Panthers load up on tough teams to start season

In its first year in Class 5A, Colleyville Heritage’s football program enters with serious expectations. The Texas High School Coaches Association Class 5A Region I poll has the Panthers ranked in its Top 10.

This team features some of the best offensive talent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area led by senior quarterback Cam Roane (committed to San Diego State) and junior wide receiver Ke’Von Ahmad.

And things should flow a little easier now that second-year head coach Joe Willis has spent an entire offseason with his players. They should understand his demands.

The 2016 schedule will feature hurdles. We break down the Panthers’ opponents, game by game. The bye week is Sept. 16.

Non-district

Aug. 26 vs. Aledo, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine – There’s nothing like getting it started against the state’s most successful program in the last 10 years. Steve Wood’s Bearcats will unveil one of the state’s top defenses led by junior nose tackle James Williams. Aledo features 13 returning starters and played in the Class 5A Division II playoffs. By the way, should both of these teams make the playoffs, they will be in different divisions. CHHS is the largest school in District 8-5A and will go Division I. Aledo is the smallest school in 6-5A and will go Division II.

Sept. 2 at Frisco Heritage, Toyota Stadium, Frisco – Now, it’s kind of a cool thing to be playing in the stadium where FC Dallas plays. But that’s not why the Panthers are playing Che Hendrix’s Coyotes. This Heritage is coming off a 5-5 2015 and returns eight starters and has a pretty interesting quarterback in Amare Jones. The Coyotes are projected to fight for a playoff spot in District 13-5A.

Sept. 9 vs. Euless Trinity, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine – As you can see, Willis really didn’t duck anyone with this schedule, especially a team that is arguably the most physical the Panthers will face in 2016. Trinity’s punishing rushing attack should present a challenge for Colleyville Heritage, which is trying to build depth on its defense. Chris Jensen has a very interesting defensive back in Division I prospect John Davis.

District 8-5A

Sept. 23 at Fort Worth Dunbar, Clark Stadium, Fort Worth – District play begins against the Wildcats, who are projected to be in the playoff hunt. Todd Lawson may have the district’s most athletic quarterback in Nakkia Cox, who accounted for more than 2,300 rushing and passing yards and 24 total touchdowns in 2015. This is Colleyville Heritage’s only trip to a Fort Worth ISD stadium.

Sept. 30 vs. Fort Worth Eastern Hills, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine – This is homecoming and is going to be one of the soft spots in the Panthers’ schedule. Highlanders coach Tracy Simien is trying to rebuild this program off a 1-9 2015. Eastern Hills’ top player is linebacker Devonta Trotter, who had 10 sacks.

Oct. 7 at Birdville, Birdville Fine Arts & Athletics Center, North Richland Hills – Lon Holbrook is in his second year running a program that survived a bad start to 2015 and advanced to the playoffs. The Hawks return nine offensive starters. They have a dynamic quarterback, Clayton Beeter, and Texas Tech OL commit Jared Hocker.

Oct. 14 vs. Fort Worth Polytechnic, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine – Again, this should be another game where the Panthers shouldn’t be pushed. Chris Roberts is trying to get something going for a program that is coming off an 0-10 2015 campaign.

Oct. 21 at Grapevine, Mustang-Panther Stadium, Grapevine – The GCISD rivalry game continues with more at stake. The Mustangs should challenge the Panthers for the 8-5A championship. Randy Jackson has built his program from also-ran status to contender. Junior quarterback Alan Bowman continues to emerge. The defense may have the best set of linebackers in the district. Technically, it is an “at,” because the Mustangs are the designated home team.

Oct. 28 vs. Fort Worth Carter-Riverside, Mustang-Panther Stadium – Jim Jeffries’ Eagles were respectable at 5-5 in 2015. There are a couple of intriguing pieces on this team in running back Charlie Lopez and strong safety Tristan Harris.

Nov. 4 at Richland, Birdville Fine Arts & Athletics Complex, North Richland Hills – Like Colleyville Heritage, the Rebels also dropped down to 5A and should be in contention for a playoff spot. Ged Kates’ program, which went 3-7 in 2015, has some size in the trenches but needs some playmakers. Colleyville Heritage won the 2015 meeting, 61-0.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

This story was originally published August 9, 2016 at 2:41 PM with the headline "Panthers load up on tough teams to start season."