After great 2015 campaigns, Lions and Cougars still look strong
The Grapevine Faith football team had a strong season in 2015 with a trip to the TAPPS Division II state semifinals, and coach Kris Hogan said his team is hungry for more this year.
The Lions went 10-2 overall last season with a 5-1 mark in district competition and defeated San Antonio Cornerstone and Dallas Parish Episcopal in the postseason before coming up short against district rival Fort Worth Christian in the third round.
Hogan said that things appear to be shaping up pretty well for the 2016 campaign, and he is optimistic about what his team brings to the table.
“We feel like we have a strong team coming back, led by a great group of seniors,” Hogan said. “They are dedicated young men and a great group of leaders.”
Players to keep an eye on this coming season for Faith include center Braeden Barret, whom Hogan said is a “great leader and team communicator,” along with receiver/safety Jake Mitchell, who was a two-way all-state player in 2015 and “a great leader.”
Other players to watch include offensive linemen Luke McCleery and Cooper McCaw, both of whom have multiple college offers, and returning all-state running back Keyshawn Wyatt (1,544 yards, 25 touchdowns).
In order to repeat upon the kind of success the Lions enjoyed in 2015, Hogan said it will take a couple of things from his team.
“I think staying healthy and playing great defense are the two biggest keys to our season,” Hogan said.
Over at Colleyville Covenant Christian Academy, the Cougars won a district championship in 2015 and look to be in good position to make another run at a postseason berth this year.
Coach Rick Jackson said he is optimistic about his team’s chances in 2016 and said that he has a lot of returning experienced players.
“Things are shaping up very well for us,” Jackson said. “We’ve had some kids move in, and it is a very senior heavy team (12), all who contribute. We are going to be a pretty good team.”
Players to watch for the Cougars include defensive backs Eric Anderson and Donald Roberts, quarterback Zack Carnes, (2,174 total yards, 13 touchdowns), linebacker Jack Cross, OL/DL Ben Fitzgerald, OL Cade Holliday, kicker Seth Keller (27 pats, one field goal), OL/DL Caegan Long, running back Alan Maldonado (6.84 yards per carry, nine touchdowns), receivers Niven Raj (323 yards receiving, five touchdowns) and Joshua Stith (313 yards receiving, three touchdowns) and DL Caden Wofford.
Jackson agreed with Hogan on what it will take to have another strong season in 2016.
“We have to stay healthy,” Jackson said. “Then we just have to continue to get better each day, because we are going to be in a tough district.”
This story was originally published August 16, 2016 at 3:43 PM with the headline "After great 2015 campaigns, Lions and Cougars still look strong."