Palestine’s Rebuilt Defense Faces an Immediate Test Against Seagoville
Seven returning starters give the Wildcats experience, but the losses up front and in the secondary open clear opportunities for the Dragons on Friday night.
Palestine opens the 2026 season Friday night against Seagoville with real experience returning on defense. New head coach Ty Robinson inherits seven returning starters on that side of the football as he begins rebuilding the program.
The challenge is obvious in last year’s results. Palestine allowed 446 points across 10 games in 2025, an average of 44.6 per contest. Seven opponents scored at least 40 points, including Chapel Hill with 72, Henderson with 66, and Kilgore with 55.
The Wildcats also lost several of their most productive defenders to graduation. That combination makes Palestine’s defense one of the biggest questions entering a matchup with a Seagoville offense that returns several proven playmakers.
The Strengths: Returning Defensive Leaders
Two proven tacklers give Palestine a foundation at linebacker.
Brumley led Palestine in tackles last season and earned second team All-District recognition at outside linebacker. He is the defender Seagoville must account for whenever the Dragons run the football.
As a sophomore, Buckleair finished second on the team in tackles per game. He gives Palestine another young, experienced linebacker who tackles well in space.
| Player | Games | Tackles | Tkl / Gm | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamarcus Brumley | 9 | 67 | 7.4 | 3 TFL, 2nd Team All-District OLB |
| Elliot Buckleair | 9 | 59 | 6.6 | 39 solo tackles |
| Combined | N/A | 126 | N/A | N/A |
That experience matters directly against Seagoville. The Dragons return quarterback Kollin Williams, who rushed for 650 yards in six games last season while averaging eight yards per carry. Palestine cannot allow Williams and Seagoville’s other runners to consistently reach the second level with space, which means Brumley, Buckleair and the rest of the linebacker group will have to tackle well in open field.
The Losses: Production That Must Be Replaced
Palestine’s most disruptive defenders from 2025 are gone.
Applewhite was easily Palestine’s most productive pass rusher. No other returning defender recorded more than one sack last season, leaving an open question about where pressure will come from in 2026.
Martin was Palestine’s only first team All-District selection in 2025, earning the honor at cornerback. His departure removes the Wildcats’ top cover defender.
Brooks’ departure alongside Martin removes two experienced defensive backs from a secondary now preparing to face proven Seagoville receivers.
Obrigbo’s snaps and disruption up front also need to be replaced by returning players or new contributors along the defensive line.
| Player | Position | 2025 Production | Honor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cason Applewhite | DE | 6 sacks, 8 TFL, 5 hurries | 2nd Team All-District |
| S’Vioarean Martin | CB | N/A | 1st Team All-District |
| Don Brooks | S | 1 interception | Honorable Mention |
| Excel Obrigbo | DL | 48 tackles, 4 TFL, 1 sack | N/A |
The Secondary Rebuild
Ashton Cook returns as the most proven piece on the back end.
Cook may be one of Palestine’s most valuable players because of his versatility. He has played quarterback, defensive back and other offensive roles during his varsity career. Jayden Oliver, Deaundre Turner and Mikah Tanksley also return with defensive experience, giving Robinson’s staff pieces to build around even after losing Martin and Brooks.
| Player | Position | 2025 Interception | 2026 Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cason Applewhite | DE | 1 | Departed |
| Don Brooks | S | 1 | Departed |
| Ashton Cook | S | 1 | Returning |
Palestine produced only three interceptions as a team last season, and two of those three players are now gone. That makes takeaways another area where Robinson will want improvement. A rebuilding defense does not have to dominate every possession if it can create turnovers and give its offense extra opportunities, and that becomes especially important against a Seagoville quarterback in Williams, who threw only one interception in six games last season while completing 57 percent of his attempts.
Where Seagoville Can Attack
Attack the Front
Palestine lost its leading pass rusher and several productive front seven defenders. Williams gives the Dragons a difficult problem because Palestine must defend both the designed running game and the quarterback keep. If linebackers commit too heavily to the running backs, Williams can keep the football; if they focus on Williams, Seagoville can attack elsewhere.
Attack the Secondary
Palestine must replace its first team all district cornerback and another experienced defensive back. Seagoville returns James Roberts, who caught 23 passes for 314 yards and four touchdowns last season. If the Dragons establish the run first, opportunities could open downfield.
Ty Robinson Brings a Defensive Background
Robinson has extensive defensive coaching experience and previously served as Palestine’s defensive coordinator from 2010 to 2013. He knows the program and has spent decades coaching Texas high school football. Friday will be the first chance to see exactly what Robinson and his staff have installed with this group, and it would be a mistake to assume Palestine simply lines up and plays as it did last season with new terminology and potentially different responsibilities in place.
Palestine’s defense has enough returning experience to improve. Brumley gives the Wildcats a proven linebacker, Buckleair produced heavily as a sophomore, Cook brings experience and athleticism to the secondary, and seven starters return overall.
But the weaknesses cannot be ignored. This is a defense that surrendered 44.6 points per game last season and lost its leading pass rusher, first team all district cornerback and several other productive defenders. That puts considerable pressure on Robinson’s new staff to produce immediate improvement.
For Seagoville, the formula should be straightforward: establish the running game, make Palestine defend Kollin Williams as both a runner and a passer, test the rebuilt defensive front, then challenge a secondary replacing significant experience.
