Marshall and Texas High games are usually big affairs that go a long way toward determining the District 16-5A champion.

We think this year's installment of the series has that kind of potential, but it also has a nifty twist. Two brand new head coaches will be going for their first district win. A win that has the potential to break a tie at the top of the standings.

Marshall at Texas High is what we see as the fourth-best game of the 2017 East Texas regular season. Tiger Stadium at Grimm Park in Texarkana will host the Sept. 29 tilt.

District 16-5A endured a lot of coaching transitions this past offseason.

Barry Norton left Texas High to join the Tigers' arch-rival, Texarkana (Ark.) Arkansas High. Clint Harper similarly disappointed Marshall fans by taking the Duncanville Independent School District's director of athletics role.

But both teams got pretty good replacements.

The Tigers landed former White Oak head coach Gerry Stanford. The new coach gained Class 6A head coaching experience at Flower Mound Marcus between White Oak and Texas High.

Marshall brought in Claude Mathis, a former DeSoto High School coaching legend. Mathis had been employed by the SMU football program as its running backs coach the past two seasons.

Of course, the players have a role as well.

You need to keep an eye on the trenches in this one, particularly when the Mavericks have the ball.

Left tackle Chasen Hines, an LSU commitment, and fellow high-major college prospect Kameron King (North Texas pledge), a left guard, will do battle with Texas High defensive end Leonard Parks, who has committed to SMU.

There will be other prospects once Texas High gets the ball.

Texas High WR Tevaiance Hunt (© Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
Texas High WR Tevaiance Hunt (© Rob Graham, ETSN.fm)
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Tigers quarterback Coltin Clack has several FBS offers without having ever started a game and will be supplemented by TCU receiver commitment Tevailance Hunt. Marshall defensive end and Baylor pledge Marje Smith will try to disrupt their timing.

Cool coaching stories and college caliber performers will all be yours if you check out this game.

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