Several area high school football programs will participate in preseason scrimmages on Thursday, providing coaches with their first opportunity to evaluate players against live opponents since last season concluded. The games serve as a critical step for teams navigating offseason changes and roster transitions.
Celina ISD will host Coppell at Bobcat Field at 7 p.m. The Bobcats hired Marc Bindel as head coach this offseason and chose not to hold spring football, opting instead for two scrimmages before their Aug. 28 opener against Legacy School of Sport Sciences.
After an exhibition win over Fort Worth Brewer, Celina faces a tough test against Coppell, which enters the year ranked No. 12 in the state following a 10-2 record and a regional semifinal appearance last season.
Celina must replace its entire starting defense from its previous state semifinal run while facing Coppell quarterback Carter Zingelmann, a junior rated among the top prospects in the Class of 2028. On offense, senior running back Evan Koehne will lead a young unit that needs to find rhythm against a strong Coppell defensive line.
Prosper ISD travels to Wilkerson-Sanders Memorial Stadium for a 7:30 p.m. scrimmage against Rockwall-Heath. The two districts have met in non-district play each of the past two seasons, with Prosper winning both contests, including a 45-27 victory in Rockwall last year.
Prosper returns just three starters on each side of the ball after an 11-2 season and regional semifinal appearance. The Eagles are rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines, positions where they have historically excelled. Rockwall-Heath faces similar challenges, having lost all but one offensive line starter, but they have hired Allen alum Casey Dick as head coach.
The Hawks also return experienced quarterback Prosper Neal, who will challenge an inexperienced Prosper defense.
