2024 Palestine Wildcats
Wildcats look to get back to winning ways under Reyes
2023 Record : 4-6
The Palestine Wildcats find themselves in a new and exciting position this season , revamping their offensive and defensive schemes under their new Athletic Director and Head Coach James Reyes .
Reyes brings the spread offense to Palestine , a team that is traditionally a run-heavy program .
Through the spread offense , the team lines up in shotgun formation a majority of the time , and stretches the defenses coverage abilities by putting three , four or five receivers on the field at the same time .
By doing this , you help to relieve pressure in the tackle box , or the space between offensive tackle to offensive tackle , potentially creating more running room for running backs and quarterbacks , as well as creating more efficient passing opportunities .
Along with Reyes , the Wildcats will have two more new faces helping to lead the squad , in coordinators Daniel Price , offense , and Chad Bruggman , defense .
The stylistic changes won ’ t be the only thing the Wildcat faithfuls will notice this season , as new talent will be joining a few mainstays from Palestine teams of the past .
Returning starters Baylynn and Ronnie Williams will solidify the offensive line for Rhoyn Price , the son of the Wildcats new offensive coordinator .
Rohyn has starting quarterback experience , and is already familiar with the spread offense concept , a huge leg up for the Wildcats and their coaching staff while installing the new playbook .
The junior quarterback looks to be the future of the position for the Wildcats , as incumbent starter Coyt Cooper transferred after last school year .
One department the Wildcat offense will have to address this season will be running back . All three of Palestine ’ s main backs from a year ago , Elijah Walker , Ti Crawford and Jon Denman , are no longer with the team .
Walker and Crawford graduated and Denman moved to a new district in the offseason .
One potential candidate is potentially the fastest player on the team , Dreylon Spurlock .
Last summer , Spurlock competed in the Junior Olympics , winning a bronze medal with his 4 × 100-meter team as the anchor leg . Spurlock had 13 carries for 94 yards last season .
Palestine should be able to lean on their defense during the transition from wing / slot-t to the spread , as this year ’ s Wildcats defense is loaded with talented , experienced players .
S ’ Vioarean Martin , a junior All-American , Spurlock and J ’ Mauri Jackson will make up a speedy ball-hawking defensive back group .
Martin , who will play in the 2026 All-American Bowl on NBC , is one of the top cornerback prospects in the state of Texas , using his 6 ’ 3 , 185 pound frame to lock down even the most physical of receivers , and with 4.59 second 40-yard dash , he typically is one of the fastest players on the field .
Jackson is one of the craftiest defensive backs in the area , and seems to find himself in great positioning on every down .
Jackson ’ s best game last season came in a 56-35 victory over Prosper Walnut Grove , when he had seven tackles and an interception late to help seal the game .
The Wildcats will once again face a district schedule filled with heavy hitters , including a three game stretch against Chapel Hill , Lindale and Kilgore , all playoff teams from a year ago .
Luckily for long-time fans , even though Palestine and Athens were not placed in a district together , because of Athens dropping to 4A Division 2 during the most recent UIL alignment , the Highway 19 showdown will still be taking place this year on week three .
PALESTINE WILDCATS
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