After making 2019 playoffs against odds, Lewisville football ready to ‘attack’ in 2020

As the camp phase of what has undoubtedly been Lewisville’s most unconventional summer practice period in school history wound down, Lions coach Will Mitchell stood in the school’s courtyard. Mitchell prepared his charges for the upcoming Labor Day weekend and the first practice in full pads.

It was a bit of a challenge to hear Mitchell’s instruction. The larger-than-usual group was spread out in a circle, due to the necessary social distancing protocols around the COVID-19 pandemic. That didn’t stop Mitchell from his usual brand of guidance and leadership.

Besides, if any group relishes a challenge, it’s his pride of Lions.

Turning point for Lewisville in 2019

Lewisville’s football fortunes changed October 25, 2019.

The Lions, 2-6 at the time and still without a victory in the 10 region games they had played since moving to the 2A classification in the 2018 realignment, went to the locker room at the half trailing North Central, 16-0. Lewisville had lost five starters due to injury the week prior, and the prospect of leaving Kershaw with a victory was grim, at best.

Yet that’s exactly what happened.

The Lions held the Knights scoreless in the second half and claimed a 24-16 victory. That win, combined with a 34-24 victory at Chesterfield the following week, put Mitchell’s team in the playoffs.

What changed?

“We came back (from the halftime break) with a new mindset,” said senior running back/wide receiver Deven McCrorey. “We never gave up. We just stuck with each other.”

“I guess we had just put up with so much stuff for that long,” added senior lineman Isaac Faulkenberry. “It (was) just like something snapped at that point, where it (was) like, ‘It’s time. We’ve gotta go. There’s no other way.’”

That confident mindset carried forward into the 2020 season, where the Lions will return to the familiar environs of Region 2-1A.

“We will look back at last year at the North Central game, when we had to play with only 18 kids, and Demetric Hardin was out, and (that was) as good a team victory as I’ve ever been a part of,” Mitchell said. “A lot of that confidence comes from that, and a lot of it comes from the work they’ve put in during the offseason.”

Key players for Lewisville football in 2020

The Lions lost some of the firepower from last year’s club, including the do-everything Hardin. The now-starting wide receiver at Middle Tennessee State played quarterback, wide receiver and seemingly everything but the public address announcer for the Lions. Hardin ran 147 times for 1,242 yards and 15 touchdowns and passed for 953 yards and seven touchdowns last season, including a 607-yard total offensive output in a contest against Buford.

Lewisville will attempt to replace some of that offense with junior quarterback Christian Yoder (6-1, 170 pounds), who has shown great promise despite battling injuries in his two seasons under center.

“I think he’s started six games in the past two years, due to injury,” Mitchell said of Yoder. “When he went out after two-and-a-half games last year, (he had) seven touchdowns throwing and three running already. What kind of year was he setting himself up for?”

Yoder will welcome back McCrorey and fellow senior Jayden Barnes as offensive weapons. Both played key roles last season and help comprise a nine-player group of seniors who now find themselves as leaders. Barnes and McCrorey relish their leadership roles, but they point to another in their senior class as a potential standout in the 2020 campaign.

“Will Stone, our linebacker,” said McCrorey of his breakout candidate.

“(He’s) one that’s really come a long way in developing himself,” added Mitchell of Stone. “He played a lot as a sophomore and got hurt. Last year, he played and was a little bit rustier and then got dinged up again. This year, he’s done some things to change his body.”

McCrorey and Faulkenberry also mentioned big expectations for junior defensive end/wide receiver D’Arrius Edwards and senior center Riley Alexander (5-11, 250 pounds).

“Riley’s one of those key players that we need, because he’s our strongest center that we have,” said Faulkenberry. “He’s always pushed himself.”

The returning Lions welcome an infusion of youth to the program. Mitchell will bring in his largest-ever freshman class — a group of 18 that is both familiar with each other and with winning.

“That’s a group that won a championship at the rec league level together and had some really good coaching at that level,” Mitchell said. “They just have a confidence with them because they’ve won. They attack and just work.

“In my 25 years of coaching, there’s always one guy who’s not (up to the level of expectations). You can’t find that in this group.”

Mitchell expects key contributions from each of his first-year players as they take the field alongside a group he sees as poised to capitalize on the lessons learned from the past two seasons.

‘I swear, it’s an honor’

Moments after the final practice before — finally — donning the pads again, Lewisville’s seniors paused for a moment when asked to sum up the chaotic last few months in one word.

“Life-changing,” opined Faulkenberry.

“It’s an honor,” added McCrorey. “I swear, it’s an honor.”

Whenever this unusual year reaches its end, the two hope to add one more word to describe their 2020 experience.

Champions.

2020 Lewisville high school football schedule

Sept. 25: CA Johnson (home)

Oct. 9: Great Falls (home)

Oct. 16: Lamar (away)

Oct. 23: McBee (away)

Oct. 30: Chesterfield (home)

Nov. 6: Whitmire (away)

Editor’s note: This story is one of 15 high school football previews The Herald will run prior to the first game of the regular season on Sept. 25. Look out for the next one to appear at heraldonline.com next week.

This story was originally published September 13, 2020 at 6:03 AM.