DALLAS — Snapshots of players, coaches and teams to watch as another high school football season begins Aug. 28.

COACHES: JAYDON MCCULLOUGH, PLANO

Longtime assistant takes reins at one of state’s storied programs

Jaydon McCullough is fully aware of what is expected of head coaches at Plano.

McCullough, who was named Plano’s coach in the spring, played for the Wildcats under Tom Kimbrough and had been an assistant at the school since 1993.

He becomes just the fourth head coach there since 1959, and the previous three have won state titles.

McCullough replaces Gerald Brence, who is now the athletic director for the Plano Independent School District.

“It’s just an awesome responsibility,” McCullough said. “A lot of pressure comes with it. There are high expectations here. I see it as an opportunity. That’s the way I have to approach it.”

The Wildcats narrowly missed the chance to play for an eighth state title last season. Class 5A Division I champ Euless Trinity defeated Plano 30-27 in double overtime in the semifinals.

McCullough will have a returning trio of offensive standouts to build around in running back Rex Burkhead (1,768 yards, 29 TDs rushing), quarterback Carson Meger (3,342 yards, 23 TDs passing) and receiver Kris Lott (1,127 yards, nine TDs receiving).

“They’re such competitors,” McCullough said. “I expect for them to perform, and they’ll do it in such a way that it will be fun and exciting.”

OTHERS TO WATCH:

— Joseph Gillespie, Stephenville: Longtime Yellow Jackets assistant and first-year coach will have to find a way to replace eight defensive starters.

— Eddy Peach, Arlington Lamar: One win from becoming fifth coach in state history to record 300 wins.

— Darrell Jordan, La Marque: After guiding Dallas Kimball to the playoffs seven straight seasons, Jordan is the third different coach for the Class 4A power in three seasons.

— Jerry Vance, Liberty Hill: His Panthers have won 24 straight and are looking for their third straight title in Class 3A.

PLAYERS: GARRETT GILBERT, LAKE TRAVIS

UT commitment looks to add another state title in closing act

Chad Morris wasn’t around to see Garrett Gilbert set any state passing records or carry his team in the state title game last season.

The first-year head coach at Lake Travis has coached good quarterbacks in previous stops at Bay City and Stephenville. So even though Morris has spent limited time with the Texas-bound Gilbert, he knows he has something special.

“It’s easy to tell he has a great field presence,” Morris said. “He’s got those intangibles great quarterbacks have that are hard to put into words.”

As a junior, Gilbert threw for a single-season state record 4,827 yards — a mark previously held by Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell.

The son of former NFL quarterback Gale Gilbert capped off the run with 357 passing yards in leading Lake Travis past Dallas Highland Park in the Class 4A Division II final.

Garrett Gilbert looks to cap his high school career with a second state crown. He’ll have plenty of help offensively with the return of 1,000-yard rusher Chris Aydam, 1,000-yard receiver Cohl Walla and OL Paden Kelley, who is another Texas commitment.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

— Jamarkus McFarland, Lufkin: The 6-foot-3, 285-pound DT is considered one of the top recruits in the state after registering 18 tackles for loss and six sacks as a junior.

— Russell Shepard, Cypress Ridge: The dual-threat QB had 2,000 total yards and a combined 26 touchdowns rushing and passing last season.

— Chris Whaley, Madisonville: All-State RB in 2007 rushed for 2,119 yards and 28 TDs as a junior.

— Garrett Porter, Odessa Permian: All-State OL anchors the line for a Permian offense that averaged 43 points and 428 yards per game in 2007.

TEAMS: BROWNWOOD

Lions adjusting to life in new neighborhood

When the University Interscholastic League realigned Brownwood to Class 3A in the spring, the drop down from 4A was met with reluctance by the community’s fervent fan base.

“Everyone doesn’t always understand how all that reclassification works,” Brownwood coach Steve Freeman said. “We don’t check a box to tell UIL where we want to be. Sometimes there is a sentimental mentality that connects with change. And this was no different.”

Brownwood, which has won seven state titles, played the past several seasons as one of the smallest schools in Class 4A. Freeman said the new classification will present just as many challenges.

“We’ve been real hesitant to term it as a move down,” Freeman said. “It almost sounds like a hit to 3A. There are great programs in 3A.”

The Lions will see some of the old and new in their non-district schedule.

Brownwood plays former 4A rival Stephenville on Sept. 12 and two-time defending 3A champion Liberty Hill the next week.

OTHERS TO WATCH:

— Euless Trinity: Defending Class 5A Division I champs looking for third state title in four seasons.

— Alto: Two-time defending Class 1A Division I champ has 28-game winning streak.

— Celina: Shooting for ninth state title after winning 3A Division II crown in 2007.

— Wichita Falls Rider: With star QB Shavodrick Beaver, Rider is a 4A favorite and could bring the first state title to Wichita Falls since 1969.