The Lewisville High football team will be young, but deep and talented this year

The Lewisville Lions are looking to get back on the winning track this fall.

Leon Boulware has taken the reins of the program, and he is very optimistic about his team’s chances of improvement.

“We started building relationships back in January, and our numbers are up this year,” Boulware said. “We are a young team, and we have worked very hard to be a better team this fall.”

The region the Lions play in will be tough, and the new head coach knows it.

“Every team in this region is good, and it looks like they will all be improved from a year ago,” Boulware said. “We are looking forward to the challenge that the region will present this year.”

Sophomore Zach Rogers and freshman Jordan Strong are competing for the quarterback spot. Despite their youth, they both have excellent skills.

“They both understand our system,” the coach said. “The competition between them will make both of them and our team better.”

Sophomore Damion Fee and junior Jakari Strong are the top running backs. They will provide leadership for the backfield.

“We will have good overall speed at the running back spot,” Boulware said. “We just need to keep working to put everything in place there.”

Sophomore De’Adrian Robinson and junior Denari Garcia are the leaders of the receiving corps.

“I am excited about our entire receiving group,” Bouleware. “They are the most athletic group on the team, and they understand how to read the coverages, run a good pass route, and catch the ball.”

The offensive line will be led by a trio of returning starters. Seniors Tyler Nunoo and Tyler Barnes and junior Cade Foster are the anchors.

“We should be really good up front this year, “ Boulware said. “That group has the most experience of any group on the offensive side of the ball.”

The line is the strongest part of the Lions’ defense.

Senior Jaymes Gillcrese, and juniors Trey Smith, Montre Fletcher and KJ Davis are the returning starters there.

“That group is really looking good so far,” Boulware said. “They are very aggressive, and their experience from a year ago should give us an edge on defense.”

Senior Joaquan Howze and freshman Daquan Evans are the top linebackers.

“They have good speed, and they are versatile,” the coach said. “They are very athletic, and they can play the run as well as the pass. They are good leaders for our linebacking corps.”

Sophomore RiQuarius Harris and senior Drue Shipman are being counted on to be the top performers in the secondary.

“The defensive backs are a solid group,” Boulware said. “They worked hard this summer, and they are getting better as a group. They understand all of the coverage packages that we will use.”

The kicking will be handled by Marcel Fee and Jackson Stone, who are a pair of soccer players. They are working every day to improve their skills.

Boulware said the Lions will use only three players both ways -- Jordan Strong, Zach Rogers, and Joaquan Howze.

“We can give them a break from time to time during the game,” Boulware said. “All three of these young men are excellent athletes.”

Depth and team speed look to be positives for Lewisville this year.

“We are two deep at every position, and we work every day to add to our depth with some of the young guys on the team,’‘ the coach said. “I am hoping that our overall team speed will cause some problems for our opponents.”

The key to improve on last year’s 3-6 overall record and an 0-4 region slate is three-fold.

“We have got to stay healthy,” said Boulware. “We have to be consistent, and we have to be disciplined in everything that we do.”