Seagoville Dragons Travel to Palestine for a Season Opener Full of Unknowns
A proven Seagoville offense meets a rebuilt Palestine program in Ty Robinson’s debut as head coach.
By Merv Moore • Shop in Seagoville • August 27, 2026
The 2026 season opens Friday night with two programs arriving from very different places. Seagoville returns from a season that included a playoff appearance and brings back several of its most productive offensive players. Palestine enters with a new coaching staff and considerably more optimism than its record last season would suggest.
Seagoville should hold the personnel advantage and the more established offensive identity. Palestine counters with home field, a large group of returning starters, and a scheme nobody outside the program has seen yet under new head coach Ty Robinson. Friday night will start to answer those questions.
Game Information
|
Aug 28
Date
|
7:30 PM
Kickoff
|
Palestine, TX
Location
|
0-0
Both Teams
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Seagoville Brings Proven Weapons Into the Opener
Seagoville already knows what its top players can do against varsity competition. That experience is the strongest argument for the Dragons on Friday night.
| Player | Position | 2025 Production |
|---|---|---|
| Kollin Williams | Senior, QB/RB | 650 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns on 81 carries in 6 games (about 8 yards per carry); 32 of 56 passing for 437 yards and 4 touchdowns |
| James Roberts | Senior, WR | 23 receptions for 314 yards and 4 touchdowns |
| Rickey Wilkins Jr. | Skill Player | Explosive threat as both a runner and a receiver |
Devionte Smith adds value on both sides of the football, while veteran linemen Davien Rucker and Josiah Royal give Seagoville experienced size up front. The Dragons do not need to invent an offensive identity Friday night. Their challenge is turning existing talent into consistent execution from the opening possession.
Palestine’s Offense Has More Experience Than the Record Suggests
Palestine scored just 155 points last season, but the Wildcats return 9 offensive starters, making this group potentially more dangerous than last year’s numbers indicate.
London Brown, Junior
Contributed at quarterback, running back, and receiver last season. Palestine’s second leading rusher and team leader with 5 total touchdowns.
Ashton Cook
Brings varsity quarterback experience and enough versatility to line up at other offensive spots.
Palestine used multiple quarterbacks in 2025, and Robinson has not publicly revealed how Brown, Cook, and the rest of the returning skill players will be deployed. The biggest personnel question is replacing graduated running back Braylon Beckworth, who accounted for 643 rushing yards last season. Returning All-District honorable mention linemen Braelan Johnson and Akwasi Danso give the offensive front some continuity.
Defensive Keys on Both Sidelines
Seagoville Must Control the Unknown
Season openers are difficult for defenses because there is no current season film, and that is magnified against a new Palestine scheme. Veterans Diego Ayala and Josiah Royal give the Dragons experience near the line, while Smith adds returning experience in the secondary.
Priority one: stop the run and force long down and distance situations.
Palestine’s Defense Faces the Bigger Test
Palestine allowed 446 points across 10 games last season, an average of 44.6 points per game, with 7 opponents scoring at least 40. Senior linebacker Jamarcus Brumley returns after recording 67 tackles and earning second team all district recognition.
Palestine also lost leading pass rusher Cason Applewhite, who recorded 6 sacks, along with first team All-District cornerback S’Vioarean Martin.
Players to Watch
Seagoville Dragons
Kollin Williams
Forces Palestine to defend the entire backfield as both a runner and a passer.
James Roberts
An established target against a Palestine secondary replacing significant experience.
Rickey Wilkins Jr.
Another explosive option that keeps defenders from focusing only on Williams.
Diego Ayala
Senior defensive end tasked with disrupting Palestine before its skill players reach open space.
Josiah Royal
Size and experience in the trenches on both sides of the football.
Palestine Wildcats
London Brown
Can run, throw, or catch, making his alignment before every snap important for Seagoville.
Ashton Cook
Athleticism and quarterback experience make his usage one of the night’s key storylines.
Jamarcus Brumley
Palestine’s leading returning defender with 67 tackles last season.
Braelan Johnson
Experienced lineman who also contributes defensively.
Akwasi Danso
Returning honorable mention All-District lineman facing a Seagoville front that will attack early.
Path to Victory
Seagoville Wins If
- The Dragons control the line of scrimmage and establish the run early.
- Seagoville avoids turnovers and special teams mistakes that could energize the home crowd.
- The defense forces Palestine to sustain full drives rather than surrender explosive plays.
- Seagoville attacks a rebuilt Palestine secondary once the run game takes hold.
Palestine Wins If
- The Wildcats turn the game into a full four quarter fight and create early doubt.
- Palestine forces turnovers to offset Seagoville’s offensive advantage.
- Brown and Cook find room to operate in space.
- The defense shows immediate improvement after last season’s struggles.
The Biggest Question: How Different Is Palestine?
Last year’s Wildcats finished with a record of 1-9 and serious defensive problems. This year’s team has a new coach who produced a 7-win improvement in his only season at Crawford, 16 returning starters, and a full offseason to reshape the program. Those factors matter, but they do not automatically close the gap between where Palestine finished last season and where Robinson wants the program to go. Seagoville represents an immediate and meaningful test of that progress.
Final Score Prediction
Seagoville 35, Palestine 17
Palestine begins the Ty Robinson era with visible improvement. Seagoville begins 2026 showing why the Dragons should expect more than simply returning to the playoffs.
