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Dallas-area Coach and Newcomer of the Year: Cedar Hill's Joey McGuire eyeing a repeat title; QB Brooks Burgin thrived at tradition-rich Highland Park

Coach of the Year

Cedar Hill’s Joey McGuire, after winning his second state championship earned his first SportsDayHS coach of the year honor for his team's 14-2 season in 2013.

In December 2002, McGuire was promoted by athletic director Gina Farmer from an assistant’s position into the head coaching job, despite being just 31 and part of a staff that had gone 5-15 over the past two seasons.

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Why? Cedar Hill administration presciently pointed to McGuire’s motivational skills as a key factor in his hiring. This season’s upset of Katy in the 5A Division II final might be McGuire’s best coaching performance yet, rallying his players from a 21-10 halftime deficit. Cedar Hill (14-2) scored 24 unanswered second-half points for a 34-24 win, giving McGuire two state titles and a 107-35 record in his 11 seasons.

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What's next?: Cedar Hill will shoot for three finals appearances in three seasons. Few teams in the state will return as much offensive firepower – including wide receiver DaMarkus Lodge, running backs Aca'cedric Ware and Denvre Daniels and quarterback Justin McMillan.

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Newcomer of the Year

Highland Park’s Brooks Burgin made his name known in 2013 after replacing Jet Tuma, who graduated the previous spring, and he went on to lead Highland Park to its deepest playoff run this decade.

About Burgin: The junior quarterback thrived after getting his first taste of varsity competition at tradition-rich Highland Park. The 6-1, 185-pound Burgin led the Scots to a 13-2 record and the state semifinals for the first time since 2007. Highland Park's only losses came against Aledo and Denton Guyer, both of which won state championships. He threw for 3,497 yards and 31 touchdowns, and he ran for 707 yards and 19 more scores.

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Highland Park won 13 games in a row behind Burgin, with a margin of victory at 31.6 points. Burgin is the fourth consecutive QB to win newcomer of the year, following Kenny Hill, Nathan Elliott and Kyler Murray.

What's next? Burgin will be back for his senior season and will have some key players returning around him. His two top receiving targets – Andrew Frost and Kevin Ken – combined for 75 receptions and 12 touchdowns as juniors.

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