There's a lot of movement in District 16-5A. If not for Sulphur Springs' Greg Owens, Mount Pleasant's Corey Homer would be the elder statesman among the league's coaches.
"I'm only starting my fourth season here at home in Mount Pleasant, and I'm second in longivity," Homer said. "I love Mount Pleasant. I played here and I grew up here. This place means something to me, the players and the coaches. It's an honor to serve our community."
It was that kind of dedication that got the Tigers to the playoffs in 2016, and Homer is counting on similar effort this fall, since the graduation of 27 seniors has left the team a bit thin, particularly on defense where only one starter returns.
"Last year's group were freshmen when I got here; there departure creates opportunities for other kids and we look at it as a challenge," Homer said. "We're trying to get those kids identified and put in the right positions to give our team the best opportunity to be successful."
Homer is convinced there has been a carryover from last season, when the Tigers rebounded from early adversity to finish 3-3 in district and capture third place. Their reward was a first-round encounter with eventual state champion Highland Park.
"All of our skill kids are back on offense this year, but it's the first time we've had an entire offensive line graduate," Homer said. "That line did a wonderful job for us, but we've been impressed with the way kids have stepped up in the line, and there's a lot of competition. They're competing, and that's what we want. They have great attitude, and they're giving great effort."
Returning this fall for the Tigers are junior quarterback Josh Morris and junior running back Dorian Glinton. Morris has a stable of good receivers back in K.J. Cannon, Terrance Allen, Budy McGill and tight end Jashon Pogue.
Among the new linemen candidate are Austin Mitchell, Geovanni Araujo, Chris Clavel and Emmanuel Moreno.
Juan Ottino will see action at running back, while Kelvin Heath and Ian Williams add depth at receiver.
Obviously, defense will be the biggest concern.
"We're still trying to get kids in the right spots on defense," Homer said. "It's going to be trial and error. After our two scrimmages with Liberty-Eylau and Pleasant Grove we'll know a lot more, and where we need to get these kids. But we're fired up and ready to go."
Junior defensive back Shamour Hines is the only returner.
Homer is counting on Edher Oviedo, Rene Olguin, Juan Ottino, Jeremiah Roney and Daniel Landaverde contributing on defense. They're all returning lettermen.
There's a bunch of newcomers who could see considerable action, including freshmen Tylan Hines and Yhari Hudson. Hines plays running back and defensive back, while Hudson could factor into the secondary.
Juniors Quenton Toney and Steven Torres are fighting for jobs in the lines, while sophomores Tyke Fluellen and Jamarrian Brown are battling at linebacker and receiver, respectively.
"Things are changing in our league with so many new coaches; who know what's going to happen?" Homer said. "Everybody is getting their routines established, but we can't worry about that. All we need to worry about is ourselves, and if we can go out and execute our game plans, execute our assignments, that's what we're preaching. We're telling our kids you can, you, and the only person that can stop you is yourself.
"If we take care of our business we'll be in good shape."
QUICK FACTS
SCHOOL: Mount Pleasant
2016 RECORD: 3-7
HEAD COACH: Corey Homer
YEARS AT SCHOOL: 4
COACHING STAFF: NA
LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 27/22
STARTERS BACK: 6 offense, 1 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Josh Morris, RB Dorian Glinton, WR K.J. Cannon, WR, Terrance Allen, TE Jashon Pogue, RB/DB Shamour Hines
TOP NEWCOMERS: RB/DB Tylan Hines, DB Yhari Hudson, WR Jamarrian Brown, OL/DL Quenton Toney, OL/DL
Steven Torres, LB/RB Tyke Fluellen