Second-year De Leon coach Andrew Dickson accepted the challenge of retooling the DHS football program last year in the wake of a massive talent exodus. 
Graduation had claimed multiple All-Big Country Preps players in quarterback Kevin Yeager, receiver Chris Cox, linebackers Tony Evans and Bray Tovar and defensive back Eli Gilmore, among others.
Nonetheless, Dickson led his club to a 4-8 finish under a new wing-T system — overcoming a 1-4 start to push two rounds deep into the playoffs.
The 2020 season, however, will offer its own set of challenges. The biggest of these will be a serious lack of experience, with only seven lettermen back after 12 seniors were handed their diplomas.