Preston Hollow Football Tab 2017

2017 High School Football Preview

Ready to Soar to New Heights Skalniak, Eagles Primed for Bounce-Back Season

Also inside: Jesuit aims for another playoff run Youngsters drive progress at Hillcrest St. Mark’s reloads for the future

PrestonHollow People September 2017 | prestonhollowpeople.com   @phollowpeople

3B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Despite Numbers, Panthers Aim to Continue Progress

C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

Hillcrest quarterback Eddie Lwate showed progress last season.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 4-6 (2-4 district) NOTABLE: The Panthers allowed more than 50 points in four straight games midway through last season, then won their next two games by a combined margin of 80-12.

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aced with dwindling participation numbers and an inexperienced roster, Hillcrest showed some resiliency last season. The Panthers remained in contention for a playoff spot in District 11-5A up until the regularseason finale, when they lost to Kimball. Considering Hillcrest managed just two victories the previous year, it was a step in the right direction.

“We were fortunate to be in the hunt for a playoff spot until the end,” said Hillcrest head coach Andy Todd. “We got a couple more wins, which is a testament to how hard the kids worked.”

Although the roster remains thin, partially due to lower enrollment at the school as a whole, the Panthers hope to keep building this year.

Todd is encouraged by participation in workouts during the summer.

Still, Hillcrest likely will field just one subvarsity squad again this season as it rebuilds depth within the program.

The Panthers should benefit from the return of dual-threat quarterback Eddie Lwate, who rushed for 10 touchdowns and threw for eight more as a junior last year.

The small senior class also should make an impact with players such as receiver Jose Diaz,

defensive tackle Tyran Gooseberry, and linebacker Miguel Porter, a converted defensive end. Of course, Hillcrest will have several twoway athletes leading the charge.

“We’re going to be young. We’re not going to have a lot of varsity experience,” Todd said. “Our ultimate goal is to make the playoffs. We want to be playing for a playoff spot during the last week of the regular season.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

HILLCREST VARSITY SCHEDULE August 31

at Molina

September

8 Pinkston 15 at FW Eastern Hills 21 at Wilmer-Hutchins 29 at South Oak Cliff*

October

6 Spruce* 13 at Samuell* 19 Conrad*

November

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

3 at Thomas Jefferson* 7:30 p.m.

10 Kimball* 7:30 p.m. * — District 11-5A game

4B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Horns Seek Elusive Playoff Berth

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C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

Ryan Sandoval returns to lead the offense for W.T. White.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 3-7 (2-5 in District 9-6A) NOTABLE: Despite their record, the Longhorns had one of the area’s most prolific offenses last season. In their seven losses, they still averaged 27.9 points per game.

.T. White has been close. Last year, the Longhorns narrowly missed the playoffs after dropping overtime games to Skyline and Richardson Pearce.

In each of the previous two seasons, WTW finished 5-5 but lost a key game down the stretch to extend a postseason drought that has now reached a decade.

Yet even in a difficult district, there might be room for optimism. The Longhorns gained momentum by finishing last season with a win over playoff-bound Lake Highlands.

“Our kids played hard throughout the year,” said WTW head coach Rudy Powe. “It shows belief in the program. These kids kept rowing the boat in the right direction.”

The Longhorns enter the 2017 campaign with plenty of holes to fill, especially at the offensive skill positions. Four of the team’s top five receivers from last season earned the chance to play in college.

That makes returning quarterback Ryan Sandoval crucial to WTW’s fortunes. He passed for more than 2,000 yards and 17 touchdowns a year ago, and also ran for three scores.

Sandoval’s primary target might be Eric Cook, a deep threat who caught four touchdown passes last season. Plus, an experienced offensive line should allow WTW to develop a better running game, Powe said.

On defense, the Longhorns must show improvement after allowing at least 35 points in nine of 10 games last year. Tokosh Wheeler and James Leonard will anchor a young unit up front.

“We’ve been one play or one game away from being a playoff team,” Powe said. “The losses we suffered last year really fueled our fire in the offseason.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

W T WHI TE VARS I T Y S CHE DULE September

1 8 15 28

October

6 13 20 27

November

3 10

Flower Mound at Little Elm at South Garland Skyline*

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Rich. Berkner* at Richardson* at Coppell* Rich. Pearce*

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

at Jesuit* Lake Highlands*

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

* — District 9-6A game

6B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Versatile Skalniak Fills Numerous Roles for Eagles

By Todd Jorgenson People Newspapers

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he bad luck started on the first possession of ESD’s season. Two of the Eagles’ team leaders and top offensive threats went down with serious injuries on the same play.

With quarterback Seth Washington and receiver Davis Beichler sidelined, the team needed someone to fill the void. The coaches turned to Patrick Skalniak.

“They lost a captain, so we needed another guy,” Skalniak said. “I told them I thought any of the juniors could do it.”

That wasn’t exactly what the coaching staff had in mind. They wanted Skalniak to fill that role himself, and make history in the process.

“We’ve had a tradition at our school where only seniors have been allowed to be captains,” said ESD head coach Richard Williams. “For the first time last season we made an exception to that rule and Patrick became a captain as a junior.”

It was an easy choice for Williams. After all, Skalniak played four different positions for the Eagles, not counting his roles on special teams. He was a guy capable of keeping the team on track during an emotional rollercoaster.

Skalniak wound up earning most valuable player honors for ESD last season after setting two school records — one on each side of scrimmage. But for him, those accomplishments were overshadowed by the team’s 4-6 record.

“It was really hard because we had all our chips in to win last year,” he said.

Skalniak was supposed to be a receiver and defensive back last year, but took over as quarterback for a few games while Washing-

TA N N E R G A R Z A

Patrick Skalniak led ESD with 645 receiving yards and six touchdowns last season.

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Visit our website on Friday nights for complete game coverage. prestonhollowpeople.com ton was out. He hadn’t played the position regularly since his gunslinging days at Keller Middle School. For the versatile junior, it was just another case of playing wherever he was needed.

“Two-way players are so valuable,” Skalniak said. “I joke with coach about putting me on defensive line. I want to be that guy

who will step in if needed and make an impact right away.”

Skalniak made an impact in every game for the Eagles last season. As a safety, he intercepted eight passes — tying a school record he set the year before as a sophomore, when he essentially played the spot for the first time.

“They threw me in there, and my skill set really helped me contribute,” he said. “I move my feet well. I can catch the ball. The summer preparation we put in was huge.”

In the season finale a year ago, Skalniak set another school mark with 268 receiving yards in a win over rival St. Mark’s, with Washington throwing him the ball.

“He is a kid that will play with one leg if he could,” Williams said of Skalniak. “He’s played through pain and injury and has never missed a game and absolutely hates to ever come off the field, including on special teams. He wants to always find a way to contribute.”

Perhaps Skalniak’s flexibility comes from his upbringing. He was born in Japan, where his father was stationed while in the Marines. He subsequently lived in California before settling in Texas.

His family moved to Preston Hollow after Skalniak’s freshman year, when he commuted to ESD from Keller. He had to wake up

before 5 a.m. every day.

“My mom loves getting here early,” said Skalniak, who has verbally committed to play lacrosse for the U.S. Naval Academy. “It definitely helped me be prepared.”

In addition to remaining a captain, Skalniak will start at his familiar receiver and safety spots this season, as ESD looks to bounce back behind a younger roster. He’s noticed an increased intensity and motivation during offseason workouts.

“We’ve had a lot of team meetings. It’s a different kind of energy,” he said. “Last year’s record does not show who we really were.”

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | 7B

Healthy Eagles Look to Soar Again in Competitive SPC

TA N N E R G A R Z A

ESD will try to flip its fortunes in the SPC this season.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 4-6 (2-4 in SPC) NOTABLE: Likely starting RB Andrew Henry is a transfer from Frisco Heritage, where he rushed for 925 yards and seven touchdowns last season as a sophomore.

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ast season, ESD had its depth tested a little sooner than expected. Due to some injuries at some key positions, the Eagles were forced to plug some holes with younger players. The result was a rollercoaster campaign that saw ESD finish well out of playoff contention in the newly realigned SPC. However, as the Eagles prepare for the 2017 campaign, those youngsters who were thrown into the varsity fire a year ago now have a valuable year of seasoning. With that comes room for optimism.

“We’d like to build off that because now those guys have a lot of experience,” said ESD head coach Richard Williams. “We lost some key players, but that happens every year.”

Indeed, the Eagles must replace allaround star Nakeie Montgomery and quarterback Seth Washington, who led the highpowered ESD offense for the past two years.

Among the top returnees is Patrick Skalniak, who filled in at quarterback last season when Washington was injured and also was a standout as a receiver and defensive back. He broke his own school record for interceptions in a season with 11, and also established a new single-game mark with 268

receiving yards in the season finale against rival St. Mark’s.

Although there’s an ongoing competition for the starting quarterback spot, Ben Taber is a massive anchor for the line, and Robert Tolbert is a hard-hitting linebacker.

“We have more talent that we can spread around,” Williams said. “We have a lot of younger guys who are coming up. Our goal is to contend for an SPC championship.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

E S D VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E September 1 8 15 22

at TCA-Cedar Hill at Parish Episcopal TCA-Addison Houston St. John’s*

October 6 13 20 27

at Houston Christian* Bellaire Episcopal* at Houston Kinkaid* OKC Casady

November 3

at St. Mark’s*

* — SPC Class 4A game

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

8B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Hornets Have Momentum in SPC

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C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

Two-sport star Xavier Bryant is a valuable contributor for Greenhill.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 8-2 (6-2 in SPC) NOTABLE: Greenhill endured 12 consecutive losing seasons prior to last year’s 8-2 campaign, which began with the school’s first win over rival St. Mark’s in 13 years.

he allure of Texas high school football is only part of what prompted new Greenhill head coach Casey Selfridge to relocate after a successful stint at a private school in Seattle.

But Selfridge didn’t come to oversee a rebuilding project. Rather, he inherits a program that just finished its best season in more than a decade. The Hornets won eight games and just missed a spot in the SPC 3A championship game.

“There really isn’t anything broken,” Selfridge said. “The kids know how to compete and what it takes to be successful. We just need to build on that.”

Since arriving this summer, Selfridge already has started to implement his system, which he promises will include plenty of hard work behind the scenes for players and coaches alike, in addition to some exciting wrinkles on Friday nights in all three phases of the game.

He will benefit from the return of some key playmakers, including receivers Kassidy Woods and Xavier Bryant, who combined for almost 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns in Greenhill’s explosive offensive a year ago. Both also will anchor the defensive secondary.

Jake Webster, a gritty competitor with a strong arm, will take over as the starting quarterback after seeing limited action last season. Top linemen include Brennan Brown and Kevin Hoare, while J.T. Herrscher is a defensive leader at linebacker.

“The success last year was a little bit new to them,” Selfridge said. “This season you have a bunch of guys who were in those battles. They’re champing at the bit.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

GRE E NHI LL VARS I T Y S CHE DULE September 1 8 15 22 28

St. Mark’s 7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. at OKC Casady* at Arlington Oakridge* 7:00 p.m.

FW Country Day* 7:00 p.m.

FW Trinity Valley* 7:00 p.m.

October 13 at Austin St. Andrew’s* 7:00 p.m.

20 Fort Worth Christian 7:00 p.m.

27 at Cistercian* 7:00 p.m.

November 3

The Woodlands Cooper* 7:00 p.m.

* — SPC Class 3A game

Towns, Jesuit Look to Keep Rolling

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C H R I S M C G AT H E Y

Parker Towns will take over as the starting quarterback for the Rangers.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 8-4 (7-0 in District 9-6A) NOTABLE: The varsity newcomers this season could include sophomore E.J. Smith, a son of Dallas Cowboys legend Emmitt Smith.

Although he plays receiver, he wears his dad’s No. 22.

t’s been 13 years since Jesuit joined the UIL. The Rangers have made 10 playoff appearances during that time, and have advanced past the first round in each of the last five seasons — with two district titles during that span.

“I feel like we’re at another level,” said Jesuit head coach Brandon Hickman. “I think the target is on our back more. Teams are trying to knock us off.

I feel good about where our program is at.”

Hickman is hopeful that the Rangers can continue to raise the bar this season behind a young roster that includes just 20 seniors and will lack varsity experience in some key areas.

Parker Towns takes over as the starting quarterback after seeing significant action in three nondistrict games last year in relief of injured Jacob Palisch, and throwing three touchdown passes.

“He did a great job when his number was called,” Hickman said. “He’s groomed, he’s ready, and he knows the system.”

Returning receiver Fletcher Rosenbleeth should be a factor, while linebackers Hank Bitterman and Nicky Prendergast will lead an inexperienced defensive unit.

The Rangers will meet both defending Class 6A state champions — DeSoto and Lake Travis — in nondistrict play. It’s the same schedule that caused

them to start 0-3 last year, although Jesuit bounced back with eight consecutive wins, including an unbeaten run through District 9-6A. “I thought it was a confidence builder for our kids,” Hickman said. “We used those losses as a positive and found some things we needed to work on.

Our kids did a great job of hanging in there against them.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

J E S U I T VA R S I T Y S C H E D U L E September

1 9 15 29

October

6 12 20 27

November

3 10

DeSoto Plano East^ at Lake Travis at Coppell*

7:30 p.m.

10:00 a.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

Richardson* at Skyline* at Rich. Pearce* Lake Highlands*

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

W.T. White* at Rich. Berkner*

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

* — District 9-6A game ^ — at Cotton Bowl

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SEPTEMBER 2017 | 9B

New Coach, New Era for Parish

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TA N N E R G A R Z A

The Panthers will feature plenty of fresh faces this season.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 7-5 (4-3 in TAPPS district) NOTABLE: Parish games weren’t lacking for excitement last season.

The Panthers scored at least 40 points nine times in 12 games, yet lost three of those games.

or the first time in program history, Parish Episcopal has a new coach this season. But he’s hardly a stranger.

After five years as the team’s offensive coordinator, Daniel Novakov takes over for Scott Nady, who left the program after last season. And he hopes to continue Parish’s legacy of success.

“Everybody’s been more than accommodating and great to work with,” Novakov said. “We’ve got quality seniors who are great leaders.”

With that said, however, the biggest question mark for the Panthers this season might be how its young roster, which could include as many as 20 new faces, will handle perhaps the toughest privateschool district in the state.

Parish must find a new quarterback to replace Jeremy Hodge, who’s now at New Mexico State. One possibility is Tyler Hamilton, a dynamic athlete who played receiver last year.

Another option is incoming freshman Preston Stone, who played at Highland Park Middle School last season yet already holds a Division I scholarship offer from Nevada. Stone’s brother, Parker, is a receiver who also transferred into the program from a boarding school in Virginia.

Two-way standouts include lineman Jalen North, as well as Logan Rayburn and Jack Love. Twin broth-

ers Josh and John Emmanuel are hard-hitting linebackers. However, experience is at a premium.

“We have so many new kids and new faces who didn’t play a lot of football for us last year. We’re really trying to figure out what we have,” Novakov said. “I don’t look at it as rebuilding. I expect us to compete.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

PARI S H VARS I T Y S CHE DULE September

1 8 15 29

October

6 13 20 27

at Austin Regents ESD TACA Storm at Fort Worth Nolan*

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

at Plano Prestonwood* Argyle Liberty* Bishop Dunne* at Plano John Paul II*

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

Trinity Christian* at Bishop Lynch*

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

November 3 10

* — TAPPS district game

10B | SEPTEMBER 2017

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Lions Look to Bounce Back in SPC

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TA N N E R G A R Z A

Dynamic receiver Seun Omonije returns to lead the St. Mark’s offense this year.

Q U I C K FAC T S 2016 RECORD: 1-8 (0-6 in SPC) NOTABLE: Although they graduated four years apart, Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho and Green Bay Packers running back Ty Montgomery each played at St. Mark’s.

t. Mark’s is accustomed to being a perennial contender for an SPC playoff spot. Last year, the Lions earned just one victory and finished in last place in the big-school division of the newly realigned conference.

It’s up to this year’s squad to prove that 2016 was just an anomaly, and not a trend. And with 16 starters returning, there’s reason for optimism — and motivation — among players and coaches.

“They kind of hooked arms,” said St. Mark’s head coach Bart Epperson. “Since the end of last season, they’ve gotten in the weight room together and gotten bigger and stronger.”

Both Epperson and the Lions returnees were tired of being pushed around by larger opponents last season. So offseason participation has focused on strength, and the coach has been pleased with the participation level in summer workouts.

Epperson said the Lions should be more versatile on offense this season, while the defense will be simplified and more reliant on player instincts and reactions.

St. Mark’s should benefit from the return of receiver Seun Omonije, who has committed to Yale after being a top target last season. There’s some experience among the linemen with Zach

Gilstrap, Myles Jones, and William Hall.

At quarterback, Will Forbes and Colin Neuhoff each saw action last season, and will compete for the starting job with Anthony Andrews.

“We’ve got a good amount of guys returning,” Epperson said. “We at least have some guys with some experience at the varsity level. We have a bright outlook.”

— Todd Jorgenson email sports@peoplenewspapers.com

ST. MARK’ S VARS I T Y S CHE DULE September 1 15 22 28

at Greenhill OKC Casady at Bellaire Episcopal* Houston Kinkaid*

7:00 p.m.

7:30 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m.

Houston Christian* FW Country Day at Houston St. John’s*

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m.

October 13 20 27

November 3 ESD* * — SPC Class 4A game

7:00 p.m.