The Mustangs of Northside Christian were in the postseason in 2015 thanks to many contributors on the team, but this season with a few “key” components missing due to graduation, they’ll need their number-one wearing the number three–aka Mr. Derrick Wright–to lead the way in an even bigger fashion in 2016.

Northside has virtually all of their weapons returning for one more season on offense, led by QB–and recent Purdue commit–Griffin Alstott. It’s Wright that has been Alstott’s favorite target the past two seasons and Wright has responded by leading the team in reception yardage during that time.

As a sophomore, Wright piled up 562 yards on 26 catches and five touchdowns–following that performance up with a 709 yard season as a junior on 46 receptions and was good for another five touchdowns. The 5-foot-9, 165-pounder also chipped-in with 18 tackles, an interception, six passes defensed, two caused fumbles and a recovery on the defensive side of the ball.

With the “key” losses due to graduation in the form of Josh Snead and Darius Williams, it will be imperative that Wright steps up his production in their absence. Particularly on the defensive side of things with the Mustangs being in pretty good shape in their wide receiving corps–even though that’s where Wright has shined the most.

Guys like Demetrius Jackson Jr and Kamen Wilmington–both juniors–plus sophomore Corey Yawn–can definitely give that offense some options in terms of scoring. Jackson was good for 600+ yards on 37 receptions while the 6-foot-1/185-pound Yawn was extremely efficient with eight receptions for 152 yards–but make no mistake about it–with the senior leadership that left the roster, it will be Wright’s responsibility to show-and-prove to the younger guys and upperclassmen alike how to help the team get it done.