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, UIL 4A and 5A, we move up to the state's largest classification, 6A.
1. Duncanville
2018: 14-1 / DI State Finals
Quarterback Ja'Quinden Jackson returns to guide the Duncanville offense, which fell in heartbreaking fashion in the State Championship, after tallying 3,077 total yards and 38 total touchdowns. The defense might not be as strong as last year, holding opponents to under 10 points a game and pitching five shutouts.
2. Allen
2018: 14-1 / DI State Semifinals
Allen has some weapons - as usual - on the offensive side of the ball returning in 2019, bringing back five starters. The defense will feature 10 new starters this year as linebacker Jaden Healy is the lone starter back on that side of the ball.
3. Southlake Carroll
2018: 13-1 / DI Regional Finals
Riley Dodge has 11 returning starters from last year's team but will need to find a new quarterback in 2019. The dynamic two-way starter RJ Mickens is back, though, and should provide some senior leadership.
4. Cedar Hill
2018: 13-1 / DII Bi-District
Cedar Hill was stunned in the first round of the playoffs last year and will look to make amends in 2019 and get back to being the a dominant, state power it used to be. Between the trenches is where Cedar Hill is expected to its strongest this year.
5. Denton Guyer
2018:
6-6 / DII Area Finals
Despite finishing .500 a year ago, Guyer is loaded with talent this season as it brings back 17 starters from a year ago. The duo of QB Eli Stowers and RB Kaedric Cobbs bring back their 28 rushing touchdowns to lead the offense in 2019.
6. Arlington
2018:
11-1 / DII Area Finals
Quarterback Jahari Rogers and 13 other starters return for the 2019 season to help push Arlington much deeper in the playoffs. Both the offensive and defensive lines are stout after another year together.
7. DeSoto
2018:
9-3 / DII Area Finals
Claude Mathis is back on the DeSoto sidelines and he'll have a team bringing back eight starters, including cornerback Jabbar Muhammad, linebacker Khylan Moseley and defensive tackle Shemar Turner.
8. Euless Trinity
2018
: 10-2 / DI Regional Semifinals
Only three starters return to the 2019 Trinity team, but there is plenty of upcoming talent, including quarterback Marcus Ervin. Running back AJ Barnett will be the lead back for the run-heavy offense after he racked up 832 yards and nine scores last year.
9. Rockwall
2018:
8-3 / DI Area Finals
Twelve starters are back in 2019, including seven on offense that tallied almost 500 yards a game. Led by standout wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Henry, the potential to put up big numbers again is there for Rockwall.
10. Hebron
2018:
8-5 / DII Regional Semifinals
Despite losing a couple key starters, including WR Trejon Bridges, Hebron has 15 from last year's team ready to make bigger noise in 2019. Quarterback Cason Harris racked up more than 2,500 total yards and 29 touchdowns last year.
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
