The worst season to date in the win column proved to the best on the field for the Midlothian Heritage Jaguars football team in 2019.
The Jaguars, who began varsity play four years ago, finished 9-5 and reached the Class 4A Division I state quarterfinals (fourth round). While it is the fewest victories in their short history, they advanced deeper in the postseason than any previous Jaguars squad. It has been a very successful playoff history.
In their first season of varsity play, 2016, the Jaguars finished 11-2 and reached the third round of the playoffs. The next year they were 12-1, followed by 11-2 again in 2018, and making the third round each season.
Heritage and Lancaster reached the state quarterfinals
Heritage was one of two area teams to reach the state quarterfinals in their respective classification. Lancaster (11-3) advanced that far in 5A Division I. Meanwhile, Red Oak (11-2) reached the third round in 5A Division II, while DeSoto (9-3) and Cedar Hill (9-3) each reached the second round in 6A.
The team to advance the farthest was the Duncanville Panthers (15-1), who once again finished as the Class 6A Division I state runners-up, falling 31-17 to Galena Park North Shore, the same team that defeated them in the finals on a last-second Hail Mary pass in 2018.
Heritage rebounds
After eight games, the Midlothian Heritage Jaguars stood 4-4 overall and 2-1 in District 9-4A Division I. The district loss, the only one they’d have in league play, was by forfeit after they defeated Crandall 23-7 on the field.
That loss cost the Jaguars the district championship, but it might very well have propelled them to five straight victories and their best season yet. Also a tough pre-district slate that included perennial powers Kennedale, Decatur, Stephenville and LaVega helped, head coach Lee Wiginton said.
“We always structure our season the same way. We are going to try to play the toughest non-district schedule we can find to help prepare us for the best teams in the state that we hope to face in the playoffs,” Wiginton said. “I feel that was the case with this team. Many new starters jumped into an incredibly tough non-district schedule and showed tremendous growth through that competition.”
Heritage defeated Henderson, Navasota and Palestine in playoffs
Once in the playoffs, they defeated Henderson (37-30 in overtime), Navasota (26-14) and Palestine (28-0) before falling 24-7 to Carthage, which went on to win its second state championship in three years.
Wiginton, the only coach in Heritage history, said he knew this season would be a challenge after losing a senior class that had gone 34-5 in three years. But he also knew a tradition had been started and that other players were ready to add their mark.
“Our expectations were to find a way to improve on the previous success. Specifically, our goals were to get beyond the third round of the playoffs,” he said.
The Jaguars will graduate their offensive and defensive leaders, including quarterback Cade Sumbler (2,582 passing yards, 33 TD, 13 int., 513 yards, TD rushing), running back LaTray Miller (844 yards, 7 TD), receiver Jay Wilkerson (77 catches, 1,262 yards, 18 TD, district MVP), and linebacker Konnor Jones (146 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, district Co-Defensive MVP), they return ample talent and optimism for continued success.
Midlothian Heritage Jaguars return 14 starters
Six offensive starters are set to return, all of who will be seniors, running back Cullen Stone (843 yards, 12 TD rushing, 25 catches, 232 yards, 2 TD receiving), receivers Hayden Wiginton (52 catches 786 yards, 7 TD), Daelin Rader (23 catches, 331 yards, 5 TD) and linemen Carson Walker, Colby James and Nathan Stephens.
Eight defensive starters are back, including seniors-to-be lineman Travis Buckley (51 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 3 sacks), linebackers Scott Ellis (48 tackles), D’Angelo Freeman (81 tackles, 22 for loss, 11.5 sacks) and Noah Gray (135 tackles, 8 for loss), and defensive backs Jaydon Hogg (20 tackles) and Carter Wilkerson (35 tackles). Also back are juniors-to-be linebacker Ben Eskins (29 tackles, 4 sacks) and Greg Johnson (73 tackles, 2 interceptions).
“We once again lose a very talented group of seniors that would certainly appear to be impossible to replace. We also have a group of guys chomping at the bit to either fill the spots left from the graduating class or win the spot away from one of these returners,” Wiginton said. “This will be an exciting and competitive off-season leading up to the 2020 football season.”
AREA FOOTBALL RECAP
Duncanville Panthers: 15-1, 6A Division I state runners-up.
Lancaster Tigers: 11-3, 5A DI quarterfinals.
Midlothian Heritage Jaguars: 9-5, 4A DI quarterfinals.
Red Oak Hawks: 11-2, 5A DII third round.
DeSoto Eagles: 9-3, DI second round.
