The New 7-5A

[Eagle2]

Cedar Hill (8)
DeSoto (3)
Duncanville (1)
Grand Prairie (5)
Mansfield (6)
Mansfield Timberview (4)
Midlothian (7)
South Grand Prairie (2)
() enrollment

Thoughts on this district: Div 1 & 2 winner & runner up? Obviously the programs with traditional district and playoff history are Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, with recently Timberview and Mansfield.
Five schools with only four playoff spots.
Early thoughts on who makes it in and odd team out.
Cedar Hill opens district play at DeSoto and home with Duncanville then at Timberview Oct 26. DeSoto visits Duncanville Oct 26 and at Timberview Oct 12 and at Mansfield Nov 8. Timberview and Duncanville will battle last game on Nov 8.
Other thoughts, comments, or observations.

[legendary]

I do think this is going to be a strong district but I do think Desoto will when the district.The district will boast the two of the most dynamic players in the country in Dontre Wilson(Desoto) and LaQuivante Gonzales(Cedarhill).I cant wait to see this match up.

[Eagle2]

I do think this is going to be a strong district but I do think Desoto will when the district.The district will boast the two of the most dynamic players in the country in Dontre Wilson(Desoto) and LaQuivante Gonzales(Cedarhill).I cant wait to see this match up.

Agree that 7-5A is a tough and strong district and also that Wilson and Gonzales are two of the most electrifying game changing players not only in district but metroplex and state. Last year DeSoto defense contained Gonzales, don't know what this year will entail. Glad to see the DeSoto-Cedar Hill rivalry back, anytime these two teams play its always exciting and full of surprises. Bias but do think the Eagles will somehow pull off a district championship. Waiting for the season to begin.

[dragonpants]

Cedar Hill (8)
DeSoto (3)
Duncanville (1)
Grand Prairie (5)
Mansfield (6)
Mansfield Timberview (4)
Midlothian (7)
South Grand Prairie (2)
() enrollment

Thoughts on this district: Div 1 & 2 winner & runner up? Obviously the programs with traditional district and playoff history are Cedar Hill, DeSoto, Duncanville, with recently Timberview and Mansfield.
Five schools with only four playoff spots.
Early thoughts on who makes it in and odd team out.
Cedar Hill opens district play at DeSoto and home with Duncanville then at Timberview Oct 26. DeSoto visits Duncanville Oct 26 and at Timberview Oct 12 and at Mansfield Nov 8. Timberview and Duncanville will battle last game on Nov 8.
Other thoughts, comments, or observations.

This district is crazy tough. I would have to say Desoto and Duncanville as dI kind of a no brainer, at least in my pea brain. Cedar Hill and then either Mansfield or Timberview for the other DII spot. I heard something about Timberview losing some players to new Mansfield school? I would still give Timberview the nod based on last year but I know there have been lots of changes.

[legendary]

This could be a strange season if South Grandprarie get in the playoffs that could possibly put Desoto in D2. That would put an end to the DESOTO-SKYLINE second round match up every year.

[Eagle2]

This district is crazy tough. I would have to say Desoto and Duncanville as dI kind of a no brainer, at least in my pea brain. Cedar Hill and then either Mansfield or Timberview for the other DII spot. I heard something about Timberview losing some players to new Mansfield school? I would still give Timberview the nod based on last year but I know there have been lots of changes.

I would favor DeSoto (D1) & Cedar Hill (D2) as locks. SGP getting in(possible but not likely) would knock DeSoto to D2. Timberview, Mansfield, Duncanville will be fighting for one playoff spot with SGP playing the role of deciding which teams get a playoff berth. Do not think GP or Midlothian will have an impact on these five teams but if they do it would really shake up the standings.

[Eagle2]

This could be a strange season if South Grandprarie get in the playoffs that could possibly put Desoto in D2. That would put an end to the DESOTO-SKYLINE second round match up every year.

With DeSoto now being in Region 1, the Skyline matchup will not take place in the second round. 7-5A D1 second round will be looking at Trinity.

[Eagle2]

Cedar Hill Spring Game Analysis:

http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasne...rt-offens.html

[Eagle2]

DeSoto Spring Game Analysis:

DESOTO -- After DeSoto's spring game ended Friday night, head coach Claude Mathis gathered his team together and told the group that they had just completed the best spring game the program has had since Mathis started coaching the team five years ago.
One reason why Mathis was so impressed was because his offense demonstrated on several occasions that depth won't be a problem at the skill positions.
Quarterback Desmon White showcased his running ability on three particular rushes of 10 or more yards. White also unloaded a few accurate deep throws, the most impressive coming on a 40-yard completion to Brandon McDowell along the sideline. That same combo connected for a 65-yard touchdown later in the evening.
White also found Chris Lacey for a 35-yard score and Rickey Daniels on a 30-yard gain.
"Everybody says he's short, so he can't throw," Mathis said of his 5-7 quarterback. "I love when people say that. Continue to underestimate that kid right there and we're going to score points on you. We're excited about it. Dez loves to sling the football."
White was DeSoto's backup signal-caller last season, completing 54-of-88 passes for 734 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions.
"People think my specialty is running the ball but I can do both," White said.
And when he's slinging it like that, it only makes things easier for running back Dontre Wilson, who committed to Oregon at halftime Friday night. Wilson was used sparingly in the first half and even less in the second half.
Mathis already knows what he has with Wilson so he allowed other players to get involved.
"It's great that we hit some big plays in the passing game because I really didn't think our passing game was going to be all there," Wilson said. "But that's great. It's just another asset to our running attack."
Defensive linemen Shaquille Jackson and Vernon Johnson each made their presence known with sacks while Dorian Yarby recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown.
Mathis is so excited about the group he has up front that he applied some of the highest praise imaginable.
"This year they're going to be pretty good," Mathis said. "But after this year, I'm probably going to have the best defensive line the next two years across the nation."
How the 2011 season ended: DeSoto finished 10-2 after losing to Skyline, 41-31, in the area round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
Other key returners: Offensive lineman Sergio Phillips, defensive lineman Josh Gay, running back Roy Smith, wide receivers Tavares Royal and Kyle Collins and middle linebacker Taylor Young.
"Taylor Young might pass Zach Orr as the best linebacker I've coached at DeSoto," Mathis said. "He controls the defense. Everything goes through Taylor."
Notables: In January, Mathis resigned from his position as head coach at DeSoto to become running backs coach at the University of Houston. A month later, Mathis decided to return to coaching the Eagles. He joked Friday that no one did him any favors when they made the 2012 football schedule.
"I leave and go to Houston and they reward me with this dang schedule," he said. "When I left, I gave them the green light and they just put it on my butt. When I got back I said, 'Thanks, I really appreciate you.'"
Mathis is about getting his best players on the field and said Friday that he will put Wilson in at defensive back in crucial moments during the season. The 5-10 speedster helped the DeSoto track team win a state championship this year. He was a member of both relay teams that clocked the fastest times in the nation.
Mathis also told his group Friday night that he believes they are one of the top 15 teams in the state. How the defense meshes with a talented offense will likely determine if that holds true.
"I think those guys can give themselves a chance to win it this year," he said. "This is a team that's close. This is a hungry team. This is a team that everyday in practice they got to fight for a spot ... especially on defense."
He said it: "[White] can just flat out get it. I'm curious how teams are going to play us with him and Dontre in the backfield." - Mathis talking about the athleticism of starting quarterback and top running back.
Season Opener: At Arlington Martin.
Full regular season schedule:
Aug. 31 at Arlington Martin at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 8 vs. Jenks [Oklahoma] at 4:00 p.m.
Sept. 15 vs. Euless Trinity [at Kincaide Stadium] at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 21 vs. Cedar Hill at 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 28 vs. South Grand Prairie at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 12 at Mansfield Timberview at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 19 vs. Midlothian at 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 26 at Duncanville at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 2 vs. Grand Prairie at 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 8 at Mansfield [at Vernon Newsom Stadium] at 7:00 p.m.