Mustangs, Panthers seeking stability

Grapevine and Colleyville Heritage have each endured transitions over the past couple of years. Now, both are hoping stability will be their common denominator.

In his second season, Mustangs coach Randy Jackson believes his program has taken the major steps so that this team will do more than just sneak into the playoffs. He wants to compete for district championships.

An encouraging scrimmage performance against Class 6A Denton Ryan last Friday at Mustang-Panther Stadium fuels the optimism. Grapevine fell short, 10-7, but handled itself against a very athletic Raiders squad.

“The big deal is you can’t go out there and hope to win,” Jackson said. “You have to go out there and be confident that you deserve to win. Our kids have put in all the work and met the challenges that we’ve put in front of them. We have a confident bunch out there. That’s what I’m so happy about.”

New Colleyville Heritage coach Joe Willis is really starting from scratch with the Panthers. These last two weeks have been his first. But it’s not like the Panthers are devoid of talent. This is a program that is looking to make the playoffs for the 10th consecutive season.

“Our first four ballgames are my spring,” Willis said. “I’ve got four weeks to have spring ball with our guys. We are going to keep it simplistic and make sure we know what we’re doing. And there’s nothing wrong with that.”

Dress rehearsals have concluded. Everything counts starting Thursday. Grapevine opens with North Crowley at 7 p.m. Thursday at Mustang-Panther Stadium. Colleyville Heritage plays host to Abilene at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Mustang-Panther.

Colleyville Heritage Panthers

Coach: Joe Willis (1st season)

2014 record: (5-6/3-3 in District 7-6A; lost to Cedar Hill in Class 6A Division II bi-district round)

Returning starters/key letter winners: DB Reid Harrison-Ducros, Sr. (5-10, 180); DT Keandre Johnson, Sr. (5-7, 290); RB Jamarie Williams (6-0, 190), Sr.; DT Karel Prazak (6-4, 240) Sr.; QB Cam Roane (6-1, 205), Jr.

Notable: While Willis won’t name a starting quarterback, it did appear that Roane was accomplished more than senior Jacob Sheppard in last Friday’s scrimmage at Arlington Lamar. Perhaps both will play Friday against Abilene … if they both do, this program isn’t going to be short of wide receivers thanks to three out-of-state move ins. They are junior twins Gervon Thothion (6-0, 185) and Germon Thothion (5-10, 175). They are from Mississippi. Gervon is older by three minutes … Then there’s Florida move-in Ke’von Ahmad. He’s a sophomore and made a spectacular catch in the scrimmage against Lamar … Willis is very pleased with his defensive front led by Johnson … The secondary already has a presence with Harrison-Ducros, a Boise State commit … The Panthers should be in position to make the playoffs in 7-6A. Carroll and Euless Trinity likely will battle for the district championship. Coppell is considered the other playoff team.

Grapevine Mustangs

Coach: Randy Jackson (2nd season)

2014 record: (3-8/3-3 in District 6-5A; lost to Wichita Falls in Class 5A Division I bi-district round)

Returning starters/key letter winners: QB Alan Bowman (6-2, 185), So.; RB Jacobi White (5-8, 159), Sr.; WR RalphLauren McCauley (6-1, 185), Sr.; LB Brennan Davis (6-1, 220), Jr.; WR/FS Madux Middaugh (5-10, 180), Sr.

Notable: White, who has been out with an undisclosed injury, likely won’t play in Thursday’s opener against North Crowley. It appears he could be ready for Colleyville Heritage on Sept. 4 … McCauley, appropriately nicknamed “Polo,” has three offers from Texas State, Louisiana-Monroe, and Incarnate Word. He’ll have a presence in this offense but came off some struggles against Denton Ryan where he dropped two touchdown passes. But when he catches it in the open field, he’s dangerous … So far, so good with the run defense. It is expected to be the most improved element on this team ... Sophomore Patrick Bollman impressed so much this fall camp that the running back made the varsity roster … Birdville, Lake Dallas and Fort Worth Dunbar are the other playoff favorites in District 6-5A. Lake Dallas is the favorite to win it.

This story was originally published August 24, 2015 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Mustangs, Panthers seeking stability."