2024 FRANKSTON INDIANS
Frankston Indians ready to have breakout year in 2024
2023 Record : 7-4 / Bi-district Finalists
The Frankston Indians have spent the last two seasons on the verge of becoming a 2A powerhouse . With 15 starters from last year ’ s team back for another round , Frankston looks to have the talent and experience to make a big splash in the coming year .
Led by two-time Palestine Herald-Press Area Player of the Year Tyler Rogers , the Indians are poised for a breakout year , and will look to get over the first round playoff hump that has plagued the team for the past few years .
Rogers is quite possibly the most underappreciated player in all of East Texas , even with the stream of yearly awards given to the senior over his first three years with Frankston . Even given his successes during his playing career , Rogers is still being under recruited to play at the next level , and would be an instant upgrade to most , if not all , college programs ’ linebacking or running back cores . Last season , Rogers led the Indians in both rushing yards and touchdowns , 956 yards and 16 touchdowns , offensively , and tackles , 102 , defensively .
The Indians have an embarrassment of riches in the quarterbacking room as well , with both Carson Bizzell and AJ Donnell splitting reps at the position . While traditional football knowledge would say sticking with one quarterback is the wiser move , Head Coach Paul Gould has the luxury of having two qualified players to lead the offense , with drastically different play styles .
Bizzell is more of a pocket passer , able to make just about any throw and seems to have a strong grasp on the Indians offensive concepts .
Donnell , on the other hand , is an athletic scrambling type quarterback , able to swiftly move in and out of oncoming traffic , and rarely goes down on first contact . When not playing quarterback , Donnell will line up at receiver , where he is Frankston ’ s best big play threat .
Defensively , Frankston returns starters in most key positions , and will be one of the toughest groups in 2A football to score upon this season . Linebacker Rogers , Reese Hicks , Davis Holladay and Timmy Ryals make up one of the most feared defensive units in the area , and Bradlee Gould and Tristin McCoy lead a hard-nosed group of defensive backs who are just as happy to bury opponents into the dirt as they are to get an interception .
One thing is for certain , if you get into a kicking battle with Frankston , you ’ ll most likely lose , as Indians place kicker Coleman Merritt is simply automatic .
Frankston also leads in the preseason polls for their district , picked to win outright , but will have to contend with their old rivals , the Cayuga Wildcats , as well as the Corsicana Mildred Eagles , who recently moved down from 3A Division 2 .
Frankston senior Tyler Rogers is a preseason Defensive Most Valuable Player and looks for a strong year on both sides of the ball this season .
FRANKSTON INDIANS