2023 District Preview: 26-6A

BLOG: FLX Staff- Derek Cohen 

District 26-6A Preview

26-6A

1. Westlake (14-1)
2. Dripping Springs (12-2)
3. Lake Travis (7-5)
4. Anderson (4-6)
5. Bowie (7-3)
6. Buda Johnson (4-6)
7. Del Valle (2-8)
8. Austin High (2-8)
9. Akins (0-10)

26-6A still proves to be the toughest district in all the Austin area if not one of the toughest districts in the state with 3 teams in the DCTF top 50 (Westlake #4, Lake Travis #11, Round Rock #35) The 4th ranked team in the state in Westlake is the biggest threat, but right behind them is Dripping Springs, and Lake Travis. Last year the Tigers pulled off the upset against Lake Travis to put them as district 26-6A runners up. Look for the Tigers to use their physicality again to pull off another upset against either Westlake or Lake Travis, or even both. 

Players to watch: 

Westlake: RB- Jack Kayser (5’7” 170, 4.7 40) WR- Heath McRee (5’11” 180, 4.4 40) OL- Tyler Knape (6’4” 275, 5.3) DB- Denim Collins (5’10” 175, 4.5 40) DB- Judson Crockett (6’0” 175, 4.6 40) DL- Connor Vasek QB- Rees Wise (6'2" 200) (6’4” 225, 4.9 40) QB- Paxton Land (6’4” 210) 

Dripping Springs: WR- Kyle Koch (6’1” 190, 4.5 40) LB Tomsen Vickery (6’5” 215, 4.6 40) RB- Jack Tyndall (5’11” 210, 4.6 40) LB- Luca Picucci (6’1” 190, 4.5 40) OL- Jacob Ponton (6’7” 270, 5.1 40) OL- MacAnder Evans (6’2” 270, 5.1 40) 

Lake Travis: QB- Kayden Leon (5’11” 160, 4.7 40) OL- Mo Oratokhai (6’3” 290, 5.0), TE- Sam Self (5’11” 190, 4.7) LB- Markus Boswell (6’1” 200, 4.7) DB- Josiah Estes (5’9” 170, 4.6 40) RB- Nico Hamilton (5’11” 200, 4.5 40) DL- Gus Cordova (6’4” 250, 5.0 40) 

Anderson: WR- Ed Small (6’0” 180, 4.4 40) DL/TE- Jack Middleton (6’1” 270, 4.8) QB/ATH- Brady Gephart (5’10” 170, 4.6 40) QB- Max Gerlich (6’2” 170, 4.6 40) LB- Jesusantonio Soto (6’0” 200, 4.8 40)

Bowie: Justice Trumpler (6’2” 255) DB- Bralin Thomas (6’0” 175 4.6 40) WR- Carmine Elisarraraz (5’9” 170) 

Buda Johnson: QB- Carson McMullin (6’2” 195, 4.7 40) WR- Ethan Saenz (5’8” 170, 4.5 40) OL- Caleb Gomez, OL- Warner Erwin, OL- Mason Stock)

Del Valle: OL/DL- Steven Flores (6’4” 330), DB- Coleman Patmon (6’3” 190), WR- Freddie Thomas (6’2” 170), DB- Aiden Velasquez (5’8” 165) RB- Kenelle Hodges (5’8” 185)

Austin High: WR/RB Bryson Batts (5’9” 180, 4.6 40) LB- Will Peeler (6’1” 235) QB- John Latham (6’0” 175) OL- Joel Pozos (5’10” 255) OL Jack Bisson (6’2” 295)

Akins: WR/DB- Jammal Loving (6’1” 170, 4.8) OL/DL- Jacob Rodriguez (6’0” 240, 5.0 40) QB- Dee Thompson (5’9” 155, 4.9 40) WR/DB- AB Gonzalez (5’10” 175, 4.8 40)

Sleeper Team: Anderson Trojans- Coming off a 4-6 season last year and losing star QB Fred Dale, and LB IV Webb, the Trojans will look to lean on their best player Ed Small. Small tallied 1,164 yards and 15 receiving TD last year and is only looking better. QBs Gephart and Gerlich will look to battle it out for the starting position but will have a handful of receivers to throw to including Zayden Sharp, and Tristan. Look for Anderson to try and make the last playoff spot, but will have to fight Bowie for it.

Check back in tomorrow for the 11-5A DI district preview!

If you think there is a district that should be on the districts preview this summer please email dcohen@arn-atx.com