Coach: CURTIS COLE

LAST 8 YEARS:

2021 – 7-4

2020 – 8-4

2019 – 6-4

2018 – 2-8

2017 – 3-7

2016 – 2-8

2015 – 10-4

2014 – 9-2-1

OFFENSE

Following a trip to the Class 3A playoffs a year ago, Lone Grove head coach Curtis Cole is excited about the potential this year’s Longhorns have. Cole says they have several guys retuning at key positions and are continuing to develop the talent at Lone Grove. Cole knows District 3A-2 will be tough but he is excited to see his guys compete. Offensively, the Longhorns have nine starters returning. The Longhorns use a two-back, spread offense. They like to run the ball and make defenses cover sideline to sideline. VYPE Top 100 quarterback Caden Gilmore (6-2, 195, Sr.) leads the offense. Last year, the dual-threat QB totaled over 2,000 yards of offense and 23 touchdowns. Cole says Gilmore is the heart and soul of the team and is a true team leader. Joining Gilmore in the backfield is running back Braxton Sparks (5-9, 180, Sr.). Last season, Sparks carried the ball 208 times for 1,240 yards and 18 touchdowns. Out wide, Cale McLean (6-3, 210, Sr.) is a big receiver that can win the 50/50 balls. He had 620 yards and five touchdowns last sea- son. Brody Harris (6-0, 160, Jr.) also returns after register- ing 10 catches for 115 yards and a touchdown last year. Dmarion Jackson (5-10, 160, Jr.) is a newcomer to Lone Grove that the coaches are expecting to have a big year. Up front, Landon Glover (6-0, 250, Jr.) returns to the center position, where he started every game last season.

DEFENSE

Defensively, the Longhorns return seven starters to their 4-3 scheme. Cole says the Longhorns like to control gaps and limit what offenses like to do with their bend but don’t break attitude. Sam Harris (6-0, 185, Jr.) returns at middle linebacker after recording 110 tackles, four sacks, and three forced fumbles a season ago. Zayne Bond (6-0, 190, Jr.) will play a hybrid outside linebacker and defensive end position. He had 50 tackles and four sacks last season. Dawson Pickens (6-4, 215, Sr.) also lines up at defensive end. He had 68 tackles and three sacks last year. Joining Pickens up front is Christian Lemons (6-1, 175, Sr.). Lemons had 55 tackles and a sack a year ago. In the secondary, Jaxon McClennahan (5-9, 165, Jr.) leads the defensive backs after registering 40 tackles and four interceptions a year ago.

SCHEDULE:

8-26 – vs. Anadarko

9-2 – vs. Madill

9-9 – at Valliant

9-16 – BYE

9-23 – vs. Heritage Hall

9-30 – at Marlow

10-7 – vs. Plainview

10-13 – at Sulphur

10-21 – at Douglass

10-28 – vs. Dickson

11-4 – at Pauls Valley