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, including a two-time defending state champion.
Leading us off in the our preseason rankings are the private schools.
1. Trinity Christian-Cedar Hill
2018: 14-0 / TAPPS DII State Champion
TC-Cedar Hill is our preseason No. 1 for the simple fact they have won back-to-back state titles with two different coaches and still have the dynamic Shedeur Sanders at QB.
2. Dallas Bishop Lynch
2018: 8-5 / TAPPS DI State Finalist
Despite having a new coach in Greg Price, Bishop Lynch returns 17 lettermen and have a solid defense up front with a new defensive coordinator in Brady Gunn, who led Fort Worth Christian to a 9-4 record last season.
3. Argyle Liberty Christian
2018: 8-5 / TAPPS DI Semfinalist
Liberty Christian surprised a lot of teams last year and return 19 lettermen to a team that scored nearly 40 points a game last season, led by QB Daniel Greek, who put up 23 passing touchdowns in his first year under center.
4. Plano Prestonwood
2018:
9-3 / TAPPS DI Quarterfinals
Prestonwood is looking at a bounce back year after being eliminated in the quarterfinals last year. With 18 returning lettermen, which includes All-State Javon Bouton, the Lions should be ready to make a deep run again.
5. Dallas Bishop Dunne
2018: 11-3 / TAPPS DI State Champion
Despite winning the state crown over arch-rival Bishop Lynch last year, Dunne checks in at No. 5 after the transfers Jaden Hullaby to Mansfield Timberview and Coby and Cory Cavil to Red Oak and the loss off three assistants.
6. Fort Worth Country Day
2018:
7-4 / SPC 3A State Champion
FW Country Day returns six starters on offense and eight on defense that put up 33 points a game and 38 a game during its seven-game win streak to a state title while limiting teams to 15 points during that stretch.
7. Episcopal School of Dallas
2018:
5-3 / SPC
Returning seven and six starters to the offense and defense, respectively, and 18 lettermen overall, the Eagles are in a prime position to make another state run thanks to a group that has been playing together for many years.
8. Dallas Parish Episcopal
2018
: 9-4 / TAPPS DI State Semifinalist
Parish Episcopal lost to eventual state champion Bishop Dunne and could easily get back to the state semis (and further) in 2019 with six starters on offense and five on defense returning, led by 4-star and No. 1-ranked 2021 dual-threat quarterback in the nation, Preston Stone.
9. Fort Worth Christian
2018:
9-4 / TAPPS DII State Semifinalist
Fort Worth Christian has a new coach in Jared Hudgins but have five returning starters on each side of the ball. Wideouts Chance Luper and Jamal Marshall along with tight end Dennis Herrold should provide enough weapons for the Cardinals' attack in 2019.
10. Flower Mound Coram Deo
2018:
11-2 / TAPPS DIII State Semifinalist
FM Coram Deo return six starters on the each side of the ball to a team that pushed eventual state champion Willow Park Trinity Christian in a hard-fought, low-scoring contest in last year's state semifinals. Running back Cooper Walthall leads the offensive attack after more than 1,500 yards rushing and 20 TDs.
