September 2025 | prestonhollowpeople.com @phollowpeople | @peoplenewspapers
BULLISH HORNS
Ben Ebeke’s ground gains fuel surge for W.T. White, B2
Also inside:
Parish looks to climb back to top of TAPPS, B6
Hornets hope to continue SPC momentum, B8
Hillcrest optimistic about forward progress, B10
2025 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW
PHOTO: CHRIS MCGATHEY
PROUD OF HIS CAMEROONIAN HERITAGE, EBEKE FORGES SUCCESS IN AMERICAN FOOTBALL
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Ben Ebeke might be a quick study, or maybe he’s just smart. Whatever the reason, he’s picked up the complexities of football faster than most.
The W.T. White senior didn’t start playing until middle school. A few years later, he was a 1,000-yard running back as a sophomore.
After duplicating that feat a year ago, Ebeke is now focused on leading the Longhorns to another playoff appearance and becoming one of the top rushers in school history.
“I don’t feel the extra attention,” Ebeke said. “All I focus on is giving my all on the field and getting wins. I’m not worried about what other teams are going to do against me.”
Much has changed for Ebeke in the eight years since he relocated to Dallas with his family from the central African nation of Cameroon, where he was born.
native French. And his father has overcome his initial ap prehension about football to become Ebeke’s biggest fan.
“He’s an all-purpose back on the field, but also an all-purpose human being,” said new WTW head coach Bryson Lewis. His per sonality and ener gy are infectious. He’s making his family proud daily.”
Ebeke started playing football at the request of a friend in seventh grade, as a receiver for the first season. By his freshman year at WTW, he also competed in soc cer, basketball, wrestling, track and field, and cross country.
“All I focus on is giving my all on the field and getting wins.” Ben Ebeke
“I didn’t know what was going on. I was just out there running around and getting cardio,” Ebeke said. “During freshman year, (football) became more fun than basketball.”
He was a basketball and soccer player back then, and was taller than most of his classmates. Now he’s left those other sports behind to focus full-time on football, in which he’s gained interest from college programs in the Ivy League and elsewhere.
At 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, he’s no longer considered tall. He’s now proficient in English in addition to his
As a sophomore, he earned a varsity spot and made an immediate impression, leading the Longhorns in rushing and scoring 13 touchdowns.
“The varsity players showed me love. By doing that, I was motivated to play for them,” Ebeke said. “When I was a sophomore, I was just there to try and help however I can. Now that I’m a senior, I push myself harder and push
the team harder.”
That team-first attitude fuels the optimism of Lewis, who takes over at WTW this season after previously serving as the defensive coordinator at Richardson Berkner.
“Ben is a workhorse,” Lewis said. “We want to play fast and pick up the tempo. He shouldn’t have to have 30 carries a game to get what he needs. We’re going to get him the ball in space.”
The Longhorns have five consecutive playoff appearances — the most in school history — but are still seeking their first postseason victory since 2000.
Reversing that trend will be largely dependent on Ebeke and quarterback Andrew Paredez, a three-year starter who passed for almost
2,500 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior.
“He’s your ultimate leader,” Lewis said. “He’s an athlete who doesn’t have to sit in the pocket and can be more creative with his feet. He has a great arm.”
Also returning is lanky receiver Lovell Neal, who led the team in touchdown receptions. WTW could be thin and inexperienced in the trenches, however.
Leading an athletic and aggressive defense is versatile safety Jermarious Jones, who paced the Longhorns with 103 tackles. Prosper Moore and Cayden Skipper are also back.
“He’s a super athlete, and he’s going to help us,” Lewis said of Jones. “We’re going to be fast on defense.”
Despite missing some games due to injury, W.T. White’s Ben Ebeke surpassed 1,000 yards and recorded 12 touchdowns last season. CHRIS MCGATHEY
With Speed to Burn, Jesuit Eyes Quick Start, Fast Finish
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 6-5 (5-2 in district)
NOTABLE: With just four home games, the Rangers will have six road trips, but none are longer than 13 miles. They will play three times at Ellis Stadium in Irving.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Hebron 7 p.m. September
5 New Orleans Jesuit 6 p.m.
12 at Highland Park 7 p.m.
25 at Irving* 7
3 Richardson Pearce*
10 Lake Highlands*
16 at Irving MacArthur*
24 Richardson*
31 at Richardson Berkner* 7 p.m. November
7 at Irving Nimitz* 7 p.m.
*—District7-6Agame
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Jesuit Dallas has had plenty of great athletes come through its program, but rarely have the Rangers collectively had this much pure speed.
They hope to leverage their fleet-footed lineup into a return for a seventh consecutive postseason appearance and contention for a District 7-6A title.
It starts at quarterback, where new starter Beck Berry will relocate after primarily playing receiver a year ago. He will be a dual threat behind center.
“He’s a good athlete and had a good spring,” said Jesuit head coach Brandon Hickman. “He’s a runner with a good arm. We think he’ll be able to pick up the offense really well. He’s got good feet and is tough to tackle.”
The roster overall is younger,
although Berry will have multiple receiv ers back to lead an up-tempo offense that averaged 35.8 points per game. Baseball standout Shane Parker had 43 catches, while track star Harlan Beucler is a deep threat with solid ball skills. Plus, Cade Kirby provides another op tion after missing last season with an injury.
Some offensive players could add depth on defense, too, joining a group of returnees that has gotten quicker and stronger, Hickman said. There are still questions in the sec ondary, but the front seven is spear headed by linebackers Gabriel James and Jackson Gair, along with linemen Tanner Krug and Parker Sherman. “Last year we struggled on de fense at times just getting off the field and making stops,” Hickman said. “This year, our kids have really put in the time in the weight room.”
New Jesuit quarterback Beck Berry caught 18 passes last year and threw only four. That ratio is likely to change this season. ROB GRAHAM
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Panthers Still Have Firepower Around New Quarterback
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
It’s hardly time to panic for Parish Episcopal, which had its remarkable streak of five consecutive TAPPS Division I state titles snapped by rival Argyle Liberty in last year’s championship game.
Instead, it’s time to reload for the Panthers, who hope to reclaim the top spot with a roster that’s both young and experienced.
“It’s our ultimate goal, but it’s never been what’s driven the program,” said Parish head coach Daniel Novakov. “We came up short, but it was still a successful season. That was a very talented team. We’ve had a lot of good fortune.”
How will Parish replace quarterback Sawyer Anderson (now at Arizona), who threw for 5,000 yards last year and led the Panthers to 43 wins over the past four seasons?
Novakov will choose a starter be -
tween last year’s backup Del Storer, elite freshman Logan Lucero, and Southlake Carroll transfer Johnathon Phillips.
“It’s a good problem to have,” Novakov said. “You’ve got some really good candidates because of the previous history at the position.”
The eventual starter will be surrounded by plenty of talent in the high-powered Parish attack. Leading rusher Marcus Hanish is back, as is Michigan commit Jaylen Pile at receiver.
Drew Burton returns to lead an underrated defensive unit that also features Jesse Richardson, Rocco Bigham, Trip Brown, Ben Rich, and Ian Rigg.
Incoming transfers of note include Caleb Muse (Keller), Siler Cooke (Episcopal School of Dallas), Brett Dopona (ESD), Connor Corwin (Plano John Paul II), Brayden Spinks (Richardson Berkner), and Israel Johnson (Carrollton Newman Smith).
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 9-5 (3-2 in district)
NOTABLE: Parish averaged 49.9 points on offense last season never scoring less than 24 and had three receivers surpass the 1,000-yard plateau.
SCHEDULE
Parish Episcopal’s Jaylen Pile caught 19 touchdown passes and averaged more than 21 yards per reception last season. WILEY WILLIAMS
Patriots, Trojans Aim To Improve
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Four wins might not seem like much. But for Thomas Jefferson, those 2024 victories — one of which was awarded retroactively by forfeit — matched its total from the past seven years combined and resulted in the team’s best season in almost a decade.
Three of those triumphs came against UIL opponents, something the Patriots hadn’t achieved since 2017. Player participation and fan engagement showed an uptick, too.
The Patriots will look to continue that progression in their third year under veteran head coach Bobby Estes. They will need to bolster an offense that averaged just 15 points per game, which is still an improvement over the prior season, when the Patriots were shut out seven times. Although positions will need to be ironed out, there is returning talent on both sides of the scrimmage, including Nehemiah Alexander, Aaron Oliva, and Latavian Williams.
Trinity Christian
New head coach Trey Haverty, a former longtime college assistant, takes over for Steve
Hayes, who is now the school’s athletic director.
Haverty will look to jump-start a program that has struggled to break through while playing in the most challenging TAPPS district in the state. The Trojans were 3-8 last year and dropped seven of their last eight games, most by lopsided margins.
TCA should benefit from the return of starting quarterback Hunter Flatt and leading receiver Chase Griffin, along with size up front with Kieffer Barclay, Collin Kilgore, and Aiden Coppage. However, the defense allowed 41.6 points per game.
Shelton
Having posted back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in decades, the Chargers now aim to stay on track for sustained success, and perhaps a TAPPS postseason breakthrough.
Shelton returns quarterback Heston Dios but must still replace most of the other key players in a run-based offensive attack that averaged 38.4 points per game.
Several starters will play on both sides of scrimmage for third-year coach Ed Barry, including linemen Anthony Coppolino and Ryder Wiedenbaker.
Nehemiah Alexander is a playmaking defender whose versatility will prove useful for Thomas Jefferson this season. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Improved Results Have Lions Turning the Corner
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 6-4
NOTABLE: St. Mark’s has 17 SPC titles in football, most recently in 2008. Houston-area schools have dominated the largeschool classification since then. August
SCHEDULE
29 at FW Country Day 7 p.m. September
5 Cistercian
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
The progress was evident throughout last season for St. Mark’s, as the Lions snapped a 15game skid against SPC 4A competition and posted their first winning season since 2021.
It all culminated with erasing a 21-point deficit to beat rival Episcopal School of Dallas for the first time in a decade in a thrilling season finale.
“Last year was definitely a positive step forward,” said St. Mark’s head coach Harry Flaherty. “We saw we could compete with every opponent on our schedule.”
Sustaining that momentum and potentially moving up the conference ladder will require improvement from a mix of returnees and newcomers, including skill-position talents such as David Dickson, Archer Wilburn, Matthew Wier, and
David McAtee.
The quarterback competition comes down to a pair of juniors. Blaize Schuhmacher was last year’s backup, and Braden Scott returns from injury.
The offensive line will be big and experienced, anchored by Brady Wyatt and Matei Oprea, joined by Peter Rubi, Brooks Main, and tight end Grant Kennington.
On defense, leading tackler Mac Saye returns at safety as part of a secondary that also features Jack Levy, Ford Robinson, and Jax Blaylock. Experience in the front seven belongs to Adam Dalrymple, Zac Yarckin, Tobias Pulido, and Marshall Bagley.
“On one hand, it’s a challenge because we lost a lot of good players. At the same time, I like the idea that we have a lot of guys in the mix who have potential,” Flaherty said. “We’re not going to be just about a few star players.”
Hornets Putting Sting Back Into SPC Opponents
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
Greenhill won more games last year than in the past six seasons combined, finishing with a 5-5 mark that was the program’s best since 2017.
As head coach K.J. Williams begins his third season with the Hornets, the turnaround might be ahead of schedule. More importantly, the foundation is entrenched to continue the upward trajectory.
“There’s an identity around our football team. To be a Greenhill football player is extremely special and we take a lot of pride in it,” Williams said. “I’m interested to see how our kids respond to our culture and the expectations.”
The Hornets might have been even better last year had they not suffered two heartbreaking losses in the final minutes. This season, they hope to contend for an SPC championship game berth, thanks to
a young roster whose growing pains have provided valuable experience.
Although many of the faces are familiar, Greenhill will be led by new quarterback Ashton Gosselin, a left-handed transfer from Prosper Walnut Grove.
“He’s a leader who can really spin it, and he’s really jelled,” Williams said. “He understands football so much. He’s got moxie and does a great job of motivating people. He’s a really good decision-maker.”
Returnees at the skill positions include Josiah Christian, Trey Davis, Oliver Hill, and Prince Jones. Aubrey transfer Knox Smith anchors a bulked-up offensive line. Zacchaeus Crumedy is a two-way standout.
Other expected contributors, potentially on both sides of scrimmage, include Lucas Castillo, Landon Shine, John Hurley, and three freshmen — Grayson Gordon, C.J. Glenn, and Wesley Black.
2024 RECORD: 5-5 NOTABLE: Greenhill more than doubled its 2023 offensive output by averaging 31.1 points per game overall, including 43 points in its five wins.
At 6-foot-6 and 310 pounds, St. Mark’s offensive tackle Brady Wyatt towers over defenders. He is committed to Air Force. CHRIS MCGATHEY
Trey Davis was the leading receiver and top playmaker for Greenhill last season, accounting for double-digit touchdowns.
CHRIS MCGATHEY
Newcomers Look to Help Eagles Take Flight Again
QUICK FACTS
2024 RECORD: 2-8
NOTABLE: ESD opened last season against powerhouse IMG Academy in Ireland but will stay home this year and start with Bishop Dunne.
SCHEDULE
August
29 Bishop Dunne
5 at FW
3 at Bellaire
10 at Houston Kinkaid*
17 at The Woodlands Cooper* 7
24 Houston St. John’s* 7 p.m.
31 at St. Mark’s* 7 p.m. *—SPCClass4Agame
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
A season that began in Ireland ended with the worst record for Episcopal School of Dallas since 2011.
Eight losses, including one to rival St. Mark’s in the season finale, seemed to widen the gap between the Eagles and the Houston schools at the top of the SPC.
“Last year was a little disappointing,” said ESD head coach Richard Williams. “I was proud of the guys for fighting through some of the obstacles we had.”
ESD didn’t completely bottom out, as three of the defeats were by five points or fewer and both of the wins were shutouts. So, despite significant roster losses due to graduation and a roster with just four seniors, there’s hope for a quick turnaround.
“This is a younger group that will have to step up,” Wil liams said. “There’s a lot of talent. They’ve got some good chemistry.”
The new quarterback for ESD’s up-tempo offense will be Miles Link, who saw limited ac tion as a sophomore. The other playmakers should include re ceivers Curtis Mathes and run ning back William Taylor.
“I think we’ve got the best quarterback in the SPC. Peo ple are going to be surprised by how well he throws the ball and what a tough player he is,” Williams said. “He hasn’t had a chance to be on the varsity stage, but he had a tre mendous spring.”
The defense will be led by Mathes, Nico Marquez, Dan ny Hoffpauir, Sam Olsen, Ash er Cooke, and William Elliott. Many of them will see action on both sides of scrimmage.
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Willam Taylor was the leading rusher for ESD last season, and will be among the few senior returnees for the Eagles. CHRIS MCGATHEY
After a Major Step Forward, Hillcrest Has Higher Goals
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
2024 RECORD: 7-4 (6-1 in district)
NOTABLE: Only two games for the Panthers last season had a margin less than 17 points, but Hillcrest won them both against Western Hills and Woodrow Wilson.
August
29 at W.T. White 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Elgin (Okla.) 7:30 p.m. 11 FW Western
19 at Samuell*
26 Spruce*
3 at South Oak Cliff* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Seagoville* 7:30 p.m.
23 Thomas Jefferson* 7:15 p.m.
31 at Adamson* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Woodrow Wilson* 7:30 p.m.
*—District5-5A,DivisionIIgame
After a successful debut season in which his team won seven of its last eight regular-season games, head coach A.D. Madise is eager to keep building.
Despite falling to Kaufman in their playoff opener, the Panthers equaled their best season in over a decade, finishing second in District 5-5A Div. II along the way.
“We’re still building a culture. We’ve been able to do some things that we didn’t do last year because we’ve had a full offseason,” Madise said. “This group of kids has really bought in and has some belief that they can do it.”
Although graduation left some holes in the lineup, the pieces are in place for Hillcrest to continue its forward momentum. It starts with quarterback Asher Randall, who
passed for more than 2,100 yards and 16 touchdowns as a junior.
“We put a lot on him last year. Now he’s matured,” Madise said. “I’m looking for him to make really good decisions with the football.”
The skill players surrounding Ran dall will be largely unproven — ex cept for receiver Khari Bass — but the offensive line has experience led by Thomas Rohrman and sophomore Zion King.
Multiple players could line up at new positions on defense to capitalize on their athleticism and playmaking abilities, such as Luis Montoya-Espinal and Jaden Morris. The secondary is an chored by dynamic safeties Evan Lewis and Zion Stevens-Braziel.
As Hillcrest looks to get more flex ible with schemes and personnel, one key will be the development of new comers such as Jayden Harris, Dash ton Davis, and Anderson Hewitt.
Black, Hillner Lead Youthful but Promising Knights
By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers
The future is now for Covenant, which will see freshmen and sophomores comprise about twothirds of its roster this year. The Knights must go to battle without a handful of graduated seniors who were four-year varsity players and broke program records.
That leaves some returnees who are aiming to build on an 8-4 campaign that concluded with a loss to district rival Colleyville Covenant in the second round of the TAPPS Division III playoffs.
“We had a good season. It just didn’t end the way we had hoped,” said Covenant head coach Jacob Zinn. “It stung quite a bit, but our program is continuing to grow and take the next steps.”
Among those looking to fill the leadership void is Duke
Black, a three-year starter who has scored plenty of touchdowns from a variety of positions on both offense and defense.
“Duke is one of the more talented players we’ve had come through our program on both sides of the ball,” Zinn said.
“He’s poised and ready to take over this team.”
Stepping in at quarterback is strong-armed Ryan Hillner, who saw minimal action last season as a freshman.
“He has all the physical tools. Now it’s just about getting the reps and getting up to speed,” Zinn said. “There’s no question he’s going to be extremely successful. You can see the improvements he’s made.”
As usual, Covenant will have several two-way starters. Connor Evans and Mac Mezger anchor the lines, while Davis Kerlin and Jack Henry Blakeslee also return.
RECORD:
NOTABLE: Excluding a blowout loss to First Baptist, the Covenant defense surrendered only 11.2 points per game last season, with four shutouts.
SCHEDULE
Hillcrest’s Asher Randall is a third-year starter at quarterback who will be one of the most experienced players on the roster. CHRIS MCGATHEY
2024
8-4 (4-1 in district)
QUICK FACTS
Duke Black has six defensive touchdowns in his career and will see more touches on offense this season for Covenant. CHRIS MCGATHEY
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