Darrell Piske also welcomes back running back Tavon Wesley, who ran for 744 yards and five touchdowns last year, and leading receiver Isjuwan Barker (43 catches, 755 yards, 11 touchdowns).

Some are projecting Lee as a potential sleeper for the District 11-6A championship. In order for that to come to fruition, better days need to be ahead for the Raiders' defense, which allowed almost 42 points per game in 2014, including 76 in a first-round playoff loss to Hewitt Midway.

Lee will be tested in non-district with a road game at Keller Fossil Ridge, followed by back-to-back matchups in Tyler vs. rivals Lufkin and John Tyler.

2015 Tyler Lee Red Raiders Football Schedule

Date	Opponent	Time/Result
Aug. 28	at Keller Fossil Ridge	L 59-35
Sept. 4	Lufkin	L 52-49 (OT)
Sept. 11	vs. John Tyler	W 69-38
Sept. 17	*at Sachse	L 66-41
Sept. 24	*Rowlett	L 54-20
Oct. 1	*Garland Lakeview Centennial	W 59-54
Oct. 9	OPEN
Oct. 16	*at Garland	W 51-47
Oct. 23	*North Garland	W 48-21
Oct. 30	*at Rockwall	L 65-35
Nov. 5	*Garland Naaman Forest	W 41-35