Victor Expo secures the ball with both hands during Monday’s practice. Photo by Oladipo Awowale / C&S Media
By David Wolman
The Plano East, Sachse, Wylie and Wylie East football teams returned to the field Monday morning for the first day of practice.
All four teams have high expectations as they chase playoff berths and deep postseason runs.
Wylie East will once again challenge for the District 9-6A title in 2025 after back-to-back 10-win seasons under now fourth-year head coach Marcus Gold.
Gold is excited to have senior starting center Jordan Grogan back on the field after he missed all of his junior season with a back injury. The offensive line is expected to be a major strength for Wylie East. Grogan will be joined up front by Daniel Oparah, a senior tackle and Abilene Christian commit, junior right tackle Charlie Burkart, and senior guard/tackle James Burkart.
Grogan will have a new quarterback to snap the ball to after Howard Fisher IV, last year’s starting quarterback, graduated. Frisco Panther Creek transfer Jaiden McLemore is expected to take over under center. He’ll have a talented cast of wide receivers to throw the ball to, including brothers Amarean and Amir Porter. Amarean finished last season with 1,037 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns. Amir had 439 yards with four touchdowns.
The Raiders have experience in the secondary – to be led by seniors Noah Janshego and Ruke Eruvwetaghware – but Gold and his staff are tasked with having to replace defensive lineman Jayden Janshego, last year’s defensive player of the year in District 9-6A.
Across town, Wylie will look to build off a strong second half to last season and attempt to qualify for the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season.
Of course, the biggest question mark for the Pirates, is starting quarterback. Wylie lost three-year starter Jagger Bale to graduation. Head coach Jimmy Carter said that he has liked what he saw from Bale’s potential replacements – junior Jabriran Blake, senior Mason Greiner and sophomore Tanner Zachary – during spring and summer workouts.
Another question mark for Wylie is middle linebacker. The Pirates graduated a combined 206 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 11 sacks between alumnus linebackers Harrison Vicic and Mark Dean. The Pirates will turn to senior Everett Powell and junior Kaylan Wara to lead the way.
The Pirates’ strengths line in the secondary and run game, led by junior running back Daylon Gordon (1,015 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns), last year’s district’s Offensive Newcomer of the Year.
Carter has emphasized a strong non-district schedule after a 0-2 start in 2024. Wylie kicks off its season Aug. 29 at JJ Pearce, while Wylie East will commence the 2025 season one day earlier on Aug. 28 against McKinney North.
District 9-6A has run through Sachse each of the last two seasons with the Mustangs having gone 8-0 in district play each year.
In search of a third consecutive district title, Sachse will turn to a new cast of players to lead the way and fill several holes that were left after the Mustangs lost 37 seniors and six FBS signees to graduation.
While the team’s experience level will drop, head coach Mark “Behrens” said that the Mustangs won at every level last season, from the varsity team to junior varsity and freshman.
One reason for optimism is the play of two-way starter at offensive line and defensive line, junior Trason Haley, who recorded 43 tackles and 11 tackles for loss as a sophomore. Junior linebacker Walker Williams also emerged as a breakout star last year. Senior quarterback Dirk Williams Jr. (1,616 passing yards, 17 passing touchdowns) has worked hard to improve his deep-ball accuracy.
Sache will host Coppell on Aug. 29.
Over in District 6-6A, Plano East has established a winning culture under now fourth-year head coach Tony Benedetto.
The Panthers have won six games each of the last two seasons with a playoff berth during the 2023 season.
However, Plano East is in search of a better finish after losing their last three games last season after starting 6-1.
The good news is that the Panthers return 11 starters and will be powered by an experience defense and a smashmouth style rushing attack.
Junior defensive tackle Javon Rogers was named the district’s defensive newcomer of the year last season after he finished with 17 tackles, five tackles for loss, five sacks, 19 quarterback hurries and three caused fumbles.
Senior running back Travis Agee, who finished last season with a career-high 1,297 rushing yards, will help to pace Plano East’s offense while their passing game works to get in sync. Juniors MJ Haggan and Josh Gordon are in competition to earn the starting quarterback job.
Plano East will open the season Aug. 29 at Tim Kimbrough Stadium against Royse City.
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