Joseph Turner, a former star RB at TCU, looks to lead Fort Worth Southwest to playoffs

Fort Worth Southwest will look to return to the playoffs this year after dropping down to Class 4A Division I.

The Raiders will have a new head coach in place. Joseph Turner accepted the job after 11 years at Fort Worth North Side. He takes over a roster with 11 returning starters — most of that on offense with seven players back.

However, the four returning defensive players were all-district picks.

“Honestly, it might be the most talented roster than I’ve ever had,” Turner said. “Once we pair that [talent] with some hard work, some work ethic, some dedication and sacrifice, it’ll be alright.”

The work ethic and sacrifice mantra is one he picked up in college under head coach Gary Patterson at TCU. The Austin native was the Horned Frogs’ leading rusher from 2007 to 2009 and was an All-Mountain West Conference pick.

Turner replaces former Dallas Cowboys player Phillip Tanner, who left to take a job at Burleson. Turner takes over a program that has won four games in each of the last three seasons.

However, the Raiders had 7-4 marks in 2018 and 2020, part of a stretch when the program went to the playoffs from 2016 to 2021.

Turner guided North Side to the playoffs in 2019, the first playoff trip for the school since 1979.

While the playoff drought at Southwest — located on Altamesa Boulevard — isn’t as long as North Side’s, Turner has already had to navigate rough situations before the 2024 season.

On Aug. 18, first-year player Tavion Swindell was killed by a 35-year-old man after an argument over video games in Crowley.

That led the school to postpone its scrimmage with Arlington Heights.

“We will use this time to grieve, heal, and become closer as a football program,” Southwest Football released in a statement.

The season starts Friday with a game against Dallas Adams. The pre-district slate features games against three straight teams with winning records last year: Wilmer-Hutchins, Frisco Panther Creek and Brock.

Brock has been in two straight state championship games, while Panther Creek reached the third round of the playoffs last year in the program’s second year.

“It’s one of those deals where it’s an opportunity to play programs like that because it shows you exactly what it is you need to work on to get to where they are,” Turner said. “It’s going to be a really good opportunity for us and our coaches to look at what they do on film, to look at their coaching staff, how they operate, to look at some things they do with their players. We’re going to take everything we can use and we’re going to put it to our benefit before district play starts.”

The revamped district features five Fort Worth ISD schools, along with Decatur and Springtown. The latter two are the only teams that had winning records last year, so there’s a chance Southwest could factor into the playoff chase.

One of the biggest question marks coming into the season is how to replace Martavious Boswell, who is now at Blind Junior College.

He was the district’s Offensive Most Valuable Player. He led the team in rushing yards (1,279), rushing touchdowns (13), receiving yards (299) and receiving touchdowns (4). He also shared the team-high with two interceptions.

The Raiders will also have to replace four other all-district picks, including Lawrence Taylor, who was second on the team in catches, yards and touchdowns.

The good news is four all-district picks, led by First-Team quarterback and Star-Telegram All-Area honorable mention Jahbori Cooper-Suttice. The senior had more than 1,000 yards of offense last year with 967 yards passing with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 330 yards and a touchdown.

Turner called Cooper-Suttice a ‘hidden gem’ and he says the signal caller deserves more college attention.

“It means a lot to me to know that I have a quarterback of his caliber that’s not only extremely physically gifted, but he’s super smart, and he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that we’re successful,” Turner said.

First-team wide receiver pick Hector Martinez (11 catches, 165 yards, 1 TD) is back, as is second-team all-district receiver Marcellis Titus — who also got carries at running back.

All-District pick Charles Barrett is back at center, while Deshawn Reed and Bishop Zapata are other linemen for the Raiders.

“We have a good offensive line and really fast guys that will stretch defenses,” Turner said.

The loss of Boswell will provide a hole on offense. The team accounted for 19 touchdowns last year and Boswell had all but six of them.

The only person with more than one besides Boswell is senior Raylon Carter, a Star-Telegram Preseason All-Area selection. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound senior will team with sophomore Jeremiah Hogg (6-1, 250) as feature backs, while senior Jamarion Bell averaged 6 yards per carry in limited action last year.

Carter’s bigger role will be on defense as an edge rusher. The North Texas pledge was a first-team all-district pick at defensive end last year. He had 62 tackles, 10 TFL, 2 sacks, 16 quarterback hurries, 3 forced fumbles and one blocked field goal.

The top three tacklers are back for Southwest.

Following Carter will be the Cains — Heslep and Zachariah.

Senior Heslep Cain was a second-team all-district pick after having 114 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and 3.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

Junior Zachariah Cain had 68 tackles and 2 sacks and was a second-team pick at outside linebacker.

Junior Anthony Boswell was a first-team all-district pick at cornerback. Senior Canderic Haley is back after having two interceptions in six games.

“The biggest thing we focus on right now is consistency,” Turner said. “That’s our keyword. We’ve just been keeping our heads down every day and working as hard as we can. We are getting ready.”

High school sports editor Charles Baggarly contributed to this story