Last season, there were a few districts in the state that had multiple teams reach state title games, thanks to the separation of each class into two divisions.
There was Celina (runner-up) and Prosper (champion) in Class 3A, Longview (runner-up) and Sulphur Springs (champion) in Class 4A and two teams out District 8-5A in Allen (champion) and Wylie (runner-up).
Allen is now a defending state champion for the first time in its program's history and will look to return to the top behind quarterback Matt Brown. The Arizona commit was flawless last season before going down to injury in the postseason and giving way to backup Tucker Carter, who took the Eagles to the championship.
The Eagles return six players from the offense, but only two from their stout defensive unit, which could make it hard for them to actually repeat as state champs though a deep run is almost definitely in their future.
At Wylie, the Pirates return five on offense and six on defense to the squad that lost to Katy in the 5A Division II state title game. AHMO does lose two superstars in WR Jerod Monk and nose tackle Nikita Whitlock.
Plano might also take a bit of a step back with just seven players returning from last year's team that was knocked out early by Plano standards in the area round. The Wildcats are now without running back Rex Burkhead, who's off to Nebraska and leaves Plano to fill his near-legendary shoes.
Plano West has perhaps the best defensive player in the country in Jackson Jeffcoat, but not a whole lot beyond that. They should still finish fourth in the the most populated district in the state in terms of enrollment numbers.
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Offensive MVP: Matt Brown, QB, Allen
Defensive MVP: Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Plano West
Game of the Year: Allen at Wylie, Week 10
Adam Boedeker is a sports writer/award-winning blogger for the Denton Record-Chronicle. He's in the third-largest gambling destination in the United States!
