It’s the United States of America’s 250th birthday.
High school football season starting is like a birthday present to East Texas.
So to commemorate both occasions, The Zone has compiled a list of 250 items that represent East Texas football’s past and present.
The list will be broken down into multiple categories. The list is in no particular order.
ALL-TIME NAMES
Hercules Tarver (twice), Paul Pewitt (1990s)/Pine Tree (2021)
Believe Aghedo, Kilgore College
Prophet Hishaw, Kilgore College
Saint Slemmons, Lone Oak
Lucky Luther, Brownsboro
Excel Obrigbo, Palestine
Gunner Money, Union Hill
Trigger Crocker, Simms Bowie
Willie Nelson, Longview
Syncere Cleaver, West Rusk
General Booty, Tyler Junior College
Tuff Arozamena, Van
Espn Blyton, Paris Chisum
Dude West, Centerville
Wrigley Roberts, Union Grove
A’Million Johnson, Lindale
Racer McCullough, Mabank
Champ Bailey, Paul Pewitt
Winky Williams, De Kalb
Lion Felder, Hallsville
TOP GAMES
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21. John Tyler 48, Plano East 44, 1994 playoffs
22. Jacksonville 84, Nacogdoches 81, 12OT, 2010
23. Gilmer 41, Gladewater 35, 2014 playoffs
24. Castroville Medina Valley 21, Daingerfield 13, 1984 Class 3A Championship
25. Carthage 13, Graham 12, 2009 Class 3A Division II Championship
26. Lufkin 52, Tyler Lee 49, OT, 2015 (Lee led 42-3)
27. Longview 43, Waco Midway 42, OT, 2008 playoffs
28. Longview 45, Lufkin 37, 3OT, 2008
29. Marshall 35, Longview 28, 2 OT, 1998
COACHES
30. John King, Longview, 241-55 (2004-present), 1 state championship
31. Scott Surratt, Carthage, 250-31 (2007-present), 11 state championships
32. Jeff Traylor, Gilmer, 175-26 (2000-14), 3 state championships; current head coach at UTSA
33. Dennis Alexander, Hughes Springs/Daingerfield/Henderson/Harleton/Troup, 340-146-11 (1972-2015), 2 state championships
34. Allen Wilson, Paris/John Tyler/Dallas Carter, 246-90 (1983-2010), 2 state championships
35. Mike Owens, Port Arthur/Tyler Lee/Frankston, 196-137-2, (1982-2015) 1 state championship
36. Dickey Meeks, Chapel Hill/Pine Tree/Mount Vernon/Henderson/Pittsburg/Mount Vernon, 164-149-2 (1989-2016), 2 state championships
37. John Outlaw, Arkadelphia/Sherman/Lufkin, 303-87-4 (1979-2011), 3 state championships
38. Monte Jack Driskell, Groveton/Crockett/Lovelady, 272-99-9
39. Jamie Driskell, Malakoff, 181-40, 1 state championship
40. Mike Vallery, Kilgore/Ouachita Parish, 227-73-1, 2 state championships
41. Jack V. Murphy, Gladewater, 205-110-7
42. Ronald Bickham, Chilton/West Hardin/Bartlett/Rusk/Paul Pewitt/New Boston, 200-119-2, 2 state championships
43. Mal Fowler, Van/Canton, 197-135-8, 1 state championship
44. Andy Evans, East Chambers/Tatum, 185-70, 2 state championships
45. Kerry Therwanger, Perrin-Whitt/Lovelady/Timpson, 185-83-0, 1 state championship
46. Chad Morris, Eustace/Elysian Fields/Bay City/Stephenville/Lake Travis/Allen, 178-43, 3 state championships; former head coach at SMU and Arkansas
WINNING PROGRAMS
47. Longview, 799 wins, 2 state championships
48. Gilmer, 759 wins, 4 state championships
49. Lufkin, 745 wins, 1 state championship
50. Tyler High, 744 wins, 3 state championships
51. Carthage, 720 wins, 11 state championships
52. Texas High, 695 wins, 1 state championship
53. Daingerfield, 674 wins, 6 state championships
54. Van, 619 wins, 1 state championship
55. Alto, 615 wins, 2 state championships
56. Kilgore, 615 wins, 1 state championship
57. Henderson, 601 wins, 1 state championship
MASCOTS
58. Roughnecks (White Oak)
59. Lobos (Longview)
60. Rabbits (Atlanta)
61. Guard (Brook Hill)
62. Sandies (Grapeland)
LEGENDS (PRE-2000)
63. Earl Campbell, John Tyler
64. Y.A. Tittle, Marshall
65. Don Meredith Mount Vernon
66. Bobby Taylor, Longview
67. Billy Sims, Hooks
68. Jeb Blount, Longview
69. Lovie Smith, Big Sandy
70. Ken Houston, Lufkin Dunbar
71. Jeremiah Trotter, Hooks
72. Larry Centers, Tatum
73. Dee Mackey, Union Grove
74. Josh Scobee, Longview
75. Gary Baxter, John Tyler
76. Terrance Shaw, Marshall
77. Josh McCown, Jacksonville
78. Luke McCown, Jacksonville
79. Pete Lammons, Jacksonville
80. Toby Gowin, Jacksonville
81. Rickey Dudley, Henderson
82. Robert Newhouse, Hallsville Galilee
83. Jason Peters, Queen City
84. Rex Hadnot, Lufkin
85. Terrence Kiel, Lufkin
86. Nathan Vasher, Texas High
87. Winston Hill, Gladewater Weldon
88. Stanley Richard, Hawkins
89. Kynan Forney, Nacogdoches
90. Randy Grimes, Tyler Lee
91. Gary Jones, John Tyler
92. Chris Carter, John Tyler
93. Mike Clark, Longview
94. Bill Johnson, Tyler
95. Larry Strickland, John Tyler
96. Charlie Milstead, John Tyler
97. Rickey Watts, Longview
98. Loyd Phillips, Longview
99. Chubby Grigg, Longview
100. Tremain Mack, Chapel Hill
101. John Booty, Carthage
102. Audray McMillian, Carthage
103. Derrick Blaylock, Atlanta
104. Ted Thompson, Atlanta
105. Phil Epps, Atlanta
106. Ed Jasper, Troup
107. Todd Fowler, Van
108. Alvin Reed, Kilgore C.B. Dansby
109. Jerry Norton, Texas High
110. James Scott, Gladewater
111. Skip Butler, Gladewater
112. Bobby Cross, Kilgore
113. Travian Smith, Tatum
114. Chaun Thompson, Mount Pleasant
115. Barry Minter, Mount Pleasant
116. Maury Buford, Mount Pleasant
117. Thomas Everett, Daingerfield
118. David Whitmore, Daingerfield
119. Bill Bradley, Palestine
120. Terrence McGee, Athens
121. Barron Tanner, Athens
122. Joe Scott, Athens
123. Byron Hunt, White Oak
124. Mike Barber, White Oak
125. Sam Hunt, White Oak
126. Max McGee, White Oak
127. Roy Hopkins, Gilmer Bruce
128. T.J. Turner, Lufkin
129. Benny Barnes, Lufkin
130. Joe Robb, Lufkin
131. Greg Roberts, Nacogdoches
132. Grady Allen, Nacogdoches
133. Domingo Bryant, Garrison
134. Bobby Maples, Mount Vernon
135. Ramos McDonald, Liberty-Eylau
136. Willie Teal, Liberty-Eylau
137. Byron Williams, Liberty-Eylau
138. Jack Jenkins, Texas High
139. Doyle Nix, Texas High
140. Ike Forte, Texas High
141. Charlie Bradshaw, Center
142. Del Shofner, Center
143. McNeil Moore, Center
144. Joe Williams, Lufkin Dunbar
145. John Green, Arp
146. Keyuo Craver, Harleton
LEGENDS (SINCE 2000)
147. Patrick Mahomes, Whitehouse
148. Adrian Peterson, Palestine
149. Trent Williams, Longview
150. Aaron Ross, John Tyler
151. Dez Bryant, Lufkin
152. Matt Flynn, Tyler Lee
153. Brandon Pettigrew, Tyler Lee
154. Jorvorskie Lane, Lufkin
155. Reggie McNeal, Lufkin
156. Tyus Bowser, John Tyler
157. DeMarvion Overshown, Arp
158. Chris Ivory, Longview
159. Jamycal Hasty, Longview
160. Broderick Washington Jr., Longview
161. Travin Howard, Longview
162. Greg Ward, John Tyler
163. Jeremy Lane, John Tyler
164. Kendall Hunter, John Tyler
165. Tim Crowder, John Tyler
166. Beaux Limmer, Tyler Lee
167. Denzel Mims, Daingerfield
168. Kris Boyd, Gilmer
169. Denarius Moore, Tatum
170. Chris Johnson, Pine Tree
171. Drew Coleman, Henderson
172. Erik McCoy, Lufkin
173. Brandon Jones, Nacogdoches
174. LaMichael James, Liberty-Eylau
175. Ryan Mallett, Texas High
176. Kendre Miller, Mount Enterprise
177. Keke Coutee, Lufkin
178. Brandon Jones, Liberty-Eylau
179. Mike Montgomery, Center
CURRENT QUARTERBACKS
180. Kavian Bryant, Palestine Westwood
181. Trevor Golightly, Troup
182. Tre Hamilton, Longview
183. Cort Ray, Canton
184. DeJuan Johnson, New Diana
185. Colton Croft, Pine Tree
186. David Lindig, Lindale
CURRENT RUNNING BACKS
187. Cadarius McMiller, Tyler High
188. Rayshaun Williams, Kilgore
189. Arian Taylor, Liberty-Eylau
190. Nyree Castleberry, Winnsboro
191. Tayveon Horne, Gilmer
192. Brett Wells, Troup
CURRENT WIDE RECEIVERS
193. Jaden Hurndon, Longview
194. Trey Haralson, Tyler High
195. Maliek Brown, Chapel Hill
196. Reign Wallace, Daingerfield
197. Bosston Johnson, Pine Tree
198. Markel Morrow, Palestine Westwood
199. Kaden Bryant, Palestine Westwood
200. Tyler Johnigan, Kilgore
CURRENT TIGHT ENDS
201. Jaden Jeffress, Carthage
202. Von Lane, Tyler Legacy
203. Reed Carnathan, Lindale
204. Landon Cheatum, Mount Pleasant
205. Cole Schlueter, Brook Hill
CURRENT OFFENSIVE LINEMEN
206. Ismael Camara, Gilmer
207. Demarrion Brown-Johnson, Tyler Legacy
208. Sidney Rouleau, Brook Hill
209. Jayden Jackson, Longview
210. Vernon Pittman, Carthage
211. Jacob Gruagnard, Pine Tree
CURRENT DEFENSIVE LINEMEN
212. Kae’Den Franklin, Chapel Hill
213. Brock Norris, Spring Hill
214. Amarion Minter, Gladewater
215. Cam Beason, Lindale
216. Breon Williams, Marshall
217. Kedrid Smith, Pleasant Grove
218. Nehemiah Savage, Mount Pleasant
CURRENT LINEBACKERS
219. Lawson Tubb, Longview
220. Tyson Johnson, Longview
221. Markeithian Potts, Tyler High
222. Korbin Tomlinson, Jefferson
223. Ka’Trevion Muckleroy, Hallsville
224. Kendrelyn Quinsey, Tyler High
CURRENT DEFENSIVE BACKS
225. Staton Boone, Tyler Legacy
226. Ke’Rion Green, Chapel Hill
227. Lemarion Douglas, Jefferson
228. Rashaad Wofford, Pine Tree
229. Desmond Williams, Pine Tree
230. Destin Sheridan, Gladewater
231. Ja’coby Wilson, Athens
232. Carson Hawkins, Canton
CURRENT SPECIAL TEAMS
233. Christian Gomez, New Diana
234. Marvin Espinal, Tyler
235. Rudy Calderon, Winnsboro
236. Estevan Sandoval, Chapel Hill
CURRENT ATHLETES
237. Kam Brown, West Rusk
238. Kipton Neighbors, Gilmer
239. D’Marian Malone, Tyler Legacy
240. Sawyer Buske, All Saints
241. Jacaiden Davis, Longview
242. Jordyn McGowan, Jacksonville
NOTABLE RECORDS/STATISTICAL MARKS
243. Kaegan Ash, Mount Enterprise, 2002-25, 11,382 career rushing yards
244. Traylon Shead, Cayuga, 2006-09, 10,292 career rushing yards
245. G.J. Kinner, Canton/Gilmer, 2003-06, 11,762 career passing yards
246. Aaron (Poppy) Brown, Gilmer, 2016, 5,013 season passing yards
247. Jackson Sampson, New Diana, 2017, 4,873 season passing yards
248. Gilmer, 2014, 950 points scored in season
249. Eli Holt, Tyler High, 2021, 642 passing yards in game vs. Tyler Legacy
250. Patrick Mahomes, Whitehouse,, 2013, 619 passing yards in game vs. Mesquite Poteet