Football season is close. Oh so close with kickoff just a full calendar away from the regular season - 31 days. Summer practices and 7-on-7 tournaments prepare the players for the grueling season ahead and the march to a state title.
In the DFW, there are plenty of teams primed and ready to make a run at state. Following our look into the preseason top 10 private schools, we move over to UIL and start with 4A.
1. Decatur
2018: 8-7 / DI State Semifinals
Coach Mike Fuller has a team leaded on both sides with six offensive and five defensive returning starters, led by quarterback Roman Fuller, who torched defenses for more than 4,600 yards and 45 touchdown passes.
2. Argyle
2018: 13-1 / DI Regional Finals
Argyle brings back 34 letterwinners from last year's team poised to make a run at state. Argyle has a backfield duo in Bo Hogeboom and Tito Byce ready for a run deeper than the fourth round this year.
3. Sunnyvale
2018: 9-1 / DII Bi-District
Tripp McAda and his 40 total TDs are back to to lead the Sunnyvale offense with seven starters returning while the 203-tackle linebacker duo of Jake Taylor and Devin Sterling anchor the defense with seven starters returning.
4. Midlothian Heritage
2018: 11-2 / DI Regional Semifinals
Eleven starters return to Midlothian Heritage this season including Jay Wilkerson and his 19 touchdown receptions a year ago. Konner Jones headlines the Heritage defense after racking up a 116 tackles and four sacks a year ago.
5. Kennedale
2018:
9-3 / DI Area Finals
Defense will anchor Kennedale this year as it retools the offense, replacing nine starters from a year ago. Johnny Coffee's seven interceptions return to lead the defense along with Jamal Marshall creating havoc up the middle.
6. Dallas Wilmer-Hutchins
2018: 9-2 / DI Bi-District
Kyle Douglas Jr. passed for nearly 3,000 yards last year and tallied 33 touchdowns to lead Wilmer-Hutchins to an undefeated district crown. He's one of 11 returning starters for a squad eager to make a run.
7. Celina
2018:
7- 5 / DI Regional Semifinals
A slow start to 2018 did not stop Celina from making a deep run in the playoffs, despite just nabbing the fourth and final playoff spot out of 7-4A. Running back Logan Point leads the offense after running for 1,664 yards and 22 touchdowns.
8. Fort Worth Benbrook
2018
: 8-3 / DI Bi-District
Benbrook is in its fourth varsity season after making its first-ever playoff appearance. Only six starters return to Cody Slater's squad, but quarterback William Green is poised to take the next step after passing for 18 touchdowns last year.
9. Springtown
2018:
8-3 / DI Bi-District
Cameron Rickett will be the focal point again on offense after rushing for more than 2,00 yards and scoring 35 touchdowns. Springtown brings back 12 starters but have a new quarterback to break in this year.
10. Crandall
2018:
7-3 / DI Bi-District
Eight starters return this year, but only three come back for the offense, which means Crandall will need to find its quarterback for the 2019 season.
