2025 Preview: Lewisville Lions

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lewisville Lions have been one of the most consistent and competitive teams in Class 1A over the past few seasons.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>They've won double digit games each of the last three years and head coach Trent Usher knows that some of his returners will have to step up for that to be the case again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"The guys have been getting after it and working on the little things, which is what I think the summer is for," Usher said." We've been preparing well during the summer with 7-on-7s and good practices and I'm excited to see it show on the field and ready for the season to start."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two of those returners Usher referred to are two of his best playmakers in <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze']</strong> and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong']</strong>. They are just two of the seniors that will be expected to contribute this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Some of the other senior playmakers include <strong>Ty'Mon Hughes</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='616374' first='Mikel' last='Hutchins']</strong>, <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639690' first='Eden' last='Gaston']</strong> and more. It isn't just those experienced players who are going to be expected to produce, though.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Strong (pictured above) made it known that some of the inexperienced returns were going to need to produce on the field and noted it was all hands-on deck to replace the talent that Lewisville lost from last season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>"Really anybody that can help produce," Strong said when asked who some of the key returners this season were. "It's not just one or two guys that we need, it's anyone that can come in and help us continue to win games at an excellent rate."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>STARS SET TO SHINE</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1165159' first='Jordan' last='Strong']</strong> ATH, 2026 - Strong had a monster season on defense last year with nine interception (top three in the state) as well as racking up over 60 tackles. He also impacts the game on both special teams and offense. Usher made it crystal clear at media day; get the ball to Strong and let him do what he does.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1267330' first='Jacorreun' last='Howze']</strong> WR, 2026 - Howze falls in the same category as Strong in the regard that his head coach wants to get him the ball in open space and let him go to work. That's smart for a guy that totaled over 1,000 yards (210 rushing, 864 receiving) and 12 touchdowns (six rushing, six receiving). The duo of he and Strong on offense could be serious trouble for any defense they face.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Aidan Alexander</strong> C/G, 2027 - Alexander is the main man on the offensive line and will probably not be appreciated as much as he should be this season. He'll be a big reason why Strong and Howze have monster seasons, whether that be run blocking or giving his quarterback enough time to stand in the pocket and deliver passes to them.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1639690' first='Eden' last='Gaston']</strong> LB, 2026 - Gaston had a dominant season at linebacker in 2204 with 98 tackles, two interceptions, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and three defensive touchdowns. He will likely lead the team in tackles this season and could be in for a 100-plus tackle season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>FILM REVIEW</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p> <strong>Noah Fisher</strong> DE/DT, 2026 - Fisher made almost every play asked of him last season, making for a good highlight reel. He's extremely quick and physical in all aspects, making him a standout player. He'll be expected to step up in an even bigger role this season and should see increased production and stats across the board.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/hudl {"name":"acf/hudl","data":{"embed_code":"u003ciframe src='https://www.hudl.com/embed/video/3/17927554/66f8542ae0490ed84c18a0e7' width='640' height='360' frameborder='0' allowfullscreenu003eu003c/iframeu003e","_embed_code":"field_62daf7995fd8c"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68741f28dc296"} /--> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>KEY LOSSES</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Zach Rogers</strong> ATH - Rogers did a lot of everything last season for Lewisville, and that is why he is now playing collegiate football at Anderson University. His production is so many different areas will be sorely missed and extremely difficult to replicate.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Jordan Fields</strong> WR/DB - Fields did quite a bit on both offense and defense for the Lions last season. Luckily for them, Howze and Strong should be able to fill that void nicely and try to replicate what he did on a team that won double-digit games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>UP-AND-COMING POTENTIAL</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Javarrion Thompson</strong> DE/TE, 2028 - Thompson is listed as a defensive end and tight end but spent most of his time left season at left tackle leading the way for Rogers and the rushing attack. He is big, physical and very athletic on the offensive line. If he is able to play well on both sides of the ball, he could have a monster season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='1739098' first='Derrell' last='Guy']</strong> DE/DT, 2028 - Guy will be an instrumental part of a defensive line that lost a bit of production from last season. He will be expected to produce at a high level as a sophomore and if he is able to do so, he will turn a few heads and begin to get a bit of recognition.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Zackary Gillcrese","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2028","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"2406","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Lewisville","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-687459a94992f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Along with the previously mentioned Guy, Gillcrese will step into a big role on the defensive line as a sophomore. He could be a big part of what could be a fourth straight 10-win season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->