Seagoville’s offense enters 2026 with several established playmakers and experienced linemen. The defense does not have the same luxury.
Graduation removed some of the Dragons’ most productive defenders from last season, leaving head coach Gordon Booker II and defensive coordinator Omardrick Douglas with one of the program’s most important preseason jobs: rebuilding a unit that must improve if Seagoville is going to climb the District 5-5A Division II standings.
Who Seagoville Lost
- Darryl Donahue — leading tackler, top pass rusher
- Jderek Anderson — top playmaker in the secondary
- Twone Long — experienced presence along the defensive front
Those departures matter because the Dragons were already searching for greater consistency on defense.
Seagoville allowed 370 points across an 11 game season last year and faced several offenses capable of turning games quickly once momentum shifted. Replacing last season’s seniors is only part of the challenge. The new group also has to be better.
Josiah Royal Gives the Front an Anchor
Royal should be one of the most important returning defenders. The senior lineman already has varsity experience on both sides of the ball and contributed as a pass rusher last season, and at roughly 270 pounds, he gives Seagoville size in the middle along with real varsity snaps already under his belt.
Royal earned first team all-district recognition on offense last year, but his defensive role could carry just as much weight this season.
Seagoville needs someone up front who can demand attention, help control the run, and keep opposing offenses from reaching the second level untouched. Royal is the most obvious candidate.
Diego Ayala Has a Chance to Lead
Ayala is another senior who could take on a much larger role. He returns with experience at defensive end and offensive tackle and earned second team all district recognition on defense last season.
With Donahue and Long gone, Seagoville needs an experienced edge defender to provide stability.
Ayala does not have to match another player’s statistical line. What the Dragons need is dependable, repeatable play: setting the edge against the run, creating pressure when it is available, and helping younger defenders line up correctly.
Linebacker Is the Biggest Question
This may be the largest personnel gap on the defense. Seagoville lost significant experience from the middle of the unit, and the current preseason roster does not offer an obvious one for one replacement.
Jayln Beauchamp has experience at outside linebacker, and several younger players could work their way into the rotation.
Devionte Smith also brings defensive experience and could take on a larger role there depending on how much Seagoville uses him offensively.
The group will be tested immediately. Poteet brings an explosive young passing attack, Samuell returns experienced offensive players, Wilson has a proven running threat, and South Oak Cliff presents an entirely different level of physical challenge.
Seagoville cannot afford prolonged uncertainty in the middle of its defense.
Finding a Playmaker in the Secondary
Anderson’s graduation leaves another clear opening. The Dragons need someone capable of turning defended passes into takeaways and stopping explosive plays before they become touchdowns.
Francis Perkins and Devionte Smith both have defensive back experience, and Andrew Hernandez has also been listed at cornerback.
The open question is how those players will be used while also filling offensive roles, a balancing act that is common at the high school level but still requires careful management.
Seagoville needs its best athletes on defense without wearing them down before they can contribute on offense.
Younger Dragons Will Have to Play
There is no realistic path for Seagoville to rebuild this defense using only established seniors.
The current preseason roster includes a substantial group of juniors and sophomores, meaning several younger players are likely to see meaningful defensive snaps regardless of whether they open the year as starters.
That creates uncertainty, but it also creates opportunity. Every season produces a few players who were barely mentioned in August and become important by October, and Seagoville needs that pattern to repeat on defense.
If two or three younger Dragons emerge quickly, the unit could develop faster than preseason expectations suggest.
Booker’s Defensive Background Helps
One factor working in Seagoville’s favor is Booker’s own coaching history. Before becoming the Dragons’ head coach in 2024, he served as North Forney’s defensive coordinator, and Dallas ISD lists him with 19 years of coaching experience.
Douglas now runs the defense day to day, but Booker understands exactly what this side of the ball needs. The challenge is less about identifying the problems than finding the players to solve them.
Defense Could Determine the Ceiling
Seagoville does not need to become the best defensive team in the district to reach the playoffs. It needs to become more dependable.
The offense should be capable of producing points on its own with returning backs, receivers, and offensive linemen, which means the defense’s job is not necessarily to dominate every opponent.
It has to create harder possessions, force punts, limit explosive plays, and give the offense a chance to play with favorable field position.
Royal and Ayala provide a starting point up front, while Beauchamp, Perkins, and Smith add experience elsewhere. What develops around them remains the biggest unknown of Seagoville’s preseason.
If those answers come quickly, the Dragons could have enough balance to challenge for another playoff berth.
If the defense struggles through another season of major breakdowns, even an experienced offense may not be enough to overcome the district’s better teams.
