T - Pigskin Preview

Transcription

T - Pigskin Preview

www.dqtexas.com
Blizzard, DQ and the ellipse shaped logo are trademarks of AM. DQ. Corp., Mpls., MN. ® Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off. TX. D.Q. Op. Coun. © 2007
Trinity Clinic
Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine
Our physicians are dedicated to providing quality and
compassionate health care. Services include:
• Physicians on call 24-hours a day
• Complete musculoskeletal care including:
• Sports Medicine
• Total Joint Replacement
• Fractures
• Orthopaedic Trauma
• Arthroscopy
• Carpal Tunnel
• Foot and Ankle
• On-site X-ray, Athletic Trainers and Physical Medicine
and Rehabilitation
For more information or to schedule an appointment,
please call (903) 510-8840.
Andrew R. Berkson, DO
Sports Medicine
Cathy Fieseler, MD
Sports Medicine
William R. Hobbs, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Roger L. McCown II, DO
Orthopaedic Surgeon
William F. Phillips III, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
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KLTV
1
Table of Contents
19-3A........................................ 52-55
TAPPS........................................... 4-9
Grace Community School, TK Gorman, All Saints, Brook Hill
12-5A.......................................... 9-20
Robert E Lee, John Tyler, Longview
Mesquite Schools
Common Shoulder Injuries.. ............. 11
At T he Hear t of Car diac Car e.......... 16
11-4A........................................ 22-24
Native Son, Adrian Peter son.. .......... 56
20-3A........................................ 57-59
Carthage, Center, Crockett, Diboll, Huntington,
Rusk
16-2A........................................ 60-62
Alba-Golden, Como-Pickton, Grand Saline,
Hawkins, Quitman, Winnsboro
17-2A........................................ 63-65
Lindale, Mount Pleasant, Paris, North Lamar,
Sulphur Springs, Texas High
Daingerfield, Hooks, Hughes Springs, Linden-Kildare, New Boston, Omaha Pewitt,
Queen City, Redwater
Sleep Your Way to Good Health....... 25
18-2A........................................ 65-69
12-4A........................................ 26-32
19-2A........................................ 69-72
Hallsville, Henderson, Jacksonville, Kilgore, Pine Tree, Marshall, Nacogdoches, Whitehouse
10-3A........................................ 33-36
Commerce, Emory Rains, Community, Quinlan Ford, Royse City, Wills Point
14-3A........................................ 39-44
Athens, Brownsboro, Bullard, Canton, Chapel
Hill, Van
Car diologist Ravinder B. Reddy, MD.... 44
15-3A........................................ 46-48
Gilmer, Gladewater, Gladewater Sabine, Spring
Hill, Mineola, White Oak
16-3A........................................ 50-51
Atlanta, Mt. Vernon, Pittsburg, Liberty-Eylau,
Pleasant Grove
Whether you are a defensive back or an offensive lineman, your teammates depend on you to play
your best. So when an injury puts you on the sideline, it’s important to get back in the game -
experience in taking care of elite athletes. Our team is dedicated to helping you get back in the game.
GET BACK IN
THE GAME
Sports Medicine
Cathy Fieseler, MD
Primary Care/Sports Medicine
Arp, Elysian Fields, Garrison, West Rusk, Tatum,
Timpson, Troup, Waskom
William R. Hobbs, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon/Sports Medicine
Blooming Grove, Corsicana Mildred, Frankston,
Italy, Kerens, Malakoff, Rice
Beckville, Joaquin, Mt. Enterprise, Overton, Price
Carlisle, Tenaha
21-1A........................................ 78-80
Andrew R. Berkson, DO
Big Sandy, Harmony, New Diana, Union Grove,
Harleton, Jefferson, Ore City, Winona
20-1A........................................ 74-76
MEET OUR TEAM:
as quickly as possible. That’s why Trinity Mother Frances Health System has built its Orthopaedic
and Sports Medicine team around some of the most highly trained physicians in Texas with years of
20-2A........................................ 72-74
Avoid Heat Illness.......................... 38
2
Fairfield, Groesbeck, Madisonville, Mexia,
Palestine, Westwood
Alto, Cayuga, Cushing, Grapeland, Cross Roads,
Oakwood
DON’T BE SIDELINED BY AN INJURY
To schedule an
appointment with a
Roger McCown II, DO
Trinity Clinic Orthopaedic
and Sports Medicine
physician, please call
(903) 510-8840.
For more information, visit our website at
William F. Phillips III, MD
3
New Changes for TK Gorman Crusaders
By Kevin Berns KLTV Sports Director
fter
A seven years of stability under head coach John Nasche, the TK
Gorman football team is entering its third season with a new man in
charge. Assistant coach Reggie Wilson takes over for George Cumby,
who left after one season to coach linebackers at TJC. And, despite
promoting from within, new systems offensively and defensively are
expected for 2007.
One thing is for certain. The Crusaders plan to run the ball. Wilson
is changing to a Pro-Set offense with an emphasis on the running game,
and Kevin Navetta will be the focus. The junior is the fastest player on
the team, and scored a majority of Gorman’s touchdowns in 2006 while
splitting time with Dane Holmes, who has since graduated.
“It is hard to stop him,” Wilson said of Navetta. “He’s got all the good
moves.”
With Holmes gone, junior starting linebacker Luke Molidor should see
more time on offense. Wilson says he’s a good blocker. Junior Max
Cogdill will also get some carries.
While the running game loses a couple of its best blockers in All-State
lineman Chris Brunson (TJC), and Ryan Jinright (TJC), three other
starters return. That group is led by the player receiving the most college
interest on this team, Garrett Mueck (6’1”, 280). Mueck will man one of
the tackle positions. Senior Jeff Klein (5’11”, 190) returns at guard, and
junior Hunter Sullivan (5’10”, 200) returns at center. The other guard
position will probably be junior Sam Cordaro (5’9”, 225), a good athlete
who didn’t play last year. Wilson says the other tackle position is still up
in the air.
The other returning starter on offense is junior wide receiver Alex
VanderVorste (6’2”, 175). He will be joined at wide out by a returning
defensive starter, junior Antonio Grahm. The Crusaders are trying to fill a big hole left at tight end by the departed
Michael Weeks. Wilson says junior Nick Brunson (6’1”, 175) is a
basketball player with good hands, who should be able to step in. Junior
Connor Streit (5’10”, 160) is also working at tight end, and should see a
lot of playing time.
This is where the question marks begin to fly on the offensive side of
the ball. Starting quarterback Scott Irwin has graduated, and a host
of talented athletes are lining up to take his place. Wilson says it’s
essentially a three player battle between senior Drew Russell, junior Riley
Floyd, and sophomore Alex Ferguson. Wilson is looking for a player who
4
can help relieve the pressure on the running
game with some timely passes. Riley, who
was the backup up on varsity and played
some JV last year, should enter the season as the starter. But, the lefty is
being pushed hard by Russell, who was the JV starter in his first year of
playing football last year. Ferguson is recovering from shoulder problems
suffered during the basketball season and will have a lot of ground to
make up. The summer 7-on-7 season and fall two-a-days will be key. Wilson hopes the new Pro-Set system can help improve the scoring for
a unit that produced just seven points over the final three games of the
2006 season. While the offense works to find their place, the defense will be relied upon
to carry the team.
“Our defense stepped up and saved us a lot last year,” Wilson said. “That
was our strength. I think it will be the same this year.”
TK GORMAN
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
9/1
Canton
9/7
Tenaha
at Brook Hill TBA
Home
7:30
9/14
Union Grove
Away
7:30
9/21
Mineola
Away
7:30
9/28
Open
10/5
Dallas Christian
Home
7:30
10/12
Parish Episcopal
Away
7:30
10/19
Dallas Shelton (HC)
Home
7:30
10/26
Dallas 1st Baptist
Away
7:30
11/2
Dallas Lutheran (Sr)
Home
7:30
“We had five kickers try-out in the spring,”
Wilson said, “and Paul dominated. He has a
very strong leg. We’re looking for some good
things from him.”
With all of the changes, and the quality of
competition in 5A, making the playoffs could
be considered a long shot. “Not so,” says
Wilson, who considers his team in the running
for a district title.
“Every team last year was all seniors,” Wilson
said. “We are one of the few district teams
with experience coming back.”
11/9 Prestonwood
“The nickel back will be responsible for pass
coverage, but will also be relied on to help stop
the run like a linebacker,” Wilson said. “Harris is very smart and versatile,
and can play the run, really, really well. He is very experienced with a lot
of playing time last year. He should be one of the biggest surprises this year.”
How quickly that experience adjusts to a new
coach and new systems will ultimately decide
if the Crusaders will make a fourth straight playoff run.
The kicking game was shaping up to be a big question mark, with both
kickers graduating. But now, it should be a strength, thanks to senior
soccer player Paul Schick (6’1”, 155), who will handle both the kicking
and punting duties.
Head Coach: Reggie Wilson (1st Year)
Away
TAPPS
TAPPS
New Coach,
As a result, Wilson is abandoning the 3-4 defense
favored by Cumby, for a formation that allows for
more defensive backs. He plans to put his fastest
two guys at linebacker, and thinks he has several
talented players in the secondary who can get
the job done. Junior Antonio Grahm returns at
corner, and sophomore Alex Ferguson returns at
free safety. Navetta and his speed should fit in
nicely at linebacker next to Molidor. The athletic
Brunson will split time at linebacker with Navetta. One of Wilson’s biggest reasons for optimism for
the secondary unit is junior Justin Harris, who will move from strong safety to the new, nickel
back position.
7:30
Mascot: Crusaders
Principal: Jim Franz Assistant Coaches: Larry Kemp
(OC/QB), Jarod Bitter (Asst. Head
Coach/RB/LB), Jimmy Wade (OL/
DL), Dontay Richardson (DB)
Starters Returning Offense: 5
Starters Returning Defense: 5
The Crusaders defense has a lot of players returning who saw action last
year, but they are also losing a heck of a lot of production. Linebacker
Michael Weeks and defensive back Marty Stocks combined for over 150
tackles in ’06. Stocks and fellow defensive back graduate Dane Holmes
accounted for nearly all the team’s interceptions. Brunson was a load up
front, and starting defensive back Carlos Grahm has transferred to Lee.
Fortunately for the Crusaders, their leading tackler, junior linebacker Luke
Molidor, is back to lead the way. “He is a tackling machine,” Wilson marveled. “He has been tabbed as
the leader of the defense.” Molidor recorded 109 tackles last year as a sophomore inside linebacker. That experience, along with another year of maturity, and off-season work
that has made him the strongest player on the team, should help solidify
the Crusaders run defense. It also doesn’t hurt having Mueck returning
at defensive tackle and Daniel Cline returning at defensive end. Senior
Jeff Klein (5’11”, 190), who split time at linebacker, defensive end and
defensive tackle last year, moves full-time into the other defensive end
position. Junior John Scarborough (6’0”, 185, 4.7) is a track guy with
good size and speed who should fit nicely at the other tackle position. The run defense shouldn’t be a problem. It’s the pass defense Wilson is
worried about. “Most of the teams tried to pass on us last year,” Wilson said. “That was
our weakness.”
continued next page
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® Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off. Tx. D.Q. Op. Coun. © 2007.
5
o understand the Grace football program, you have to know one position: T
Quarterback.
“There are a lot of things on the quarterback’s shoulders in this offense,”
explains head coach Mike Maddox, now in his second year with the Cougars. Maddox comes from the Jeff Traylor school of coaching in Gilmer, where
Maddox was the offensive coordinator for three years, including the 2004
3A Division II state championship. It’s quite simple. When the players enter
the program in 6th or 7th grade, they enter as a quarterback. They learn the
fundamentals of the position. Those who show promise, remain quarterbacks. The others are worked into the rest of the positions. By the time they reach the
varsity level, the quarterback group has been paired down to a select few. Of
that select few one will start at quarterback, the rest play wide receiver. Maddox
wasted little time implementing this system. In fact, at the end of the press
conference to announce his hiring last year, he asked all the football players
interested in playing quarterback to stick around so they could get started! Of
course, he had a great one to start with. Aaron Wesson had shown great
promise as a junior in the Cougars first year of football in 2005. Under Maddox,
he blossomed into a downright gun slinger last year, throwing for more than 1500
yards and nearly 20 TD’s. In the process, the Cougars went from a 1-7 team in
their inaugural 2005 season, to a 7-2 team last year. With Wesson now gone,
the quarterback position, and thus the Cougars season, isn’t as clear for 2007.
“We can’t look back over four or five years to see how they’ve been developing,
because it’s only their second year in the system,” Maddox said. “The 6th, 7th
and 8th graders are getting a lot of QB work.”
For the Cougars offense to be successful in 2007, Maddox knows they will have
to get the ball into the hands of Tucker Glaske. The senior is one of the best
6
athletes on the team, and started at wide receiver last year. But with Wesson
now gone, getting the ball to Glaske at wide receiver may prove more difficult. As a result, Maddox is developing two plans. Plan A: junior Ben Pinkston or
Sophomore Grant Ingram would start at quarterback. Pinkston is more of a
finesse player who is also an outside receiver. Ingram is a tough, hard-nosed
player who is more of a running quarterback, who does better on sprint out
passes. If one of them steps up and shows they can successfully get the ball to
Glaske, they will get the job. If not, then Maddox goes to Plan B: Put Glaske at
quarterback. All three got equal reps during the spring. “That’s what I like about the spring,” Maddox said. “You can teach them more
than one position.”
Maddox says Glaske shows a lot of leadership, and is a good enough athlete
that he could move into the QB spot pretty easily. That way, you guarantee
Glaske gets the ball in his hands. If that’s the case, the Cougars may find
themselves running the ball more than last year. That wouldn’t necessarily be
a bad thing. The running game became a two-headed juggernaut when wide
receiver Will Reneau joined Daniel Fraga in the backfield. They combined for
about 1500 yards rushing and 15 TD’s on the ground last year. Both are back
again this year, although Fraga is still recovering from a knee injury he suffered
during the soccer season. If he’s not ready to go by the start of the season,
Ingram could join Reneau at running back. Ideally, Maddox would like to be free
to move Reneau around on the field. He is just as dangerous catching the ball
as he is running with it, with over 1000 total yards last year. Senior Shannen
Smith, who had 7 TD receptions last year, is also a big receiving threat, if
someone can get him the ball. The front five needs to replace three starters who
graduated. Senior Aniekan Isong (6’0”, 200) returns at center, while junior
The Cougars best ally may be the school’s strong basketball program. No,
there aren’t any 4.4 or 4.5 guys on the field, but good basketball players have
good hand/eye coordination, which plays to the strengths of the spread attack
when you throw the ball around. Maddox admits, that kind of system is also a
lot of fun, and the kids are more apt to want to perform. “There isn’t a lot of size,” Maddox said about his front line, “but they can move.”
Maddox acknowledged that closing out the season with a 7-game winning
streak was fun, but it wasn’t the goal. The goal all along has been to slowly
build a program over the course of three years that would be ready to join
a TAPPS district for the 2008 season. He relishes the idea of working in
a Christian environment and teaching fundamentally sound football as a
tool to help boys grow into men. He knows the Cougars don’t have the size
or strength to play smash mouth football. They were able to win in 2006
because they could pass the ball. In 2007, the goal is to play the game the
right way; using leverage blocks, proper footwork, getting off blocks and
running to the ball, wrapping up when you tackle. If the Cougars can do that,
the wins should pour in again. Defensively, it’s a unit that returns five starters from a team that held opponents
to a respectable 15 points a game last year. But, the 2007 edition may have
to rely on several guys who have never played before. That’s typical with new
programs. The Cougars will run a basic, 50 defense, with a five man front, two
linebackers and four defensive backs. Linebacker Jon-Michael Hersey is the defensive leader. The senior will be
counted on to step up in the big games. He had a key interception last year
against All Saints that set up the Cougars second touchdown. Tucker’s brother,
junior Hunter Glaske, along with senior Michael Leavine, will try to fill the hole left
at the other linebacker position by the graduation of Ben Case.
As a unit, Maddox feels the defensive front should be a strength. Chris Lee and
Eddie Starkes will be the anchors. Lee returns at nose guard, while Starkes
mans a defensive tackle position. The other tackle position is a question mark. Senior Logan Ward is working there, but he’s new to the system. Maddox thinks
one of the offensive linemen will probably need to help out. Senior Ethan Hicks
and junior Nathan Woodward are rangy kids with good size. They’ll handle
defensive end duties. Maddox is working in senior Matt Bryson, who has never
played before.
Despite their youth and inexperience, Maddox seems pleased with his
secondary. Junior Kyle Childress returns as a starter, and the most experienced
member of this group. Maddox has three solid starters who are working hard
around Childress. Junior Ben Pinkston, sophomore Erik DeRoo and senior
Andrew Langford will be counted on for production. Langford, though, has never
played before.
Don’t be surprised to see Tucker Glaskie and Will Reneau play some defense. Both are difference makers who are capable of making the big play. Glaskie
returned a fumble 43 yards for a touchdown against Brook Hill, and Reneau
returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown against Oakwood.
TAPPS
TAPPS
Grace Cougars Look for
New Leader at Quarterback
Tyson Gleitz (5’10”, 220) returns at guard. Other than that, Maddox said, it’s
anybody’s guess who will play. Junior Eddie Starks (5’10”, 220) could move over
from the defensive side to help out as a two-way starter. Maddox rattled off six
more names who will get a shot, all of whom are young, many without any varsity
experience, and some who have never played the game before. Mascot: Cougars
School Enrollment: 250
Headmaster: Jay
Ferguson
Head Coach: Mike
Maddox (2nd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Michey Akin, Tom Alden,
Chris Brody, Coby Gipson, Mike Howell,
Scott Sessions
GRACE
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
@ Brook Hill
7:30
Frankston
Away
7:30
9/14
Alba-Golden
Home*
7:30
9/21
Fruitvale
Away
7:30
9/28
Oakwood
Home
7:30
10/5
Brook Hill
Away
7:30
10/19
Frisco Legacy
Away
7:30
10/26
Parrish Episcopal
Home
7:30
11/2
All Saints
Away
7:30
11/9
Dallas Shelton
Away
7:30
8/30
Cayuga
9/7
*All Home games will be played at TK Gorman
7
Klaczak decided to leave the paradise of Hawaii but said he found his own
paradise in East Texas. He joined The Guard coaching staff in the program’s
second year of existence. “I liked the way the school was progressing and the
facilities,” Klaczak said. “I looked at the school and thought, ‘this is a program
that needs what I do.’ The people are great. The family of the school and the
environment, it’s just great.”
By Maya Golden KLTV Sports
he All Saints Trojans begin just their second
T
year in existence as a football team in 2007. The
team’s inaugural season in 2006, set the program
on the right track. The Trojans went 4-4 for a .500
record. Although it is the school’s second year to have an organized football
team, it will be another year without district play. The next TAPPS redistricting
lines will not be drawn until 2008.
Playing just eight games in 2006, Coach Mark Ackerman said he is trying to
prep his team for future district play by going to a full ten game schedule this
year. Ackerman said he is also trying to give his team more of a challenge in
their matchups this season. His hope is to have the Trojans up to full speed so
they will not be eaten alive when they begin district play.
“When we start district, those teams will already have been playing ball for
years,” Ackerman said. “We need to be ready.”
Practice time for the Trojans this season focuses less on the fundamentals of
the game and more on fine tuning the player’s skills. For the rookie team last
season, Ackerman said most of his players who suited up had never played
organized football before.
“We spent a lot of time just teaching football last season,” Ackerman said. “Probably the best thing we have going for us is how quickly we picked up the
game (last season),” Ackerman said. “Now that they have those foundations
from last year, that will spring board us into a better year,.”
The Trojans will have more experience but will still be small in numbers. There
are 27 players on the team roster. A handful of seniors are expected to shoulder
the team. Ackerman stressed that with just 27 players, there is very little room for
injuries.
With their first season under their belt, the Trojans can feel less like a developing
program and more like a veteran team thanks in part to their new home.
The Trojans will be able to host opponents on their own, brand new turf at
Mewbourne Stadium. Construction on the stadium began in the spring and is
scheduled to be ready for play in the fall. Coach Ackerman said the school
had been waiting on a huge donation to finalize the building of a stadium and
received just that in April 2007.
The Trojans host seven games this season and will be able to hold a true
homecoming celebration on October 12 against Texas Christian.
For the first year of the program, the Trojans played on borrowed turf at other
area private schools like Bishop T.K. Gorman’s home field.
“It will feel good to have a permanent home,” Coach Ackerman said.
This season, be sure to keep an eye on senior running back and linebacker
Brian Robertson as well as safety Sam Hughes who led the team in interceptions
in 2006. Also returning to the team will be Stephen Ham, a versatile player you
may see at receiver or
quarterback on offense
and linebacker on
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
defense.
All Saints
9/1
Covington
The Mascot: Trojans
9/7
Legacy Christian-Frisco
Brook Hill
7:30
Away
7:30
Student Enrollment:
187
9/14
9/21
Temple Christian-Ft. Worth
Away
7:30
Prince of Peace
Home
7:30
Head Master: Art
Burke
9/28
Brook Hill
Home
7:30
10/5
Open
Head Coach: Mark
Ackerman
10/12
Texas Christian
Home
7:30
10/19
St. Joseph Academy-Bryan
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches:
Jason Burgess, Jerry
Courtney, Derek Jones
10/26
Dallas HSAA
Home
7:30
11/2
Triumph Christian
Home
7:30
11/9
Grace Community
Home
7:30
7:30
New Coach Says A District Championship Is Not
Enough For Young Brook Hill Program
new era in the already young life of the Brook Hill Guard football program
A
begins in 2007.
In April, defensive coordinator James Klaczak was promoted to the head
coaching position to replace Paul Johnston. Johnston submitted his resignation
to the school.
8
Klaczak brings high school state championship as well as college coaching
experience to the table. He spent five seasons with Saint Anthony in Maui,
Hawaii, leading the school as head coach to the Hawaiian state football title.
Klaczak is also a former offensive line coach for Texas A&M University and
Louisiana State University.
During Klaczak’s time as defensive coordinator, the Guard went 6-3, taking the
district title and advancing to the first round of the playoffs. Quite a remarkable
turnaround considering the team was 2-6 its rookie season. This season expect
the Guard to look the same defensively but it will be a whole new ballgame
offensively. Klaczak shakes things up by no longer running the spread. One of
the many schemes run this season will be the “I Option.” This type of offense
stresses a quarterback attack into the line of scrimmage and there will be
minimum splits by the lineman.
“Our kicking game will move up as well. We will kick a lot more,” Klaczak said.
With Klaczak’s promotion to head coach in April, his squad was forced to
quickly make adjustments to try and learn the new offense late in the spring. “Offensively it’s a whole new scheme and terminology. We are probably spending
70 to 75 percent of our practice time learning the new offense,” Klaczak said.
As the Brook Hill football program continues to take shape, Klaczak also had the
job of shaping his young team into experienced ball players. “It’s really amazing
because we are still as young as we were our first year playing,” Klaczak said.
“This year we are even younger. We have a small senior class but the strength of
the team will come from the freshman and sophomores. These kids coming from
the middle school will be really a strong.”
John Carroll returns as the team’s starting quarterback but he is expected
play more defense. “He really is a quarterback with a linebacker’s mentality,”
Klaczak said. “He is the Jim Kelly type of guy. He would as soon hit you as
he would play on offense.” The junior has spent the past two seasons at
quarterback for The Guard.
Two sophomore receivers Zach Davis and Nolan Rose are expected to have
break out seasons as well. Davis had 22 receptions and four touchdowns in 2006.
The new head football coach has big plans for his team in 2007. With a tough
non-district schedule, Klaczak hopes to improve district play and take a bigger
step into the state playoffs. Winning the district title for this coach simply is not
enough. He has already advised his players and their families to keep their
winter schedules open. He expects The Guard to still be playing. His words to
the team: Do not make plans for Thanksgiving.
Mascot: The Guard
Student
Enrollment: 210
Brook Hill
Headmaster: Rod
Fletcher
Head Coach: Jim
Klaczak
Assistant
Coaches: David
Collins, Vince
Veazey, Tim Moore
There are just seven seniors on this season’s team. 2006 district MVP Sakhairi
Johnson returns as wide receiver but with Klaczak’s new offensive scheme,
Johnson will also play at quarterback. Last season Johnson contributed 43
receptions for six touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns. Though Klaczak
would like to keep him mostly on offense, he could play some at deep safety. “If
I could get him to figure out how to punt and kick extra points, I would put him
there too.”
DATE
9/1
OPPONENT
Fruitvale
PLACE
TIME
Home
1:00
9/7
Open
9/14
Frankston
Home
7:30
7:30
9/21
Colleyville Covenant
Home
7:30
9/28
All Saints
Away
7:30
10/5
Grace Community
Home
7:30
10/12
*Irving The Highlands
Home
7:30
10/19
*Carrollton Prince of Peace
Away
7:30
10/26
*Frisco Legacy
Away
7:30
11/2
Open
11/9
*Rockwall Christian
Away
7:30
*Denotes District Game
Expectations are High Again as The Longview
Lobos Search for a New Leader at Quarterback
he Longview Lobos have created a monopoly on the
T
district 12-5A crown. In 2006, the Lobos claimed their third
straight 12-5A title for another undefeated district season. The team finished the season 9-3 overall. In the bi-district
playoffs they romped to shutout success over Bryan Adams
with a final score of 60-0. The Lobos season came to an end
against the Garland Owls in the area playoffs.
It would be safe to say the Lobos success last season came
as a bit of a surprise. After enjoying high national and state
rankings with the 2005 team, the Lobos returned just two
starters in 2006. Most of the team’s power veterans were
lost in the graduating class. Questions flooded in from fans
TAPPS
The T rojans Look To Gain More
Experience in 2nd Year of Program
continued
and the local media. Could the young Lobos team live
up to the program’s history of success? The 2006 team
silenced critics and answered those questions. Still this
season there will again be question marks surrounding the
Lobos. Mainly at one position: quarterback.
Going into the spring, Coach John King was eyeing
not one, not two, but three players to fill the role of
starting quarterback. The list of candidates included an
underclassman. Senior Damion Lewis had served as a
backup during the 2006 season. Still, Coach King was
concerned with Lewis lack of playing time and experience
handling game pressure situations.
DISTRICT 12-5A
TAPPS
Brook Hill
9
DISTRICT 12-5A
“Our quarterback situation is forcing us to go into a
different direction this year,” Coach John King said.
“Damion does not have as much experience as some of
our other kids that were backups and became starters.
But I think he’ll do fine.”
the real-’Friday Night Lights’ this fall and see why Texas high
school football separates the men from the boys better than
most land wars.”
Junior Alton Horton served as the Lobos starting
quarterback for the junior varsity team. He along with
sophomore Aaron Johnson were the other two contenders
coming out of the spring drills. “Those kids have the
qualities were a looking for,” King said. “Any one of them
could lead our offense.”
King also made some other position changes. Tailback
Jazmon Moon will be able to make plays on both sides of
the ball this season also working at linebacker. Moon was
the team’s leading rusher last season with 152 carries for
14 touchdowns and 1,091 yards.
The Lobos also face a familiar face when they squareoff against the Dallas Carter Cowboys led by coach Allen
Wilson. Wilson spent 11 seasons as the head coach of the
John Tyler Lions.
Longview’s home field received an upgrade during the
spring. The turf at Lobo stadium was replaced with what
athletic director Pat Collins considered a much better turf
than the one the Lobos had been playing on.
Mascot: Lobos
Student Enrollment: 2050
Superintendent: Dr. James Wilcox
Head Coach:
John King
Dacorris Ford moves to linebacker from defensive end and
Johnny Garrett will see more action at running back with
senior Mark Johnson. Garrett had two touchdowns on 24
carries for 176 yards last season. Johnson, 152 carries 152
yards and five touchdowns. Other Players to Watch: David
Larsen/Tight End, Travrus Brown/Wide Receiver.
Fans glancing at the Lobos 2007 schedule will notice a
repeat matchup. It is not a type-o. The Lobos are set to face
off against longtime arch rival the Lufkin Panthers twice
this season. The 2006 meeting between the squads was
nationally televised by Fox Sports Network.
The second week of the season, the Lobos meet Marshall in
another rival matchup that has received national attention.
In April, the Maxim magazine named the Marshall/Longview
rivalry one of the “15 Nastiest Rivalries in Sports.” The list
ranked the rivalry fourteenth. The Maxim article read “catch
Assistant
Coaches: Oscar Wilson,
Jerrod Baugh,
Steve Brown,
Brett Smith, Barry Lindsey,
John Berry,
Robert Cooley,
Casey Pearce,
Mark Peters,
David Ashley,
Johnny Hamilton
longview
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Lufkin
Away
7:30
9/7
Marshall
Away
7:30
9/21
John Curtis (LA)
Home
7:30
9/28
Dallas Carter
Away
7:30
10/5
Lufkin
Home
7:30
10/12
*North Mesquite
Home
7:30
10/19
*Robert E. Lee
Home
7:30
10/26
*John Tyler
Away
7:30
11/2
*Mesquite
Home
7:30
Away
7:30
11/9 *Mesquite Horn
Chief Meteorologist
Mark Scirto
on
10
Common Shoulder Injuries in Athletes
William R. Hobbs, MD Trinity Clinic Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine
Shoulder injuries are
a common problem for
athletes who throw and
use an overhead arm
motion. Injuries range
from tendonitis to instability
and can involve the
muscles, bones, tendons
and ligaments around the
shoulder. The shoulder
joint is unique in the body because of its flexibility and
wide arc of motion. The ball and disc design allows us
to reach over our head, behind our back and across
our body. However, this also puts significant stress on
the muscles and ligaments of the shoulder to stabilize
the joint and prevent a dislocation.
The act of throwing, overhead stroke in swimming or
overhead serve in tennis can all put extreme stress on
these structures and lead to pain, tendon rupture or
a sense of instability. Because of the extreme force
generated during acceleration and deceleration of the
arm, even relatively minor injuries can be season- or
career-ending problems.
The shoulder region actually has two joints, the
acromioclavicular (AC) joint which connects the
collarbone to the top of the shoulder blade and the
glenohumeral, which joins the arm to the shoulder
blade. The AC joint is a small joint held together
by two sets of ligaments, which can be torn in a
“separated shoulder”.
Two common mechanisms of injury are a fall directly
onto the point of the shoulder or a direct blow to the
upper shoulder during football or hockey. This can
lead to a bump along the top of the shoulder and pain,
especially when reaching across the body or overhead.
Minor separations can be treated with a sling, rest,
ice and anti-inflammatory medications. However,
significant separations often require surgical repair of
the ligaments and stabilization of this joint to prevent
prolonged disability with use of the affected arm.
This small joint may also develop arthritis or
inflammation, occasionally seen in overhead laborers
and weightlifters, especially those who participate
in bench or military press lifting. It can be quite
painful to even lift the arm overhead. Initial treatment
often involves avoiding overhead lifting, ice, antiinflammatory medications and occasionally a cortisone
injection into the irritated joint. Surgical treatment
requires open or arthroscopic removal of the tip of the
collarbone to “decompress” the joint.
The major joint of the shoulder area is the
glenohumeral joint which joins the humerus or upper
arm bone to the glenoid, a socket in the shoulder
blade. Injuries to this joint can be categorized as
either from an inflammatory reaction or instability. The glenoid is flat, which allows motion in multiple
directions, but does not help to hold the humerus in
place. That job is performed by the labrum, a ring
of cartilage around the glenoid, the ligaments and
muscles of the shoulder. There are four ligaments in
the front of the shoulder and one in the back which
function to balance the shoulder.
muscle between the humeral head and the acromion.
Injuries begin as inflammation from the constant
rubbing of the tendon, but can develop into a partial
or full thickness tear. A similar injury can be seen in
laborers who constantly work with their arms overhead. Symptoms begin as pain with prolonged overhead
throwing or lifting, but may develop into weakness if a
tear is present. Frequently pain will be present at night
and occasionally a sense of popping will be present
from the inflamed bursa.
Initial treatment involves anti-inflammatory medications
and physical therapy, concentrating on rotator cuff
and scapular musculature strengthening. Building the
rotator cuff strength prevents early fatigue and irritation
that an athlete would otherwise experience during
competition.
The rotator cuff also helps to stabilize the shoulder
in addition to initiating motion of the arm. The cuff is
made up of four muscles, the supraspinatous on top,
the subscapularis in front and the infraspinatous and
teres minor in back. If a force is strong enough, such
as from a fall on the outstretched arm, the ligaments
This treatment modality is effective in 80 to 90 percent
can be torn and allow the shoulder to dislocate. The
of the cases if the injury is caught early. However,
ligament will often pull a part of the labrum off the
once a partial or full thickness tendon tear develops,
front of the glenoid when the humerus slides out of
surgery is frequently required to return the athlete to
its socket. In the younger individual, this frequently
competition. Prolonged therapy and gradual return to
requires surgical reattachment of the labrum and
sports is necessary after surgery, sometimes taking
ligaments to prevent episodes of recurrent dislocations. six months to a year to return to pre-injury levels of
A short period of immobilization followed by physical
competition.
therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles can be
tried, but if the shoulder continues to slip, the ligaments Prevention is the best medicine to avoid a prolonged
absence from sports participation due to a shoulder
need to be “tightened up”.
injury. The athlete, the trainer and the coach can
Occasionally a person is born with a loose joint,
all help to limit the risk of shoulder complaints from
which allows the humerus to repeatedly dislocate,
sporting activities. Monitoring and limiting the pitch
sometimes multiple times in a day. This condition is
count for overhead pitchers can significantly reduce
usually treated with intensive physical therapy to train
the potential for rotator cuff injuries. Icing the shoulder
the muscles of the shoulder to take the place of the
after participation can help minimize inflammation. stabilizing ligaments. However, if this is not helpful the Rotator cuff strengthening exercises to reduce
shoulder may be tightened with a procedure called a
early fatigue can prevent injury, as well as treating
capsular shift.
preexisting injuries. Also, teaching proper tackling
techniques in football and checking techniques in
The inflammatory injuries of the shoulder occur as a
hockey can reduce the risk to the AC joint. Proper
spectrum from bursitis or impingement of the shoulder
throwing mechanics, using the trunk and legs to drive
to a complete tear of one or more of the tendons of
the ball rather than slinging it with the arm alone, can
the rotator cuff. In older individuals this can occur
also help reduce repetitive injury to the shoulder.
from constant rubbing of the tendons on spurs that
develop underneath the collarbone and acromion (top
In summary, shoulder injuries can be devastating to the
of the shoulder). However, in younger athletes, this
overhead athlete, but with proper strength training and
condition often develops with improper conditioning
care of the shoulder, most problems can be avoided.
leading to fatigue of the rotator cuff muscles. The
For more information or to schedule an appointment
supraspinatous or upper muscle of the rotator cuff is
the most commonly injured tendon of the group. When with a Trinity Clinic Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine
physician, please call (903) 510-8840.
an athlete repetitively brings his/her arm overhead in
the throwing motion, this muscle eventually tires and
cannot perform adequately. This allows the humeral
head (ball of the shoulder) to “ride high” and pinch the
11
By Kevin Berns KLTV Sports
es, Robert E. Lee has several question marks entering the season,
Y
especially on defense. But fortunately for head coach Mike Owens, his Red
Raiders have one, giant exclamation point: Their offensive line. Four of the
five starters return on a group that averages over 295 pounds! “Our o-line is our overwhelming strength,” Owens said. “It’s the most
experienced group we’ve ever had. They have the potential to be the best
since I’ve been here.”
That is saying a lot, considering the Red Raiders have produced several
blue-chip linemen in Owens’ 11 seasons at Lee. The bluest of the bluechippers this year is senior Trevius Jones (6’4”, 300). Jones returns at left
tackle after missing most of last season with an injury. He has already received
offers from nearly every team in the Big 12.
“He’s probably as quick as we’ve ever had,” Owens said, “and that includes (LSU
starting left tackle) Ciron Black. Jones has better feet than Ciron. He could play
guard or center in college.”
Joining him on the left side at guard is returning starter Hunter Hogan (6’3”, 287). The junior also backs up center John Landes (6’1”, 296). Landes started his
sophomore year at guard, but has been at center ever since, earning 1st Team
All-District honors last year. He is receiving several Division I offers as well. Senior Kendrick Spencer (5’11”, 287) enters his second year as the starter at
right guard. He is joined on the right side by the new starter at tackle Josh Hahn
(6’4”, 312). Considering this mammoth “new” is a little deceiving. He played in
every game last year, and started two games when Trevius was hurt.
Owens increased confidence in the passing game has a lot to do with the speed
they have at the skill positions. Senior Bryan Runnels (5’11”, 170, 4.37) is the
most experienced returner. He played a lot at flanker last year, and Owens
hopes to exploit his lightning speed. Senior Bryan Rogers (5’10”, 165, 4.5) is
pushing hard to catch a lot of his brother’s passes. Senior Key Oliver (5’10”,
165, 4.58) isn’t a burner, but has enough speed to get open. Owens said he had a great spring. Junior Durrell Tate (5’11”, 150, 4.5) also had a good spring
and will play a lot. Senior Joe Turner (6’1”, 185, 4.6) will also see some time at
split end.
So, one question answered. How about at defensive end, where Rodrick Brown
and Taj Lee combined for nine sacks? No move-ins here, so the question
remains, will Simmon Blalock (6’4”, 229) and Reginald Taylor (6’2”, 208) be able
to hold their own? Blalock is a junior who is battling injuries. Taylor is a senior
without a lot of experience. Owens says there are several others who will rotate
in. He thinks this unit should be fine by the time they get to district.
“He may be the most improved guy in spring,” Owens said of Hahn. “He’ll get
some offers.”
This is a group that should dominate the line of scrimmage. But, keeping them
healthy is going to be the key. There isn’t a lot of depth. Senior Bilontre Guster
(5’9”, 262) will help ease the pressure. He started a few times last year, and will
see some action on both the offensive and defensive lines this year. There is also a lot of buzz surrounding sophomore running back DaDa (day-day)
Brown (5’6”, 158, 4.37). He turned some heads in the spring, with his lightning
speed, even scoring a TD in the spring game.
Scoring in 2006 was an issue. Lee averaged a meager 14.8 points per game in
district play. In a way, though, that was by design. The defense was so good,
the Red Raiders controlled the clock and didn’t do anything to put themselves in
bad situations. With so many question marks on the defensive side of the ball
this year, scoring will need to be at a premium in 2007. Owens knows they’ll
have to throw it more to accomplish that goal. How much they air it out depends
on how quickly senior Brandon Rogers (6’2”, 185, 4.5) develops at QB. Rogers
began last year as the JV starter, but was moved up to the varsity during the
season. That move may have hindered his development somewhat, because he
only threw two varsity passes. If he returns, it will be late in the season. So throw in the towel, right? Well,
things have a way of working themselves out sometimes. In this case, it’s a
335-pound move-in. Ralston Dews (6’1”, 335) moved to Tyler, where his dad,
Charles attended Whitehouse High School, before graduating from TK Gorman. The younger Dews was a two-year starter at offensive tackle for Galena Park
North Shore, but is being recruited as a defensive lineman. Owens was more
than happy to plug him into the big hole left by the departure of Lewis and Mario Trimble.
“He’s a great, strong player,” Owens said of Dews, who is getting interest from
the likes of LSU, Texas, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boston College.
The Red Raiders leading returning receiver, though, is manning a running back
spot. While the success of the offense won’t be on Rogers’ shoulders, it very
well may by on senior Jamaal Mitchell’s (5’10”, 190, 4.4). Mitchell is a three year
starter, having started his sophomore year at fullback. He will now step out of
the shadow of the team’s co-MVP last year Chris Ekwuruke (1356 yards, 14 TD). “He has great speed and great vision,” Owens gushed. “He kind of reminds me
of (2004 state championship RB) Tyrone Ross.”
Senior Darieous Dorsey (6’0”, 190) offers a bigger option than Mitchell and
Brown and runs hard. Jack Jones, Dameon Myers and Vincent Yarbrough (5’7”,
168) will also see some action. Regardless of who is in the backfield, they better
be ready to work. Owens says whoever they play is going to have to stop Lee’s
running game first. But if they do, the Red Raiders will be ready to air it out this year.
While graduation from high school is a great accomplishment, it can be cruel to a
football team. That is the case for the Red Raiders defense. Eight starters from
last year’s unit that gave up just 13.4 points a game in district play are gone. That list includes the district’s co-defensive MVP George Faber, and 1st Team
All-District performers David Lewis (DL), Jonathan Moore (LB), Adrian Beard
(DB), and Tekerrein Cuba (DB). Four of their top five tacklers are gone. And,
one of those three returning starters may not return at all. Senior defensive back
and return specialist Josh Oliver is trying to battle back from a serious injury. Oliver, who was a 2nd Team AllDistrict return specialist last year
is tough, but Owens has Jamaal
Mitchell and Maurice Hood, among
others working there.
continued
Owens says the success of the offense will not be on Rogers’ shoulders, but
he is capable of making plays out of nothing. Once he finds his niche, Owens
expects good things from him. Junior Doug Franklin, who took over as the
JV QB when Rogers moved up last year, will be the back up. Franklin is a
good athlete who will be involved a lot at H-back and tight end. Senior Joseph
Cleaver, the Red Raiders kicker, will also back up at QB.
“He is physical, great speed, tremendous hands, good blocker,” Owens said
about Mitchell. “We can do a lot of stuff with him. He can play flanker and
fullback as well.”
The Red Raiders tight ends, who work out with the lineman, are awfully tough
as well. They lost a great one in 1st Team All-District Tyler Fleet, who was the
team’s second leading receiver last year. But, because Lee runs a lot of two
tight end sets, senior T.J. Jones (6’4”, 240) is considered a returning starter. He
is big and physical and does a great job blocking. He’s also the second leading
returning receiver with 8 catches for 101 yards. Senior Matt Johnston (6’3”,
220), who saw a lot of playing time in 2006, will fill the spot vacated by Fleet.
12
“He’s a big kid, great speed, athletic, intelligent,” Owens said of Rogers. “He’s
kind of like (2004 state championship QB) Josh Hill. He understands his role is
to avoid the bad play.”
Red Raiders
He goes nicely next to fellow senior Mark Brotherton (6’4”, 285), who Owens
considers a returning starter. Owens says Brotherton is a really good player who
keeps getting better. Linebacker provides a big question mark. First off, how do you replace over
150 tackles between Faber and Moore? This is quite possibly the most
inexperienced group on the varsity. Senior Trevor Pugh (5’11”, 186) is the lone
member of this group with any varsity playing time. He is leading the class
and will probably start at weak side linebacker position that plays more like a
defensive back. Junior Nathan Yost (6’1”, 200) is penciled in at the important
position of middle linebacker. Senior James Ellis (5’11”, 180) ended the spring
as the probable starter at strong side linebacker. Junior Blair Oliver (6’0”, 185)
leads a group of youngsters who should also play quite a bit. This group is so
volatile that Owens says the starting three could change from week to week until
someone steps up.
With the injury to Josh Oliver, the secondary is also very inexperienced and not
as fast as in the past. They are more in the 4.6 range than the 4.4 range. It’s a
group Owens says, needs to be fundamentally sound.
“If they make a mistake, they don’t have the speed to make up for it,” Owens
said.
Senior Maurice Hood (6’0”, 165) is the only returning starter. The safety’s 79
tackles was third most on the team last year, and the most returning. He’ll be
relied upon to lead a group that includes junior Daleon Oliver (5’11”, 180), senior
Na’Kedrick Williams (5’8”, 150), junior DeUndre Sparks (5’9”, 162), and junior
Junior Cain (5’8”, 160, 4.7). Owens says Cain was the surprise of the spring and
is playing very well.
The Red Raiders have quite an
unusual schedule this year. They
don’t play any Friday night home
games at Trinity Mother Frances
Rose Stadium. Their only Friday
night game there is against John
Tyler, and the Red Raiders are
considered the visiting team. They
play Euless Trinity on a Saturday
and Mesquite Horn and North
Mesquite on Thursdays. They
will do a lot of traveling; four times to the Dallas area (Lake Highlands, Kimball,
Abilene at Texas Stadium, Mesquite), to Waco and to Longview. It’s a rough
schedule, but a great way to prepare for a long run in the playoffs.
DISTRICT 12-5A
DISTRICT 12-5A
The Red Raider’s Season Rests on the “Big”
Shoulders of the Offensive Line
Players To Watch:
Ralston Dews-Sr-DL
(6’1”, 340)
Robert E Lee
Mark Brotherton-SrDL (6’4”, 285)
Jamaal Mitchell-Sr-RB
(5’10”, 190, 4.4)
DATE
8/31
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Lake Highlands
Away
7:30
9/8
Euless Trinity
Home
8:00
9/14
Dallas Kimball
Away
7:30
T.J. Jones-Sr-TE (6’4”,
225, 4.8)
9/21
Abilene
Texas Stadium
7:30
9/28
Waco High
Away
7:30
Maurice Hood-Sr-DB
(6’0”, 165)
10/5
Open
10/11
Mesquite Horn (HC)
Home
7:00
Trevius Jones-Sr-OL
(6’4”, 300)
10/19
Longview
Away
7:30
10/25
North Mesquite
Home
7:00
John Landes-Sr-OL
(6’1”, 296)
11/2
John Tyler
Away
7:30
11/9
Mesquite
Away
7:30
Mascot: Red Raiders
Superintendent: Dr. Randy Reid
Head Coach: Mike Owens (12th Year)
Owens understands that lack of experience is the nature of high school football. One year you have a senior-laden group, the next year you’re all rookies. Expect to see a lot of juniors and sophomores on the playing field this year,
earning their stripes. They have five pre-district games to do so. Assistant Coaches: Jay Law, Randy Huffstickler, Dow Wynn, Willie Williams,
Gary Fleet, Jerry Reed, Peyton Mullins, Elgin Johnson, Ricky Palmer
There are three phases of the game that can make or break a team: offense,
defense, and special teams. Fortunately for the Red Raiders, their special teams
unit joins the offense as a strength. Senior Sean Raney was a 1st Team AllDistrict punter last year while averaging 44 yards a punt. Senior kicker Joseph
Cleaver was 2nd Team All-District with eight field goals and 30 extra points. His 50 points was second on the team, only to Ekwuruke’s 84. The loss of Josh
13
e will make the playoffs.”
“W
It is a guarantee Dereck Rush made within the first hour of his introduction as
the new head coach of John Tyler High School. Looking back now, he may
have regretted saying it, but he isn’t backing down from it.
“I’m in it to win and make the playoffs,” Rush said. “I wouldn’t be here
otherwise.”
Rush has been a part of the Lions football program for five years. He has
seen the lows of two of the three straight seasons without a district win under
Kelvin Ratliff. He was also a big part of the resurgence under Thomas Brooks
that produced an 8-3 season in 2005, and a playoff berth last year. He inherits a
team that graduated all but nine kids with varsity experience. The Lions had one of the most productive offenses in the district last year,
scoring 26.4 point per game out of the spread attack. All 11 starters earned AllDistrict honors. All but two members of that starting unit are gone, and one of
those is moving to defense. All but 18 of the 250 points scored has moved on.
“It’s rebuilding on offense,” Rush said, “and it’s why it was so vitally important we
had spring football.”
Rush’s number one concern on the entire team is his offensive line. Four of last
year’s starters graduated. The lone returner, 1st Team All-District tackle Adren
Dorsey, is moving to defense. Agression won’t be a problem, but experience will. The starting five will be as young and inexperienced as they get. Four of them
are juniors, and the other is a sophomore. “This unit played JV last year,” Rush said. “They worked good together. They’re
working hard and going in the right direction. But, they still have a long way to go.”
That sophomore is 6’4”, 275 right tackle Gerron Anthony, who Rush says has a
chance to be very special. “He has good feet and good size,” Rush said. “He just needs to get thrown into
the fire. He has great potential.”
1st Team All-District QB Derell Allen has moved on to Angelo State. Junior Billy
Thompkins has been penciled in take over the direction of the spread formation. Thompkins was the JV QB last year. He is a good athlete who expects to be the
Lions QB for the next two years. Rush compares him to former Lions QB Kerry
Maddox as far as his ability to run and make things happen. He’ll be pushed for
playing time by senior Courtland Lindsay, who was the varsity backup last year
while also playing wide receiver. The top three receivers from last year are all playing college ball now (Roderick
Warren-SFA, Geron Flowers-Texas Southern, Merteon Brown-Southern
Arkansas). Rush says senior Devon Dewberry will be the go-to guy. He has
good size (6’3”, 185) and decent speed (4.6). If not at QB, Lindsay will see a
lot of action behing Dewberry. Out wide on the other side will be senior Alex
Daniels. He is another player with good size (6’0”, 175). Starting in the slot will
be junior Detrich Morgan. He’s not as big (5’6”, 165) as Dewberry and Daniels,
but he’s every bit as talented. 14
“Morgan has great hands,” Rush said. “He had a good spring. We’re looking for
big things from him” Junior Dominic Ward (4.5) and senior starting corner back Jeremy Johnson (4.4)
will also get some touches. Senior Greg Giddens will man the tight end spot. He
is quick (4.49) and aggressive and will be one of the team leaders.
“He understands what it takes to play on Friday nights,” Rush said. “He’s hard to
keep off the field.”
The glue expected to hold the offense together is senior running back Romonte’
Hampton.
“He will be our offensive leader,” Rush said. “He’s got a big roll to keep the
offense calm until Thompkins settles into his roll.”
Hampton is expected to have a break-out year, now that he’s out of the shadow
of John Tyler’s all-time leading rusher Kendall Hunter, who is now playing for
Oklahoma State. Rush says his work ethic is so strong, it overcomes his lack of
size and speed (5’10”, 185, 4.5).
“He’s fast on the football field,” Rush said. “Hopefully we’ll see a lot of his back
side as he runs away from defenders.”
John T yler
continued
Keeping it in the family, Adren Dorsey’s brother
Ashton Dorsey will start at defensive end. Rush says
Ashton has the same potential as his older brother. The sophomore is 6’1”, 240 and growing, and also
sports 4.8 speed. He had a good spring, but he
played on the freshman team last year, and is still
very green. Backing him up and fighting for time is
junior Alijah Williams. He’s not a big kid (5’8”, 180),
but he has decent speed for a lineman (4.7), and
Rush says he understands leverage. He’s the type of kid that is hard to take off
the field. Starting at the other defensive end position will be Cornelius Burns. The junior started on the JV last year. What he lacks in size (5’11”, 185), he
makes up for in speed (4.6). Battling him for playing time will be senior Manuel
Castellano (5’9”, 185, 4.6), who has decided to join the team after not playing
last year. Rush says he was a great junior high player who caught the coach’s
eye in the spring.
Quarterbacking the defense at middle linebacker is a good one in senior Derrick
Choice (6’0”, 185, 4.5). He was 1st Team All-District last year, and led the team
with five sacks. Rush expects him to be playing Division I football next year. “He’s everything you are looking for, not just as an athlete, but as a young man
on and off the field ,” Rush said. “He is smart (25 on ACT), he comes from a
great family, and he’s a leader. Words can’t express how great a kid he is.”
Joe Bayonne (6’0”, 185), who played freshman ball last year, is moving up to the
varsity to back up Choice. He opened some eyes during spring and shows good
potential. He just needs a little experience.
the season. He’s a jackrabbit (4.4) who can lay people out. He is part of a
solid football blood line to come through John Tyler. His brothers Julian and
Bradford both played college ball. Biggs, showing his versatility, will be his
backup. A couple of young guys are battling at strong safety. Junior Correy
Wilson (6’0”, 175, 4.4) was a JV starter last year and is a heck of an athlete. Fellow junior Travian Wells (6’2”, 175, 4.6) isn’t as fast as Wilson, but both
have great potential and ability. Rush says, whoever steps up through two-adays gets the position.
This is a hard one to call. With Thomas Brooks at the helm, the Lions would
be a no-brainer to compete for the district title. But, with Rush leading the
way in his first ever head coaching job, there’s always the potential for some
growing pains. You have to give him credit for keeping the offensive and
defensive systems and most of the coaches in place. “The kids know me, I know them,” Rush said. “It hasn’t been a big deal. My
philosophy is the same as Brooks’; good discipline, hire good coaches and let
them work.”
The Lions were able to overcome a 0-4 start last year to win four of their final
six games to make the playoffs. They face another brutal pre-district schedule
with Texas High (4A Quarterfinals), Dallas Carter (5A 2nd Round), De Soto (5A
Quarterfinals), Plano East (5A 3rd Round), and Copperas Cove (4A Finals). If
they can survive that, all but one (Mesquite Horn) of their district games will be
played at home. Barring any unforeseen injuries, Rush should be able to follow
through on his playoff guarantee.
“We will make the playof fs.”
Players To Watch:
There are a couple of young and talented backups to Hampton who promise to
keep the running back legacy at John Tyler growing. Junior Charlie Jackson
was the starter on the JV last year. He has good size and speed (5’11”, 175,
4.5) and will play an important roll in the running game. Then, look out for the
heir apparent. Rush has a hard time tempering his enthusiasm for sophomore
Ky’Ordric Black. While not very big (5’6”, 165), Black is already very quick (4.5),
and did some things last year as a freshman that reminds Rush of one of the best. Senior Chris Ratcliff (5’9”, 195, 4.6) moves from starting defensive end to
linebacker. He is the top returning tackler, who also had four sacks and led the
team with three fumble recoveries. He is vocal, enthusiastic and understands
the game.
Derrick Choice: Sr-LB (6’1”, 215, 4.5)
“He is the leader of this football team, no question about that,” Rush said. “When
he speaks, people listen. Sometimes we call him Coach Ratcliff.”
Jeremy Johnson: Sr-DB (6’0”, 175, 4.4)
“He is a Kendall (Hunter) like player,” Rush said. “He has the potential to be
another great John Tyler running back.” Junior Brandon Berry (5’7”, 175, 4.7) will back up Ratcliff. He was a JV starter
last year, who Rush is hoping will grow into a future varsity starter.
Chris Ratcliff: Sr--LB (5’10”, 195, 4.5)
While the offense works to find its place, the defense will be relied upon to carry
the load. This is a unit that allowed less than 180 yards per game last year
in district play. Five starters from that unit return, but that’s a little deceiving. Senior Adren Dorsey, who was a 1st Team All-District offensive lineman last year,
moves full-time to defensive tackle this year. At 6’4”, 300 with a 4.8 in the 40,
he has a mind boggling combination of size and speed. He was the only East
Texan to take part in the U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio this spring. He’s also an Army All-American Bowl Nominee. He is being recruited by every
major college in the country, including Texas, Texas A&M, USC, Florida State,
Miami and Ohio State. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his older brother
Floyd Dorsey, who was a Lions defensive tackle who played at Tulane.
“He’s a special kid, on and off the field,” Rush said. “He makes the right choices. He’s understandably taking a leadership role.”
Seniors Jodi Jessie (6’0”, 235), and Kelvin Whitmill (6’0”, 225) are battling for
the other defensive tackle position. They aren’t big, but they are strong and
aggressive. Adren Dorsey’s cousin, junior Tevin Dorsey will also see some
playing time at defensive tackle.
DISTRICT 12-5A
DISTRICT 12-5A
New Coach, Same Goal for the
John T yler Lions
Adren Dorsey: Sr-DT (6’4”, 300, 4.8)
John
Tyler
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Texas High
Away
7:30
9/7
Dallas Carter
Home
8:00
9/14
De Soto
Away
7:30
9/21
Plano East
Away
7:30
9/28
Copperas Cove
Home
7:30
There are a lot of guys fighting for the other starting linebacker spot, vacated
by Corey Lewis (Southern Arkansas). Sophomore Alvin Arps (5’9”, 175, 4.8) is
penciled in as the starter. He has the ability to run to the football, make tackles
and be aggressive. He’ll be pushed by junior Ricky Marshall, a JV starter last
year, and sophomore sensation Cliff Caldwell (6’0”, 185, 4.6). Caldwell is a great
athlete who was the starting QB on the freshman team last year. Rush says he
is more mature than his age. Brandon Norman: Sr-DB (5’8”, 165, 4.4)
10/5
Open
Billy Thompkins: Jr-QB (5’11”, 175, 4.5)
10/12
Mesquite
Home
7:30
10/18
Mesquite Horn
Away
7:00
10/26
Longview
Home
7:30
11/2
Lee
Home
7:30
The most highly recruited player in the defensive secondary has to be Jeremy
Johnson (6’0”, 175, 4.4). The returning starter is super fast and Rush says is
an Aaron Ross type cover corner. He has received interest from the likes of
Texas A&M, Tulsa, West Virginia and Purdue. Junior Lakendrick Wilkerson
(5’7”, 165) steps into the other starting cornerback position. He was a JV starter
that Rush thought about moving up last year. Don’t let his size fool you. He’s
a hard hitter. He is very enthusiastic, and Rush is looking for great things from
him. Junior Jeremy Biggs (5’11”, 175, 4.5) started on the JV last year and has
good potential. Rush says he had a good spring and could start at either corner
position. Sophomore Keandre Goss (5’6”, 165) will also push for playing time
at corner. Free safety Brandon Norman will be the leader of the secondary. He started at slot receiver last year as a junior but was moved to safety during
11/9
North Mesquite (HC)
Home
7:30
Mascot: Lions
Superintendent: Dr. Randy
Reid
Head Coach: Dereck Rush (1st Year)
Assistant Coaches: Scott Svendson (OC), Cory Homer (OL), Sam Padgett
(RB), Michael Johnson (WR), Jeremy Orsagh (TE), Barry Anderson (DC), Duke
Atterberry (DT)
Starters Returning Offense: 2 Starters Returning Defense: 5
15
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17
in a Tough 12-5A District
In a way, it’s East versus West in District 12-5A.
J
ohn Tyler, Lee and Longview in the East versus Mesquite, North Mesquite and Mesquite Horn in the West. It’s two separate media markets, two
separate geographic areas, and two separate levels of district success. Mesquite, North Mesquite and Mesquite Horn are a combined 8-23 against
East Texas teams. The Skeeters are the only Mesquite school to earn a playoff berth in 12-5A so far, and they have done so all three years. There is some really good talent to keep an eye on. North Mesquite senior wide receiver LaNear Sampson is an Army All-American Bowl Nominee. Mesquite Horn offensive tackle Colton Ables is being recruited by just about everyone. And, the fastest player in the district may play for Mesquite, in
senior wide receiver Adrian Richards.
One thing is for certain; at least one of these schools will find themselves in the playoffs in 2007. Look for the Skeeters to make it four straight. And
with their talent this year, they could add a second state championship title.
MESQUITE SKEETERS
As far as playoff berths go, Mesquite is 3-for-3 in the new look 12-5A. But, the
Skeeters have far from dominated the district. Each year they captured the final
playoff spot and have compiled a mediocre 9-8 record. Their district success has
come against fellow Mesquite area schools (7-1). They’ve beaten East Texas
teams just twice in nine tries (JT in ’04 and Lee in ’05). That all could change in 2007. “This senior class is the best since 2001,” said Mesquite head coach Steve
Halpin. “We have very, very high expectations.”
That’s a scary thought for the rest of the district, because in 2001, the Skeeters
steamrolled through the state to a perfect 15-0 record and the 5A Division I State Championship.
Halpin has a dilemma at QB that most coaches would love to have. He has
three starters returning. How you ask? Kelly Page began the 2006 season
as the starter, but blew out his knee in the Midland Lee game. The Skeeters
were 4-1 when he went down. They were just 3-4 without him. Luke Halpin
was thrown into the fire as a sophomore and rotated at QB with RB Jeremy
Hernandez. Halpin, who is the coache’s son, would earn district newcomer of
the year for his efforts. Fast forward to 2007. Page is now healthy and returns
for his senior season. Hernandez, who was the team’s MVP last year, will return
to RB. He is the team’s most versatile player, intercepting 4 passes on defense,
while also returning kickoffs and punts. He’s also a star basketball player. As
for Page and Halpin, it’s too close to call. Coach Halpin says they are two of
the best athletes on the team. One will play QB, one will play WR. Whoever
ends up at wide receiver will have some big shoes to fill. They will need to
help replace 12-5A’s offensive co-MVP Kris Buerck. He was a duel threat with
returning senior Adrian Richards. Richards is the fastest player on the team, and
probably the district, running a scorching 4.33 in the 40!
18
“Hopefully Adrian Richards can pick up the slack,” Halpin said about his 1st
Team All-District WR. “He’s a difference maker with outstanding skill.” If there’s one question on offense, it’s on the front line. They lost 4 of 5 starters,
including three All-District players, most notably 278 pound guard Patrick
Cooper. This year’s starting unit includes 4 seniors and a junior.
“They are inexperienced,” Halpin said of his o-line. “Three of those seniors didn’t
play a lot last year. But, they had a solid spring and are headed in the right
direction.”
Don’t expect a lot of size in this unit. The lone returning starter is tackle C.J.
Barry, who weighs 208 pounds! What they lack in size, they make up for with
good, active feet. Halpin plans to take advantage of that by running a more nohuddle, spread-option offense.
While the defense may not have any blazers like the offense, Halpin still feels
they are as quick as they’ve ever been. Marquis Wadley is the best returning
player on this unit that has 6 starters coming back. Wadley was a 1st Team
All-District LB last year as a junior. While he is a little undersized (5’9”, 218), the
three-year starter is a dominating force, running the defense with great ability
and instinct. 2nd Team All-District LB Terrance Baker also returns. Jeremy
Hernandez should dominate on this side of the ball. The 1st Team All-District DB
had 4 interceptions last year. And while the defensive front was a question, it
will now be a strength, thanks in part to senior D.J. Marshall. The move-in from
Lancaster has already been offered scholarships from Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Skeeters expect to make a deep run in the playoffs again. But before that,
their season-ending matchup against Lee could be for a district title.
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
MESQUITE SKEETERS
continued
Players To Watch:
Mascot: Skeeters
Adrian Richards-Sr-WR (6’3”, 185, 4.33)
7:30
Marquis Wadley-Sr-LB (5’9”, 218)
Superintendent: Dr. Linda Henrie
Abilene
Noon
D.J. Marshall-Sr-DE (6’4”, 220)
Head Coach: Steve Halpin (13th Year)
John Tyler
Away
7:30
K.K. Franicis-Sr-DT (6’0”, 240)
10/19
N. Mesquite
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Robbie Robinson, Stu
Johnson, John Hill, Rick Lucero, David Norris,
Ryan Porter, Donnie Pruitt, Mark Jozwiak
10/26
Mesquite Horn
Home
7:30
11/2
Longview
Away
7:30
11/9
Lee
Home
7:30
8/31
Plano
Away
7:30
9/7
Plano East
Home
7:30
9/14
Abilene (HC)
Home
7:30
9/21
Dallas Carter
Home
9/29
Midland Lee
10/5
Open
10/12
Terrance Baker-Sr-LB (5’11”, 186)
Starters Returning Offense: 4 • Starters Returning Defense: 6
NORTH MESQUITE STALLIONS
“It’s a work in progress,” is how new head coach Mike Robinson described his
team. He and his staff have been working long hours, evaluating every practice,
trying to find who is buying into the system the quickest. “We’re just trying to find kids that can play,” Robinson said. His philosophy is simple. Having had success previously as a head coach at
Dallas Hillcrest and Wilmer-Hutchins, Robinson says, don’t over coach. “If you don’t have it, don’t do it,” Robinson explained. “Get good at something,
do it well and have other things to compliment it.”
He says it would be a mistake to single out too many guys as starters too early
in the process, because his depth chart is constantly changing. He has told his
players to be flexible, adapt and adjust, because he and his staff are constantly
moving kids around, and plan to until district starts.
There isn’t a lot about the offense that is settled. But what he does know is they
will line up in a spread attack, and LaNear Sampson and Daymond Patterson
will be heavily involved. The senior wide receiver tandem is three quarters of the
returning experience on offense. Both are very fast. Sampson is an Army AllAmerican Bowl nominee.
DISTRICT 12-5A
DISTRICT 12-5A
A Battle of East vs West
Mesquite
DATE
LaMarcus Jones is the third returning offensive starter. The 300 pounder is the
strongest player on the team, and will try to help anchor a new line that lost a
good one in Grant Garner, who is now at Oklahoma State.
Defensively, Robinson feels the strength will be in the secondary, mainly
because he isn’t pleased yet with the front seven. “It’s not good,” Robinson lamented, “especially when Lee, Longview and
Mesquite run the ball down your throat.”
Only three players return with starting experience, yet only two have locked
down starting roles. Edrick Boger will be the defensive glue. A spot starter last
year, Boger is the fastest player on the team and will play free safety. Senior
defensive lineman Chad Jones will help out up front. Junior Darrien McKinney
saw a lot of time at linebacker last year, but he is in a fight for his life with a
couple of young players pushing him for the job. Overall, the team speed is above average, but Robinson was quick to add, “it
doesn’t mean nothing if you don’t go hit somebody.”
N Mesquite
DATE
PLACE
TIME
8/31
North Garland
OPPONENT
Home
7:30
“LaNear is just a solid, all-around good player,” Robinson said.
9/7
Arlington Lamar
Home
7:30
Who will throw to them is anyone’s guess, and the answer could literally change
on each snap. Three players will enter the season in contention for the QB
job. Senior Blair Johnson was Derek Wooten’s backup on the varsity last year. Junior Charleston Johnson was the JV starter, and Sophomore Xavier Smith was
the freshman starter. 9/14
Plano West
Away
7:30
9/21
Irving MacArthur
Away
7:30
9/27
Dallas White
Home
7:00
10/5
Open
10/12
Longview
Away
7:30
“It was an eventful spring with all three trying to learn the system,” Robinson
said. “They are all taking equal reps. Each has their good days and bad days. We could rotate two of them if we have to.”
10/19
Mesquite
Home
7:30
10/25
Lee
Home
7:30
11/2
Mesquite Horn (HC)
Home
7:30
Robinson has a sophomore and a junior battling to replace 2nd Team All-District
RB LaRom Elmer, but neither has established themselves yet. Junior lineman
11/9
John Tyler
Away
7:30
Robinson was pleasantly
surprised by the track
team, which wne the
district title. He saw
several of his players
pushing themselves
hard to compete. If his
football team can harness
that, then a return to the
playoffs isn’t out of the
question
19
continued
Mascot: Stallions
LaNear Sampson: Sr-WR (6’0”, 180, 4.5)
Daymond Patterson: Sr-WR (5’10”, 165, 4.5)
Edrick Boger: Sr-Safety (5’11”, 170, 4.5)
Head Coach: Mike Robinson (1st Year)
LaMarcus Jones: Jr-OL (6’0”, 315)
MESQUITE HORN JAGUARS
How long will the growing pains last? That’s a question 6th year head
coach Don Payne has to be asking. He has been with the program since it’s
inception in 2002. Each time it looked like the Jaguars were turning a corner,
things turned bleak. They went 6-4 in 2003, their first year in 5A, then reverted
to 1-9 in 2004. A 4-6 2005 season was followed by a 1-9 season last year. Horn was once again picked to finish last in 12-5A. Even so, Payne has put on his
rose-colored glasses.
“We should be better this season,” Payne said. “We implemented a new spread
offense in ’06. Having experience at quarterback and the skill positions is a plus.”
Experience he has, especially at the skill positions. Eight starters return on the
offense, including senior DeMarcus Smith at QB. Smith threw for 1381 yards
and 4 TD’s last year. He’ll need to make better decisions in 2007 to cut down on
the 11 interceptions he threw last year. The recipients of those four touchdowns
are all back as well. Senior Kelan Cheadle was 1st Team All-District, hauling in
35 passes and two of those TD’s. 2nd Team All-District WR Bruce Hatton will
move to running back. At 4.4, he is considered one of the fastest kids on the
team. Senior Obie Nwabuko also returns at the wide out. They’ll be joined by
a 4.5 guy in junior Taylor Gabriel. 4 of 5 starters return on the offensive line. They have decent size, but depth could be an issue. Senior tackle Colton Ables
(6’3”, 270) is being heavily recruited. Texas, TCU, Rice, Baylor, Texas Tech and
SMU have all shown
interest. A year
under their belts in
the spread attack
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
should help improve
8/31 Richardson Berkner
Home
7:30
the abysmal 8.4
9/7 Arlington
Home
7:30
points a game the
offense scored in
9/14 Dallas Hillcrest
Away
7:30
district play last
9/21 Ennis (Sr Night)
Home
7:30
year.
Mesquite
Horn
9/28
Open
10/5
Dallas Skyline (HC)
Home
7:30
10/12
Robert E. Lee
Away
7:30
10/18
John Tyler
Home
7:00
10/26
Mesquite
Away
7:30
11/2
North Mesquite
Away
7:30
11/9
Longview
Home
7:30
The defense returns
7 starters, led by
the Jaguars’ best
player in 1st Team
All-District LB Jody
Owens.
“We have great
speed and
quickness up front with some guys that play fast,” Payne said. “Jody Owens and
Wale Lawal could be great.”
20
Assistant Coaches: Tyler Harrison (OC), Eddie
Mellado (RB), Joe Chaney (QB), Jeff Stone (WR),
Shane Duniphin (QB/RB), Vincent Green (DC), Dan
St. Ledger (DL), Luke Overstreet (DB), Phil Draughn
(DB), Scott Hulsey (DE)
Lawal was 2nd Team All-District at defensive end. He is one of three returning
starters on the front line. The only knock on these guys is their lack of size. As
for the secondary, they will be inexperienced but talented. Senior cornerback
Arthur Reed is a 4.5 guy. The rest all run 4.6. Because the offense may struggle
to score points for awhile, the defense will need to improve tremendously on their
26 points a game district average of a year ago. Experience is always important for improving a football team. 18 of the Jaguars’
starters will be seniors. That should help them improve on last year’s 1-9
campaign. Although it begs the question, what’s going to happen in 2008?
Players To Watch:
Jody Owens: Sr-LB (6’0”, 195)
Gary Green: Sr-OL/DL (6’3”, 265)
Bruce Hatton: SrRB (5’4”, 140, 4.4)
Obie Nwabuko:
Sr-WR/DB (5’9”,
172, 4.5)
Cameron Onic: Sr-DB (5’10”, 174, 4.5)
Colton Ables: Sr-OL (6’3”, 284)
Tayler Gabriel: Jr-WR (5’6”, 140,
4.5)
E xcEllEncE in
HEaltH c arE
It matters when you or your
loved one is the patient.
Mother Frances Hospital has recently been recognized by not one, but five independent
organizations for excellence in health care. HealthGrades, Solucient, National Research
Corporation, Professional Research Consultants, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas* are
national health care industry leaders, with many years of experience in health care performance
measurement and improvement.
Kelan Cheadle: Sr-WR (5’10”, 170, 4.6)
DISTRICT 12-5A
DISTRICT 12-5A
NORTH MESQUITE StallionS
Players To Watch:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Longview Robert E. Lee
Mesquite
John Tyler
North Mesquite
Mesquite Horn
These recent third-party recognitions confirm that Mother Frances Hospital is a leader in quality,
safety, technology and compassionate care.
When it comes to health care for you or a loved one, choose excellence.
Choose Mother Frances Hospital.
* Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company, an Independent Licensee
SM
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association) has named Mother Frances Hospital as a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care and a Blue
SM
Distinction Center for Bariatric Surgery.
Mascot: Jaguars
Head Coach: Don Payne (6th Year)
Assistant Coaches: Bryan O’Neal (DC), Bill Bryant (OC), Chad Cousins, Alan
Hamilton, Doug Kent, J. Cody Smith, Ricky Stade, Nate Lynch, Carmalle McGee,
Bill Wade, Levi Washington
Starters Returning Offense: 8 Starters Returning Defense: 7
21
By Bobby Burney Sulphur Springs News –Telegram, Sports Editor
istrict 11-4A may have lost one of the marquee players in the state to graduation, but the flagship team is still the same.
D
The Texas High Tigers, even without blue chip quarterback Ryan Mallett, is still the team to beat — if anyone can — in the district. Mallett, who enrolled at the
University of Michigan in the spring, is one of 14 Texas High starters who graduated from last year’s district championship team, but the Tigers’ subvarsities were
better than everyone else’s, too.
The rest of the district — North Lamar, Paris, Lindale, Sulphur Springs and Mount Pleasant — is virtually a toss-up. Paris and Sulphur Springs were picked last
year to make the playoffs, but it was North Lamar and Mount Pleasant that slipped into the postseason as three teams tied for the final playoff spot.
Texas High is clearly the largest school in the district, with more than 1,700 students, while Mount Pleasant has about 1,400, Sulphur Springs with less than 1,200
and the other three schools somewhere around 1,000 students. The Tigers make that size advantage, and first-class workout facilities, work in their favor — they
won district titles in six different sports including football last school year.
However, the Tigers may not have the best player in the district for the first time in many years. That distinction may belong this season to talented offensive tackle
Stephen Good of Paris.
The Paris Wildcats are picked to make the playoffs along with Sulphur Springs. Mount Pleasant and North Lamar are close behind at fourth and fifth, with Lindale
picked sixth.
Texas High Tigers
The Tigers went 11-1 last season, 5-0 in district, behind Mallett and a talented
offense that averaged over 36
Texas High
points per game.
DATE
While Mallett, All-State
receiver Joe Anderson and
1,300-yard rusher Rowland
Smith all graduated, the Tigers
always seem to be able to
find athletes who can run and
catch. Replacing Mallett will
be harder, though it appears
the heir apparent is 6-3, lefthanded sophomore Nathan
Sorenson who guided the
freshman team to a 9-1 record.
OPPONENT
Mascot: Tigers
PLACE
TIME
Colors: Orange, white
Enrollment: 1,719
9/1
John Tyler
Home
7:30
9/7
Arkansas High
Away
7:30
9/14
Ohio Classic
Away
TBA
9/21
Waxahachie
Greenville
7:30
9/28
Atlanta
Away
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*North Lamar
Home
7:30
10/19
*Mount Pleasant
Away
7:30
10/26
*Lindale
Home
7:30
11/2
*Sulphur Springs
Away
7:30
11/9 *Paris
Home
7:30
The Tigers’ JV also had
another successful campaign,
going 10-0, and seemed primed to deliver the varsity squad with a quick, fast
defense.
Texas High didn’t graduate all of its starters from last year, and some of the top
returnees are on the offensive line to give the new quarterback a safety net.
Returning starters are tackle Adrian Williams (6-1, 245), and guards Sedrick
Thomas (6-1, 280) and Bo Horner (6-0, 255).
Defensively, the Tigers also lost a load of talent, including safety John T.
Johnson, the district Defensive Player of the Year, among the eight graduated
starters. But, two returning linebackers, Brandon Brown and Terry Matthews are
both around 6-1, 190 pounds and run close to a 4.5 in the 40. The Tigers are
22
also set at strong safety with Adrian Battle (5-8, 175), a First Team All-District
selection.
Head Coach: Barry Norton
Last Year’s Record: 11-1, 5-0, district champion
Paris Wildcats
The Paris Wildcats may be as physically talented — if not more-so — than Texas
High, which is saying a lot. Paris, though, doesn’t have the tradition, since none
of the players on this year’s team were in high school the last time the Wildcats
were in the playoffs.
Paris has a new head coach in Travis Smith, who was promoted from offensive
coordinator when Brent Southworth stepped down after five seasons as head
coach without a playoff appearance.
The Wildcats are loaded with talent, with three players already committed to Big
12 schools. Tops among them are offensive tackle Stephen Good (6-5, 290), who has pledged to Oklahoma after two straight All-State seasons.
He is one of eight offensive starters coming back.
Defensive back Jordan Fields (6-0, 185) and multi-purpose athlete Keon Furtch
(6-2, 190) have both pledged to Texas A&M. Add in speedster L.D. Gunn (59, 165, 4.35 in the 40), rangy wide receiver Desmond Moore (6-1, 185) and
halfback Courtney Hill (5-5, 155, state alternate in 100-meter dash), and you get
an idea of the speed and athleticism facing the Wildcats’ opponents.
Paris
Mascot: Wildcats • Colors: Blue, gold • Enrollment: 1,190
continued
Paris will need to improve on defense to upset Texas High, but Furtch, Gunn and
Newcomer of the Year Micahl Milton (5-8, 185) at linebacker certainly give the
Wildcats some ammunition.
Austin Cunningham is also the
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
best returning kicker/punter in
the district.
8/31 Gainesville
Away
7:30
Paris
Paris went 6-4 in 2006, but
was only 2-3 in district and
missed out on the playoffs after
being tied with Mount Pleasant
and Lindale for third.
Mascot: Wildcats
Colors: Blue, silver
9/7
FW Eastern Hills
Home
7:30
9/14
Little Elm
Home
7:30
9/21
Denison
Away
7:30
9/28
Pittsburg
Away
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Lindale
Away
7:30
10/19
*North Lamar
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 979
10/26
*Sulphur Springs
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Travis Smith
11/2
*Mount Pleasant
Home
7:30
Last Year’s Record: 6-4, 2-3
11/9
*Texas High
Away
7:30
Sulphur Springs Wildcats
The Wildcats went through a rebuilding year in 2006 under new head coach and
SSHS alum Greg Owens, who had to bring in practically a whole new staff.
The Wildcats dipped to 2-8 (1-4 in district) in 2006, missing the playoffs for the
first time in five years. However, the JV team went 8-2 and the freshman squad
shared the district title with Texas High.
This year, the Wildcats appear to be more settled at quarterback, where
junior Tyrick Rollison will be the incumbent starter after alternating with Brittan
Diamond in 2006. Rollison finished his sophomore season completing about
50 percent of his passes for a little more than 1,000 yards. He has All-District
wide receiver Daqualin Evans (6-1, 180) to throw to along with Jeff Beck and
promising junior Jace Jackson. Evans and Beck combined to catch 72 passes
last season for eight TDs. The
Wildcats’ offensive line will have
to be retooled, but after using
10 different starters last season,
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
that comes as no surprise. Sulphur
Springs
Diamond (6-2, 195) converted
to linebacker at the end of last
season and earned All-District
honors during that time. The
Wildcats’ defensive hopes rest
with their front seven, where
Diamond and leading tackler
Josh Dunn (6-0, 200) will be at
linebacker, and Rodney Evans
(6-1, 275) and Tyler Francis
(6-3, 230), who were both
All-District linemen, will lead a
talented group.
8/31
McKinney
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Greg Owens • Last Year’s Record: 2-8, 1-4
Mount Pleasant Tigers
Under first-year head coach Jimmy Thompson, Mount Pleasant made a
surprising run for the playoffs last season, finishing 5-6 overall, 2-3 in district
and winning a tiebreaker for the district’s final postseason berth.
The Tigers did it with a veer offense ran behind a huge, physical offensive
line. Three of those linemen return — Clayton Spruill (6-5, 235), Mitchell
Tackett (6-0, 290) and Jamarious Reynolds (5-11, 290) — but they are the
only returning starters on offense.
The quarterback battle looks to be coming down to Chad Bowers, Terrell
Howard and Cash Thompson.
DISTRICT 11-4A
DISTRICT 11-4A
Texas High Still The Team To Beat In 11-4A
The Tigers will likely be looking for their defense to carry them, at least early in
the season. Defensive back Jacolby Stewart (6-1, 190) had three interceptions
and 77 tackles last season, and cornerback Trenston Hill (6-1, 180) are two of
the leaders in the secondary. Tevin Elliott, a co-Defensive Newcomer of the
Year, was a standout at inside
linebacker and Broderrick Fuller
(5-10, 265) made a name for
himself at defensive end. Also
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
expected to start in their front
8/31 Open
seven are linebacker Colby
9/7 Kilgore
Home
7:30
Cooper and end Jessie Jones.
mount
pleasant
Mascot: Tigers
Colors: Black, gold
Enrollment: 1,405
Head Coach: Jimmy
Thompson
Last Year’s Record: 5-6, 2-3,
third in district
9/14
Hallsville
Home
7:30
9/21
9/28
Atlanta
Away
7:30
Liberty-Eylau
Home
7:30
10/5
Carthage
Away
7:30
10/12
*Sulphur Springs
Away
7:30
10/19
*Texas High
Home
7:30
10/26
*North Lamar
Away
7:30
11/2
*Paris
Away
7:30
11/9
*Lindale
Home
7:30
North Lamar Panthers
9/7
Whitehouse
Away
7:30
9/14
Denison
Home
7:30
9/21
Sherman
Away
7:30
The last two years, the Panthers were picked not to make the playoffs, and each
year they silenced the doubters. North Lamar relies on a ball-control offense and
turnover-happy defense to grind out victories.
9/28
Open
10/5
Liberty-Eylau
Away
7:30
Last season, the Panthers went 7-4 and finished as 11-4A runners-up with a 3-2 mark.
10/12
*Mount Pleasant
Home
7:30
10/19
*Lindale
Away
7:30
10/26
*Paris
Home
7:30
11/2
*Texas High
Home
7:30
11/9
*North Lamar
Away
7:30
This year, though, the Panthers will be without three offensive linemen who have
started the last three years. They will also be without All-State running back
Antowaine Smith, who gained over 2,000 yards and was within one vote of being
named the state’s Offensive MVP. In fact, the Panthers don’t have any returning
All-District players.
23
continued
Coming back for the Panthers, though is offensive linemen Mack Brawley
(5-9, 280), who become known as a pancake blocker, and Corey Woods
(6-3, 280).
north
lamar
Defensively, North Lamar
only has a couple of starters
back as well in athletic nose
tackle Josh McDonald (5-10,
190) and linebacker Anthony
George (5-9, 200). George
is considered a rising star in
the district.
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Liberty-Eylau
Home
7:30
9/7
Broken Bow, Okla
Away
7:30
9/14
New Boston
Home
7:30
9/21
Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
9/28
Commerce
Home
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Texas High
Away
7:30
Enrollment: 1,001 10/19
*Paris
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Tommy Felty
10/26
*Mount Pleasant
Home
7:30
11/2
*Lindale
Away
7:30
11/9
*Sulphur Springs
Home
7:30
Mascot: Panthers Colors: Blue, gold
Last Year’s Record: 7-4, 3-2,
district runner-up
Lindale Eagles
The Eagles, under first-year head coach Mike Meador, made a nice run in their
first year in Class 4A in more than a decade. They went 7-3 and finished in a
three-way for third in the district.
Lindale did it behind the 1-2 offensive punch of quarterback Lucas Shipman and
All-State receiver Seth Bauman. Both of those players have graduated, though.
Jackson was an All-District player
last year, as was center Mitch Baker
(5-10, 220).
The defense will likely be
spearheaded by end Dajuan
Hart (6-0, 240) and linebackers
Justin Westberry and Matthew
Mickey. Jackson, Rhea and
Joseph Clemmons are back in the
secondary for the Eagles.
Mascot: Eagles
Colors: Blue, white
Enrollment: 975
Head Coach: Mike Meador
Last Year’s Record: 7-3, 2-3
DISTRICT 11-4A
DISTRICT 11-4A
North Lamar
Lindale
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Spring Hill
Away
7:30
9/7
Wills Point
Home
7:30
9/14
Van
Away
7:30
9/21
Canton
Home
7:30
9/28
Gladewater
Away
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Paris
Home
7:30
10/19
*Sulphur Springs
Home
7:30
10/26
*Texas High
Away
7:30
11/2
*North Lamar
Home
7:30
Away
7:30
11/9 *Mount Pleasant
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Texas High Paris
Sulphur Springs
Mount Pleasant
North Lamar
Lindale
Sleep Your Way to Good Health
R. V. Ghuge, MD Medical Director, Trinity Clinic Sleep Medicine
leep is vital to maintain the normal
S functioning
of the human mind and
body. Normal sleep refreshes a person.
Abnormal sleep may leave a person
feeling tired in the morning and sleepy
during the day. A sleep specialist can
diagnose more than 86 sleep disorders
now classified in the ‘International
Classification of Sleep Disorders.’ If left untreated, these conditions may lead to
heart disease, stroke, depression, fatigue, hypertension, nighttime acid reflux,
memory loss, headaches and other health problems.
Obstructive sleep apnea is presently the most important of these sleep disorders.
In this condition a patient’s airway collapses during sleep. The most common
symptom of sleep apnea is snoring. Loud snoring does not necessarily reflect
the severity of sleep apnea. In reality, any type of snoring could be due to sleep
apnea. Upper body sweats at night while asleep, waking up with a dry mouth,
waking up frequently for the bathroom, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, acid reflux,
morning headaches, elevated blood pressure, chest pain, racing heart, waking
up with gasping or choking and memory loss are among the many symptoms of
sleep apnea.
Sleep apnea increases the risk of heart attacks, stroke, congestive heart failure,
hypertension and memory loss in adults and ADHD and sleepiness in children.
Treatment of sleep apnea especially with CPAP machine and mask helps to
reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke while treating the symptoms such as
fatigue, excessive daytime sleepiness and many others. Other modalities that
are available to treat sleep apnea and snoring include surgeries, oral appliances
and medications.
Other conditions such as insomnia, narcolepsy, sleepwalking and circadian
rhythm disorders, to name a few, can now be identified and treated as well.
If you need help to identify whether you have a sleep disorder, or if you already
know that you suffer from one or more sleep disorders, please call my office
for a consultation at (903) 525-1664. Our Trinity Mother Frances Sleep Center
and Trinity Clinic Sleep Medicine are fully equipped to handle the diagnosis,
treatment and follow-up of all adult and pediatric sleep disorders.
The Eagles have a good offensive scheme, using undersized linemen to cut the
defense and putting the ball in the hands of their playmakers. Those playmakers
this year could be tailbacks Josh Jackson (5-10, 180) and Logan Lawrence (511, 180) or wide receivers Travis Rhea (5-9, 140) and Logan Smith (6-0, 175). the
D
E
R
E
N
ZO
Friday nights
24
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25
HALLSVILLE BOBCATS
When you lose your quarterback who was conference co-player of the year
(Shane Fry), your wide receiver who was kick/punt returner of the year (Darius
Valentine), your starting running back (Kendrick Survia), and most of your
offensive experience, you would think the Bobcats were preparing for a down year. DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Palestine
Away
7:30
9/7
Atlanta
Home
7:30
9/14
Mt. Pleasant
Away
7:30
Home (HC)
7:30
I n a way, it’s too bad only three teams from this district can make the playoffs, because any one of them could do some postseason damage. Unlike years past
“We lost skill kids we had for the last two years,” lamented Hallsville coach
David Plunk.
9/21
Open
9/28
Nacogdoches
“In this district, you can be good but not win anything,” said Henderson coach Dickey Meeks.
But, in Hallsville, skill kids seem to grow on trees. Plunk has a stable of players
ready to take their turn. 10/5
Henderson
Away
7:30
10/12
Marshall
Home
7:30
“We have skill players who can step in,” Plunk said, “they just haven’t proven it
yet on the field. We need some game experience.”
10/19
Whitehouse
Away
7:30
10/26
Kilgore
Home
7:30
Junior Tom Lee Hutchinson will assume the duties at quarterback. He saw
mop-up duty last year as the varsity backup. Plunk says Hutchinson is a great
competitor. He has 4.5 speed and may need to use it until his young receivers
assert themselves. But rest assured, the receivers will assert themselves. There is a handful of speedy players vying for playing time. The leading
contender to catch the ball is junior wide out Dadrian Johnson. He is Valentine’s
younger brother.
11/2
Jacksonville
Away
7:30
11/9
Pine Tree
Home
7:30
when one or two teams dominated, 12-4A this year has eight solid teams.
Kilgore found that out the hard way, as their 11-year playoff streak came to an end. They were stunned by Whitehouse to open district play. The Wildcats came
out of nowhere to produce their best season in school history, while grabbing the district title. Nacogdoches won their final five district games to make the playoffs.
“It’s as balanced as it’s ever been,” said Hallsville coach David Plunk. “There’s really not a team in the district you can mark down as a win.”
As a result, selecting a preseason poll was a difficult task for the coaches. Marshall received the title as preseason favorite, despite a first year coach. The
Mavericks have a lot of talented players returning. The district’s top three quarterbacks return in Nacogdoches senior Justin McAninch, Kilgore senior Eric King, and Whitehouse junior Brady Attaway. Their teams are
expected to battle for playoff supremacy. Henderson’s Justin Horton and Nacogdoches’ William Harrison are the top returning tight ends. Jacksonville’s Joseph Vilavisecnio (6’5”, 310), Pine Tree’s Charles
Reeves (6’4”, 305) and Henderson’s Austin Wright (6’2”, 285) are the district’s top returning offensive linemen. Nacogdoches’ Tyler Auxier, Marshall’s Andrew Clough
and Hallsville’s Chase Hollon all can stake a claim as the top returning running backs. Hollon may also be the district’s fastest player. He and Whitehouse’s Steven
Hicks both claim to be 4.4 guys. Pine Tree has the most returning starters with 14. “It’s a battle every Friday night,” said Kilgore coach Mike Vallery.
It will come down to whoever can hold their team together. Injuries will play a big part in the outcome of this district.
The running game should be a strength. Besides Hutchinson, there are three
ballhandlers who will see action, led by senior Chase Hollon. He doesn’t have
great size, but is a jackrabbit with 4.4 speed and has good hands. A.J. Jones
and Michael Boyd, who are returning defensive starters, are big and physical
and should help between the tackles. They’ll be led into the holes by senior
Josh Schattel, an offensive lineman last year, who Plunk is moving to fullback.
As for the o-line, that’s where a lot of the returning experience on offense is located. “Our o-line was good last year,” Plunk said. “Our o-line has a chance to be
better this year.”
While the offense grows into their role this season, it’s the defense that will be
expected to lead the way. The Bobcats have a strong core of players returning, led by Schattel at defensive
tackle, senior inside linebacker Kevin Dawson, and senior safety Vic Williams,
who were all second-team all-district last year. A.J. Jones at linebacker and
Michael Boyd at defensive end are also strong, athletic, returning starters. Opposing teams will have a hard time outrunning this unit. Their challenge is to
improve on the 22 points a game they gave up last year.
The Bobcats, who came within four points of winning a district title last year, will
be disappointed if they don’t see the postseason for a third straight time.
Players To Watch:
Josh Schattel-Sr-DT/FB (6’0”, 240)
Kevin Dawson-Sr-LB/TE (6’2”, 215)
Chase Hollon-Sr-RB (5’7”, 170, 4.4)
Tom Lee Hutchinson-Jr-QB (5’10”, 175, 4.5)
Mascot: Bobcats
Superintendent: Greg Wright
26
HALLSVILLE
Head Coach: David Plunk
(3rd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Scott Highsmith (OC),
Bert Schupp (OL), Jack
Walton (WR), John
Arnet(Asst-OL)
Rodne Barthelemess
(DC), David Waterhouse
(DT), Tommy Miller (DE),
Chris Cochran (LB), Mike
Burks (DB)
Returning Starters
Offense: 6 DISTRICT 12-4A
DISTRICT 12-4A
Hard to Pick a Front-Runner in a
Balanced 12-4A District
Returning Starters
Defense: 6
Henderson Lions
The Lions are hoping they can chalk up 2006 as a learning year. Dickey Meeks
took over as head coach late in the spring, and the Lions went on to win just one
game. On the surface, 2006 looks like a major disappointment, but a closer look
suggests otherwise. Three district losses were within a touchdown or less. Also,
22 players from last year’s squad are back for revenge.
I knew it would take some time to get the team where we wanted it,” Meeks said. “Having a full off-season and spring has helped tremendously. The players are
buying into the system now.”
The Lions strength on offense may prove to be their Achilles Heal. First team alldistrict tight end Justin Horton (23-301-1) is being recruited by nearly everyone
in the country, and has already received offers from Nebraska, Oklahoma State,
Kansas, Houston, Tulsa and TCU. “He is a game-breaker type player with great
size and speed,” Meeks said. “He is capable of turning a two yard pass into 52
yards.”
Getting the ball into Horton’s hands, though, will be the challenge. Meeks
says the QB position is a question. The frontrunner for the job is junior Hunter
Skelton. Meeks says he is a prototype QB with a strong arm who was the starter
on a JV team that lost just one game. But Meeks knows JV experience is not
varsity experience. “The big deal is getting the running game going so we can
throw it,” Meeks said.
Junior Telvin Fryman and senior Dusty Jordan return to carry the load at running
back. Both have good speed, but Fryman is more of a slasher, with Jordan
providing more power. They are expected to be better this year, thanks in part
to the interior lineman who are returning. First team all-district guard Austin
Wright returns but will move to center, where he is being heavily recruited. He’ll
be flanked by a couple of quick returning guards in Daniel Roe and Fernando
Aguillar. A lot of spring was spent developing a strong running attack. This is a
squad that averaged fewer than two touchdowns a game last year.
Continued
27
continued
The defense has a lot of work to do. This is a unit that gave up more than
30 points a game last year and never held an opponent under 20 points. Fortunately, seven starters return with experience. The linebackers will not
only be their strength this year, but next year as well. Daniel Prior earned
2nd Team all-district honors at inside linebacker last year as a sophomore. Toby Washington and Fryman also return as junior starters. Honorable
Mention All-State senior Torin Hart will provide the spark at safety as a three-year starter. Senior Quinten Cooley returns to anchor the front line at
nose guard. The Lions haven’t had a winning record since 2002, but if anyone can
turn them around it is Meeks. He has coached 18 playoff teams, 9 district
champions and two state finalists including the 1989 4A state champion
Chapel Hill Bulldogs. While a state title may not be a realistic goal this year,
a playoff berth is not out of the question.
henderson
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Players To Watch:
Austin Wright-Sr-OT/DT (6’2”, 285)
8/31
Carthage
Away
7:30
9/7
Huntsville
Home
7:30
9/14
Palestine
Away
7:30
9/21
Open
9/28
Pine Tree
Away
7:30
10/5
Hallsville
Home
7:30
10/12
Nacogdoches
Away
7:30
10/19
Marshall
Away
7:30
10/26
Whitehouse
Home
7:30
11/2
Kilgore
Away
7:30
Mascot: Lions
11/9
Jacksonville
Home
7:30
Justin Horton-Sr-TE (6’3”, 225, 4.4)
Telvin Fryman-Jr-RB/LB (5’9”, 170, 4.5)
Toby Washington-Jr-LB (5’11”, 180)
Dusty Jordan-Sr-RB/LB (5’9”, 185, 4.5)
Superintendent: Bobby Brown
Head Coach: Dickey Meeks (2nd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Craig Watson (OC), Craig Barker (WR), Todd Nunnally
(OL), Keith Tanner (RB), J.J. Fernandez (DC), Terry Everitt (DL), Jeremy
Burleson (LB), Darrin Hylander (DB)
Returning Starters Offense: 6 Returning Starters Defense: 7
JACKSONVILLE INDIANS
Since going 10-3 in 2004, it’s been a strange and disappointing journey for
Jacksonville. An ineligible player in 2005 forced the Indians to forfeit 5 games
and turned a 6-4 playoff bound team into a 1-9 doorstop. Last year, the Indians
began the season 4-0, but struggled with injuries to win just two of their final six games.
“We were (13) points away from being 9-1,” said head coach Randy Copeland. “We started off beating some good teams, but then had a couple of injuries and
couldn’t rebound.”
28
Copeland admits, the Indians fell into the trap of relying too heavily on all-world
running back Carmon Boyd-Anderson, who will be chased by Big 12 tacklers this
year as a member of the Kansas Jayhawks. This year’s team promises to learn
from that and be more balanced. Senior Paxton Lindsey will enter the season
as the starting quarterback, although Copeland said other kids will compete
for the job. The offense will be anchored by 1st team all-district tackle Joseph
Villavisecnio, whose size will no doubt attract college scouts. “Joseph has
straight A’s, he was all-state band,” Copeland said. “He’s a great kid.”
Copeland believes it is defense that wins championships, and that’s where the
Indians will hang their hat in 2007. It’s a unit that won’t be very big but will have
a lot of speed and quickness. It also doesn’t hurt to have a player like Jeremy
Chappelle anchoring the defensive backfield. Chappelle had 59 tackles and 2
fumble recoveries in earning district newcomer of the year honors last year as
a freshman. “Jeremy is an unbelievable talent and player,” Copeland said, “and
he’s only going to get bigger, stronger and better.”
Three year starter Ryan Arrington is moving from the o-line to the d-line to help
up front. Copeland has said all along that it would be a process to return to their ’04 form. He feels they have a lot of promising young players coming up, and he’s excited
to see how they blend with the older guys. The struggles of the past two years
seem now to be just that; a thing of the past.
“We think we have a chance to win the district championship,” Copeland said. “We are very young with talent. If we grow up quick, we can be as good as anybody.”
Jacksonville Players To Watch:
Ryan Arrington: Sr-DL (6’2”, 245)
Jeremy Chappelle: Soph-WR/DB (6’3”, 185, 4.6)
Mascot: Indians
Superintendent: Stuart Bird
jacksonVILLE
Head Coach: Randy
Copeland (5th Year)
8/31
Assistant Coaches: Nathan Barrier (OC), Jamie Palmer, Judd Guidry,
Brent Kelley, Mark Zimmer
(DC), Chad Taylor, Chris
Dolan, Lance Gary.
9/21
Palestine
Home
7:30
9/28
Marshall
Away
7:30
10/5
Whitehouse (HC)
Home
7:30
10/12
Kilgore
Away
7:30
Returning Starters
Offense: 5
10/19
Nacogdoches
Home
7:30
10/26
Pine Tree
Away
7:30
Returning Starters
Defense: 4
11/2
Hallsville
Home
7:30
11/9
Henderson
Away
7:30
OPPONENT
The Bulldogs find themselves in a very unusual position. They enter the season
having played just ten games last year. They got surprised early by Whitehouse,
then lost a couple of 7 point games to Hallsville and Marshall to end an 11 year
playoff streak. Kilgore entered their final game with a chance, and that’s all head
coach Mike Vallery is asking for again this year. He understands 2007 is a long
way from 2004’s 16-0 state championship team. “We know we’ll have to play our
(butts) off or we’ll get beat,” Vallery said.
The bright spot on offense is at QB, where 2nd Team All-District Erik King
returns for his senior season. He was the Bulldogs offensive MVP last year after
throwing for 715 yards and 8 TD’s. His experience will help lead a young group
of skilled players. “We’re expecting big things from him,” Vallery said of King. “He’s a strong-armed kid who can give you any throw that you want. He had a
good spring and is getting better and better. I think through game experience, he
will have a lot of college scouts looking at him.”
85% of his passing yards went to Jaron Shepherd and Jerek Sheffield, who have
both graduated. 2nd Team All-District tight end Dominique Jones is back for his
junior year. Greg Szymarek also returns. The wide outs are going to be young,
but they have a lot of talent. Vallery expects big things from the likes of Xavian
Sanders, Andrew Ector, Corwin Rowlett and Hikeem Colbert. Colbert will also
receive touches at running back. He is the Bulldogs top returning rusher. Frank
Reddic and Trevor Moon also will get some playing time. We’ll see how long it
takes Moon to make his mark. At 4.5, he’s one of the fastest kids on the team. The success of the running attack depends on the offensive line. You just don’t
replace a player like Michael Huey. The district’s lineman of the year is now at
the University of Texas. Junior Vincent Kano (6’3”, 290) will try. He’s big and
talented, and will start on both sides of the ball. Michael Anthony, Colby Rossum
and Jeff Watson should provide strength up front.
Joseph Vilavisecnio: Sr-OL (6’5”, 310)
DATE
Kilgore Bulldogs
PLACE
TIME
Brownsboro
Home
7:30
9/7
Corsicana
Away
7:30
9/14
Open
Like the offense, five starters return on defense. Inside linebacker Rick Thomas
will definitely be the leader of this group. The three-year starter was 1st Team
All-District. However, the Bulldogs took heavy losses at outside linebacker
(Kendrick Ector) and in the secondary, where the teams defensive player of the
year Jaron Shepherd graduates. Several of the talented young offensive players
may find themselves playing some defense as well. Junior defensive end
Dominique Jones also returns as a starter. The return of Szymarek and junior
Sean Edwards will help out a lot up front. Larry Zachary and Vincent Kano will
also join in on a rotation method. Freshman kicker Ryan Bustin did a good job
last year. Vallery thinks he could be really good by the time he graduates.
Bulldogs, remember this: The JV team went 10-0 last year. That’s something
the 2004 group, or any other Bulldogs group had never done before. If they
stay healthy, and the young offensive skill players mature quickly, they’ll have
a chance. Players To Watch:
Erik King-Sr-QB (6’3”, 205)
Rick Thomas-Sr-LB/FB (5’10”, 220)
Dominique Jones-Jr-TE/DE (6’3”, 220)
Frank Reddic-Jr-RB/DB (5’10”, 180)
Trevor Moon-Jr-RB/DB (5’8”, 165, 4.5)
Hikeem Colbert-Sr-RB/DB (5’9”, 175)
DISTRICT 12-4A
DISTRICT 12-4A
Henderson
Mascot: Bulldogs
Superintendent: Jerry Roberts
Head Coach: Mike Vallery (13th Year)
Assistant Coaches: Chris Vallery (OC), Keith Meyers (OL), Josh McGilvray
(TE), Jay Dean (RB), Kris Dupplissey (K), Mike Wood (DC), Les Lopes (LB),
Charles Presley (DB)
Returning Starters Offense: 5
Returning Starters Defense: 5
Kilgore
DATE
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Crockett
OPPONENT
Home
7:30
9/7
Mt. Pleasant
Away
7:30
9/14
Atlanta (HC)
Home
7:30
9/21
Open
9/28
Whitehouse
Away
7:30
10/5
Nacogdoches
Away
7:30
Don’t expect the Bulldogs to have the same size or speed as they’ve had in
the past. But, that doesn’t mean there won’t be good athletes on the field. “There are no super fast guys,” Vallery said, “but there’s a lot more overall team
quickness on both sides.”
10/12
Jacksonville
Home
7:30
10/19
Pine Tree
Home
7:30
10/26
Hallsville
Away
7:30
11/2
Henderson
Home
7:30
Kilgore once again didn’t hold spring practice, with several guys playing a big
part on the successful baseball team. How that affects their development
remains to be seen. The Bulldogs also don’t have a very favorable district
schedule. They have four road games, including Whitehouse, Nacogdoches,
Hallsville and Marshall to close out the season. But before you write off the
11/9
Marshall
Away
7:30
29
There are plenty of reasons to scratch off the Mavericks from the contender
list. After back-to-back state final appearances, Marshall failed to make the
playoffs last year with a 6-4 record. They must deal with the departure of
their co-offensive player of the year quarterback Derrick Sneed, as well as
their head coach Rodney Southern. But, as the preseason coach’s poll proved, 12-4A coaches aren’t that gullible. After all, the 2006 Mavericks were just one point away from a playoff berth,
eight points away from a district championship and 18 points away from a
perfect regular season. All four of their losses came by a touchdown or less. This was a team that just as easily could have found itself back in the state
finals. With a plethora of talent to choose from, finding a QB should be a snap. And, the new head coach is anything but new. Thedrick Harris has served
as the Mavericks defensive coordinator for the past five years, including the
two state finals teams “I came here with Coach Southern,” Harris said. “I’ve
known these kids since junior high.”
While Harris may not be new, several of his coaches are. As a result, the
slate has been wiped virtually clean, creating competition for every position on
the field. One of the most hotly contested jobs will be at quarterback, where
Harris must find a suitable replacement for Sneed. With Sneed under center,
the Mavericks led the district in scoring last year, averaging more than five
touchdowns a game. Sneed alone accounted for nearly 2000 yards and 21
touchdowns. That’s a major hole to fill. But, year in and year out, the Mavericks’
seem to come up with a quality signal caller. The leading contenders for the job
are junior Darius Jones and senior Jackson Hood. Jones was the Mavericks
leading receiver last year while serving as Sneed’s backup. He accounted for
over 700 all purpose yards and 5 TD’s, earning 2nd Team All-District honors at
WR. He was the quarterback of Marshall’s undefeated freshman team in ’05. He’s a versatile and unselfish athlete who excels at several positions. Harris
may be reluctant to lose his production at wide receiver, considering he has last
year’s JV starter in Hood to throw to him. Junior wide receiver Dameon Smith, who was the team’s second leading
receiver, also returns.
One spot Harris can turn that pencil mark into pen is at starting running back,
where their leading rusher from last year returns. Senior Andrew Clough ran for
971 yards and 10 TD’s and earned 2nd Team All-District and Honorable Mention
All-State. Who will join him in the backfield is still up in the air, but there are
several backs who will get some touches, including Jones, if he isn’t at QB.
The offensive line is a work in progress, with just one starter returning. Fortunately, that starter is a behemoth of a junior named Matthew Sheppard
(6’3”, 280), who one coach called a man among boys. Harris also singled out
Blake Ford (6’1”, 250). This unit will be young, but bigger than the Mavericks are
used to. The offensive speed at the skill positions should help with their maturity.
The defense, which was so strong during the state final runs, was the
weakness last year. Opposing teams figured out they could power their way
for tremendous yards on the ground. They gave up 302 yards to Jacksonville’s
Cameron Boyd-Anderson and 315 yards to Nacogdoches’ Kameron Rhodes. As a result, it was a unit that gave up over 33 points a game in their four losses. Fortunately, Harris says they have good depth returning in the front seven. The
challenge will be to find kids to play effectively in the secondary.
Overall, it should be another top notch year for Marshall. They were district
champs in track in the spring and have a lot of quick, raw talent. “The time to
30
build up to a winner is hard work,” Harris said. “but it has gotten us where we
need to go.” Mavericks fans have high hopes for a return to form in ’07.
Mascot: Mavericks
Student Enrollment: 1646 Superintendent: Kenn Franklin
Head Coach: Thedrick Harris (1st Year)
Assistant Coaches: Corey Parham (OC), Steven Grant (DC), Ted Huffhines (STC)
Players To Watch:
Andrew Clough: Sr-RB (5’11”,
185)
A.J. Wilson: Sr-FS (5’11”, 170)
Jeremiah Fisher: Sr-WR (5’11”,
165)
Dustin Fitzgerald: Sr-TE (6’2”,
190)
Jackson Hood: Sr-QB/WR (6’0”,
170)
Blake Ford: OL (6’1”, 250)
Marshall
NACOGDOCHES
Continued
position being their strength. Harper will rely on senior James Ervin to make
all the calls and checks. He was 2nd Team All-District and 3rd Team All-State
at the middle linebacker position. Senior Ictavaine Matthews was 1st Team
All-District at outside linebacker, while junior Bennie Perkins was 2nd Team
All-District at the other outside linebacker position. Auxier will anchor the line at
defensive end. Seniors Logan Lanier, DeAndre Reeves and Michael Cannings
were all honorable mention All-District in the secondary.
The Dragons are a team loaded with athletes. So many of their players were
helping drive successful baseball and track teams, that Harper was forced to
cancel spring football. That’s fine with Harper. It just gives his team another
week’s worth of a running start in the fall.
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Players To Watch:
9/1
Cypress Woods
(Houston)
Away
7:30
9/7
Longview
Home
7:30
Justin McAninch-Sr-QB (6’4”,
215)
9/14
Open
9/21
Neville (LA)
Away
7:30
9/28
Jacksonville
Home
7:30
James Ervin-Sr-MLB (6’0”, 195)
Ictavaine Matthews-Sr-OLB
(5’11”, 200)
Tyler Auxier-Sr-DE/FB (6’2”, 210)
Nacogdoches
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Open
9/7
Dayton
Home
7:30
9/14
Lufkin
Home
7:30
9/21
Center
Away
7:30
9/28
Hallsville
Away
7:30
10/5
Pine Tree
Away
7:30
10/12
Hallsville
Away
7:30
Mascot: Dragons
10/5
Kilgore
Home
7:30
10/12
Henderson
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Rodney Hutto
10/19
Jacksonville
Away
7:30
10/26
Marshall
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Bill Harper (3rd Year)
11/2
Pine Tree
Away
7:30
11/9
Whitehouse
Away
7:30
10/19
Henderson (HC)
Home
7:30
10/26
Nacogdoches
Away
7:30
11/2
Whitehouse
Home
7:30
11/9
Kilgore (Sr N)
Home
7:30
NACOGDOCHES DRAGONS
In his first two years as head coach, Bill Harper has directed the Dragons to
back-to-back 6-4 regular seasons, and ended a playoff drought that extended
back to 1992. “I feel like we’re on a roll,” Harper said. “and it has carried over. We feel like we can win every game.”
That belief is fueled by the return of QB Justin McAninch (MAC-uh-ninch). The
senior was 1st Team All-District last year while throwing for 1146 yards and 11
TD’s. With prototypical QB size, the two-sport star is getting a lot of looks from
colleges, including Texas A&M. “He’s also a very good baseball player,” Harper
said, “but football is his sport.”
Besides the return of 1st Team All-District tight end William Harrison, the
receivers will be inexperienced. “There are several wide receiver candidates,
but they need a lot of work,” Harper said. “They need a lot of 7-on-7 action.”
Senior Tyler Auxier may see some time at tight end to ease that burden. Auxier
was a 1st Team All-District fullback last year. Harper feels he has a couple of
backs who can play at a high level. Their success though may rely on how
fast the offensive line matures. Only one starter is coming back. Harper has
plugged in several JV players who he thinks can step up. “I think the offense will
hold their own,” Harper said.
The defense will do more than hold their own. Nine starters return from a unit
that allowed just 16 points a game during their 5 game season closing winning
streak. The Dragons have a lot of speed and experience, with the linebacker
Assistant Coaches: Kyle
Preston (OC), Brandon Boyd (TE), Glenn Williams (OL), Matt Gregory (RB),
Todd Sparks (WR), Clarence McMichael (DC), Stan Miller (DT), Sed Harper
(DE), John Mudge (LB), Mark Roskos (DB)
The rest of the front line is a work in progress. Standout offensive tackle
Charles Reeves (6’4”, 305) should see some time on the defensive front, and
the addition of former Hallsville head coach Roger Adams coaching this unit
should help a lot. Russell says the whole depth chart at linebacker is back,
led by senior inside linebacker Trevor Evans and senior outside linebacker
Dylan McJimsey. Both players were 2nd Team All-District. Juniors Drehlan
Alexander and Ryan Kulak had good springs to establish themselves at the
cornerback positions. Another Longview transfer, Jamar Lincoln (6’2”, 185,
4.6) will be a two-way player, including safety. He’ll use his 4.6 speed at wide
receiver as well. Also joining the club is one of Palestine Westwood’s leading receivers, (6’5”,
210), Terrance Sparkman. Russell has skill kids three deep at wide receiver
and four deep at running back. Gabe Van Zandt returns after missing nearly
the entire season last year with an injury. Coach Russell is looking for 1000
yards from him.
The biggest question on offense is who will replace three-year starter Matt
Hughes at QB? Russell says it’s a three-player competition between senior
Dustin Farley, who brings the most experience, as well as a couple of very
talented sophomores in Tyler Kids and Matt Hamer. Farley was the backup
last season, Hamer has good mechanics, and Kids is very athletic. Don’t be
surprised though to see Sparkman take a few snaps. He has a rocket arm but is
new to the system. Up front, the Pirates have a big hole to fill at tackle where 6’7”, 300 pound
Joseph Klerekoper used to play. He’s now at Iowa State. Russell understands
the offensive line depth is a concern, but having another D-I prospect in
Honorable Mention All-State Reeves there helps. Also, acting as a sixth lineman
will be honorable mention All-District tight end James Metcalf (6’4”, 235).
The Pirates haven’t seen the playoffs since 2001, but with four district home
games, including Marshall, Jacksonville and Nacogdoches, they just might
surprise somebody. “I will be shocked and extremely disappointed if we’re not
successful,” Russell said. “I feel like it’s going to be a very good year for Pine
Tree football.”
Players To Watch:
Pine Tree
Shannon Kelly-Sr-DE (5’10”, 180)
DATE
PLACE
TIME
Trevor Evans-Sr-LB (6’0”, 215)
8/31
Gladewater
Away
7:30
PINE TREE PIRATES
Dylan McJimsey-Sr-LB (5’10”, 180)
9/7
Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
9/14
Athens
Away
7:30
9/21
Open
9/28
Henderson
Home
7:30
10/5
Marshall (Sr N)
Could Pine Tree be this year’s Whitehouse?
“This is easily the best team we’ve had at Pine Tree,” said head coach Tim
Russell, who is entering his fourth year in charge of the Pirates. “We haven’t
approached anything like this before.”
DISTRICT 12-4A
DISTRICT 12-4A
MARSHALL MAVERICKS
Charles Reeves-Sr-OT/DT (6’4”, 305)
OPPONENT
Gabe Van Zandt-Sr-RB (5’10”,
190, 4.55)
Home
7:30
10/12 Whitehouse
Away
7:30
With 26 letterman returning, eight starters on offense and six on defense, it’s a
Pirates team at least with experience. But add six transfers to that total who will
probably start, and all of a sudden, you’ve got the attention of the district. Team
speed has gone from a weakness to a strength. Mascot: Pirates
10/19 Kilgore
Away
7:30
10/26 Jacksonville (HC)
Home
7:30
11/2
Nacogdoches
Home
7:30
The most obvious reason for excitement is defensive end Shanon Kelly, a senior
transfer from Longview . “He did a great job in the spring,” said Russell. “He
was the defensive MVP. We’re looking for a lot of good things from him.” Kelly
played defensive tackle at Longview, but is moving to end with Pine Tree. He’s
not very big (5’10”, 180), but he makes up for it with good technique. He is a
difference maker on the field, who is smart and knows his position well. Expect
to hear his name called a lot on Friday nights. Head Coach: Tim Russell (4th Year)
11/9
Hallsville
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Lynn Whitaker
Assistant Coaches: Terry Pirtle (OC), Steve Mulkey (RB), Robby Grandgeorge
(OL), Steve Marrs (WR), Jeremy Durham (TE), Mark Randolph (DC/DB’s), Jim
West (LB), Greg Brown (DE), Roger Adams (DL), Lee Berry (OLB)
Returning Starters Offense: 8 • Returning Starters Defense: 6
31
How do you top a dream season? By making it business as usual. Head coach Randy McFarlin and his Wildcats have no intention of giving up
their hold of the district title.
“Our expectations are now higher,” McFarlin said. “It will be more difficult
because we won’t sneak up on people, but talent wise, I think we are as good
if not better than the past three years.”
A team overhaul after week two last year paid huge dividends for McFarlin
and the Wildcats, including the move of Luke Shivers, Jimmy Kennedy and
Chad Emmons to defense full time. Those three are now gone, including
Shivers to TCU and Kennedy to TJC. “Those were strong leaders that
graduated,” McFarlin said. “It’s that leadership more than ability that we’re
looking for.”
Nacogdoches kept the Wildcats from having a perfect district record last
year. You can bet that game is circled on the calendar. It will be senior night
in Whitehouse to close the season. Chances are, there’ll be a lot riding on the
outcome. Players To Watch:
Brady Attaway-Jr-QB (6’2”, 170)
Whitehouse
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Steven Hicks-Sr-RB/DB (6’1”,
190, 4.4)
8/31
Forney
Away
7:30
9/7
Sulphur Springs
Home
7:30
Seth Cashion-Jr-WR (6’2”, 200)
9/14
Mabank
Away
7:30
Leslie Purdue-Sr-Wr (5’10”, 175)
9/21
Open
9/28
Kilgore
Home
7:30
10/5
Jacksonville
Away
7:30
10/12 Pine Tree (HC)
Home
7:30
10/19 Hallsville
Home
7:30
10/26 Henderson
Away
7:30
11/2
Marshall
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dennis Miller
11/9
Nacogdoches
Home
Julian Broaddus-Sr-WR/DE
(6’2”, 208, 4.6)
Royse City is Unanimous
Preseason Favorite in 10-3A
By Trey Hill Rains County Leader
ike
L Sherman marching through Atlanta, last year Royse City torched their opponents as they marched through District 10-3A on their way to the state
quarterfinals. With Royse City returning a large group of their starters, the only team that poses a threat to Royse City is Royse City.
The rest of the district’s teams appear to be headed towards a wild shootout for the final two playoff spots.
All the coaches say that each of the teams has the talent to advance to the playoffs. The question is, will it be a team like Wills Point or Commerce where the
playoffs are a tradition? Or will it be a team that has risen from the ashes like Rains or Quinlan looking to maintain their recent success? Or will it be Community, a
team that is taken for granted that suddenly finds an unsuspecting victim?
Coaches will tell you there are no certainties in football. As they say, “That’s the reason why we strap on the helmets and go play the game.”
He may not have to look very hard. Emmons and Shivers replacements
on offense in those early season changes are back and better than ever. Junior QB Brady Attaway blew the socks off the district, stepping in as a wideeyed sophomore just promoted from the JV to throw for 1600 yards and 13
touchdowns in eight regular season games. He did show his youth in a rough
loss to Waco in the third round of the playoffs, but his size and ability has
Division I coaches salivating. “Throwing the football is our strength,” McFarlin
said. “Brady should be stronger and better.”
Zach Hill-Sr-DT (6’3”, 290, 4.9)
7:30
Last year the Commerce Tigers failed to reach the playoffs for the first time in 17
years. During those years Commerce recorded state championships in 1999 and 2001.
His leading receiver is back in Leslie Purdue. The 1st Team All-District performer
is joined by the teams second leading receiver, junior Seth Caison, who was
called up from the JV last year with Attaway. Senior Julian Broaddus was also a
favored target.
Assistant Coaches: Adam Cook, Andrew Dolan, Keith Ellis, Scott McFadden,
Reno Moore, Robert Qualls, Sam Shields, Jason Shuck.
The new head coach for Commerce knows a little about playoff traditions. Bryan
Price arrives at Commerce after 12 years with the Barbers Hill Eagles as an
assistant coach. The Eagles have a playoff streak that covers the past eight
years. Six of those years Price was the offense coordinator for the Eagles.
The Wildcats lose over 1000 yards rushing between Kennedy and Shivers. Their replacement could be even better. Steven Hicks is big and fast and is the
most highly recruited player on the team. But, like Shivers, and Kennedy, he’ll
carry only half the offensive load while he concentrates full time on defense. Mascot: Wildcats
Head Coach: Randy McFarlin
“There is a lot of playoff tradition and I am glad to be here,” said Price. “We
should be improved over last year’s team. Improved work ethic, and improved
attitude.”
Price takes the reins of a team that returns 14 lettermen, including six starters on
offense and four starters on defense, from a 3-7 team last year.
Landon Allen figures to play a key role for the Tigers this season. Last year Allen
was named to the district’s first team as a wide receiver. Price said he plans to
give Allen time under center as quarterback as well as wide receiver. Price said
that Allen has tremendous athletic ability and that they want to get the ball in his
hands as much as possible.
DISTRICT 12-4A
Up front, the Wildcats return just one starting lineman in senior Nathan Brown
(6’2”, 280), but McFarlin says this year’s line has a chance to be better. One
thing is for sure, they’ll be bigger. “This is the biggest offensive line Whitehouse
has had,” McFarlin said. “280, 280, 250, 250.”
As good as the offense was last year, it was the defense that made the
difference. They allowed less than 14 points a game in district play, by far the
league’s stingiest unit. Five huge members of that defense are gone, but very
strong players return. Both all-state safeties are back in seniors Jon Harvell
and Hicks. Harvell led the team with 7 interceptions. Hicks is the fastest player
on the team and is being recruited by nearly every major college. Defensive
tackle Zach Hill is the strongest player on the team and is also heavily recruited. McFarlin says Hill is bigger, stronger and faster than ever. Gavin Green started
at defensive end last year, but he’s up to around 250 pounds, and is moving
to tackle. Julian Broaddus played a lot last year at defensive end and will be
a factor this year. Taylor Sulser has been the heart of the defense at middle
linebacker. The three year starter will be flanked by another three-year starter in
Cody Brown at outside linebacker. COMMERCE TIGERS
DISTRICT 10-3A
DISTRICT 12-4A
WHITEHOUSE WILDCATS
Price will also be counting on the play of Derek Hines as well as the addition of
Derek Johnson. Like Allen, Hines was selected all-district as a wide receiver.
Hines, a junior, will make the move to varsity where he will see playing time as
a running back on offense and
linebacker on defense.
commerce
Players to watch:
Landon Allen Sr. QB/WR
Derek Hines Sr. WR
Derek Johnson Jr. RB/LB
Mascot-Tigers
Head Coach -- Bryan Price
Superintendent -- Keith Boles
School colors -- Black/Orange
School enrollment -- 510
Returning lettermen -- 14
Returning starters -- Offense -- 6 • Defensive -- 4
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Bonham
Home
7:30
9/7
Canton
Away
7:30
9/14
Pittsburg
Away
7:30
9/21
Kaufman
Home
7:30
9/28
Paris N. Lamar
Away
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Rains
Home
7:30
10/19
*Royse City
Away
7:30
10/26
*Community
Home
7:30
11/2
*Wills Point
Home
7:30
Away
7:30
11/9 *Quinlan Ford
1. Marshall 2. Nacogdoches
T-3. Kilgore
T-3.Whitehouse
T-5.Hallsville
T-5. Jacksonville
7. Pine Tree
8. Henderson
“But, we’re still in a bind at cornerback,” McFarlin said with a heavy heart. Alex
Fleming was a projected starter at corner when he was killed in a car accident
during spring drills. The senior-to-be was a member of the band, a good student
and well liked. The team was hit hard by his death. McFarlin said the team was
able to talk it through, but he will definitely be on their minds during the season. His jersey number will sit vacant this year.
32
33
Although his offense will receive most of the ink, Alford warned not to overlook
the Panthers’ defense.
The Nevada Community Braves went through three quarterbacks during the
first three weeks of play last season. But when the Braves put sophomore
B.J. Dale in as signal caller, the Braves didn’t need to look any further.
In his first game as quarterback Dale completed 13 of 25 passing for 221
yards and four touchdowns. He even kicked a 30-yard field goal in the
Braves’ 35-7 win over Anna.
Community was a very young team last year with most of their key players
playing on both sides of the ball. With so little depth on their roster, once
Community managed to get a lead it was hard for them to hold on to it.
The Braves will return 17 lettermen to a team that went 2-8 last year. Along
with Dale, the Braves will be counting on Tanner Marshall at wide receiver for
offensive production.
Players to watch:
B.J. Dales Jr. QB
Community
Mascot-Braves
8/31
Head Coach - Davy DuBose
Assistant coaches - Shawn
Copeland, Todd Bandy, John
Mitchell, John Pullen, Dallas
Bookout, Jim Atchison, Jason
Roan, Zach Randle.
Superintendent - Bud Nauyokas
Mascot - Braves
School colors - Blue/Gold
Returning lettermen – 17
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Whitesboro
Home
7:30
9/7
Leonard
Home
9/14
Anna
9/21
Last year Quinlan upset Wills
Point in their district opener
to grab the upper hand on the
playoff spot. Look for this rematch
as a telltale sign for how this
district will shape up.
Quinlan
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Mineola
Away
7:30
9/7
Kemp
Home
7:30
Players to watch;
9/14
Tyler Chapel Hill
Home
7:30
Michael Enriquez Sr. RB
9/21
Princeton
Home
7:30
DeWayne Pruitt Sr. RB
Richard Williams Jr. RB
9/28
Farmersville
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Wills Point
Away
Away
7:30
7:30
Rains has had three years with a trio of Aaron Marshall, Evan House, and Joey
Northcutt on the line. Now the Wildcats will need a new group of linemen to
quickly gain experience during their pre-district schedule.
“We’re going to start off slow,” Little said. “I want everyone to know that up front.
We face several great teams that are going to provide us with a great challenge
so we can be ready for district play.”
Players to watch:
Casey Paris Sr. TE/DE
Home
7:30
White Oak
Away
7:30
9/21
Farmersville
Home
7:30
10/19
*Wills Point
Home
7:30
10/26
*Quinlan
Away
7:30
11/2
*Community
Away
7:30
11/9
*Royse City
Home
7:30
11/2
*Royse City
Away
7:30
Mascot – Panthers
Jake Ferguson Sr. CB
Caddo Mills
Away
7:30
9/28
Edgewood
Away
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Royse City
Away
7:30
10/19
*Quinlan Ford
Home
7:30
10/26
*Commerce
Away
7:30
11/2
*Rains
Home
7:30
Away
7:30
Richard Williams gives Alford’s spread offense something they lacked in their
previous two seasons: speed. Williams, a transfer from Little Elm, was a regional
qualifier in the 100- and 200-meter dash last spring. Alford said he is looking
forward to the extra dimensions Williams will give to his offense.
Gladewater
7:30
7:30
Michael Enriquez will be one of the seniors Alford will be counting on for
leadership. Last year Enriquez led the Panthers as quarterback to a 5-6 record
and a playoff berth. Enriquez will return for his senior season after leading
Quinlan with 1,300 yards rushing last year.
9/7
9/14
Away
Away
“This will be the best football team that I have put on the field since I have
been here,” said Alford. We’ve got better quality athletes with an abundance of
leadership. Right now we are looking at suiting up 25 seniors to start the season.”
TIME
*Commerce
Taylor Marshall Jr. QB/DB
When Derek Alford took over as head coach for Quinlan Ford, he struggled
through a winless season while he installed the spread offense for the Panthers.
Last year Alford’s patience was rewarded with one of the district’s three playoff spots.
PLACE
10/12
7:30
11/9 *Wills Point
OPEN
7:30
Home
School colors – Blue/Red/White
OPPONENT
8/31
7:30
*Rains
Superintendent – Larry Johnson
DATE
Away
10/26
Assistant coaches - Flint Bigham (DC), Dustin Davisson (OC), Josh Rohmer,
Zach Hurst, Rob Hagler, Juan Solis, Mike Barton, Richard Peterson, Chris
Siebenhausen.
EMORY RAINS
Home
Amulfo Angel Sr. K
School colors – Blue/White
Mount Vernon
7:30
Head Coach – Derek Alford
Superintendent – David Seago
Brownsboro
7:30
7:30
Assistant coaches – Andy Breaux, Michael VanWay, Joey Rhoden, Jim Gill
10/5
Away
Home
Head Coach – Ken Little
9/28
*Community
*Commerce
Mascot – Wildcats
Montrea Hobbs Sr. RB/S
10/19
11/9
continued
But with a large turnover in the offense may come a change in the offensive
philosophy. “We feel like we can throw the ball,” Little said. “We’ll have Taylor
Marshall and Montrel Christian at quarterback and both of them can throw the
football well. We also have Jake Ferguson, Blake Hicks, Colby Hoover, and
Casey Paris that can catch the ball so we’re going to see what we can do to get
them the ball.”
Dallas Keck Sr. OLB
QUINLAN FORD PANTHERS
34
Gabe Ybarra, Cole Bostick, Dallas Keck, and Daniel Tijerina return as the team’s
leading defenders. Each has over 30 solo tackles; Ybarra and Bostick both have
a pair of sacks.
EmoryRains
Colby Hoover Jr. OLB
Kenneth Cawthon Jr. RB/LB
School enrollment
– 460
Returning
lettermen – 11
Returning starters
Offense – 1
Defense – 4
DISTRICT 10-3A
DISTRICT 10-3A
NEVADA COMMUNITY
BRAVES
;gZZ')"=djg=ZVai]=ZaeA^cZ
School enrollment – 819
Returning lettermen – 13
Returning starters Offense – 6 • Defense – 6
EMORY RAINS WILDCATS
Last year, in their season finale, the Emory Rains Wildcats came to within four
yards of claiming their first outright district championship since 1994. But Rains
was held out of the end zone and Royse City went on to win the game and the
district championship.
Registered nurse to answer your
health care questions
Physician referrals and appointments
Confidential health care information
Call TeleCare Plus at
(903) 531-5678 or (800) 535-9799.
“I guess that game took more out of us than we thought,” said head coach Ken
Little. “We left a lot on that field that night and when we got to the bi-district
round we just couldn’t get it back.”
Now Little and the Rains coaching staff have the task of doing something that
hasn’t been done in the high school’s history, making the playoffs for a third
straight time. The Wildcats have made back-to-back playoff appearances in the
past but never three straight.
To make the task even tougher Little has just one offensive starter and four
defensive starters returning from last year’s team.
35
DISTRICT 10-3A
ROYSE CITY BULLDOGS
Royse City head coach Rodney Webb has been here before. In 2004 the
Bulldogs were state semi finalists in 3-A Division I. With 19 returning lettermen,
including six defensive starters, many people were expecting big things.
The Bulldogs didn’t live up to expectations and were eliminated in the
bi-district round of the 2005 playoffs. Last year the Bulldogs reached the
quarterfinals of the state playoffs before losing to eventual state champion
Texarkana Liberty-Eylau. Once again, with a large corps of starters returning,
expectations are high for the Bulldogs this year.
“Complacency is a word that keeps coming back from 2005,” said Webb.
“We had a successful run in the playoffs in 2004 and it seemed like people
became satisfied with what they had achieved and there was no desire to
reach that next level. This year, we are determined not to let that happen
again. We have one goal in mind and that is to win a state championship.”
Webb said that it’s not that they’re arrogant, it’s just that anything less would
take their sights off of their goal of elevating their level of play.
Last year Royse City used two quarterbacks, Bert Boudreaux and Richard
Morrison, to run their offense. Morrison became the district’s offensive MVP and
Boudreaux was first team quarterback. Webb said that while the two-quarterback
system worked last year he was hoping that one of them would become the
team’s leader. Carlos Gallegos was a target both quarterbacks counted on last year.
On defense watch for all-district
first teamers Jermaine McKinney
and Jeramiah Martinez on the
line, and Tim Obermier at safety.
Players to watch:
Richard Morrison QB
ROYSE CITY
DATE
8/31
OPPONENT
Kaufman
PLACE
TIME
Home
7:30
Wills Point only lost 10 seniors to graduation. They return 18 lettermen including
six starters on offense and six starters on defense.
Austen Brewer returns to the Tigers as the leading offensive weapon. Brewer,
who the coaches call a utility player because he can play any position, rushed for
400 yards and added another 400 yards in receiving.
Chris Pruitt is one of the seniors the coaches will be counting on for leadership.
Last year Pruitt led the team in tackles and was named to the district’s first team
as an outside linebacker for the second year in a row. The coaches also expect
Pruitt to compete for the role as the starting quarterback.
Players to watch:
WILLS POINT
PLACE
TIME
LeHendrick Qualls Sr. RB/DE
8/31
Athens
Home
7:30
Revio Hickmon Sr. WR/CS
9/7
Lindale
Away
7:30
Chris Pruitt Sr. OLB
9/14
Kaufman
Away
7:30
Austen Brewer Sr. WR
9/21
Gladewater
Home
7:30
9/28
Mabank
Away
Tyler Gooch Sr. C
DATE
OPPONENT
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Quinlan Ford
Home
7:30
*Rains
Away
7:30
9/7
Terrell
Home
7:30
Mascot – Tigers
9/14
Canton
Away
7:30
Head Coach – Mark Batchel 10/19
9/21
Sanger
Away
7:30
10/26
*Royse City
Home
7:30
11/2
*Commerce
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
9/28
OPEN
10/5
Pittsburg
Home
7:30
Kollin Padon K/WR
10/12
*Community
Home
7:30
Brock Wempa OT
10/19
*Commerce
Home
7:30
*Wills Point
Away
7:30
Superintendent – Joe Oliver
Tim Obermier S
10/26
11/2
*Quinlan Ford
Home
7:30
11/9
*Rains
Away
7:30
Assistant coaches – Bruce
Bradley, Greg Strahm, Jason Johnson, Chris DeBona, Jim Willis, Jim Sides,
Cody Moore, Byron Bennett, Russ Stovall, Doug Johnson, Nathan Hattemer.
School colors – Black/Gold
School enrollment – 950
WILLS POINT TIGERS
11/9 *Community
School colors –
Blue/White
School
enrollment – 790
Returning
starters Offense -- 6
Defense -- 6
DISTRICT 10-3A
Head Coach – Rodney Webb
ealth
Wills Point believes they will field a better team this season. They may be a
little short in depth on the line but they believe they have a better team overall.
Missing the playoffs left a bitter taste for the Tigers. Look for them to fight their
way back to the post season.
Carolos Gallegos WR
Mascot – Bulldogs
ome
While LeHendrick Qualls will get most of the carries for Wills Point, the Tigers’
greatest scoring threat is Revio Hickmon. The coaches call him their game
breaker. Anytime they can get the football in his hands they feel like he can
break it for a touchdown.
Assistant coaches – Tyler Tabor,
Jeff Timmons, Kevin Batchel,
Jeff Brown, Justin Lovvorn, Dane
Morgan, Ken Turner, Robbie
Parish, Greg Springer.
Bert Boudreaux QB
eritage
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Royce City Emory Rains Quinlan Ford
Wills Point
Commerce
Nevada Community
When you talk to the Wills Point coaching staff each one will tell you that they
would like to have a redo for 2006. For the first time in 10 years the Tigers missed
the post season and everyone in Wills Point would like to make up for that.
In a way the Tigers could have a redo, almost.
36
37
Cathy Fieseler, MD Trinity Clinic Sports Medicine
s the temperature rises, the
A
risk of heat illness increases. During exercise, a significant
amount of heat is generated. In
cool weather, this generated heat
is transferred to the air. But in
hot weather, this transfer of heat
is inhibited, causing the body
temperature to rise. Sweating
occurs to help regulate body temperature, dissipating
heat as it evaporates from the skin. As the humidity
rises, the rate of evaporation of sweat decreases,
diminishing the cooling effect.
Exercising in the heat places great stress on the body. Performance is decreased and heart rate increases
compared to the same level of activity at a cooler
temperature. The risks of dehydration and heat illness
increase as the temperature and humidity increase.
Although the body will adapt to repeated episodes of
exercise in the heat to reduce the impact of heat on
performance and the risk of heat illness, the risk of dehydration is not reduced. These adaptations
will occur over a seven to 15 day period and will persist
for up to three weeks after leaving a hot environment.
Prevention
The risk of heat illness can be decreased by
slowly increasing activities in hot weather.
Start exercising a few weeks before training
No one is immune from the risk of heat illness, but
camp begins. Frequent rest and water breaks
the risk is greater in those who are out of shape,
are important. Check your weight prior to and
overweight, dehydrated, ill, taking certain medications
following exercise to be sure that rehydration
or supplements, or are not acclimatized to the heat.
occurs prior to the next practice. Each pound
Wearing excessive clothing or a helmet and padding
that was lost represents a 16 ounce fluid deficit
decreases the body’s ability to dissipate heat, resulting that needs to be replaced. Add salt to your food
while exercising in the heat. Limit exercise if you
in an increase in core temperature.
are sick. Stay away from supplements containing
Heat illness from exertion is a spectrum of disorders
stimulants. The risk of heat illness is increased
ranging from heat cramps to life-threatening heat stroke. by medications (including antidepressants, cold
Dehydration is a major factor in each of these disorders. medications, antihistamines, and medications
for attention deficit disorder); use of alcohol and
Even a minor degree of dehydration negatively
impacts the body’s ability to dissipate heat and athletic recreational drugs; sleep deprivation; certain
chronic medical conditions and obesity. Be smart
performance. Symptoms of dehydration may include
and stay safe. Don’t try to tough it out if you start
thirst, irritability, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, cramps,
to feel ill—early treatment of heat illness will
chills, weakness and fatigue.
prevent a potentially fatal outcome.
One of the Nation’s Top Players Makes the Vandals
the Preseason Favorite in 14-3A
By Kevin Berns KLTV Sports
One thing is for certain, it will be the year of the Calhoun. Van senior running back Jermie Calhoun is touted as the top running back prospect in the country, anointed by some as the “next Adrian Peterson.” “He’s a
phenomenal athlete,” said one district coach. “Nobody else in the district has a player like him.”
“We just know him as Jermie,” said Van head coach Brady Pennington. “He has handled all the attention like a champ. He is thankful, humble and taking his
grades serious. The teachers, administration, coaches, everybody loves him and wants to see him do well.”
Best in the country aside, no team in this district is prepared to hand the Vandals the district title. Yes, they are the preseason favorite in a very close vote. Chapel Hill is right on their heels with a large group of talented returners, and Brownsboro, despite their heavy losses to graduation, is still the defending champs. This is a district in which four teams entered the final week of the regular season last year with 2-2 district records, and every team entered with a shot at the playoffs! DISTRICT 14-3A
Keep Your Cool, Avoid Heat Illness
Ryan Epperson, the district’s co-MVP last year, returns for Brownsboro. Chapel Hill returns the districts co-offensive player of the year in QB Chris Mass. And, every
team returns at least one player who earned 1st Team All-District honors.
“Used to, you could out-coach somebody every once in awhile,” said one district coach. “In this district, you can’t do that.”
ATHENS HORNETS
For most programs, a 4-6 season is a major disappointment. For the Athens
Hornets, 4-6 is a step in the right direction. For whatever reason, wins have
been hard to come by over the years. So when a team comes within three
points of earning the schools first playoff berth in 10 years, there’s reason for hope.
“The key is stability,” said head coach Jim Wommack, the first Athens coach
in over a decade to stay for a third season. “The kids have stability and
cohesiveness. They’ve been together in this system for years.”
Yes, Athens lost a lot of quality players to graduation, but Wommack doesn’t
consider this a rebuilding year. In the I-Formation, the Hornets are a run-based
team, and two of his three returning starters on offense are running backs,
including a 1000-yard rusher in senior Dhe’Ryan Jackson. “Without a doubt, he
is our top returner,” Wommack said about Jackson who was 1st Team All-District. “He rushed for over 1000 yards and had 450 yards receiving. He’s a double
threat and will carry the load.” He’ll have some help in the form of fellow senior
running back Dexter Warfield who led the team in rushing in a couple of games
last year. There are two players vying to replace 2nd Team All-District QB Wesley Starkes. Senior Chase Knighton saw some time last year as the varsity backup. He may
have the edge over Junior Philip Griffin because of that experience, but both will
get their chance. Griffin was the JV QB for eight games before being called up
to the varsity to play defensive end. The wide receiver duties will be done by committee. Senior Negale Miller will
be the primary target. Fellow seniors Pearce Eaton, Nick Gates and Carrington
Fleming will see playing time.
DQ and the ellipse shaped logo are trademarks of Am. D.Q. Corp., Mpls., MN.
® Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off. Tx. D.Q. Op. Coun. © 2007
38
39
“I’m very impressed with how far they’ve come,” Wommack said. “Players
have stepped into voids. It’s looking good.”
The defense struggled a bunch in 2006, giving up 305 points to lead the
district. That should change in 2007 with seven starters returning. His
starting three linebackers are as fast as they’ve had in Athens, with 1st Team
All-District senior Kerry Gamble leading the charge at middle linebacker. Three of the four defensive backs are returning. Dhe’Ryan Jackson,
with his 4.45 speed, returns at free safety, where he earned 1st Team
All-District. Senior Negale Miller, with his 4.5 speed, returns as a 1st Team
All-District defensive back. Junior DeLiance Moore was 2nd Team All-District
in the defensive backfield as a sophomore. Sophomore Randall Gamble, who
Wommack says has the potential to be very good, will step into the vacant spot. 2nd Team All-District defensive end Michael Johnson, along with fellow seniors
Rex Laird and Matt Hurst, and junior Phillip Griffin will rotate at the defensive
ends spots. There will also be a five-man rotation at defensive tackle, where
Wommack says they aren’t overly fast or big, but are coachable, have good
technique and play fundamental football. “We don’t have the same strengths as
last year, but we match up well,” Wommack said.
The Hornets entered Week 10 in 2006 with a shot at the playoffs. Don’t be
surprised if they find themselves in a similar position in 2007.
ATHENS
DATE
OPPONENT
Players To Watch:
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Wills Point
Away
7:30
9/7
Mabank
Home
7:30
9/14
Pine Tree
Home
7:30
9/21
Seagoville
Away
7:30
9/28
Kaufman
Home
7:30
Dhe’Ryan Jackson Sr-RB/DB (5’9”, 165, 4.45)
Negale Miller Sr-WR/DB (5’11”, 165, 4.5)
Kerry Gamble Sr-LB/RB (5’10”, 200, 4.73)
10/5
Open
10/12
Bullard
Away
7:30
10/19
Canton
Away
7:30
10/26
Van
Home
7:30
Mascot: Hornets
11/2
Chapel Hill
Away
7:30
11/9
Brownsboro
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Curtis Rhodes
Rex Laird Sr-LB/TE (6’2”, 185)
Matt Hurst Sr-OL/DE (5’9”, 200)
Head Coach: Jim Wommack (3rd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Randy Smith (OC), Stuart Proctor (OL), Ryan Priem (QB/
RB), Ryan Gentry (WR), Zach Vassar (DC), Craig Finley (DE), Tony Sikes (S),
Jeremy Locke (CB)
40
BROWNSBORO BEARS
Brownsboro
The Bears have a trifecta of reasons why they should be successful in 2007: Co-MVP Ryan Epperson, Newcomer of the Year Cameron Warren, and Coach of
the Year John Settle. Players To Watch:
Of course, only two of those people will actually suit up on Fridays, but it’s
a good nucleus to start from. It’s about all they have to build on from their
incredible 2006 season. Cameron Warren So-RB/LB (6’1”, 180, 4.6)
For the first time in school
history, the district champs
advanced to the state
quarterfinals, losing to state
finalist Celina 35-14. Coach
Settle knows it’s a long, long
road in 2007 if his team is going
to repeat that performance. Only
18 letterman, and eight starters return. OPPONENT
Ryan Epperson Sr-FB/LB (6’1”, 215)
Jordan Spurger Jr-OL (5’11”, 230)
Monty Schultz Sr-OL (5’11”, 190)
Moore and Anding will play defensive back as well. Moore was 1st Team
All-District last year. Anding was newcomer of the year on the basketball
team. 2nd Team All-District linebacker Joseph Andrew is back, and is joined
by fellow senior Colin Shivers. The defensive line will be led by 2nd Team
All-District tackle Willie Gordon.
Taylor is taking things “day-to-day” and is working hard to establish a strong
base for the future. He’s got a good group of young players to do that with. He just hopes that “future” happens by the first district game.
“The way I understand it, everybody is tough, and it’s going to be a slugfest,”
Taylor said. “We’re going to roll up our sleeves and jump in the middle of it
and see what happens.”
Superintendent: Elton Caldwell
Players To Watch:
7:30
Head Coach: John Settle (4th Year)
Charlie Moore Jr-QB/DB (6’2”, 185)
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Ty Thomison, George Losack, Alec Wofford, James
Croley, Brad Baca, Joe McCoy, Joe Fleming, Lance Wineinger, Kent Bradley,
Jeff Hutchins, Billy Beasley, Wayne Randolph, Mark Caldwell, Paul Drake
Lance Anding Soph-QB/DB (5’10”, 165)
7:30
Chad Hollie Sr-WR (5’10”, 170)
7:30
Daniel Howard So-WR (5’10”, 155)
BULLARD PANTHERS
Geoff Dick Sr-RB (5’10”, 195)
Brownsboro
DATE
continued
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Jacksonville
Away
7:30
9/7
Mt. Vernon
Away
7:30
9/14
Pal. Westwood
Home
9/21
Sabine
9/28
Rains
10/5
Open
The districts top offense in 2006
10/12 Athens
Home
will be almost entirely new in
2007. He graduated a three10/19 Chapel Hill
Away
year starter at QB in Jordan
10/26 Canton
Home
McGee, two mammoth four-year
11/2 Bullard
Home
starters on the o-line in lineman
of the year Lonnie Edwards
11/9 Athens
Away
(Texas Tech) and Oran Lewis
(TJC), co-offensive player of
year RB Ricco Richards (Midwestern State), and top WR Logan Bryan (Kilgore College). Mascot: Bears
7:30
7:30
7:30
None of the Bear’s QB’s have ever taken a varsity snap. That may limit the
passing game for awhile. Fortunately, sophomore running back Cameron
Warren returns to make their job easier.
“He’s going to be awfully good,” Settle said about his running back, who has
good size and speed. Senior Ryan Epperson returns to lead the way through
the holes at fullback. Senior lineman Jared Edwards was 2nd-Team All-District. Other than that, Settle says it’s an extremely young group. “We could take some
lumps in pre-district,” Settle said, “but by the time we get to district, we’ll be OK.”
On the defensive side of the ball, it’s a unit that lost tri-defensive player of the
year Logan Bryan. But, it’s also a unit that returns All-East Texas defensive
player of the year and district co-MVP Ryan Epperson. Settle calls him the best
linebacker in East Texas. The three-year starter has over 400 career tackles
and is being recruited by several Division I schools. He will have a good one
returning next to him in Cameron Warren. He is the only freshman Settle has
ever coached to record over 100 tackles. Those numbers could go down some,
though, as he concentrates primarily on running back. The Bears have a bunch
of kids in the secondary who played a lot last year, led by a couple of returning
starters in junior cornerback Tristan Warren (2nd Team All-District) and senior
safety David Rudd. They’ll be new up front. Settle says they’ll be awfully quick,
but undersized. “We’re going to be pretty good defensively,” Settle said. “That’s
going to have to carry us through while we find our way on offense.”
In the three seasons Settle has been head coach, the team has improved each
year (2-8, 8-3, 10-4). He’ll be hard pressed to keep that streak going.
New head coach Jim Taylor has his hands full. The former head coach at New
Caney inherits a team that was just 4-6 (1-4) last year and a program that hasn’t
had a winning season since 2001, or made the playoffs since 1993. Hired late in the spring, Taylor has spent most of his time on campus just
learning names, much less evaluating talent. As far as he is concerned, he
doesn’t have any returning starters. “It’s going to be a process,” Taylor said. “That’s always the case when you start something new, is how quickly you can
jump into a new program.”
Fall two-a-days will be vital in helping evaluate players, allowing them to learn
the system, and gel as a team. One thing Taylor does know is that they are
young. He says their strength so far has been their character. The Panthers
JV was 8-2 last year, and Taylor will rely on them to help out the older, more
experienced kids.
DeQuan Granberry Jr-RB/DB (5’9”, 165)
BULLARD
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Palestine Westwood
Home
7:30
9/7
Huntington
Away
7:30
9/14
Sabine (HC)
Home
7:30
9/21
Troup
Home
7:30
9/28
White Oak
Away
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
Athens
Home
7:30
David Rumbelow
Sr-OL (5’11”, 270)
10/19
Van
Away
7:30
Willie Gordon Sr-DT (5’10”,
230)
10/26
Chapel Hill
Home
7:30
11/2
Brownsboro
Away
7:30
11/9
Canton (Sr. Night)
Home
7:30
Colin Shivers Sr-LB (5’11”,
175)
Joseph Andrews Sr-LB (5’9”, 170)
Mascot: Panthers
Offensively, Taylor runs a balanced attack out of a multiple one back set. His
philosophy is, “do whatever we can do to get the ball down the field and into the
endzone.” That may be easier said then done. The Panthers graduated their
1st Team All-District QB in Cameron Clark. Taylor has two players battling to
replace him. Junior Charlie Moore and Sophomore Lance Anding each has a
have different strengths, but both will be on the field one way or another. Superintendent: Jim Wright
2nd Team All-District RB Geoff Dick returns for his senior season. Junior
DeQuan Granberry will also get some touches. Senior Chad Hollie and
sophomore Daniel Howard have caught Taylor’s eye at WR. 270 pound senior
David Rumbelow should anchor the offensive line.
CANTON EAGLES
Taylor hopes his defense will be able to jump on board a little quicker than the offense.
“It’s more mechanics and reaction,” Taylor explained. “We’re hoping our defense
comes on strong. We feel we have some good kids there.”
DISTRICT 14-3A
DISTRICT 14-3A
The success of the entire offense will depend on the offensive line, where
Wommack likes to “hang his hat.” That group lost a lot of beef to graduation,
including Texas El-Paso signee Simpson Rushing. Wommack also hated
to see 305 pound junior John Fortner move out of the district. The heavily
recruited lineman made the day of some high school coach in Tennessee. 368 pound senior Tim Redic hopes to return from knee surgery. And, 290
pound senior George Castaneda, recovering from a shoulder injury, has the
potential to start on both sides of the ball.
Head Coach: Jim Taylor (1st Year)
Assistant Coaches: Rick Day, Donny Lee, Ronnie Dent, Clint Sadler, Dennis
Beavers, Billy Holcomb, Shane Nobles
Anyone who expected a drop-off in performance from Canton in 2006 was sadly
mistaken. The Eagles finished second in district and played three rounds deep
in the playoffs before losing to state finalist Celina.
“It may have been a surprise outside the locker room, but it wasn’t a surprise
inside,” said second-year head coach Lance Angel. “We always thought we
would be good, and this year is no different.”
41
continued
The Eagles have four players returning on offense who were starters on the 122 state quarterfinals team in 2005. Senior Casey Bell will lead the way at QB. Senior Keavon Milton was a 1st Team All-District lineman last year, but is moving
to tight end this year. Angel says he’s a Division I prospect no matter where he
plays. The other two 3-year starters are senior offensive tackle Ty Shepherd and
senior center Randon Sumner. Angel adds 2nd Team All-District junior running
back Zack Cummings to that list as the core he plans to rely heavily on this year.
The defense was hit hard by graduation. The Eagles lose the districts tridefensive player of the year Jason McWilliams and defensive lineman of the
year Steven Lowrie, as well as half their secondary. That’s a lot of talent to
replace, but Angel feels the kids coming back are a good, solid group. The
front line will be strong. 1st Team All-District defensive lineman Michael
Adams will be joined on the ends by returning starters Destry Heskew and
Keavon Milton. Heskew is only a junior and Milton is a D-I prospect. Milton,
by the way, also earned defensive player of the year honors on the basketball
team. 1st Team All-District outside linebacker John Harris will direct traffic and
1st Team All-District safety Cody Yarbrough will patrol the secondary. This unit
struggled at times last year in the newly installed 4-3 defense. Now, with a year
of it under their belt, they should improve considerably. Once again, the loss of key talent has district opponents writing them off. But, if last year
proved anything, don’t be so quick to underestimate the Eagles.
“I think it’s a team that can match last year’s success,” Angel predicted. Players To Watch:
Keavon Milton Sr-TE/DE (6’5”, 240)
CANTON
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Casey Bell Sr-QB (6’0”, 160)
8/31
TK Gorman
At Brook Hill
7:30
9/7
Commerce
Away
7:30
Michael Adams Sr-DT (5’9”, 250)
9/14
Royse City
Home
7:30
9/21
Lindale
Away
7:30
Randon Sumner Sr-OL (6’0”, 200)
9/28
Open
10/5
Crandall (HC)
Home
7:30
Cody Yarbrough Sr-DB (5’10”, 180)
10/12
Chapel Hill
Away
7:30
10/19
Athens
Home
7:30
John Harris Sr-LB (5’7”, 165)
10/26
Brownsboro
Away
7:30
11/2
Van (Sr. Nt.)
Home
7:30
Mascot: Eagles
11/9
Bullard
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Jerome Stewart
Head Coach: Lance Angel (2nd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Jim Yankie, Danny Yarbrough, Aaron Slider, Elliot Kelley,
Howard Bell, John Sullivan, Jeff Priest, Stanton Reaves
42
CHAPEL HILL BULLDOGS
CHAPEL HILL
It was a moment no one thought possible. With 2:07 left in the first half,
quarterback Chris Mass rolled out and fired a strike to T.J. Riley for a 10-year
touchdown to give the Bulldogs a 13-7 lead over Liberty-Eylau. This was the
same Liberty-Eylau team that had knocked off top-ranked Gilmer the week
before. Liberty-Eylau would go on to win the game and the state championship. But, for Chapel Hill to even be in that game, a second-round playoff game, was
an amazing turn of events. Players To Watch:
The Bulldogs had a miserable start to the 2006 season. They were 2-5 and 0-2
in district at one point and destined to return to the mediocrity that had defined
their recent past. But lo and behold, the Bulldogs would put together their
longest winning streak in four years to find themselves in that second quarter,
playoff moment against Liberty-Eylau.
“I feel like we turned a big corner last year,” said third year head coach Phil
Castles. “Expectations have been raised. Kids are responding.”
Like a Charles Dickens novel, though, the 2007 Chapel Hill Bulldogs are a tale
of two sides of the ball. On one hand, you have an offense with seven starters
returning, including the two leading characters from that Liberty-Eylau page in
history. District co-offensive player of the year Chris Mass returns at QB. Mass
passed for a team record 1,146 yards and 11 TD’s last season. The senior
is one heck of an athlete who was also All-East Texas Player of the year as a
Division I basketball prospect. “He’s definitely in a huge leadership role,” Castles said.
The recipient of that Mass TD pass against Liberty-Eylau also returns. Riley is
to Mass what Scottie Pippen was to Michael Jordan on both the football field
and basketball court. The pair makes a great scoring tandem. Junior wide
receiver DeKerrian Cooper provides another solid returning starter. Adding to
that firepower is the return of junior running back Matthew Tucker. The 2nd
Team All-District back rushed for 1,081 yards and 11 TD’s in 2006. He’ll have
big offensive lineman Derek Tims opening the holes. The 6’4”, 290 pound senior
was 2nd Team All-District. He is one of several lineman Castles is high on. Stir
in a talented JV squad moving up and Castles thinks it’s a really good mix. “I know it sounds corny but team chemistry is more important than any of the
other stuff,” Castles said. “We have great team chemistry right now.”
They’ll need it, because the flip side of this story has a cloudier outlook. The
defense was one of the best in the district in 2006, allowing less than three TD’s
per game. Nine members of that unit would earn All-District honors, including
team leader and co-MVP DaMarion Ates (DT) and tri-defensive player of the
year Fred Suell (LB). But, in 2007, Ates, Suell and five other honorees are gone. “It’s hard to replace that good of a leader,” Castles said about Ates. “He and
Suell were a big part of our run defense. Fortunately, the cupboard isn’t totally bare. 1st Team All-District defensive back
DeKerrian Cooper returns. He’ll get help in the backfield from fellow senior
Marquis Warren. They were members of the Bulldogs 4x100 meter relay team
that advanced to regionals. Chris Mass also played defense last year, hauling
in a team best 6 interceptions. The frontline will be anchored by junior Kendrick
Robinson, a 1st Team All-District selection, and 270 pound senior Ka’Darius
Reeder. “We’ve got some kids we think will do a good job,” Castles said, “but because
there’s no spring ball (in 3A), we won’t know until we put the pads on in the fall.”
Chris Mass Sr-QB/DB (6’5”, 200, 4.6)
“He has a strong arm, is a good run threat, and already has two years of
varsity experience,” Pennington said. (Was that the coach or the dad talking?)
continued
CHAPEL HILL
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
T.J. Riley Sr-WR/DB (6’1”, 165, 4.65)
8/31
Center
Home
7:30
9/7
Palestine Westwood
Away
7:30
Matthew Tucker Jr-RB/DB
(6’2”, 205, 4.5)
9/14
Quinlan Ford
Away
7:30
9/21
Spring Hill
Away
7:30
Kendrick Robinson Jr-OL/
LB (5’11”, 220)
9/28
Pleasant Grove (HC)
Home
7:30
10/5
Open
Derek Timms Sr-OL/DL
(6’4”,290)
10/12
Canton
Home
7:30
10/19
Brownsboro
Home
7:30
DeKerrian Cooper Jr-WR/
DB (5’10”, 185, 4.5)
10/26
Bullard
Away
7:30
11/2
Athens (Sr. Night)
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bulldogs
11/9
Van
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Joe Stubblefield
Head Coach: Phil Castles (3rd Year)
Assistant Coaches: Brian Dunn (DC), Matt Langley (OC), Jeff Hogg, Damenion
Miller, David Bentzen, Larry Nixon, Keith Touchstone, Chad Grubbs, Brad
Langley
VAN VANDALS
Brady Pennington has had enough. For the second straight season in 2006, his
Vandals entered Week 10 with a shot at the playoffs. But, for the second straight
year, they came out on the losing end to stay home. Opponents discovered
they could load up on the defensive front and shut down the Vandals Power-I
offensive scheme.
“We averaged (38) points per game in our wins,” Pennington said, “but we
struggled in big games when teams stacked up inside.”
That’s a concern, especially when you have the nation’s number one running
back prospect in Jermie Calhoun returning for his senior season. So,
Pennington has decided to do something about it. “We’re joining the party with everybody else and running some spread,”
Pennington said with a hint of reluctance. “We need to create some grass for
(Calhoun).”
Don’t expect Pennington to give up his I-Formation entirely. He plans to use the
spread about 60% of the time. He understands the Vandals will have to throw
the football to keep teams honest, so he has installed a simple, but effective
system to cover sideline to sideline. That should give Calhoun enough running
lanes to surpass his 1600 yards and 20 TD totals of last year. A big factor in
Pennington’s decision to pull the trigger on the more aggressive offensive attack
is the ability level of the junior class. It’s a class he calls “special”, and one that
will dominate the starting positions in 2007 and beyond. His son, junior QB
Blake Pennington returns as the signal caller. The younger Pennington expects to be throwing it a lot to Calhoun. No, not
Jermie, but his little brother Emmanuel. Yes, there is another Calhoun! The
junior is the fastest kid on the team, and shows just as much promise as his
big brother. Fellow junior Zach Harrison also plans to play a slot receiver
position. He’s a 4.5 guy that started at fullback and linebacker last year. Not
to be left out is 2nd Team All-District WR Peyton Neill returning for his senior
season. “If we can get teams to account for them, it should open things up,”
Pennington said. Junior Emmanuel Hayes earned 1st Team All-District honors at fullback, while
splitting time with Harrison. The Vandals lost their entire starting offensive
line from last year. But, thanks in part once again to the strong junior class,
Pennington says the 2007 edition will be bigger and possibly even better.
DISTRICT 14-3A
DISTRICT 14-3A
Canton
If the personnel on offense is good enough to change your scheme, why not
do it on defense as well? Only four starters return from one of the better
defenses in the district. Pennington is adjusting things a little to take advantage
of the tremendous team speed. He’s excited about how the linebackers are
shaping up. Calhoun is moving from safety to outside linebacker, in part to
make it easier to give him a few more breathers on defense. He joins a group
that includes, you guessed it, several standout juniors. The speedy Emanuel
Hayes is a returning starter at inside linebacker. Clayton Kendrick, who started
at fullback and was a backup linebacker last year, should grow into an impact
player along side Hayes inside. Zach Harrison, who was a 2nd Team All-District
linebacker last year, is moving to free safety to take Calhoun’s place. They will
miss the play of 2nd Team All-District DB Jonathan King, who moved out of the
district. But, they have 1st Team All-District junior cornerback Damon Hightower
returning as a starter. Like a broken record, expect several more juniors to
anchor the front line, including Jesse Cooper at defensive end, and Jace Huddle,
one of the strongest kids on the team, at tackle. It should be an exciting year for the Vandals, if for nothing else, watching Jermie
Calhoun in the Vandals red for
one last year, before his uniform
turns to Crimson at Oklahoma.
Van
“I don’t know what we’re going
to do,” Pennington said, about
the thought of losing Calhoun
after the season. “He’s been our
leader since his freshman year.”
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Grand Saline
Away
7:30
9/7
Rusk
Away
7:30
9/14
Lindale
Home
7:30
9/21
Crandall
Away
7:30
9/28
Kemp
Home
7:30
I’m sure he’ll find a way to get
over it, especially when that
monster junior class becomes
seniors.
10/5
Open
10/12
Brownsboro
Away
7:30
Players To Watch:
10/19
Bullard
Home
7:30
Jermie Calhoun Sr-RB/LB (6’1”,
210, 4.5)
10/26
Athens
Away
7:30
11/2
Canton
Away
7:30
Blake Pennington Jr-QB/CB
(6’0”, 175, 4.6)
11/9
Chapel Hill
Home
7:30
Zach Harrison Jr-TE/LB (5’11”, 190, 4.5)
Emmanuel Hayes Jr-RB/LB (5’11”, 190, 4.5)
43
Damon Hightower Jr-RB/DB (5’11”, 170, 4.6)
Clayton Kendrick Jr-FB/LB (5’8”, 175, 4.6)
Jace Huddle Jr-OL/DL (5’10”, 185)
Jesse Cooper Jr-DE (5’9”, 175)
Mascot: Vandals
Superintendent: Jodie White
Head Coach: Brady Pennington (6th Year)
DISTRICT 14-3A
DISTRICT 14-3A
VAN VANDALS continued
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Van
Chapel Hill Brownsboro
Athens
Canton
Bullard
Date
Assistant Coaches: Sammy Burnett (Passing Coord./QB/DE), Brian
Thompson (Running Coord./RB/LB), Joshua Potter (Asst. Head Coach/LB),
Kevin Reed (DC/DL), Jeremy Hawkins (DB)
Trinity Mother Frances-Jacksonville, located at 2026 S. Jackson, is proud to
announce the association of cardiologist Ravinder B. Reddy, MD.
Dr. Reddy provides state-of-the-art cardiac
care including on-site diagnostic heart
catheterizations at the Trinity Mother
Frances-Jacksonville Heart Center. The
Jacksonville facility is affiliated with the
nationally recognized Trinity Mother Frances
Heart Institute in Tyler which offers patients
the most advanced surgical and diagnostic
technology available.
A highly trained specialist with advanced
certifications in diagnostic cardiac imaging,
Ravinder B Reddy, MD Dr. Reddy graduated with distinction from
Osmania Medical College in Hyderabad,
Cardiology
Andhra Pradesh, India, the largest and oldest
medical school in the state of Andhra Pradesh and one of the largest medical
school systems in the world.
Following medical school, Dr. Reddy completed his internship and residency
in medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center in New Jersey. He completed
his cardiology fellowship at Texas Heart Institute/ St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital
in Houston, where he was named Chief Cardiology Fellow and was awarded
Outstanding Cardiology Fellow for the Academic Year 2005-2006.
Dr. Reddy is board certified in internal medicine by the American Board of
Internal Medicine. He holds a subspecialty certification in cardiovascular
disease by the American Board of Internal Medicine. In addition, Dr. Reddy
holds a separate subspecialty certification in adult echocardiography through
the National Board of Echocardiography. At the University of Florida Health
Science Center, Dr. Reddy completed Level II and Level III advanced training in
cardiovascular MR and cardiovascular CT, respectively.
44
Tiger Football 2007 Schedule
“I believe that people in rural areas deserve the same quality of cardiovascular
care as people in urban areas and I am dedicated to providing comprehensive
heart care for patients in Jacksonville and surrounding communities,” said Dr.
Reddy.
Trinity Mother Frances – Jacksonville Heart Center features a state-of-the-art
cath lab, cardiac rehabilitation programs and facilities for non-invasive cardiac
procedures, echocardiography, stress testing, EKG and Holter monitoring. The
Heart Center offers the most advanced cardiac diagnostic technology, providing
residents of Jacksonville and surrounding counties access to services generally
available only in elite hospitals in major metropolitan areas.
Sept. 1
Sept. 8
Sept. 15
Sept. 22
Sept. 29
Oct. 6
Oct. 13
Oct. 20
Oct. 27
Nov. 3
Opponent
Trinity
Ouachita Baptist
Howard Payne
Sul Ross State
Texas Lutheran
McMurry
Hardin Simmons
Louisiana College
Mississippi College*
Mary Hardin-Baylor
Location
Ornelas Stadium/ETBU
Arkadelphia, AR
Alpine, TX
Abilene, TX
Pineville, LA
Belton, TX
Time
2:00
7:00
2:00
3:30
2:00
2:00
2:00
6:00
1:00
1:00
* Homecoming
American Southwest Conference games in bold
The Heart Center includes a spacious 560-square-foot cardiac catheterization
lab, equipped with
the latest technology,
Services include:
including 3-D rotational
angiography. New digital
❤ Echocardiography
technology produces
❤ Electrocardiography
better, clearer pictures,
leading to more accurate
❤ Diagnostic Cardiac Catheterization
diagnosis. With the
❤ Stress Testing
enhanced networking
capability, images can be
❤ Holter Monitoring
shared on the hospital’s
❤ Nuclear Cardiology
network with specialists
❤ Transtelephonic Monitoring
throughout the region.
For an appointment
with Dr. Reddy or for
more information on
Trinity Mother FrancesJacksonville, call ❤
Coronary CT Angiography
❤
Tilt Table Testing
❤
Transesophageal Echocardiography
❤
Stress Echocardiography
45
and linebacker Edwin Harris
finished the season with 500 yards
rushing and 100 tackles.
GLADEWATER
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Pine Tree
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bears
For the past decade the competition in District 15-3A has generally been lopsided. Gilmer has not lost a district game since October
9/7
Rains
Away
7:30
9/14
Rusk
Home
7:30
2000. The Buckeyes are now aiming for their seventh consecutive district title in 2007.
Superintendent: Mike Morrison
9/21
Wills Point
Away
7:30
But the competition at the top could be a little more crowded this season. After a transition period in 2006, the Gladewater Bears are
expected to be more of a contender for district supremacy this fall. Also look for a power surge from the Spring Hill Panthers, armed
with 23 seniors this season.
Head Coach: Scott Callaway
9/28
Lindale
Home
7:30
GILMER BUCKEYES
The expectations for the Gilmer Buckeyes are always high, but none higher than
for the 2006 season. With three of the state’s top players on their roster, the
Buckeyes sparked national media attention and were favored to win the state
championship.
“It was the most expectation we ever had,” said head coach Jeff Traylor. “It was
an extremely tough year. With the injuries we had through the season, even with
all the wins, what we did it was never enough.”
The Buckeyes went undefeated in the regular season going 10-1. Then came
the heartache and shock in the first round of the playoffs. The Buckeyes season
ended with a 39-36 loss to the Liberty-Eylau Leopards. The Leopards would go
on to win the 3A Division I Championship in 2006.
“It was a tough loss,” Coach Traylor said. “You can call it fortunate or
unfortunate but the expectations in Gilmer are to win a state championship every year.”
In the roll of quarterback, the Buckeyes had G.J. Kinne who finished just shy
of setting a new state passing record. Kinne along with wide receiver Jamell
Kennedy and Curtis Brown were not only the team standouts but top recruits.
Kinne and Brown graduated and joined the Texas Longhorns. Kennedy is now a
Mustang at Southern Methodist University.
That kind of talent is hard to replace. The Buckeyes lost 26 seniors in the
graduating class.
“It’s just a part of having a program,” Traylor said. “Hopefully we are going to
lose great players every year and hopefully we can replace them.
Eight starters will return on offense, two on defense. During the spring there
were four players vying for the starting quarterback job; sophomore Stump
Godfrey, sophomore Braylon Webb, junior Zach Jones and junior Hunter
Harrison. Godfrey has the most game time experience, serving as Kinne’s
backup in 2006. As just a freshman, Godfrey entered almost every game in 2006
late in the third quarter or early in the fourth quarter.
At receiver this year it will be junior Davane Clark, Zach Jones, Dustin Jones and
senior Brennan Thompson
Players to watch; wide receiver and cornerback Lamar Harris. Harris
had 46 catches for 748 yards and 14 touchdowns last season. Justin Johnson
returns at tailback. In 2006 he had 94 carries, 1,040 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Brennan Thompson is also expected to contribute big numbers. Last season he
46
Gladewater continued
had 22 catches for 269 yards and three touchdowns.
Justin Johnson, Lamar
Harris, and David Snow were
nominated in the spring to be
U.S. Army All-Americans.
GILMER
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Richwood Louisiana
Home
7:30
9/7
Tatum
Away
7:30
Mascot: Buckeyes
9/14
Daingerfield
Home
7:30
9/21
OPEN
Superintendent: Rick Albritton
9/28
Center
Away
7:30
10/5
Atlanta
Home
7:30
10/12
*Sabine
Away
7:30
10/19
*White Oak
Away
7:30
10/26
*Mineola
Home
7:30
11/2
*Spring Hill
Away
7:30
11/9
*Gladewater
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Jeff Traylor
Assistant Coaches: Matt
Turner, Kurt Traylor, Alan
Metzel, Ryan Pate, Keith Tate,
Thad Black, Todd Barr, Phil
Pate, Joey Hector, Tommy
Edwards, Wayne Coleman
Assistant Coaches: Kelly Cook,
Larry Minter, Kyle Little, Daniel
Shipman, Josh Chase, Gary
Lucius, Curtis Armstrong, Gus
Harmon, Mike Rounsaville
*Denoted District Game
GLADEWATER BEARS
With just a handful of seniors, a new coach, and a new method of attack, the
odds seemed stacked against the Gladewater Bears in 2006. But odds are
never a sure bet and the Bears responded by making the post season in Scott
Calllaway’s first season as head football coach in Gladewater.
“I really enjoyed my first year,” Callaway said. “It’s a great community.” Despite a
sub .500 record of 4-7 the Bears earned a spot in the playoffs, falling in the first
round to Atlanta. Coach Callaway faced a challenge in 2006 with a team lacking
a heavy amount of senior leadership. Last year’s disadvantage is this year’s
advantage.
In all the team brings back 16 letterman, five offensive starters along with five
defensive starters. Those players will now have the experience under their pads
to run Callaway’s system without a hitch.
The key matchup year after year is the battle of the “G-Towns:” Gilmer versus
Gladewater. This year the longtime rivals meet on the final game of the season,
November 9, at 7:30 p.m. at Gilmer’s Buckeye Stadium.
Players to watch; wide receiver Julian Griffin. Griffin finished the 2006
season with 30 catches, 600 yards and eight touchdowns. Also, running back
10/5
OPEN
10/12
* Mineola
Home
7:30
10/19
* Spring Hill
Away
7:30
10/26
* White Oak
Home
7:30
11/2
* Sabine
Home
7:30
11/9
* Gilmer
Away
7:30
SABINE CARDINALS
David Feaster has been known as the catalyst coach to spark the change
needed to turn a football program around. The Sabine Cardinals hopes history
will repeat itself as Feaster takes to the field as the new head coach.
The Cardinals went 1-19 in their past two seasons under coach Greg Anderson.
Anderson turned in his resignation after accepting a job with Kemp. In early
June, after the school year was over, Feaster was hired as Anderson’s
replacement.
Feaster joins Sabine from Minden High School in Louisiana. When he joined
the Minden Crimson Tide, the team was 0-10, just like the Cardinals. Under his
direction, Minden went 6-5 his first season, 6-5 the second season, and went
undefeated in his third regular season. Minden made it all the way to the state
semifinals last season.
Joining the Cardinals so late in the year, Feaster will have his work cut out for
him. The coach knows the fans of Sabine are ready to watch a winning team.
“I know that Sabine is sitting over
there, they are excited about
their kids like everybody else,”
he said. “They want the best
for their kids. They want to be
successful, and I know that if
we start having some success
people are really going to come
out and support the program the
way they are supporting other
parts of the school system right now.”
Mascot: Cardinals
Superintendent: Stacey Bryce
Head Coach: David Feaster
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Gladewater
7:00
Home
7:30
Bullard
Away
7:30
Brownsboro
Home
7:30
9/28
Quitman
Away
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
* Gilmer
10/19
10/26
9/1
Troup
9/7
Jefferson
9/14
9/21
Home
7:30
* Mineola
Away
7:30
* Spring Hill
Home
7:30
11/2
* Gladewater
Away
7:30
11/9
* White Oak
Home
7:30
After missing the playoffs for the first time in 2005, the Spring Hill Panthers
roared back into post season form going 7-4 in 2006, with a first round playoff
berth. “I thought our senior class did a great job of getting us back to the
playoffs,” head coach Robert Bero said. “But I think our senior class next
year, having now been in the playoffs, I expect us to advance further.”
The Panthers will have 23 seniors back for the 2006 season. Ten starters
also return: six on offense, four on defense. Bero has been head coach of
the Panthers for two seasons. The senior class he has led knows his offense
and defense well.
“It’s still a teaching day every day,” Bero said, “but these seniors know
what they are doing. I think we have a chance to battle for the district
championship, to contend for the district championship with Gilmer.”
Offensively look for the Panthers to use one back. Defensively they use the
4-3 for attack.
Players to watch; Shawn Hawkins/defensive end/senior. At 6’4, 220 pounds
Hawkins is a returning first team all district player. Jordan Henry/offensive
tackle/senior. Henry was second
team all district in 2006. Scott
Powell/wide receiver/senior. In
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
2006, Powell had 29 catches for
8/31 Lindale
Home
7:30
397 yards and four touchdowns.
Nick Richardson/linebacker/
9/7 Daingerfield
Away
7:30
senior.
9/14 Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
SPRING HILL
Mascot: Panthers
9/21
Chapel Hill
Home
7:30
9/28
Winnsboro
Away
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
* White Oak
Home
7:30
10/19
* Gladewater
Home
7:30
10/26
* Sabine
Away
7:30
11/2
* Gilmer
Home
7:30
11/9
* Mineola
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Wes Jones
Head Coach: Robert Bero
Assistant Coaches: Mark Comfort, Terry Waldrep,
Mike Lee, Steve LaMore, Dennis
Hedrick, Donnie Denman
SABINE
DATE
SPRING HILL PANTHERS
DISTRICT 15-3A
DISTRICT 15-3A
Another District Title Will Not Come Easy
For the Gilmer Buckeyes
MINEOLA YELLOW JACKETS
Like the Gladewater Bears, Mineola also faced a transition season with a new
head coach in 2006. David Wells looks to put the Yellow Jackets in flight by
sparking mental and physical change for his players.
As a coach at Hooks, Wells team went to the playoffs 12 out of 15 seasons.
Joining the Yellow Jackets also brought a new experience for the new coach.
“We inherited a program that traditionally did not win a lot,” Wells said. “I brought
in new coaches, an entirely new staff and began to renovate the area near the
fieldhouse. We are trying to get the team up to the level comparable to other
good football programs. We have got to change the mindset of the kids. You
don’t go to just play, you play to win. It doesn’t come easy. There is a price to be
paid and that is a lot of hard work.”
Wells arrived to the team in late spring of 2006, also inheriting 17 seniors. The coach
had very little time to mold his team and teach his new system.
continued
47
DISTRICT 15-3A
Mineola continued
The Yellow Jackets went 3-7. But this year, look for Wells’ players to be
familiar with his offensive scheme and better ability to execute it. The team
will run the I-Option, a one back spread offense, or even three back sets.
Defensively the Yellow Jackets base out of a 4-3.
“I’m old fashioned and think you have to run the ball and be physical on
defense to win,” Wells said. “I think our defensive line will be our strong point.”
In all the Yellow Jackets return three players offensively and three
defensively. “If we can fill in the few pieces with the younger kids,” Wells
said, “hopefully we can make the playoffs”.
Players to watch; Corey Jones, tailback. Jones had 1,092 yards and
14 touchdowns. Coach Wells said Jones is not very big but has good hips
and decent speed. Jones will also play in the secondary at safety. Brandon
Martin, right tackle. Martin has shown strength as a good blocker. Jerry
Crenshaw, right guard. Crenshaw can move for the trap block. James Griffith,
left tackle. Josh Jones, receiver,
Trey Stubblefield, Carlos Rivera
Defensive safety Blake Ware will also play on the other side of the ball at
receiver this season.
Coach Blankenship says his 2007 squad is much improved offensively and
defensively has more depth at linebacker as well as more better team speed.
Mascot: Roughnecks
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Superintendent: Mike Gilbert
Head Coach: Tracy Blankenship
8/31 Winnsboro
Home
7:30
WHITE OAK
Assistant Coaches: Jerry Blankenship, Billy
Brown, Richard Burks, Charles
Foshee, Jeff Hampton, Eddie
Shuttlesworth, Scott Stagner
MINEOLA
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
8/31
Quinlan Ford
Home
7:30
9/7
Quitman
Home
7:30
9/14
Grand Saline
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Mary Lookadoo
9/21
T.K. Gorman
Home
7:30
9/28
Mount Vernon
Away
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
* Gladewater
Away
7:30
10/19
* Sabine
Home
7:30
10/26
* Gilmer
Away
7:30
11/2
* White Oak
Away
7:30
11/9
* Spring Hill
Home
7:30
Away
7:30
9/14
Rains
Home
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
Bullard
Home
7:30
10/5
Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
10/12
* Spring Hill
Away
7:30
10/19
* Gilmer
Home
7:30
10/26
* Gladewater
Away
7:30
11/2
* Mineola
Home
7:30
11/9
* Sabine
Away
7:30
Head Coach: David Wells
Assistant Coaches: Joe
Currie, James Mcalister, Gregg
Armstrong, John Tally, Robert
Dudley, Rodney Bagley, Heath
Ragle, Carlos Rivera, B.J. Wright,
Robert Schultz, Richard Pride, Joe
Watts
WHITE OAK ROUGHNECKS
The White Oak Roughnecks hope to add more “W’s” to the win column in 2007.
The team finished 2-8 in 2006. In his fourth year as head coach of the
Roughnecks, Coach Tracy Blankenship is making a bet that a stronger line this
season will allow for more scoring opportunities. Six starters will return for the
Roughnecks on offense with three returning starters on defense.
The line will get its strength this year from returning lineman Spencer Morgan,
Graham Shuttlesworth and Barrett Blankenship. Sophomore middle linebacker
and fullback Jackson McCurdy is also expected to be a standout.
Last season the ‘Necks offense was led by a freshman. Austin Tubbs stepped
into the role of starting quarterback for varsity at just 14-years-old. Tubbs played
in ten games for his team. He made some young mistakes in his first season, but
Blankenship expects to see great improvement in the quarterback his sophomore
season. “Austin will be very good someday,” Blankenship said. “He has talent for
such a young man.”
48
Troup
Fans will immediately notice the starting running back. It would be hard not to.
Cullen Heim is 6’0, 220 pounds. The best way coach could describe Heim is
simple, “big and tough.”
DISTRICT 15-3A
DATE
9/7
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Gilmer
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Mineola
White Oak
Sabine
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49
P
laying in a district with the defending state champs will sometimes put fear into their opponents and knowing that they return six
offensive and six defensive starters could only make matter worse.
The Liberty-Eylau Leopards captured the Division I Class 3A title 35-34 over Waco Robinson and Pat Brady’s team will rely on the
running of LaMichael James who rushed for 1,587 yards last season, but will lack one key position. Quarterback, punter and kicker Will
Middlebrooks graduated and left a big void at signal caller for the Leopards, but an experienced offensive line will help relieve some of
the pressure on the quarterback this year.
Atlanta did manage to beat the Leopards last year in the district showdown, but it will be a big challenge this year since the Rabbits lost
23 lettermen last year and will be young and inexperienced at linebacker and the offensive line.
This could be a big year for Pleasant Grove, after a 4-8 season a year ago, with eight offensive and 10 defensive starters returing for coach
Kevin Davis. Runningback Trey Reed will put his running to the test and challenge the opponents to bring him down with some nifty moves
while running behind several large lineman in William Lachowsky, (6-3 270), and Josh Montgomery (6-1 245). The Hawks will be strong on
defense with end Michael Morris, Shane Anderson and Hayden Rybiski leading the way.
Pittsburg will experience some growing pains with a new coach Robert Manley starting his first season for the Pirates after coming from
Clarksville and adjusting to a tougher district.
Mount Vernon will face an uphill battle in this district, if for no other reason because of their small enrollment. The Tigers will have just 485
kids in high school while two teams have over 550 kids, another has 700 and Liberty-Eylau has over 800 students in high school. The Tigers
have a tough schedule. Five of their ten games are against teams who made the playoffs last year.
ATLANTA RABBITS
The Rabbits could struggle early. Coach Ben Scharnberg will spend the early
days getting junior quarterback Devon Lockhart some much needed experience.
The backfield though will not be without some veterans. Running backs Kelvin
Horsley, Demon Oliver and Courtney Huff will be tough for opponents to bring down.
Atlanta
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
9/1
Dallas W. Wilson Mt. Pleasant
6:00
9/7
Hallsville
Away
7:30
9/14
Kilgore
Away
7:30
9/21
Mt. Pleasant
Home
7:30
9/28
Texas High
Home
7:30
10/5
Gilmer
Away
7:30
10/12
*Mt. Vernon
Home
7:30
10/19
OPEN
10/26
*Pittsburg
Away
7:30
11/2
*Pleasant Grove
Home
7:30
11/9
*Liberty Eylau
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Ben Scharnberg
50
TIME
On the other side of the ball
defensive end Kacie Willson,
linebackers Austin Mote
and Titus Webster will help
the Rabbits stop opposing
offenses. Scharnberg will
be looking to Lockhart to use
his foot speed and savvy
leadership to make things
happen for the Rabbits. The
defensive line will also be
expected make big plays if the
Rabbits expect to repeat last
year’s success.
Mascot: Rabbits
Student enrollment: 550
Superintendent: Gayle
Stinson
Assistants: Ronnie Melton, Phillip Elmore, Lance Bernard, Jarrod Boston,
Joel Morris, Randy Raley, David Smith, Avance Williams, Terry Golden, Rick
Blackwood and Jay Wylie.
Mascot: Pirates
Superintendent: Scott Nivin
Head Coach: Robert Manley
Assistants: Brian Brown, Jason Hooker, Willie Allen, Robert Cochran, David
Daniels, Rick Fowler, Drew Norwood, Tom Middlebrooks, Matt Clark and
Stephen Darden.
Student Enrollment:700
Mascot: Leopards
The Tigers will begin 2007 under the leadership of junior quarterback Christian
Butler. He’ll be backed up by running back C.J. Fowler. It will be a “big”
offensive line led by all-state candidate Marck Marrero, (6-3 315), Stanley Wood
(6-2 210) and Phillip Austin (6-1 280). Coach Charles Swann expects to help
lead the charge for his offense. The Hawks should be strong this season with Trey Reed, Josh Montgomery
and Kennard Henderson running the ball behind the leadership of
quarterback Jake Rogers.
On defense Swann has big hopes for defensive lineman Luke Henry, linebacker
Colton Keener, and secondary players Jordan Mays and Eric Newsom. They
are party of 17 lettermen
for the Tigers MOUNT VERNON returning
this season. Michael Morris, William Lachowsky, Hayden Rykiski, Shane Anderson and Logan
Ashby will be counted on for strong play for Coach Kevin Davis. Tackle Jeremy
Price and Thomas Shaddix will anchor an experienced
PLEASANT
offensive line.
DATE
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Lone Oak
OPPONENT
Home
7:30
Mascot: Tigers
9/7
Brownsboro
Home
7:30
9/14
Buffalo
Gladewater
7:30
Superintendent: Rick
Flanagan
9/21
Winnsboro
Home
7:30
9/28
Mineola
Home
7:30
10/5
Rains
Away
7:30
*Atlanta
Away
7:30
10/19
*Pittsburg
Home
7:30
Nothing is ever easy for a defending state champ. Coach Pat Brady knows this
season his Leopards will have a huge bulls eye on their back.
10/26
*Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
11/2
*Liberty-Eylau
Home
7:30
LaMichael James, Charles Jones and Deante Bradley will be three of the leaders
Brady will turn to keep the
LIBERTY - EYLAU winning tradition going DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
in 2007.
11/9
Open
8/31
North Lamar
Away
7:30
9/7
Center
Home
7:30
9/14
Greenville
Away
7:30
9/21
Wimberley
9/28
Mount Pleasant
10/5
Sulphur Springs
Waxahachie
7:00
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
10/12
*Pittsburg
Away
7:30
10/19
*Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
10/26
Open
11/2
*Mount Vernon
Away
7:30
11/9
*Atlanta
Home
7:30
The Leopard defense will be
strong with two-year starting
safeties in Stacik Vaughn and
Patrick Dukes returning.
The offensive line should
be strong too with threeyear starting center Ryan
Bean anchoring a veteran
line including guard James
Atchison and tackle
Jeremy Hamilton. Wide
receivers Jeremy Wigham
and Jermaine Waller also
return from last year’s state
championship team.
Assistants: Daniel Johnson, Dexter Patrick, Kim Ender, Alex Guerrero and
Jay Fieldman.
MOUNT VERNON TIGERS
10/12
LIBERTY-EYLAU LEOPARDS
Superintendent: Judy Pollan
DISTRICT 16-3A
By Jim Goodman Daingerfield Bee Head Coach: Pat Brady
will do double time as a defensive back. Matthew Kirkland and Logan
Roberts will help carry the load up front on offense. Manley says he will also
look for other veterans like Buck Walker, Aaron Nugent and Cal Dickey to
perform if the Pirates are to be successful this season.
LIBERTY-EYLAU continued
Head Coach: Charles
Swann
Assistants: Bill Brasher,
Homer Garner, Stephen
Ladd, Andy Player, Jim
Solomon, Ronnie Stoker
and Billy Wilson.
PITTSBURG
PIRATES
The Pirates will depend on
senior Kendall Wright to put
some points on the board and
anchor a tough defense this
season. When Wright, who
is also standout in basketball
and track, is on the field Coach
Robert Manley says great things
can happen.
Manley will look for running back
Carlos Brown and wide out Mark
Farmer to make a significant
contribution on offense. Farmer
PITTSBURG
DATE
8/31
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Jefferson
Away
7:30
9/7
New Boston
Home
7:30
9/14
Commerce
Home
7:30
9/21
Carthage
Away
7:30
9/28
Paris
Home
7:30
10/5
Royse City
Away
7:30
10/12
*Liberty-Eylau
Home
7:30
10/19
*Mount Vernon
Away
7:30
10/26
*Atlanta
Home
7:30
11/2
Open
11/9
*Pleasant Grove
Away
7:30
PLEASANT GROVE HAWKS
GROVE
A tough non-district schedule will
prepare the Hawks for the stretch
run in district play, barring any
injuries which have hampered the
Hawks in seasons past.
Mascot: Hawks
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Hooks
Away
7:30
9/7
Pine Tree
Home
7:30
9/14
Spring Hill
Home
7:30
9/21
North Lamar
Home
7:30
9/28
Tyler Chapel Hill
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
10/5
White Oak
10/12
Open
Head Coach: Steve Morris
10/19
*Liberty-Eylau
Away
7:30
Assistants: Clay Busby, Todd
Elliott, Craig Jones, Steve Morris,
Whitney Keeling, Justin Watson,
Britt Marley, Jeremy Kubiak and
Blake Worley.
10/26
*Mount Vernon
Home
7:30
11/2
*Atlanta
Away
7:30
11/9
*Pittsburg
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Margaret Davis
DISTRICT 16-3A
DISTRICT 16-3A
Liberty-Eylau Must Get Through a Tough
District 16-3A To Defend Their State Title
1. Liberty-Eylau 2. Atlanta
3. Pleasant Grove
4. Pittsburg
5. Mt. Vernon
51
Describes a Competitive and Talented 19-3A Race
By Scott Tyler Palestine Herald-Press
I
n 2006, the District 19-3A race went down to the final week, with no team going through the district season undefeated. The district coaches expect the 2007
season to be the same way.
“It is going to be hard for a team to go through district without a loss,” Palestine head coach Glen Tunstall said. “Any of the six teams have the opportunity to beat
each other.”
Last season ended with Palestine, Madisonville and the black horse Mexia taking the three playoff spots. This year, Palestine and Madisonville are expected to
compete again for district spots, even though the two teams are on opposite sides of the spectrum.
The Palestine Wildcats must reload after losing more than three-fourths of their offensive and defensive starters. “Palestine will reload with talent from its sub
varsity,” Madisonville head coach Greg Morgan said.
receiver in Chris Favors, who had over 50 catches and Ramon Catsilla, a force
on the defensive line. All three players were named to the Associated Press AllState team.
By taking the job during the spring, Burrow has not had much time to work with
his team before the summer break. “We have got a bunch of hard working kids
that are going to play hard,” Burrow said. “I am very pleased with the way they
have worked and it is a matter of getting to know each of them.”
The biggest task on hand for
Burrow is to try to turn around a
team that went 6-4 last year and
missed the playoffs for the fifth
straight year.
Players to Watch:
Heath Coleman, senior, OL/DL
GROESBECK
DATE
PLACE
TIME
Lorena
Home
7:30
9/7
Waco LaVega
Away
7:30
9/14
Mart
Away
7:30
8/31
OPPONENT
running back Chris Whaley, who rushed for more than 2,000 yards last
season and was named the district’s co-Offensive MVP. “We think Chris is
a special player with his size and speed,” Morgan said. “We’d like to think
he was cut from the same mold as Adrian Peterson, but that remains to be
seen but so far he has he has shown himself to be a very talented and gifted
running back.”
Whaley will be surrounded by talent, including his older brother, Alonzo
Whaley, who was one of the top linebackers in the district last year. Alonzo
Whaley also blocks for his brother on offense as the Mustangs’ fullback.
The Mustangs also return quarterback Kyle Morgan, the son of the
Madisonville head coach, and defensive back Daniel Sanders. Both players
were newcomers of the year in the district last year.
“We think we are returning a good nucleus from last year’s team,” Morgan
said. “Of course, we need to find some replacements on the offensive and defensive line and a few spots in our wide receiver and defensive backs
corps.”
9/21
China Spring
Home
7:30
Madisonville, however, is considered one of the front runners because of the experience the Mustangs have coming back at their skill positions. “Madisonville is going
to be successful because they return a lot,” Westwood head coach Shane Jones said.
Charlie Curry, senior, WR/DE
9/28
Whitney
Home
7:30
Cade Wilson, senior, WR/LB
10/12
Mexia
Away
7:30
Chris Whaley, junior, RB
Westwood, like Madisonville, has skill position players returning, mainly at quarterback, which could help the Panthers make the playoffs for the first time since 1992. But while Palestine, Madisonville and Westwood may be the favorites, the district coaches know not to count any of the six teams out.
10/19
Palestine
Home
7:30
10/26
Fairfield
Away
7:30
Alonzo Whaley, senior,
LB/FB
11/2
Madisonville
Home
7:30
Kyle Morgan, senior, QB
11/9
Westwood
Away
7:30
Away Mustangs
9/28
MADISONVILLE MUSTANGS
Superintendent: Keith
Smith
For several of the district coaches, Madisonville will be the team to beat in the
district because of the talent they have coming back from last year.
Head Coach: Greg
Morgan
“This may be the toughest district in our region,” Fairfield head coach David Haynes said.
FAIRFIELD EAGLES
Players to Watch:
The Eagles enter their second year under David Haynes and the head coach
hopes to see a vast improvement from last year’s 1-9 season with their only win
coming against Crandall in overtime.
Gavan Bass, senior, RB
“We should be taking positive steps to getting better,” Haynes said. “We have
a good nucleus of kids coming back and they know the expectations of the
program and what they have to do.”
Bradley Walker, senior, OL/DL
Fairfield has had a full year to grow under Haynes, who took the job last year
after spending a number of years at McGregor.
“Anytime you come in new, everyone is learning,” Haynes said. “After a year,
they know it much better and now they are starting to react instead of stopping
and thinking.”
FAIRFIELD
52
GROESBECK continued
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
China Springs
Away
7:30
9/7
Robinson
Home
7:30
9/21
Waco Connally
Away
7:30
9/28
Crandall
Away
7:30
10/12
Madisonville
Home
7:30
10/19
Mexia
Away
7:30
10/26
Groesbeck
Home
7:30
11/2
Westwood
Home
7:30
11/9
Palestine
Away
7:30
Haynes said the Eagles are going
to rely on their seniors including
Gavan Bass and Eric Palmer. Bass, who won the 100-meter dash
at the 2006 district track meet,
rushed for nearly 1,000 yards last
season. Palmer is a threat all over
the field as he can move from wide
receiver to running back.
“Our senior bunch coming back
has had a good offseason,” Haynes
said. “Those guys have shown
great leadership and that is going
to help.”
Eric Palmer, senior, RB/DB
Mascot: Goats
Superintendent: John Key
Head Coach: Stephen Burrow
Mascot: Eagles
“A lot of people are looking at us as the favorites and I think we should fair pretty
well,” Madisonville head coach Greg Morgan said. “But I am looking at Palestine
and Westwood as two of the top schools.”
Superintendent: Tony Price
One reason why Madisonville is the early season favorite is junior All-State
DISTRICT 19-3A
DISTRICT 19-3A
“On Any Given Night…”
Players to Watch:
MADISONVILLE
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Home
7:30
8/31
Navasota
9/7
Coldspring-Oakhurst
Away
7:30
9/14
Rockdale
Home
7:30
Crockett
Home
7:30
10/5
Cleveland Tarkington
Away
7:30
10/12
Fairfield
Away
7:30
10/19
Westwood
Home
7:30
10/26
Palestine
Away
7:30
11/2
Groesbeck
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches:
11/9 Mexia
Russell Smith, Lu Olvera,
Marcus Railsback, Jud
Robinson, Chris Donaldson, Paul Schroeder
Head Coach: David Haynes
Assistant Coaches: Carrol Cain, Bobby Campbell, Chris Forcha, Michael
Gallegos, Wilbert Hunter, Lloyd Langston, Joey Worley.
GROESBECK GOATS
The Goats will not only have to deal with the losses of an All-State quarterback,
wide receiver and defensive lineman, Groesbeck also has lost a head coach.
Late in the spring, Groesbeck had to replace six-year head coach Ritchey Cutrer,
and the Goats’ answer is Stephen Burrow, who spent the last two years as the
head coach at Crockett.
“I am from the Waco area so we would play and scrimmage Groesbeck and I
knew a lot about them,” Burrow said. “I had a peace about it and I knew it was
the right move.”
Burrow will be taking over a program that needs to replace a quarterback in
Cody Wilson, who threw for over 2,500 yards and 30 touchdowns; a wide
53
continued
But Mexia must find a replacement for Johnson if the Blackcats want to get
back to the playoffs. “Kendrick is a great player who can’t be replaced,” Mexia
head coach Larry Adair said. “We are going to have to find someone who is
going to step up.”
While Mexia has to replace Johnson, Adair said the strength of his team is the
return of several other players in skill positions as Mexia started up to eight
sophomores last year.
Players to Watch:
Kenny Baggs, senior, DE
Michael Gamble, senior, DT
DATE
8/31
Mascot: Panthers
“On defense we are going to combine coach Bowie’s defense with Coach Ivey’s
defense,” Tunstall said. “We have kids on defense who have playing experience
even if they did not start.”
Raymond Welch, senior, DB
PALESTINE
DATE
OPPONENT
8/31
Hallsville
PLACE
TIME
Home
7:30
9/7
Kaufman
Away
7:30
TIME
Edgar Vasquez, senior, OL
9/14
Henderson
Home
7:30
Gatesville
Away
7:30
9/21
Jacksonville
Away
7:30
Isaac Griffin, senior, LB
9/7
China Spring
Home
7:30
9/14
Waco Connally
Away
7:30
9/21
Rockdale
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Jerry Mayo
Head Coach: Glen Tunstall
Assistant Coaches: Tommy Allison,
Jamie Driskell, David Wilbanks, Cody
Tunstall, Jim French, Chad Abernathy,
Robert Ivey
Mascot: Blackcats
Superintendent: Charlene
Simpson
9/28
Waco LaVega
Home
7:30
10/12
Groesbeck
Home
7:30
10/19
Fairfield
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Larry Adair
10/26
Westwood
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Allen Ham,
Shane Adair, Monte Hughes,
Walter Smith, Matt McGilvray,
Patrick Meyer, Shannon Wright,
Heath Brittain.
11/2
Palestine
Home
7:30
11/9
Madisonville
Away
7:30
PALESTINE WILDCATS
The Wildcats may have to replace more starters than any other district team, but Palestine hopes instead of rebuilding, it can just reload and defend its district title.
“I think we are going to be a legit playoff team,” Palestine head coach Glen
Tunstall said. “We lose 25 seniors and have three coming back on offense and
defense but I am very confident in our team and the way they are going.”
For Palestine to get back to the playoffs, the Wildcats will have to find a
replacement on offense for all-everything Kevin Swanson, who averaged over 10
yards every time he touched the ball, either as a running back or wide receiver.
Looking to take the lead on the Palestine offense will be returning starter
Larry Jackson at wide receiver. Jackson was fourth on the team last year in
receptions, but with the top three receivers graduating, the lanky Palestine wide
out will became a focal point in the offense. “Larry is going to be our go-to guy,”
Tunstall said. “He has been on varsity for two years and he knows what his role
is going to be as our playmaker on the outside.”
54
Replacing Bowie is former Athens head coach Robert Ivey, who may look to
junior Raymond Welch to help carry the defensive load. Welch had a team-high
six interceptions last year.
PLACE
OPPONENT
D.J. Morrow, junior, RB/LB
Josue DeLeon, senior, OL
Larry Jackson, senior, WR
MEXIA
Gralyn Crawford, senior, QB
On defense, the Wildcats have to replace nine starters along with a defensive
coordinator as Booker Bowie leaves after five years at the helm of the Palestine
defense.
Players to Watch:
“We are much more improved in our skill positions,” Adair said. “The
experience we have coming back is very big for us.”
Westwood continued
Mascot: Wildcats
9/29
Rusk
Home
7:30
10/12
Westwood
Away
7:30
10/19
Groesbeck
Away
7:30
10/26
Madisonville
Home
7:30
11/2
Mexia
Away
7:30
11/9
Fairfield
Home
7:30
WESTWOOD
DATE
8/31
PLACE
TIME
Bullard
OPPONENT
Away
7:30
9/7
Tyler Chapel Hill
Home
7:30
9/14
Brownsboro
Away
7:30
Away
7:30
9/21
Crockett
Superintendent: Dr. Ann Griffin
10/5
Rusk
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Shane Jones
10/12
Palestine
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Steven
Skinner, Kevin Anderson, Mike
Holt, Roger Mays, David Reed,
T.J. Turner, Cory Ash, Kevin
Logrone, John Forrest, William
Raphelt.
10/19
Madisonville
Away
7:30
10/26
Mexia
Home
7:30
11/2
Fairfield
Away
7:30
11/9
Groesbeck
Home
7:30
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Palestine
Madisonville Westwood
Mexia
Fairfield
Groesbeck
DISTRICT 19-3A
The Blackcats may have been the surprise of the district last year, especially
after starting the season with five straight losses. With the play of quarterback
Kendrick Johnson, who led the team in rushing, the Blackcats went 3-2 in
district and earned a playoff spot because of a 63-48 win over Groesbeck
which turned out to be the tiebreaker.
Palestine also looses its top four rushing leaders from a year ago, including
quarterback Jacobi Jackson. The Wildcats will have to rely on inexperienced
players including J.C. Johnson and Alex Powell, at both quarterback and running
back.
DISTRICT 16-3A
DISTRICT 19-3A
MEXIA BLACKCATS
WESTWOOD PANTHERS
Along with Madisonville, Westwood may have the most talent coming back in
the skill positions and the Panthers hope that can turn into making the playoffs. Westwood finished 6-4 last season, missing a chance to make the playoffs in its
final game of the season, but it was the first winning season since 1992, which
also was the last time the Panthers reached postseason play.
“We should be as good or better than last year,” Westwood head coach Shane
Jones said. “We have a lot of skill position players back and four of our five
offensive linemen are back.”
Quarterback Gralyn Crawford will be in his third year as the starting quarterback
for Westwood. “This is his year,” Jones said of Crawford. “He had a good year
last year, he knows what he is doing and he is comfortable in that position.”
Crawford threw for over 1,800 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for more
than 800 yards and 16 touchdowns last year.
Crawford will be joined in the backfield by D.J. Morrow, who did not get many
carries last year but did get an emergency start at quarterback when Crawford
was injured. Morrow rushed for nearly 200 yards against Mexia. Morrow also will
be a key on defense as a linebacker and one of five returning defensive starters.
“D.J. proved he can run that ball last year against Mexia,” Jones said. “He is
going to be a threat on both offense and defense for us.”
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55
Adrian Peterson
Just four years ago he was the number one recruit in the country. As a Palestine Wildcat, Adrian Peterson ran for 2,960 yards and
32 touchdowns his senior year alone.
It’s been a long journey from Palestine.
entire day dedicated to you?
little kids and fans wearing your jersey?
always remembering where I came from
when I didn’t have anything. When I
was that same kid walking up to Ricky
Williams asking for his autograph. But,
now I’m in position to do the same thing.
I take advantage of that responsibility.
Also by just knowing what I’ve been
through. Just knowing that only God got
me through those hard times to keep me
level, to keep me knowing that I wouldn’t
be here in this position if it weren’t for
him.
Adrian: It feels so good. Just
Maya: Did you ever expect your
Adrian: Man it’s amazing. It’s been a
long road. I had to clear a lot of obstacles
along the way. But with all the support
of my fans back home and my family it
makes it worth it, just knowing that they
stood behind me supporting me. It feels
so good just to be back home, it’s always
good to come back home.
Maya: How do you feel when you see
knowing they are behind me and I’ve
got the younger kids looking up to me,
knowing that hey if Adrian made it, we
know we can make it out. So that’s just
motivating them to do even better.
Maya: With so much attention placed
on you, how have you been able to
remain so humble?
56
Adrian: Just by staying grounded,
success or even your own “day?”
Adrian: I always dreamed about this.
That’s where it starts. It starts at a young
age and dreaming and always believing.
Just doing what it takes to accomplish
that.
The Dogs rule this district.
oaches say either Crockett or Carthage will win the top slot. When pushed on the issue, more than half sided with blue-clad
C
Bulldogs of Crockett with the red dogs of Carthage nipping at their heels in a close second place.
That’s why many coaches selected the Crockett Bulldogs as the favorite to bark and howl and win the crown.
Rusk head coach Wayne Mahaffey said of the district, “I know it will be a challenge. It is pretty balanced and several teams are very
good, just like in the past.”
Huntington coach Tommy Day said his team will be more of a force in the district than in years past. But he still sees Crockett as the top
dog in the district.
Adrian Peterson thanks to adrian-peterson.com
“Crockett and Carthage are so loaded it is incredible,” Center head coach Ron Callahan said. “We’ll be in the mix. It is a very competitive
district.”
CROCKETT BULLDOGS
KLTV 7 Sports Maya Golden talked with Adrian about what it feels like to come home a star.
Maya: How does it feel to have an
By Don Wallace Jacksonville Daily Progress
The funny thing is, as of press time for this article Crockett did not have a head coach. What they do have according to experts, for
whomever takes the position, is a field house full of talent.
As an Oklahoma Sooner, Adrian would go on to become the first freshman to finish
second in the balloting for the Heisman Trophy. This April, Adrian was the seventh
overall pick in the NFL Draft taken by the Minnesota Vikings. The star of a Nike Ad
campaign, the cover boy for countless magazines, Adrian has risen to superstar status
before playing one game in the NFL.
On June 23, 2007 hundreds of fans lined up in downtown Palestine for “Adrian
Peterson Day.” The day began with a parade complete with floats and a marching
band. The NFL rookie was named a Palestine Hometown Hero, the first such award
given by the town.
Crockett & Carthage Get the Preseason Nod In 20-3A
DISTRICT 20-3A
Palestine Celebrates Native Son
Maya: How are things going in
Minnesota?
Adrian: Things are going good. I’m
learning the system well. It’s a great town.
Twin Cities is a great town. The weather
is good for now. It’s going to be freezing
here in a little bit but I’m excited.
The Bulldogs are the pick to win the district and at the time this was filed are
without a head coach. So comments from a coach are not possible at this time.
The Bulldogs went 6-5 last year. The blue-clad Bulldogs have an enrollment of
475 and a long established history of success in the area. Old timers remember
coaches like Monte Driskell who racked up more than 200 wins in his long and
illustrious career.
Top returning players for Crockett include offensive starters Willie Carter (WR,
RB, QB); Ryan Robinson (WR) and
Tyler Tabor (RB).
CROCKETT
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Kilgore
Away
7:30
9/7
Newton
Home
7:30
other East Texas recruits?
9/14
Shepherd
Away
7:30
Adrian: I say first of all, put
9/21
Pal. Westwood
Home
9/28
Madisonville
Away
Maya: What do you want to say to
God first. Also, hard work and being
dedicated. I’m not just talking about
doing what’s required. It’s doing more.
It’s setting your standards higher. It’s
going after practice and getting a couple
of extra reps in the weight room or
getting extra gasers on the field. Just
staying focus, just hard work, just being
dedicated.
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
Huntington
Home
7:30
7:30
10/19
Center
Away
7:30
10/26
Carthage
Home
7:30
11/2
Diboll
Home
7:30
11/9
Rusk
Home
7:30
Defending the line for the Bulldogs
will be end Lee Martinez while
linebackers Tracy Cooper, Naim
Akbar and Mark Leediker patrol
the field with help from free safety
Jarared Davis.
Head coach: Vacant (as of May
2007)
Colors: Blue and white
Mascot: Bulldogs
Enrollment: 475
RUSK EAGLES
The Eagles have to earn their wings in 2007.
The Rusk Eagles played 12 games last year advancing to the area round of the playoffs.
Things could be rosy with nine offense and six defensive starters returning for
head coach Wayne Mahaffey. He certainly has high hopes for the 2007 edition of
the feathered flock.
“We have a good group to build around,” Mahaffey said. “Having nine back on
offense really helps and I am sure we can make good things. We’ll have good depth.”
The last few years Rusk has centered their attack one big star like Cody Glenn
(now at Nebraska) or Justin Sturns (Navarro College), both have put up huge
numbers as they led the Eagles to postseason play.
This year, Mahaffey is doing his own version of “Star Search” as he looks
for the next leader of the black and red squad. “Nobody knows if we have a
replacement for Justin yet,” Mahaffey
said with a coy grin. “We could have
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
one in Jared Colville, he has played
quarterback for several years. He’s in
8/31 Mabank
Away
7:30
contention for the role.”
RUSK
9/7
Van
Home
7:30
9/14
Gladewater
Away
7:30
9/21
Open
9/28
Palestine
Away
7:30
10/5
Westwood
Home
7:30
10/12
*Diboll
Away
7:30
10/19
*Carthage
Away
7:30
Mascot: Eagles
10/26
*Huntington
Home
7:30
Colors: Red and Black
11/2
*Center
Away
7:30
11/9
*Crockett
Home
7:30
Mahaffey said that his defense
will also be salty with half a dozen
players back on that side of the ball.
“We’re expecting good things,”
Mahaffey said. “We know the district
is tough, but we’re up for the challenge.”
Head coach: Wayne Mahaffey
Enrollment: 533
57
Just because the Red Devils went 1-9 in 2006 doesn’t mean they will be the
door mat of the district this year. Day has been at Huntington five years, 2007
will be his first campaign as the leader of the pitchfork gang known as the
Red Devils.
Huntington has seven offense and seven defensive starters and Coach Day
said his team will make some noise in the race this year. “We’re going to be
competitive,” Day remarked. “Our JV went 6-4 last year and three of those
losses were by a touchdown or less. A lot of those guys have moved up and
they are good players.”
Top of the list is wide receiver C.J. Plyler, a 6-2, 190-pounder who advanced
to regional in three events. Plyler has speed to burn and the athletic ability to
turn a short completion into a long gainer.
The Red Devils hope to run the ball with the return of injured back Cuu Evung,
a 5-10, 180-pound dynamo. In one game last year Evung was off to a terrific
start with 175 yards and two
touchdowns before he went
Hun tington
down with a knee injury. As a
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
sophomore he rushed for 1,400
8/31
Warren
Home
7:30
yards and 12 scores. Day said
he will be in top form this year.
9/7 Bullard
Home
7:30
Mascot: Lumberjacks
Blocking for Evung will be
Josh Yount, a 6-3, 230-pound
bruising guard who has twice
earned all-district laurels. “We’re going to be better than
some people think,” Day warns.
“We are looking forward to a
fine season.”
Head Coach: Tommy Day
Mascot: Red Devils
9/14
Beckville
9/21
Open
9/28
DIBOLL
DATE
OPPONENT
TIME
DATE
Away
7:30
8/31
9/14
Cleveland
Home
7:30
9/7
9/21
Coldsprings
Home
7:30
9/14
Open
9/28
Liberty
Away
7:30
9/21
TIME
Henderson
Home
7:30
Kirbyville
Away
7:30
Pittsburg
Home
7:30
Splendora
Away
7:30
9/28
Newton
Away
7:30
Rusk
Home
7:30
10/5
Mount Pleasant
Home
7:30
10/19
Huntington
Away
7:30
10/12
Center
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
10/26
Center
Home
7:30
Head coach: Gary Martell
10/19
Rusk
11/2
Crockett
Away
7:30
10/26
Crockett
Away
7:30
Enrollment: 505
11/9
Carthage
Home
7:30
11/2
Huntington
Home
7:30
11/9
Diboll
Away
7:30
CENTER ROUGHRIDERS
7:30
10/5
Alto
Home
7:30
Center will be in the center of action. While they might not win district, they can
be a determining factor in the race.
10/12
Crockett
Away
7:30
10/19
Diboll
Home
7:30
10/26
Rusk
Away
7:30
11/2
Carthage
Away
7:30
11/9
Center
Home
7:30
Martell thinks his team could contend for the title and the 15 returning lettermen
feel the same way. Diboll has five offensive and five defensive starters back on
the roster of a playoff team. Add to that the Diboll junior varsity posted a 7-3
mark and the freshman team was 7-2-1 in 2006.
PLACE
10/5
Away
Diboll lost 26 lettermen, but the Lumberjacks prefer to look at the glass as being
half full instead of half empty. Four players are wearing college uniforms this
year, instead of the colors of Diboll.
OPPONENT
10/12
West Hardin
Gary Martell can make his mark on the district race with another year like 2006’s
8-3 record.
CARTHAGE
PLACE
After going 2-8 in 2006, the sledding should not be so rough for the Roughriders
in 2007. That’s the plan of second year coach Ron Callahan.
These Lumberjacks are itching to chop wood.
“I feel like I stepped into a really good situation here at Carthage, “ Surratt said.
Shepherd
7:30
DIBOLL LUMBERJACKS
The Scott Surratt era begins this fall as the former Texas High associate head
football coach takes over the controls of the Bulldogs’ attack. Surratt, a native of
the Linden-Kildare area, is glad to be the head man in charge at Carthage.
9/7
Away
Enrollment: 523
58
Stanton, a 6-2, 205-pounder, rushed
for 1,116 yards and was selected as
one of the top junior running backs
by Forbes. Linemen Ivan Meza (6-3,
270), Ryan Whitworth (6-1, 245) and
Raphael Villanueva (5-11, 230) will
anchor the line. The talented leg of
Alex Castillo is a weapon on special
teams, the 6-foot junior kicked a 43yard field goal vs. Rusk last year.
CARTHAGE BULLDOGS
The Bulldogs have eight offense
and eight defensive starters
back from a team that went 7-3.
The new coach said the biggest
challenge he will face this year is
getting his teams up-to-speed on
the new offense and defense he
is installing.
“We will use a multiple I
formation on offense and run a
4-3 on defense,” Surratt said.
“We’ve had success in the
spring. We are getting offensive
and defensive fundamentals
down. I think it has been good,
we have good talent here and
that helps.”
Other standouts are Kendrick Jackson (free safety), J.O. Hicks (defensive
back) and Allen Walls (offensive line).
Surratt said his team’s speed and size will help the Bulldogs compete well
in the district. “We know it will be an adjustment to the new system,” Surratt
said. “But I see us coming around about the fourth or fifth game, just in time
for district play.”
Surratt said, “I think us, Crockett, Diboll and Rusk will battle for the top spots.”
Mascot: Bulldogs
Head Coach: Scott Surratt • Enrollment: 797
1. Crockett 2. Carthage 3. Rusk
4. Diboll
5. Center
6. Huntington
DISTRICT 20-3A
There’s a new day dawning at Huntington. Day, as Tommy Day, the new
head football coach.
“The players and coaches did a great job adapting to a new system in 2006,”
Martell said. “ We have good quickness and speed returning. We must stay
healthy. We have a great all around athlete in Ketaraus Stanton. Our offensive
line will be very good since three starters return and we have a great group of
sophomores moving up. We need a quarterback and some receivers to step up.
I look for us to improve as the season goes on. To be in the playoffs – we must
stay healthy.”
DISTRICT 20-3A
DISTRICT 20-3A
HUNTINGTON RED DEVILS
Top players returning for the Bulldogs include first team all-district selection like
1,000 yard rusher Gary Tatum, a 200-pounder with 4.5 speed in the 40. Also
Rodney Chadwick (linebacker) and Bryan Kirkling (defensive end) anchor the defense.
The squad has four returning seniors who will be leading the squad on the field.
Eddie Edwards (FS, SE); Tjsheen Hightower, (DE/G); Austin Gray (C, NG) and
Mick Wheeler, (CB/TB).
Also a strong contributor will be Trenton Patton, a full back/linebacker who
earned Newcomer of the Year honors in the district.
“This is my second year here and I think we know more what we are doing this
season,” Center head coach Ron
Callahan said. “We’ll be running
the multiple I on offense and a split
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
front on defense. We’ll need to play
well every week, this district is very
8/31 Chapel Hill
Away
7:30
competitive.”
9/7 Liberty-Eylau
Away
7:30
CENTER
Head football coach: Ron Callahan
9/14
Tatum
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Kelly Rodgers
9/21
Nacogdoches
Home
7:30
9/28
Gilmer
Home
7:30
Mascot: Roughriders
Enrollment: 650
10/5
Open
10/12
Carthage
Home
7:30
10/19
Crockett
Home
7:30
10/26
Diboll
Away
7:30
11/2
Rusk
Home
7:30
11/9
Huntington
Away
7:30
59
By JOSEPH ELERSON Sulphur Springs News-Telegram
ith two new coaches and excitement in the air for the start of the football season, the Como-Pickton Eagles and Grand Saline
W
Indians will look to make a splash in the District 16-2A standings.
But it won’t be easy with playoff teams in Winnsboro, Quitman and Hawkins and an improved Alba-Golden Panthers team to contend
with in becoming one of the top three teams in district play.
Winnsboro and Quitman are the favorites once again this year as both teams had identical 9-1 records for the season with Winnsboro
going unscathed in district play at 5-0.
“Coach Pinnell has done an outstanding job at Winnsboro and they have been doing this for several years now,” one district coach
said. “I expect them to win it again and not seeing them struggle at all. Quitman plays smash mouth football under coach Shackelford and
they are going to do good next year.”
Van
Home
7:30
9/7
Eustace
Away
7:30
9/14
Mineola
Home
9/21
Malakoff
Away
7:30
Tullis said hopefully the fans would see a more focused team this season as they
look to bounce back from a 0-10 season last year.
9/28
Lone Oak
Home
7:30
Mascot: Indians
10/5
Open
7:30
“Hopefully, we can start out strong and show our work ethic and outwork the
other team 100-percent all the time,” he said. “I think our offense has changed
from a big play, hope we can score in one play to more of a slow-down, grind the
ball offense and use the clock up more during the game and keep the defense
off of the field.”
10/12
*Winnsboro
Away
7:30
Student Enrollment:
1,167
10/19
*Hawkins
Home
7:30
10/26
*Alba-Golden
Away
7:30
11/2
*Quiman
Home
7:30
11/10
*Como-Pickton
Away
7:30
“We are going to start Noe Tellez at quarterback this season and then rotate with
Austin Darby. When Noe is not at quarterback, we will move him to fullback to
have a big strong back to run the ball or we will have him at tight end,” the coach
said. “Alex Williams will be back and he has looked really quick in practice and
James Carter will be at fullback this year. Ryan Carpenter will be at receiver and
he is a really smart football kid and he is a coach out there on the field.”
Como - Pickton
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Players to Watch:
Alex Williams, Jr., RB/DB
8/31
Rivercrest
Away
7:30
9/7
Celeste
Home
7:30
James Carter, Soph. RB/DB
Austin Darby, Jr. QB/DB
ALBA-GOLDEN PANTHERS
COMO-PICKTON EAGLES
After four straight winless seasons at Alba-Golden, the Panthers went 3-7 last
year under first year coach Paul Frye.
After a disappointing 0-10 season last year, the Como-Pickton Eagles face a
new challenge with head coach Paul Tullis — who was a position coach and
assistant coordinator last season in his first year at the school.
9/14
OPEN
9/21
Union Hill
Away
7:30
9/28
Quinlan Boles
Away
7:30
With the team looking to rebound from a tough season, Tullis said working on
finding the kids who want to play and gaining interest in the program is the major
challenge right now during the off season.
10/5
Blue Ridge
Home
7:30
10/12
Hawkins
Home
7:30
Ryan Carpenter, WR/DB
10/19
Quitman
Away
7:30
Mascot: Eagles
10/26
Winnsboro
Home
7:30
11/2
Alba-Golden
Away
7:30
Student Enrollment:
862
11/9
Grand Saline
Home
7:30
Coach Frye was an assistant at Robert E. Lee from 2001-2006 and took over
for head coach Allan Phillips who coached the team for seven years prior to
last season. Alba-Golden won their first game of the season in a 13-7 win over
Cumby in the season opener to break a 40-game losing streak.
The Panthers return running back Ryan Young — who had 238 attempts for
1,856 yards and 14 TD’s in 2006. They also return senior quarterback Austin
Frye, the son of coach Frye.
On defense, the Panthers will look to Billy Hill, Logan Williams, Phillip Montano
and Jesse Mitchell to anchor the defense.
“I think it is definitely an uphill climb. We are definitely under athletic in some
spots and we don’t have a whole lot of participation out here,” he said. “We need
to get some more kids interested and involved and that is what I am trying to
push right now. When you go 0-10, a lot of people want to just jump ship and get
out of here but I look at it as more of a challenge to come in and turn it around
here and be competitive.”
Other players to watch for the Panthers will be Travis Ripley, JeRay Gaskill,
Matt George, A.J. Johnson, Ruston Haas, Derrick Dieken and Dakota
Poston.
Tullis replaced Joe Ryzman on March 8, who made the move to assistant
secondary principal back in December, brings 16 years of coaching experience
to the Eagles.
The Panthers finished in
fifth place last year with
a win over the ComoPickton Eagles in the
district race and look to
surprise some teams
this season with a highpowered offense and
aggressive defense under Frye.
“I coached here last year and we had a hard time here,” Tullis said in an
earlier interview. “I think the kids really work hard and I just felt like it was the
right opportunity to get the job here. I appreciate the school in giving me the
opportunity to become the coach here.”
AlbA - Golden
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Cumby
Away
7:30
9/7
Carlisle
Home
7:30
9/14
Grace Community
Away
7:30
9/21
Rivercrest
Home
7:30
9/28
Cross Roads
Home
7:30
10/5
OPEN
“Defensively, we are going from a four-man front to a five-man front to get more
up front pressure and we are going to try and move more up and down the line,”
Tullis said.
10/12
*Quitman
Home
7:30
“We are going to try and play team defense this year.”
10/19
*Winnsboro
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Bill
Stewart
10/26
*Grand Saline
Home
7:30
11/2
*Como-Pickton
Home
7:30
Head Football Coach:
Paul Frye
11/9
*Hawkins
Away
7:30
Mascot: Panthers
60
8/31
Head Coach Kenny
Phelps was hired back
in May to become the
new coach and athletic
director and was the
basketball coach last
year at Grand Saline
High School.
COMO-PICKTON continued
His biggest challenge will be finding a way to work with an offense that scored 93
points last season and a defense that allowed 406 points on offense.
The Eagles will be led this season by senior quarterback/fullback/tight end Noe
Tellez and junior quarterback Austin Darby — who went 24-of-66 for 318 yards
and four touchdowns. He will also be in the backfield with junior Alex Williams
and sophomore James Carter, as the duo will handle the running back duties for
the Eagles.
Noe Tellez, Sr. QB/LB
Superintendent: Sandy
Billodeau
Head Football Coach; Paul Tullis
Assistant Coaches: Kent Richie, Ryan Aguirre, Kurt McCain, Dustin Carr, Roy Moody
GRAND SALINE INDIANS
The Indians will have a new head coach this season as Greg Carpenter was
reassigned with the school district earlier this year.
GRAND SALINE
DATE
OPPONENT
Superintendent: Gerald
Gilbert
Head Football Coach:
Kenny Phelps
HAWKINS HAWKS
Hawkins comes into the 2007 season with an inexperienced team as coach
Keith Cook has lost 10 offensive and 10 defensive players including senior
quarterback Trent Ledkins.
Coach Cook will now look to junior quarterback Jorden Stephens to run the
spread offense with senior running back Arsha Taylor and wide receivers Michael
Macaluso and sophomore wide receiver Cory Stevenson.
“This year is going to be a question of experience. We are going to have to
get these players to step up. The scrimmages, two-a-days and games will be
of major importance this year,” Cook said. Our skills positions with the spread
offense is what I am worried about. The lineman will be strong and I feel
confident with the line going into next year because they work so hard together.”
Cook said for the Hawks to return to the playoffs this season after finishing with
a 4-6 record overall and a 50-19 loss to Clarksville last year, he needs to find his
playmakers during the off-season.
“We are going to find out who the playmakers are next year,” the coach said.
“The playoff experience was fun for us last year and now we have to figure out
what to do with the loss of two of my seniors heading to different districts.”
Players to Watch:
Arsha Taylor, Sr. RB/CB
HAWKINS
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Harleton
Away
7:30
9/7
Big Sandy
Home
7:30
9/14
Harmony
Away
7:30
9/21
Edgewood
Home
7:30
9/28
Union Hill
Home
7:30
Robert Taylor JR. OL
10/5
OPEN
Corey Stevenson, Soph. WR/S
10/12
*Como-Pickton
Away
7:30
Mascot: Hawks
10/19
*Grand Saline
Away
7:30
10/26
*Quitman
Home
7:30
11/2
*Winnsboro
Away
7:30
11/9
*Alba-Golden
Home
7:30
Vince Goddard, Sr. LB
The Indians offense looks to find a spark this season as they were outscored
240-205 on offense and will be led by senior running back Sam Dickerson and
running back Austin Fisher.
Josh Ragsdale, Jr. OL
The Indians are hoping the 2007 season will bring them back to the postseason
after a four-year absence.
TIME
Carpenter led the team to a fourth place finish last year with a 3-6-1 overall
record and a 2-3 finish in district play as the team was shut out of the playoffs
each year he was the head coach. Last season was his fourth year as coach at
Grand Saline in which he comprised a record of 13-26-2 as head coach.
On defense, the Indians return first team All-District members in Kyle Thompson
and Dickerson and second teamers Andrew Yarbrough, Kevin Gonzales, Lee
Garrett and Kyle Monty.
PLACE
DISTRICT 16-2A
DISTRICT 16-2A
Winnsboro & Quitman Are the Early
Front Runners in the 16-2A Race
Michael Macaluso, Sr. WR/S
Jorden Stephens, Jr. QB/ CB
Superintendent: Dan Rose
Head Football Coach: Keith Cook
61
“We are going to have to play better defense and be able to hold on to the
football,” Shackelford said. “We need to take care of our responsibilities and I
think we will be able to play with them this year.”
After finishing last season as the district runner-up with a 9-2 record and
their only loss coming to the Red Raiders, the Bulldogs have experience on
their side with three-year starter Colten Peek back under center and senior
fullback Doug Carden returning in the backfield. Peek has senior wide out
Hayes Peckham and tight end Blaine Shackelford as targets for this season.
On the line, Shackelford looks for senior right tackle Ethan Hayes to help in
protecting Peek.
“I have a lot of kids back from last year,” the coach said. “We feel pretty good
about the team and we need them to stay healthy or we will be awfully thin.
We lost our starting fullback that played for us the past two years and we lost
one of our tailbacks that was a 1,200-yard rusher last year. We got most of our
receivers back and we should be in pretty good shape.”
He said with the new coaches at Como-Pickton and Grand Saline, the district
should be very competitive.
“I think they will have their kids fired up and ready to play,” Shackelford said.
“Those two teams are starting with a new system and Coach Tullis was at ComoPickton last year and Coach Phelps at Grand Saline is a good guy and should
have them contending for a playoff spot and maybe even the district title. They
are always really solid and I expect Como-Pickton to be improved since they
have a lot of young kids coming back.”
Players to Watch:
Colten Peek, Sr. QB
Doug Carden, Sr. FB
QUITMAN
DATE
8/31
OPPONENT
Cooper
PLACE
TIME
Home
7:30
Hayes Peckham, Sr. Wr.
9/7
Mineola
Away
7:30
9/14
Big Sandy
Away
7:30
Blaine Shackelford, Sr. TE
9/21
Eustace
Home
7:30
Ethan Hayes, Sr. RT
9/28
Sabine
Home
7:30
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Alba-Golden
Away
7:30
10/19
*Como-Pickton
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bulldogs
Student Enrollment: 1,148
Superintendent: Bill Travis
10/26
*Hawkins
Away
7:30
Head Football Coach: Todd Shackelford
11/2
*Grand Saline
Away
7:30
11/9
*Winnsboro
Home
7:30
WINNSBORO RED RAIDERS
After a successful run in Class 3A before the start of the 2006 season, the
Winnsboro Red Raiders made a splash in Class 2A with a 9-2 overall record and
a unblemished 5-0 record under coach Steve Pinnell. Pinnell said the fans of
Red Raiders football will see a lot of the same faces next season in the Red and White.
62
A Big Eight Team District Will Make For
A Crowded 17-2A Title Race
The Raiders will look to the experience of junior signal-caller Sean Ditto and a
senior backfield of Tommy Evans and Chaz Baxter to carry the load on offense
this season.
“Luckily, he (Ditto) was able to play quite a bit and he played four full games
last year at quarterback in a back-up role,” Pinnell said. “Basically, he needs to
get comfortable in running the offensively and he was able to play every game
defensively last year so he has experience on the varsity level.”
He said with a talented team coming back, the district title is already on the
minds of the players for next season.
“We feel like we should be playing the final game for the district championship
and go on and play in the postseason,” he said.
Players to Watch
Tommy Evans, Sr. RB/DB
WINNSBORO
Chaz Baxter, Sr. RB/LB
DATE
Michael Leaks, Jr. DE/TE
8/31
T 2007 football season could prove to be a real dogfight in District 17-2A. The district’s coaches believe at least five teams have a real
he
shot at the district title.
Last season every team in the district had at least one loss with Paul Pewitt and New Boston sharing the league crown. They both are
expecting another playoff run with the kind of talent they have coming back this year.
Hughes Springs could be the fastest team in the district, but New Boston should be in the hunt as well with help from a JV squad that played
well last year. Hooks could be the mystery team after losing all 11 members on defense to graduation.
DAINGERFIELD TIGERS
HOOKS
PLACE
TIME
Mascot: Hornets
8/31
Pleasant Grove
Home
7:30
9/7
New Diana
Home
7:30
New defensive coordinator Barry Bowman hopes to change that this year. Three
non-district teams made the playoffs on their schedule and the Tigers went a
respectable 4-3 in district after starting the season 0-4. The defense will look for
big things up front from returned all district lineman James Davis, Peyton Hall
and Shawn Mitchell.
9/14
Elysian Fields
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
*Daingerfield
Away
7:30
10/5
*New Boston
Home
7:30
10/12
*Paul Pewitt
Away
7:30
10/19
*Linden-Kildare
Home
7:30
10/26
*Hughes Springs
Away
7:30
11/2
*Redwater
Away
7:30
11/9
*Queen City
Home
7:30
“Exciting” may best describe the Daingerfield offense. The Tigers averaged
more than 36 points per game. However, the Tiger defense had some holes as
well and gave up almost as many points in a 4-6 season.
DATE
PLACE
TIME
White Oak
Away
7:30
9/7
Hughes Springs
Home
7:30
9/14
Harleton
Away
7:30
9/21
Mount Vernon
Away
7:30
Brandon Wheeler, Sr. OL.DL
9/28
Spring Hill
Home
7:30
Blake Bennett, Jr. LB
10/5
OPEN
10/12
*Grand Saline
Home
7:30
10/19
*Alba-Golden
Home
7:30
All-district running back Johnie Hurndon will return for his senior season after
rushing for 989 yards and 23 touchdowns. He led an offense that had over
2,000 both rushing and passing.
Receivers Jarred Hill, Malcolm
DAINGERFIELD
Walker, Julius Hurndon are back
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
this season. Hill could possibly
8/31 Tatum
Away
7:30
see time at quarterback.
10/26
*Como-Pickton
Away
7:30
Mascot: Tigers
Superintendent: Mark Bosold
11/2
*Hawkins
Home
7:30
Head Football Coach: Steve
Pinnell
11/9
*Quitman
Away
7:30
Sean Ditto, JR. QB
Zach Allen, Jr. FS
Mascot: Red Raiders
Student Enrollment: 1,460
OPPONENT
By: Jim Goodman Daingerfield Bee
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Winnsboro Quitman
Grand Saline
Hawkins
Alba-Golden
Como-Pickton
9/7
Spring Hill
Home
7:30
9/14
Gilmer
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
Superintendent: Mary Ann
Marshall
9/28
* Hooks
Home
7:30
10/5
*Redwater
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Randall Hugg
10/12
*Queen City
Home
7:30
Assistants: Barry Bowman, Billy
Farris, Jeff Harvey, Curtis Lewis,
Wes Schminkey, Kevin Weddle,
Karl Whitehurst, Michael Mason,
Michael Baysinger, Cody Burgin.
10/19
*Hughes Springs
Home
7:30
10/26
*New Boston
Away
7:30
11/2
*Paul Pewitt
Home
7:30
11/9
*Linden-Kildare
Away
7:30
HOOKS HORNETS
Hooks will have an entirely new look on defense as coach Jim Rice saw all 11
starters from a 10-3 team last year graduate.
He does have all-district running back Jeremy Pree to count on and still has a
decision to make about who will be quarterback. Coach Jim Rice is looking for
good things from his o-line. Center Shawn Parker, tackles Riley Rumbo and
Billy Harley, guards Josh Evans and Jacob Lively will be expected to open some
holes for Pree. Rice says he also plans to use junior Dominique Range and
Sophomore Demonte Beate to help our Pree in the backfield. OPPONENT
DISTRICT 17-2A
With district rival Winnsboro standing in their way for the upcoming season,
Head Coach Todd Shackelford sees those two teams battling for the district
title this year.
“We have a bunch of guys coming back from last year. Defensively we will return
all of our starters back. On offense, we lost our quarterback (Jake Hawkins) and
a good offensive lineman,” he said. “We have a lot of team speed this year on
the team and should be able to fill up some holes on the team.”
DISTRICT 16-2A
DISTRICT 16-2A
QUITMAN BULLDOGS
Superintendent: Kathy Allen
Head Coach Jim Rice
Assistants: Dave Voth, Hart
Jeanie, Christ Birdwell, Alan
Jolley, Michael Ruth, Willie
McDonald, Eddie Jackson and
Chad Ford.
LINDEN-KILDARE TIGERS
Tigers head coach John David Russell says it will take hard work and
determination for his squad to be successful in 2007.
Sophomore Greg Gaston, last year’s Newcomer of the Year, will be leading the
Tigers attack at QB. Dekori Lawson and
LINDEN - KILDARE
Devondrick Darty will carry
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
the load in the backfield. Coach Russell says
expectations are also
high for lineman James
Parrish, center Jace
Lee, lineman James
High, receiver Stanley
Moore, Seth Sullivan,
Josh Johnson and Colton
Watson. Linden-Kildare
will welcome back
seven offensive and six
defensive starters back
with five players seeing
action on both sides of
the ball.
8/31
Harmony
Home
7:30
9/7
Ore City
Home
7:30
9/14
OPEN
9/21
Tenaha
Away
7:30
9/28
*New Boston
Away
7:30
10/5
*Paul Pewitt
Home
7:30
10/12
*Hughes Springs
Away
7:30
10/19
*Hooks
Away
7:30
10/26
*Redwater
Home
7:30
11/2
*Queen City
Away
7:30
11/9
*Daingerfield
Home
7:30
63
Mascot: Bulldogs
Mascot: Tigers
Mascot: Dragons
Superintendent: Rob Barnwell
Superintendent: John York
Superintendent: Dr. Max Thompson
Head Coach: Dewaski Davis
Head Coach: John David Russell
Head Coach: David Hoff
Assistants: Brandon Green, Steve Ford, Tyler Hankins, Phil Hall, Steven
Parker, Cory Pate Richard Steubing.
Assistants: Gerald Tucker, Greg Frachiseur, Charles Bush, Roman Johnson,
Steve White, Johnnie Tune, Jeff Ward
Assistants: Andy Allen, Harris Brownlee, Casey Cauley,
Ken McAnally, Brandon Warren, Jeff Wright
The Mustangs will be looking to get back in the playoff hunt after taking the
year off and will have a new coach in longtime assistant Chris Edwards.
NEW BOSTON LIONS
New Boston tied for the league crown last year but graduation will make a repeat
difficult.
PAUL
PEWITT
BRAHMAS
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Elysian Fields
Home
7:30
9/7
DeKalb
Away
7:30
9/14
Waskom
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
*Redwater
Home
7:30
10/5
*Hughes Springs
Away
7:30
10/12
*Daingerfield
Away
7:30
10/19
*New Boston
Home
7:30
10/26
*Paul Pewitt
Away
7:30
11/2
*Linden-Kildare
Home
7:30
11/9
*Hooks
Away
7:30
Leading the ball carriers will be Lane Teel, Jabarri Wesley and Jarrod
McKinney. Tan Stokes will start under center. Coach Rick Barker will be depend on a good junior varsity team to step up when
they get their first taste of varsity football this fall.
Back on the line this season Judson Morgan, Stephen Newsom, Newt Jan,
Michael Cato and John Elmore
are expected to open things up. Hughes Springs
Barker does have first team all-district receiver Brandon Williams along with
all-district defensive lineman Tony McCord back this season. With help from
receiver Ryan Wooldridge, strong safety Jacob Simmons, tackle Jake Kasitati
the Lions may make another run at a district title. The perennial playoff contender will again challenge for the top spot even though
graduation took a toll on the
PAUL PEWITT
Brahmas roster.
Coach Rick Barker is famous for getting the best out of his players and making
them into a playoff contender.
8/31
Mascot: Mustangs
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
New Diana
Away
7:30
9/7
Winnsboro
Away
7:30
9/14
Open
9/21
DeKalb
Home
7:30
9/28
*Paul Pewitt
Away
7:30
Steudent Enrollment:300
10/5
*Queen City
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Rick Ogden
10/12
*Linden-Kildare
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Chris Edwards
Assistants: Tommy Stewart, Jody
Aldridge, Lee Roy Bickham, Ken
Miller, Craig Griffin.
10/19
*Daingerfield
Away
7:30
10/26
*Hooks
Home
7:30
11/2
*New Boston
Away
7:30
11/9
*Redwater
Home
7:30
REDWATER REDWATER
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Foreman, Ark.
Home
7:30
9/7
OPEN
9/14
Prairiland
Home
7:30
9/21
Clarksville
Home
7:30
9/28
Queen City
Away
7:30
10/5
*Daingerfield
Home
7:30
10/12
*New Boston
Away
7:30
10/19
*Paul Pewitt
Home
7:30
10/26
*Linden-Kildare
Away
7:30
11/2
*Hooks
Home
7:30
11/9
*Hughes Springs
Away
7:30
DRAGONS
The Dragons are gaining students
and hopefully some of them can
come out to help the football team
improve on an 0-10 slate last
year. Coach David Hoff says all
positions are open.
NEW BOSTON
Mascot: Lions
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
DeKalb
Home
7:30
9/7
Pittsburg
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dr Gary Van
Beaver
9/14
North Lamar
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
Head Coach: Rick Barker
9/28
*Linden-Kildare
Home
7:30
10/5
*Hooks
Away
7:30
10/12
*Redwater
Home
7:30
10/19
*Queen City
Away
7:30
10/26
*Daingerfield
Home
7:30
11/2
*Hughes Springs
Home
7:30
11/9
*Paul Pewitt
Away
7:30
Assistants: Michael Hill, Alex
Harris, Scotty Laymance,
Gary Miller, Steve James, Tim
Denton and Lonnie Henry
Ryan Reyno and Chris Wall both
made first team all-district last
year as lineman and will have
help from Jody Loewen, Jared
Tucker on the line. The Brahmas
will use running backs Diondre
Holley, Cody Warren, Cole Smith
and Lane Ross.
Coach Brian Huckabay says
he expects big play from Dalton
Smith, Terrance Hood, Lonnie
Hughes, Sean Gulley, Toby
Kourtney, Colin Davis, Joey
Marxsen and Braston Williams.
Experience will be on the side of the Bulldogs this year
Coach Dewaski Davis lost only eight seniors graduation. Linebacker Johnny
Dowden leading the way on both sides of the ball. Charles Brackman will be the
quarterback, Devin Johnson, Dowden and Aaron Sisco will run the ball with all
but two lineman coming back this year.
He hopes to anchor his o-line with
Cody Lumpkins while depending
on quarterback Jayme Bristow to
guide the offense.
Ronnie Smith, Andrew Alderman, Zach Stone, Collin Akin will be carrying load up
front while Jeric Griffin and LaCharleston Tumblin return as wide receivers.
Redwater has not seen a lot of
success on the gridiron the past
few years and most schools look
to the Dragons for an easy victory.
The Bulldogs think they will improve on last year’s 2-8 record and play to be a
player in the race for a playoff spot. The only challenge for coach Davis will be
depth. Several players will be asked to go both ways and any season ending
injuries could end the playoff hopes for the Bulldogs.
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Teague
at Arp
7:00
9/7
Cooper
Away
7:30
9/14
OPEN
9/21
New Diana
Away
7:30
9/28
*Hughes Springs
Home
7:30
10/5
*Linden-Kildare
Away
7:30
10/12
*Hooks
Home
7:30
10/19
*Redwater
Away
7:30
10/26
*Queen City
Home
7:30
11/2
*Daingerfield
Away
7:30
11/9
*New Boston
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. David Fitts
Head Coach: Brian Huckabay
Assistants: Reggie Kumrow, James Cartwright, Bill Godwin, Jeff Huckaby,
Doug Samples
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
8.
New Boston
(Tie) Daingerfield
(Tie) Hughes Springs
Paul Pewitt
Hooks
Queen City
Redwater
Lots of Folks Ready to Take Aim at
Top Rated Jefferson for the 18-2A Title
QUEEN CITY BULLDOGS
DATE
Mascot: Brahmas
T
By Molly Reuter KLTV 7 Sports
here are high expectations from the coaches in District 18-AA this year. The Harleton Wildcats finished first in the District in 2006 with a
perfect 7-0 record, beating out Jefferson with a 12-7 victory for the top spot. The Bulldogs finished 6-1 in the district.
Jefferson, however, will be the team to beat in 2007. Finishing near the top of the district is something that has almost become expected of the
Bulldogs because of several consecutive successful seasons, but it’s very possible you may see the H’s, Harleton and Harmony itching their
way to the playoffs.
One team hungry for a winning season is the Winona Wildcats. With a disappointing 0-7 record in the district last season, the Wildcats are
hoping the experience their young players got last season will help them on the field in 2007. The New Diana Eagles who finished second in the
district in ’06 is also hoping to move up the district ladder behind the leadership of its seniors.
DISTRICT 18-2A
HUGHES SPRINGS MUSTANGS
On defense, McKinney will anchor
from his linebacker’s position
with Morgan at an end, Teel at
cornerback, Stokes, Wesley and
Matt Stewart in the secondary.
64
QUEEN CITY
DISTRICT 17-2A
Hoff hopes to change that this season.
DISTRICT 20-3A
DISTRICT 17-2A
LINDEN-KILDARE continued
It’s no secret it will be a very competitive district in 2007, but like every year, it’s a new season and these coaches believe anything is possible. continued
65
They’ve got the speed and drive to compete, but the question is will their
inexperience hurt the Big Sandy Wildcats in 2007. In 2005, the Wildcats
made it all the way to state in District 19-A, but in 2006 they jumped up to 2A. They finished the season with a 5-5 record, placing them third in the district.
Clint Allen: OL/DL, Senior
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Cody Eades: OL/DL, Senior
8/31
Linden-Kildare
Away
7:30
Trent Orms: OL/DL, Senior
9/7
Cooper
Home
7:30
Joe Ross: QB, Junior
9/14
Hawkins
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 304
9/21
OPEN
The Wildcats moved up from Class “A” to “AA” while Jefferson’s traditionally
tough program moved down from “AAA” to “AA.”
9/28
Big Sandy
Away
7:30
10/5
Ore City
Home
7:30
10/12
Jefferson
Away
7:30
10/19
Harleton
Away
7:30
“9-2 last year, 7-0 in district, we felt pretty good about that,” says head coach
Dennis Alexander. “Jefferson has the numbers advantage on all of us and that
program has been good for many years, so we felt like being undefeated in
district, we had a really great season.”
10/26
Union Grove
Home
7:30
11/2
New Diana
Away
7:30
11/9
Winona
Home
7:30
Head Coach Darold Turner says the teams’ weakness heading into the 2007
season will be their inexperience and size, but they have really good speed.
“The guys are very competitive,” said Darold Turner, Big Sandy Head
Football Coach. One player to watch for the Wildcats is Senior Linebacker
and Tight End Jason Linnstaodter. Last year he made 50 tackles and
one reception for 24 yards. Senior Defensive Back Aaron Phillips is also
expected to have a great season. He had 20 receptions in 2006 for 410
yards. The most improved
player coming out of the spring
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Turner says is Orlando Humble. DATE
Jason Linnstaodter: LB/TE,
Senior
Aaron Phillips: DB/WR, Senior
BIG SANDY
8/31
Joaquin
Gladewater
7:00
9/7
Hawkins
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
Harmony
Home
7:30
10/5
Harleton
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 195
10/12 Union Grove
Mascot: Wildcats
10/19 New Diana
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Tonya Knowlton
10/26 Winona
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Darold Turner
11/2
Jefferson
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Dennis
Glenn, Derrick Floyd, Brian Pullum
11/9
Ore City
Away
7:30
HARMONY EAGLES
It’s one of the teams to beat this year in District 18-AA with many of last year’s
starters returning. The Harmony Eagles are coming off a 3-4 district record and
say they hope to compete for District Champions in 2007. Head Football Coach
Shane Wilson says overall next year his team will have better speed and have a
year now with the same coaches. “One of our strengths will be the quality starters that are returning, as well as, the
quality of young players we have coming to the varsity level,” said Shane Wilson,
Harmony Head Football Coach. Some of those quality players to watch next
year are Senior Wide Receiver Ricky Lawrence and Kolby Brooks. Kirk Parsons
is also expected to have a stand out year. Coach Wilson says he will compete
for time at Quarterback, but will also play receiver.
“Our biggest weakness will be replacing most of our offensive line,” said Wilson. “We have a number of juniors and even sophomores playing crucial roles.” If
they step up, Wilson says the Eagles should be a very tough team to beat.
Players to Watch:
Ricky Lawrence: WR, Senior
Adam James: RB – Senior
Kirk Parsons: QB/WR, Senior
Kolby Brooks: WR, Senior
Stephan McCoy: LB, Senior
Mascot: Eagles
Superintendent: Jed Whitaker
Head Coach: Shane Wilson
Assistant Coaches: Jimmie
McEnturff, Steve Parsons, Tyler
Terry, Brady Ross, Ronnie McNeel,
Brett Cloud, Tommie Vardeman
NEW DIANA EAGLES
There will be some changes for the New Diana Eagles in 2007, as Head Coach
Russell McDaniel says he will be putting in a new offense. Last season the
Eagles finished 2-8 overall and 2-5 in the district. With a new offense, McDaniel
says he expects his team to be much more competitive and finish near the top of
the district.
Leading the way for the new offense in 2007 will be a new full-time Quarterback
Senior Chris Moore. Moore completed 21 passes last season for 181 yards. He
had 41 carries for 109 yards. Another senior to watch on offense next year is
Offensive Lineman Terry McDaniel who was All District and All State in 2006. At
Fullback, Junior Caleb Hensley is also expected to have a great season. He had
12 receptions last season for 80 yards, and was All District last year as only a
sophomore.
Where the team’s size McDaniel says is their strength, the Eagles lack in speed.
“We will have to work hard and play well as a team,” said Russell McDaniel, New
Diana Head Football Coach. “We will have to overcome lack of team speed.” Overall, McDaniel says he expects his Eagles to be a tough team to beat in the
district.
Players to Watch:
Terry McDaniel: OT, Senior
NEW DIANA
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Hughes Springs
Home
7:30
9/7
Hooks
Away
7:30
9/14
OPEN
9/21
Paul Pewitt
Home
7:30
9/28
Union Grove
Home
7:30
10/5
Jefferson
Away
7:30
Enrollment: 285
10/12
Winona
Away
Mascot: Eagles
10/19
Big Sandy
Superintendent: Pat Clark
10/26
Head Coach: Russell McDaniel
Ivy Johnson: DE, Senior
Chris Moore: QB, Senior
HARLETON WILDCATS
JEFFERSON BULLDOGS
District Championships are nothing new at Harleton. The Wildcats have either
been champion or co-champ for Coach Dennis Alexander for the past five years. Despite their success last year, district title surprised a lot of folks. When it comes to following District 18-AA this season, the Jefferson Bulldogs
is the team to watch. Coming off a 10-2 record overall and 6-1 in the
district, this team would like to go from District Runner-up in 2006 to District
Champions in 2007. Head Coach Scott Hale, who is going into his second
year with the Bulldogs, says he has high expectations this season. With
seven returning All District players, Hale puts his team on top.
The Wildcats have a solid core returning on offense beginning with all-district
quarterback Clay Oney (QB/Sr. 6’1 165) “Clay is a really good player. A good
runner and good passer,” says Alexander.
The biggest hole on offense comes in the backfield. Gone is district MVP Aubrey
Morrow who has taken his talents to Navarro. Senior Reggie Williams (RB/Sr.
5’9 185) will be expected to fill Morrow’s shoes. Reggie managed to gain 800
yards in a back up role last year and should be ready to take over as starter in 2007.
The Morrow name is still on the roster. Three year starter Quinton Morrow (WRCB/Sr. 6’0 155), brother of Aubrey, returns as wide receiver and cornerback. Also back to in the receiving corp is all district wide out Josh Salmon(WR-TE/Sr.
6’0 190). On the o-line all district tackle Zack Kaminski (T/Sr. 6’3 270) and three
year starter Colton Knuckols (T/Sr. 6’2 215) will be expected to lead the way.
The soft spot on this team may be on defense. A lot of the above mentioned
folks will be playing both ways. There are a lot of spots T-B-D in the secondary
and at linebacker. Defensive lineman Taylor Jones (DL/Sr. 6’2 240) and Jeremy
Johnson (DE/Sr. 6’0 175) will be expected to anchor the rebuilding process.
Alexander says it will be difficult for everyone in this district to get past Jefferson. But these Wildcats have tradition and a nucleus to build on again this year. “We just want to be in a position to make the playoffs,” says Coach Alexander,
“maybe late in district play we’ll see if we are in a position to win it, but today our
goal is just to be in a position to be in the playoffs.”
Alexander hopes that when the UIL realigns it will make some changes in this
eight team district that brings will provide a more level playing field. But until
that happens the Wildcats will be ready to play and could be the spoiler again in
the race for the district title.
Players To Watch:
Clay Oney – QB, Senior
HARLETON
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Away
7:30
8/30
Hawkins
Quinten Morrow – WR, Senior
9/7
Waskom
Away
7:30
Taylor Jones – DT, Senior
9/14
Winnsboro
Home
7:30
7:30
Josh Salmon – TE, Senior
9/21
OPEN
Home
7:30
Reggie Williams – RB, Senior
9/28
Winona
Away
7:30
Ore City
Away
7:30
10/5
Big Sandy
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 209
11/2
Harmony
Home
7:30
10/12
Ore City
Away
7:30
11/9
Assistant Coaches: Ed Perez,
Dana Walters, Brent Plasterer,
Greg Park, Marcus Camp, Justin Johnston
Harleton
Away
7:30
Mascot: Wildcats
10/19
Harmony
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Ricky Logan
10/26
Jefferson
Away
7:30
11/2
Union Grove
Away
7:30
11/9
New Diana
Home
7:30
Caleb Ferrell: LB, Senior
Kaleb Hensley: RB, Junior
Shay Bradley: RB, Junior
Head Coach: Dennis Alexander
The player to watch this year is Offensive Tackle RJ Mauldin, who received
All State, All East Texas and All District honors as a junior in 2006. Mauldin
never gave up a sack and graded 85 percent or better in every game.
“RJ had 38 pancake blocks last year, and is a three year starter for the
Bulldogs,” said Jefferson Head Football Coach, Scott Hale. “He brings a
lot of experience and success with him going in to the 2007 season.” Some
other returning players to keep your eye on are Running Back Calvin Smith,
who had a 122 carries last year, and Linebacker Tyler Jones who finished the
2006 season with 53 tackles and three sacks.
DISTRICT 18-2A
DISTRICT 18-2A
Adam Pena: OL/DL, Senior
Players to Watch:
66
HARMONY
BIG SANDY WILDCATS
Coach Hale has nothing, but positive things to say about the upcoming season.
“Our strong points are team speed, aggressive defense and an explosive
offense,” said Hale. With words like speed, aggressive and explosive, the
Jefferson Bulldogs should be a fun team to watch in 2007.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
RJ Mauldin- OT
Jefferson
David Williams- QB
DATE
Chris Bryant- Nose
8/31
Steven Wright- DT
Tyler Jones- LB
Calvin Smith- RB
Trevor Murphy- DT
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Pittsburg
Home
7:30
9/7
Sabine
Away
7:30
9/14
San Augustine
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
Ore City
Away
7:30
10/5
New Diana
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 375
10/12
Harmony
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bulldogs
10/19
Winona
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Richard Cook
10/26
Harleton
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Scott Hale
11/2
Big Sandy
Away
7:30
11/9
Union Grove
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Mike Barry (Defensive Coordinator), Dane Clynch (OL),
Willie McCoy (WR), Brandon Goswick (LB), Brian Malone (DE)
ORE CITY REBELS
The Ore City Rebels say they hope their leadership will lead them to the top of
the district in 2007. Last year, they finished a disappointing 1-9, but Head Coach
Derek Simmons says he expects his team to improve this year.
Leading the way for the Rebels is Quarterback and Running Back Chase
Wesley. Wesley has already been recruited by several Division 1 universities, as
well as, several East Texas colleges. Simmons says Wesley is a great athlete,
but what he likes the most about him is that he’s an even better person.
continued
67
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Away
7:30
Lovelady
Away
7:30
9/14
OPEN
9/21
Overton
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 293
9/28
Harleton
Home
7:30
Mascot: Wildcats
10/5
Union Grove
Away
7:30
9/7
Linden-Kildare
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Rodney Fausett
10/12
New Diana
Home
7:30
7:30
Head Coach: Mike Sorenson
10/19
Jefferson
Home
7:30
10/26
Big Sandy
Away
7:30
Away
9/21
OPEN
Chase Wesley – QB/RB/FS
9/28
Jefferson
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 226
10/5
Harmony
Away
7:30
10/12
Harleton
Home
7:30
10/19
Union Grove
Away
7:30
10/26
New Diana
Home
7:30
11/2
Winona
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
WINONA WILDCATS
It should be a promising season for the Winona Wildcats, with much of its team
from 2006 returning. With only one win last year, the Wildcats expect to be
much more successful this season and have the team speed and explosiveness
to compete.
“It was a tough year last season and a rebuilding year,” said Mike Sorenson,
Winona Head Football Coach. “We ended the year very young and got a lot
of players on the field. Hopefully, kids will use this varsity experience as an
advantage this year.” Leading the way for the Wildcats are seniors Buck
Thompson and Keithon Newman. As a junior playing Tight End and a Defensive
Lineman, Thompson led his team in receptions with 17 for 159 yards. Newman,
a running back for the Wildcats, rushed for 893 yards and 9 touchdowns. “They are both excellent players with much varsity experience,” said Winona
Head Football Coach, Mike Sorenson. “They have outstanding athletic ability
and a great work ethic.” Another senior expected to have a stand out season
next year is Quarterback Chester Webb. “Chester will be a great contribution for our team,” said Sorenson. “His
explosiveness and playmaking ability should improve our chances
tremendously.” Then there is Wide Receiver and Defensive Back C.J. Petty and
Jonathan Givens. Sorenson says both have the ability to make game changing
plays.
With the core of its offensive and defense returning, the Wildcats expect to jump
up the district line from 2006, and finishing in the top half.
Assistant Coaches: Billy Dunn
11/2 Ore City
Home 7:30
(Offensive Coordinator), Tim Belk
(Defensive Coordinator), John
11/9 Harmony
Away 7:30
Portwood (Defensive Backs),
Scott Evans (Running Backs), Lloyd Mahaffey (Offensive Line), Jeff Hodges
(Linebackers)
UNION GROVE LIONS
There are a lot of shoes to fill for the Union Grove Lions next season after losing
ten outstanding seniors. Still, Head Coach Marty Moore says he’s hopeful his
underclassman will step up.
The Lions finished with a 4-6 record in 2006, with all four wins being district wins. The team’s strength in 2007 will be its offensive and defensive line. Coach
Moore says they have very talented underclassmen to fill in for those seniors
who are now gone.
“The Junior Varsity had a record of 7-3 last year,” said Marty Moore, Union Grove
Head Football Coach. “The underclassman played the last three games of 2006
for a playoff spot and greatly improved their strength during the off-season.” One
player to watch in 2006 is Tackle Drew Hargett, who was 1st Team All District last
year and All District the previous two seasons. Free Safety and Tailback Josh
Carnes, who was newcomer of the year in 2006, is also expected to have a great
year. Sophomore Quarterback Dalton Melton may be young, but he started in
seven games last year as a freshman.
The biggest challenge facing the Lions in ’07 will be replacing seven defensive
starters and eight offensive starters, all who graduated this year. Overall, Coach
Moore says his team should finish in the top three in the district. “We can be better if our underclassman rise to the challenge,” said Moore.
Players To Watch:
Drew Hargett – T
Josh Carnes – FS/TB
Aaron Hicks – DE
Cody Jones – CB
Players To Watch:
Nathan Waddell – TE
Buck Thompson - TE/DL, Senior
Dalton Melton – QB
Keithon Newman – RB/LB, Senior
Enrollment: 237
UNION GROVE continued Union Grove
DATE
Mascot: Lions
Superintendent: Brian Gray
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Chuck Isaac,
11/9 Big Sandy
Matt Dunn, Kerry Strong, Peter
Johnston, Bobby Chadwick and Danny Beekman
68
Shelbyville
9/7
Home
Players To Watch
Head Coach: Derek Simmons
8/31
Waskom
Joaquin
Superintendent: Lynn Heflin
Daniel Beck – OL/LB, Junior
TIME
8/31
9/14
Mascot: Rebels
Bryan Waters – OL/LB, Junior
PLACE
Head Coach: Marty Moore
Assistant Coaches: Willie Hargett, Jeff
Baker, Scott Sobey, Russell Jarvis, Mike
King
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Beckville
OPPONENT
Home
7:30
9/7
Elysian Fields
Away
7:30
9/14
TK Gorman
Home
7:30
9/21
OPEN
9/28
New Diana
Away
7:30
10/5
Winona
Home
7:30
10/12
Big Sandy
Away
7:30
10/19
Ore City
Home
7:30
10/26
Harmony
Away
7:30
11/2
Harleton
Home
7:30
11/9
Jefferson
Away
7:30
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
7.
Jefferson Harleton
New Diana
Harmony
Union Grove
Winona
(Tie) Ore City
(Tie) Big Sandy
State Champ Tatum Return to 19-2A Will Find
No Easy Road Back to the Playoffs
DISTRICT 18-2A
DATE
Jonathan Givens – WR/DB, Senior
OPPONENT
By Molly Reuter KLTV 7 Sports
he top spot in District 19-AA went to three teams in 2006, but it was the Tatum Eagles that stole the show in the post-season. Tatum, Troup
T
and Elysian Fields ended the season last year with a three way tie for first in the district. Tatum went on to win state for the second year in row. There’s no question, the Eagles will be a tough team to beat again in 2007, but District 19-AA coaches say they won’t be the only hard to beat
this year.
Making the playoffs is something the Elysian Fields Yellowjackets are good at, only missing in the 2005 season the past 12 years. With many of
their starters returning, the Yellowjackets expect to make the playoffs again in 2007. The Troup Tigers also expect to be right up there when the
season ends. Holding up the bottom in 2006 was the Garrison Bulldogs. The team’s new head coach, Craten Phillips, says he hopes to turn that around with
a new offense and defensive scheme next year. The Bulldogs are not the only team with a new head coach. West Rusk, who tied with Garrison
for the bottom spot in the district in ‘06, welcomes former Troup Assistant Football Coach John Frazier. A native of East Texas, Frazier says he
hopes to bring some success into the West Rusk Football program.
The district is up for grabs in 2007. The coaches say it should be a very exciting and competitive season.
ARP TIGERS
It’s not an easy District to compete in, with the two time State Champion Tatum Eagles
leading the way, but the Arp Tigers are not too far behind. Coming off a 7-3 record and
finishing 4th in the district after a three way tie for first, Head Coach Dale Irwin says
sees his team finishing in the top four.
With the loss of their Quarterback Kendal McClendon, who started for the Tigers
the last three seasons, Arp enters the 2007 season with a big void in its offensive. McClendon passed for more than 5,000 yards in his career and rushed for more than
2,000, but Coach Irwin says he’s confident McClendon’s replacement, Junior Will Allen
will fit right in with a little time.
“Once Allen settles in and gets a few games under his belt, we will be fine,” said Arp
Head Football Coach, Dale Irwin. “Allen led our Junior Varsity team to a 9-1 record
last year.” Coach Irwin says he expects his team to be stronger on defense at the
beginning of the season, which will make up for it’s offensive, but as the season
progresses, Irwin says he expects his offensive to be just as good.
One player to watch this year for the Tigers is Wide Receiver Sedrick Johnson. A
senior next year, Johnson had 46 catches in 2006 for 760 yards and 12 touchdowns. It’s a performance that earned him 2nd Team All-State honors. Running Back
Lemarcus Teal, a senior next year, is also expected to have a stand out season. As
a junior, he rushed for 1,600 yard. Earning 1st Team All-District on both offense and
defense, Senior Chris Taliaferro is also a player to watch next year.
Overall, Coach Irwin expects his team to be better than last year. He knows
his team will be young at a couple of positions, but says most of his core is
returning.
DISTRICT 19-2A
ore City
C.J. Petty WR/DB, Junior
DATE
DISTRICT 18-2A
DISTRICT 18-2A
“He is the one we will be looking for leadership in 2007, and he accepts that
challenge head on,” said Derek Simmons, Ore City Head Football Coach. “He possesses great football instincts, is always around the football on
defense, and wants the ball in his hands on offense.” Wesley has played
several different positions for Ore City, but Simmons says he expects Wesley
to be their leading rusher in 2007.
One thing the Rebels will struggle
with next year is depth, but if
everyone stays healthy, Simmons
says he expects his team to have a
very successful season.
Winona
Chester Webb – QB/DB, Senior
ORE CITY continued
“We feel like the kids we have stepping in will do a great job, and we don’t expect
to miss a beat,” said Irwin.
Players To Watch
Sedrick Johnson – WR/DB, Senior
Arp
Lamarcus Teal – T/DT, Senior
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Michael Clary – T-DT, Senior
9/7 Edgewood
Home 7:30
9/14 Hemphill
Away 7:30
Chris Taliaferro – C-DT, Senior
9/21
Corsicana
Mildred
Away 7:30
Lavocheya Cooper – 9/28 Troup
Home 7:30
RB/FS, Sophomore
10/5 Tatum
Away 7:30
Enrollment: 290
10/12 Elysian Fields
Home 7:30
Mascot: Tigers
10/19 Timpson
Away 7:30
Superintendent: Toney Lowery
10/26 Garrison
Home 7:30
Head Coach: Dale Irwin
11/2 West Rusk
Home 7:30
Assistant Coaches: Shannon Arrington 11/9 Waskom
Away 7:30
(Defensive Coordinator), Chris Stewart
(Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Line), Brian Keith (Linebackers),
Tracy Carpenter (Offensive Line), Kevin Jackson (Receivers), Austin Harkins
(Secondary)
69
They have made the playoffs 11 of the last 12 years, and say they plan to get there
again in 2007. The Elysian Fields Yellowjackets were Tri-District Champions last
year with Tatum and Troup. With a large number of last year’s starters returning,
Head Coach Ted Patton expects his team TO BE stronger in 2007.
One player that will be greatly missed is Wide Receiver Darius Perkins, who
Patton says was their big play threat. He signed a scholarship to play at
Midwestern State. Patton says it will also be difficult to replace Offensive
Tackle Nathan Kriegel. Still, the Yellowjackets have a large number of
starters returning, nine of 11 on defense and eight of 11 on offense.
“We just need a few kids to step up and fill the open spots,” said Ted Patton,
Elysian Fields Head Coach. “We don’t have as much depth as last year, so
we will have to count on everyone staying healthy throughout the season.” One player to watch next season is Senior Quarterback Tim Curry who
was 2nd Team All District in 2006. He had 7 touchdowns passing and 10
touchdowns rushing. Junior Defensive End Kyle Kreigel is also expected to
have a strong season. With nine sacks in 2006 he was the unanimous defensive
newcomer of the Year for District 19-AA.
If everyone stays healthy, Patton says he expects his team to finish at the top of
the District in 2007.
Elysian Fields
Players To Watch
DATE
Tim Curry: QB, Senior
8/31
Kyle Kreigel: DE, Junior
PLACE
TIME
Queen City
Away
7:30
9/7
Union Grove
Home
7:30
Micah Smith: WR/CB, Senior
9/14
Hooks
Home
7:30
Dekevius Johnson: RB/FS, Senior
9/21
OPEN
Joe Benefield: RB/LB, Junior
9/28
Timpson
Away
7:30
Austin Findley: OL/DL, Senior
10/5
Garrison
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 310
10/12
Arp
Away
7:30
Mascot: Yellowjackets
10/19
Waskom
Home
7:30
10/26
Troup
Away
7:30
11/2
Tatum
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Bob Browning
Head Coach: Ted Patton
11/9
OPPONENT
West Rusk
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Sam Wells
(Defensive Coordinator), Robby May (Offensive Coordinator), Shane Smelley
(Defensive Line/Tight Ends), Jay Brashear (Wide Receivers/Outside Linebackers)
GARRISON BULLDOGS
There will be a lot of changes this year for the Garrison Bulldogs as the team’s
new head football coach says he will be running a new offense and a new
defensive scheme this season. In 2006, the wildcats finished with a 2-7 record,
something Head Coach Craten Phillips says he hopes to improve.
“The kids will have to learn a different style of play as we will spread it out much
more than in the past,” said Craten Phillips, Garrison Head Football Coach. It wasn’t long ago, when the Bulldogs were Division II District 23-AA State
Champs, with a perfect season in 2002-2003. It’s a title Phillips says he hopes
to bring his team closer to this year.
“We will be young and inexperienced, but they are the hardest working kids I
have ever been around, which will help in the learning process,” said Phillips. Some players to watch next season are Senior Quarterback Laqure Gipson and
Senior Running Back Tyvensky Rocquemore. Offensive and Defensive Linemen
Ryan Walker and Miquel Uribe are also expected to have a stand out season.
70
It’s a tough district this year, but Phillips says he expects his Bulldogs to be one
of the three playoff teams in 2007.
Players To Watch
Laqure Gipson: QB, Senior
Tyvensky Rocquemore: RB, Senior
Ryan Walker: OL/DL, Senior
Miguel Uribe: OL/DL, Junior
Austin Lunsford: OL/DL, Sophomore
Enrollment: 190
Garrison
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Hemphill
Home
7:30
9/14
West Sabine
Away
7:30
9/28
Tatum
Home
7:30
10/5
Elysian Fields
Away
7:30
Mascot: Bulldogs
10/12
Timpson
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Arnie Kelley
10/19
West Rusk
Home
7:30
10/26
Arp
Away
7:30
11/2
Waskom
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Craten Phillips
Assistant Coaches: Jess Lanier
11/9 Troup
Away 7:30
(Offensive Coordinator), Clayton
Sanders (Defensive Coordinator), Mark Brown, Reid Spivey, Tabor Westbrook,
Eddie Henson
TATUM EAGLES
Timpson
“I’ve told people since the first day, if one was all we got that was enough,” said
Tatum Coach Andy Evans. PLACE
TIME
8/31
West Sabine
Home
7:30
But one was not enough for the Tatum Eagles who brought home their second
consecutive state title in 2006. “ Being a part of two is unbelievable,” says Evans,
“Now there is some pressure to do it again because we have the ball rolling.”
9/7
Alto
Home
7:30
9/14
Tenaha
Away
7:30
9/21
OPEN
And things may just come in threes at Tatum.
9/28
Elysian Fields
Home
7:30
Evans has four starters on offense and defense back from last year’s state title team. 10/5
West Rusk
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Leland
Moore
10/12
Garrison
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Norman Cobb
Three of the veterans come to the fall having started on both state championship
teams. Three offensive weapons that will be tough to stop
10/19
Arp
Home
7:30
10/26
Waskom
Away
7:30
Cashas Pollard (Sr./QB 5’10 180) returns for his third season as the Eagles
quarterback. Cashas has started 29 out of 30 games the last two years. “Cashas
is one of the greatest leaders I have ever been around,” says Coach Evans. “He
has the ability to have people follow him. He is a winner.”
11/2
Troup
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Drew Frugia,
Jeremy Orsagh, James Spivey,
Justin Calvin, Kyle Ivey
11/9
Tatum
Away
7:30
WEST RUSK RAIDERS
After a tough campaign that included the resignation of their head coach, the
Raiders are looking for a new start in 2007.
Then there is Chance Blackman (Sr./WR 6’3 185) who was chosen as an all state
receiver after leading the Eagles in catches last year.
John Frazier left as Troup Offensive Coordinator in late May to take over the West Rusk
Program. So far he likes what he sees. “I saw a bunch of kids that were ready to go,”
says Coach Frazier, “they are eager, excited and hungry to get started.”
Frazier starts the season with eight new coaches. Coaches he says that are
passionate about teaching the game. He says the key to success is developing a
new work ethic for a team that finished 3-7 last season.
Frazier says he will need the leadership of some key veterans to help turn this
program around. Senior Matt Morton (QB/6’1 190) will be running the offense
again this year. Morton’s success on the field is only surpassed by his work in the
classroom. Several Ivy League schools are taking a look at the Senior QB. Reggie
Wall (Sr/RB 6’0 185) and Brad Rollins (Sr. 5’09 180) will be getting a lot of work
in the backfield. “We are gonna run the ball a lot this year,” says coach Frazier. Jared Hoover (Jr./C 5’11 220)will return to the center spot to anchor the o-line.
On defense D-1 recruit Brandon Williams (Sr/LB 6’0 245) will be expected to help
lead the Raiders defense. He’ll be getting help from fellow linebacker Fred Horn
(Sr/LB 5’11 210).
The new year and coach brings a set
of new priorities. “The number one
thing is to play as a team,” says coach
Frazier. “No one is unbeatable. We
are going to concentrate on us and not
worry about who we are playing. As
long as we better ourselves we will win
the games we are supposed to win.”
west rusk
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Cushing
Home
7:30
George Richardson: TB, Senior
OPPONENT
Bryce Bell (Sr./LB/RB 6’0 200) was a leader on the Eagles defense last year with
186 tackles He earned 3rd team All State Honors for the second year in a row. But it did not end there. Bryce also played tailback where he averaged ten yards
every time he carried the ball. Despite the talent that is back Coach Evans says this team must be focused when
the season starts if they are to survive district play. “We really didn’t turn into a
great football team until we lost to Troup,” remembers Coach Evans. “Our kids
refocused. The key is to start this
season that way. Getting out of
our district is one of the toughest
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
things we have to do. District was
as tough as the playoffs.”
8/31 Daingerfiled
Home 7:30
Tatum
“The one thing I think that has
been consistent is that we have
become a team,” says Evans. “Everyone is more concerned
about winning than individual
effort. They have bought into the
team concept and that is what
we have to do every year to be
successful.”
Mascot: Eagles
9/7
Overton
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Dee Hartt
9/14
Mt Enterprise
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Andy Evans
9/21
OPEN
9/28
Waskom
Away
7:30
Mascot: Raiders
10/5
Timpson
Home
7:30
10/12
Troup
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Steve Jones
10/19
Garrison
Away
7:30
Head Coach: John Frazier
10/26
Tatum
Home
7:30
11/2
Arp
Away
7:30
11/9
Elysian Fields
Home
7:30
DATE
Players To Watch
Camrron Miller: G, Senior
Enrollment: 190
Mascot: Bears
DISTRICT 19-2A
DISTRICT 19-2A
ELYSIAN FIELDS YELLOWJACKETS
TROUP TIGERS
They shared the District Title in 2006, and the Troup Tigers say if they stay
healthy they plan to be up there again in 2007. With a 10-2 record last year,
the Troup Tigers are coming off a very successful season, but know they will be
competing in a very tough district. “We have a chance to be really good if we can stay healthy and gain valuable
experience early,” said John Eastman, Troup Head Football Coach. Coach
Eastman says the team’s strength will be its offensive and defensive line. Their
weakness will be inexperience at the skill positions, and the team will have to
develop some depth. 9/6
Gilmer
@Tyler
TBA
Overall, the Tigers have some strong players returning. One, Senior Linebacker
Thacher Riddle who had 65 tackles in 2006 and four interceptions. Up there
with Riddle, is Senior Linebacker Cody Deese who had 60 tackles last year. At
Defensive End, Senior Reginald Wade is expected to have a stand-out season. He had nine sacks and two interceptions last year.
9/14
Center
Away
7:30
With their seniors on top, it should be an exciting season for the Tigers.
9/21
OPEN
9/28
Garrison
Away
7:30
10/5
Arp
Home
7:30
Players To Watch
Thacher Riddle – LB/FB, Senior
troup
DATE
PLACE
TIME
Cody Deese – LB/TE, Senior
9/1
Sabine
OPPONENT
TBA
7:00
10/12
Waskom
Away
7:30
10/19
Troup
Home
7:30
Reginald Wade – DE, Senior
9/7
White Oak
Home
7:30
10/26
West Rusk
Away
7:30
Zach Childress – OT/DE, Senior
9/21
Bullard
Away
7:30
Arp
Away
7:30
Waskom
Home
7:30
11/2
Elysian Fields
Away
7:30
Chris Lepelley – FB/DL, Senior
9/28
11/9
Timpson
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 284
10/5
Mascot: Tigers
10/12
West Rusk
Away
7:30
10/19
Tatum
Away
7:30
10/26
Elysian Fields
Home
7:30
11/2
Timpson
Away
7:30
TIMPSON BEARS
Coming off a 3-7 season in 2006, the Timpson Bears are looking to climb the
District ladder. With only two wins in the district last year, the Bears are hungry
heading into the 2007 season.
Head Coach Norman Cobb says the team has improved their running game, but their
lack of depth may hurt them next year. The players to watch for the Bears this year
will be Senior Tailback George Richardson and Senior Guard Camrron Miller.
Superintendent: Marvin Beaty
Head Coach: John Eastman
Assistant Coaches: Andrew Rohrs
11/9 Garrison
Home 7:30
(Offensive Coordinator/Offensive
Line), Jake Jackson (Defensive
Coordinator), Shane Chambless (Running Backs), Bobby Dyess (Quarterback),
Pat Davis (Defensive Coordinator), Olan Johnson (Cornerback)
71
Lakeithan Beaty: QB/CB
“We have a young team that will
have to step up and fill the holes,”
said Nathan Turner, Waskom Head
Football Coach. The players to
watch this year are Quarterback
Lakeithan Beaty and Linebacker
and Running Back Josh Adams. Beaty passed for 750 years last
season and rushed for 250 yards. Adams had 101 tackles.
Enrollment: 205
Waskom
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Chuey Munoz: OL/DL
Josh Adams: LB/RB
8/31
Ore City
Away
7:30
9/7
Harleton
Home
7:30
9/14
Queen City
Home
7:30
9/21
OPEN
Superintendent: Jimmy
Cox
9/28
West Rusk
Home
7:30
10/5
Troup
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Nathan
Turner
10/12
Tatum
Home
7:30
10/19
Elysian Fields
Away
7:30
10/26
Timpson
Home
7:30
11/2
Garrison
Away
7:30
11/9
Arp
Home
Mascot: Wildcats
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Tatum
(Tie) Troup
(Tie) Elysian Fields
Arp
Garrison
West Rusk
Timpson
Waskom
Assistant Coaches:
Kyle Abshire (Defensive
Coordinator), Brian Lowe
(LB/WR), Brandon Layne (CB/RB), Brent Mills (DB/RB), David Sheppard (LB/
RB), Dick Cooper (DB/QB)
7:30
Frankston Is Team to Beat in 20-2A
B
By Don Wallace Jacksonville Daily Progress
eware of the Frankston Indians.
That’s the ominous warning for District 20-2A coaches as they circle their wagons and prepare for the football season.
Frankston will have 16 seniors and opposing coaches think this could be the year the Indians of Coach Les Rhea.
Not far behind in the pecking order and loaded with talent is Corsicana Mildred.
Many coaches admit that while Frankston could win it all, teams like Kerens hiding in the bushes gives them a pause to be concerned. “This is
a very balanced district,” Kerens head coach Russell Anderson said. “It’s hard to tell with the skill and depth of each team.”
Italy head coach Buddy Griffin says it plainly, “Frankston has the most talent.”
But the coaches know that a lot can happen in the year, a key injury to a starter can ruin a promising year. How it plays out will be the
interesting thing this season. On paper, Frankston and Mildred are the top two picks. But they don’t play the games on paper, now do they!
FRANKSTON INDIANS
72
Cody Jones: LB/TE
Les is more at Frankston.
The Frankston Indians are the selection by some gridiron experts and coaches
to jump out of the pack in the district and win the title. That makes head coach
Les Rhea feel confident.
Even Frankston’s mentor picks his team near the top when looking over
preseason possibilities.
Rhea is bolstered by two things - last year’s record and this year’s lineup. The
Indians went 7-3 in 2006 and turned some heads that were accustomed to the
Frankston team as a soft stop on the schedule.
The Indians are a secret no longer, after winning seven games last year the
football world knows the blue clad warriors from near the shore of Lake Palestine
are for real.
Frankston returns several key players including Orlando Hatton at receiver and
speedy backs like Ketrick Harmon and full back Michael Walker. The Indians
have good linemen coming back to open holes for the scat backs. Players like
Colton Miller and Alex Hunt at tackle, Oscar Birdow at guard and tight ends Coby
Coleman and Luke Foster.
The Frankston defense will be returning
Frankston
All District free safety Bryan Blackwell
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
and Newcomer of the Year linebacker
8/31 Cross Roads
Home 7:30
Brian Severn. Walker was a first team
linebacker.
9/7 Grace Community
Home 7:30
9/14 Brook Hill
Away 7:30
The Indians feature 16 seniors on their
roster. This group wants to go out with a
9/21 Buffalo
Away 7:30
bang and will be gunning for the district title.
9/28 Open
Superintendent: Austin Thacker.
10/5 *Corsicana Mildred Away 7:30
Athletic Director: Robert Loper
10/12 *Italy
Home 7:30
10/19 *Blooming Grove
Away 7:30
Head Coach: Les Rhea
10/26 *Rice
Home 7:30
Mascot: Indians
11/2 *Malakoff
Away 7:30
Colors: Blue and white.
11/9
*Kerens
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 236
CORSICANA MILDRED EAGLES
ITALY GLADIATORS
Head coach Joe Drennon is quick to point out that while his team could finish in
the middle of the District 20-2A pack, they also could do much better.
After going 0-10 in 2006, head coach Buddy Griffin is determined to make
sure his team doesn’t repeat the same results. “After going 0-10, you only
have one way to go,” Griffin admitted as his team is looking up to more wins
in the 2007 campaign.
“We were 8-3 last year,” Drennon said. “We lost to Elysian Fields 28-21. We
have all our defensive and offensive lineman back. And we have our running
back, Kevin Barlow, who had over 2,200 all purpose yards back and all-state kick
returner.”
Also in uniform are Eli Heugatter, Trevor Burnett, Tyler Freed, Jason Horn and
Justin Aldama, some of the bruisers on the line.
Drennon said, “Our district is very competitive in its own right. With a break here
or there us and Kerens had our
chances to win playoff games
against Elysian Fields and Troup
last year. I expect our team to be
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
fighting for a playoff spot in the
’07 season. I think it will come
8/31 Edgewood
Away 7:30
down to mistakes or who makes
9/7 Hillsboro
Home 7:30
the fewest mistakes because we
9/14 Wortham
Away 7:30
are all pretty even with athletes
with the exception of Frankston
9/21 Arp
Home 7:30
and Kerens. I believe that both
9/28 Kerens
Away 7:30
have the better athletes in the
10/5 Frankston
Home 7:30
district. But our kids believe they
can win and try awful hard to 10/12 Open
do so.”
Corsicana
Mildred
10/19
Italy
Away
7:30
10/26
Blooming Grove
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Douglas Lane
11/2
Rice
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Joe Drennon
11/9
Malakoff
Home
7:30
Mascot: Eagles
Enrollment: 208
BLOOMING GROVE LIONS
All that is blooming has a chance of
growing.
That goes for football teams as well
as plants. The Lions of Blooming
Grove went 4-6 in 2006 and they
hope to better that record with several
experienced Lions in the lineup.
BLOOMING
GROVE
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Scurry-Rosser
Away
7:30
9/7
Bruceville-Eddy
Home
7:30
9/14
Itasca
Away
7:30
Ronnie Wilson’s squad returns six
offense and seven defensive starters.
9/21
Hico (HC)
Home
7:30
9/28
Rice
Away
7:30
Top of pack in defense is all-district
selection Lee Grounds. Grounds is a
5-11, 195-pound strong safety with a
nose for the ball and steady tackler.
10/5
Malakoff
Home
7:30
10/12
Kerens
Away
7:30
10/19
Frankston
Home
7:30
10/26
Corsicana Mildred
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
11/2 Italy
Juve Sanchez earned honors far and
wide for his kicking ability. Sanchez
made 11 of 13 field goals and had three over 50 yards.
Wilson said, “This is my fourth year here and we want to compete and get better.
We know the district has good teams like Kerens and Frankston. But we will be
in the hunt.”
The Gladiators have six offensive and six defensive starters back from last
year’s team.
A big question mark will be the play of Detrick Green. Green is a 6-foot,
185-pound running back/defensive back with blazing speed, but a history of
injuries. He made second team all-district last year despite not playing an
entire season for the second straight year.
Jonathan Roldan is a tight end/linebacker who is a coaches’ dream. The 510, 190-pounder is not only a team leader, but one of the hardest workers in
the offseason.
Italy will be trying to keep up with
teams like Frankston and Kerens,
which could prove to be a tall order. “Frankston has the most talent,”
Griffin admitted. “ Mildred has a lot
of good athletes and Kerens will be
in the race. We will be in the mix this
year, we are a force to be reckoned
with in the district race.”
ITALY
DATE
OPPONENT
DISTRICT 20-2A
There’s no question District 19AA will be a tough district to compete in this
year, but the Waskom Wildcats say they are up for the challenge. Coming
off a 4-6 record in 2006 and finishing 5th in the district, Head Coach Nathan
Turner says he hopes to move into
the top three teams. “Overall, we have had a great offseason and the young men are
extremely dedicated to working hard,”
said Turner.
DISTRICT 20-2A
Players To Watch
DISTRICT 19-2A
DISTRICT 19-2A
WASKOM WILDCATS
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Hearne
Home
7:30
9/7
Axtell
Home
7:30
9/14
Palmer
Away
7:30
9/21
Maypearl
Away
7:30
9/28
Malakoff
Away
7:30
10/5
Kerens
Home
7:30
Head coach: Buddy Griffin
10/12
Frankston
Away
7:30
Superintendent: Dr. Gail Haterius
10/19
Mildred
Home
7:30
Enrollment: 197
10/26
Open
11/2
Blooming Grove
Away
7:30
11/9
Rice
Home
7:30
KERENS
BOBCATS
It’s “Back to the Future” for the players, coaches and fans of the Bobcats.
Kerens will be lead by a new head coach, with a familiar face in Russell
Anderson. The reason everybody knows Russell is that he played at Kerens on
the football team under his dad, then head coach, Jerry Don Anderson. Now it’s
Russell Anderson’s time to guide the Bobcats.
Kerens has six offensive and seven defensive players returning from a team that
went 8-3 under coach Mike Loveless
in 2006.
KERENS
Returning standouts include: Pat Faulk, DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
quarterback/safety; Aaron Gooden at
8/31 Leon
Away 7:30
cornerback and two fierce linebackers
9/7 Maypearl
Home 7:30
in Justin Graham and Jody Gordon. 9/14
Scurry-Rosser
Away 7:30
Kerens will operate from a split six
9/21
Grapeland
(HC)
Home
7:30
defense and spread offense.
9/28 Mildred
Home 7:30
Anderson said, “I just want to keep the
10/5 Italy
Away 7:30
tradition going. Kerens has made the
playoffs 20 or more times over recent
10/12 Blooming Grove
Home 7:30
years. This year we have a chance to
10/19 Rice
Away 7:30
be successful and I want to make the
10/26 Malakoff
Home 7:30
most of that.”
11/2 Open
Superintendent: Kevin Stanford
11/9 Frankston
Away 7:30
Head coach: Russell Anderson
Enrollment: 198
73
Rice has three offensive and five defensive starters back. The Bulldogs are
fighting with a short stick due to enrollment numbers. The team made the
Class 2A mark by just three students.
“We could have been fairly
competitive at 1A,” Brown
said. “But at this level we
just don’t have the numbers.
We certainly don’t have the
numbers of good athletes
teams like Frankston and
Mildred do.”
Top returning players for Rice
include: Cody Aragon, running
back/linebacker; Humberto
Aguinago, wide receiver/defensive
back and Blake Lewis who will be
switching from defensive back to
quarterback.
Up from the JV is running back
Trey Davis who promises to be a
good player Brown said.
Rice
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Dallas Life Charter
Away
7:30
9/7
Itasca
Home
7:30
9/14
Cross Roads
Home
7:30
9/21
Palmer
Away
7:30
9/28
Blooming Grove
Home
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
Malakoff
Away
7:30
10/19
Kerens
Home
7:30
10/26
Frankston
Away
7:30
11/2
Mildred
Home
7:30
11/9
Italy
Away
7:30
8/31
Eustace
9/8
Shelbyville (at Arp)
9/14
Kemp
Away
7:30
state. Quarterback Seth Hubbard
threw for 1,065 yards in 2006.
Coach Hubbard said of his son,
“Seth is our field general. He leads
the offense. I trust his judgement
on the field.”
9/21
Grand Saline
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bearcats
9/28
Italy
Home
7:30
10/5
Blooming Grove
Away
7:30
10/12
Rice
Home
7:30
10/19
Open
10/26
Kerens
11/2
Frankston
11/9
Corsicana Mildred
Away
7:30
DATE
Ronnie Reed is the new head
coach of the Malakoff Tigers and
he wants to pep up the roar his
cats had in 2006. The team went
6-3-1 last year. They were very
competitive late and could have
the same kind of season again
this year.
Top returning players include
guard Gaston Wilder a fireplug
of a lineman at 5-6, 300 pounds. Strong safety Aaron Hodge is
short on size, at 5-5, but not
speed for the 150-pounder
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Away
7:30
@ ARP 7:00
Superintendent: Devin Tate
7:30
Head Coach: Donald Hubbard
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Jason
Ballenger, Gordon Gray, Wynn
Short, Chris Deason, Buzz
Everett, David Flemming
Beckville
DATE
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Union Grove
OPPONENT
Away
7:30
9/7
Cushing
Away
7:30
9/14
Huntington
Home
7:30
9/21
Detroit
Home
7:30
9/28
James Bowie
Away
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Joaquin
Home
7:30
10/20
*Tenaha
Away
7:30
10/26
*Carlisle
Home
7:30
11/2
*Overton
Away
7:30
11/9
*Mount Enterprise
Home
7:30
Joaquin Rams
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Frankston Corsicana Mildred
Malakoff
Kerens
Blooming Grove
Italy
Rice
A Rams team coached by Wayne Gandy is a Rams team destined for the
playoffs. In five seasons as head coach of the Rams, Wayne Gandy has led his
team to the playoffs every one of those seasons.
The 2006 season was no different with the Rams going 9-3, their season coming
to an end in the regional playoffs. Since Gandy’s formula for getting his team to
the post season has been a success, there will not be any big changes to their
method of attack.
DISTRICT 20-1A
“It’s no big secret,” Gandy said. “We run the double wing and we don’t throw very
often. We maybe threw 20 times all of last year. We try to run over you with our
running backs.”
Every Team Has a Chance In The Competitive
20-1A District Race
A
sk any Class A coach and the answer is almost exactly the same: District 20-A, from top to bottom, all six teams, is one of the toughest
districts in the state. In the final games of the 2006 regular season, four of the six district teams were still in the playoff hunt.
Fans looking at the district schedule for 2007 again find very few weaknesses. You can expect another battle right down to the last two games
of district play. “I think it will be like last year. This is probably the most exciting district in the whole state,” said Overton head coach Stephen
Dubose, “because you just never know who is going to win.”
Beckville Bearcats
The season ended in disappointment for the Beckville Bearcats in 2006. After
going 9-1 overall, the Bearcats were forced to forfeit four of their games due to
an ineligible player. Their record fell to 5-5.
Coach Donald Hubbard said as the Bearcats prepared to hit the field for 2007,
they would focus on what they accomplished in competition and not what was
the end result on paper. “Our kids bounced back, they’re determined to go out
and prove themselves,” Hubbard said. “They’ve had a great off season and are
ready to get out there and prove themselves again.”
74
The Bearcats led a balanced attack on offense against their opponents. The
team had more than 1,000 yards rushing and passing. Defensively, Hubbard
tried a few new schemes with the team. It took just a short time for it all to click
and the Bearcats became stronger defensively throughout the 2006 season. “We hope to keep that momentum going,” Hubbard said. “Just keep picking up steam.”
Back for another season with the Bearcats are running back T.J. Adams and
quarterback Seth Hubbard. Adams rushed for 1,874 yards in 2006 and was the
Offensive Most Valuable Player of District 20-A. Adams was also first team all-
The players to watch include Gandy’s son, running back Patrick. Patrick Gandy
along with Eric Permenter were the Rams all-state and all-region backs. Patrick
Gandy will start for a fourth year on varsity, rushing for 1,423 yards in 2006.
Permenter will be back for a third season, rushing for 1,512 yards in 2006. The
numbers tell another story between these two running backs. Finishing the
season almost 100 yards of each
other is no coincidence.
Joaquin
“They compliment each other real
well,” Wayne Gandy said. “They
push each other. They are real
competitive even though they are
best friends.”
Mascot: Rams
Superintendent: Phil Worsham
DATE
OPPONENT
8/30
Big Sandy
9/7
Open
PLACE
TIME
Gladewater
7:00
Mount Enterprise
Wildcats
After thirty-three years of coaching, there are very few firsts. But for Louie
Johnson, 2006 was his first year as head coach of the Mount Enterprise
Wildcats. The first season was an adjustment period for both players and
coach. Johnson had very few veteran players to work with. His players would
have to learn a new offensive scheme.
“My experience helped,” Johnson said. “I knew I had to get with our coaches
and try to get them motivated and not let them get discouraged.”
The Wildcats finished the season 2-8. Admittedly, Coach Johnson said it was
not a great season but there were some great experiences for his young
team to build on. “We had to throw them into the fire last year,” Johnson said.
“We just had to play them under a lot of pressure. But, we got stronger and
matured. We expect to get better, but our fear is everybody else will get better
as well.”
It may sound cliché but the truth is the Wildcats showed heart last season. In
the their final game of the season against Beckville, the Wildcats forced the
game into double overtime. It was that type of fight that gained the Wildcats
more respect. Other coaches in the district are all expecting big things from the
Wildcats in 2007.
“They battled all year,” Johnson said. “We think that bodes well for the future.
They could have hung their heads early, but they never did.”
Those young players got all the game experience a coach could hope for as
Johnson reshaped his team. The advantage this season comes with 18 returning
starters, nine on offense, nine on defense.
Of those returning, quarterback Blake King. King is one of the few senior players
on the team. King was also the starting quarterback in 2006. “He was a leader
that held us together,” Coach Johnson said. “He will be better because the
people around him will be better.” King will also play defense as the Wildcat’s
safety.
Sophomore Kevin Pope returns as running back. As a freshman, Pope was also
the Wildcat’s starting RB. “He was an outstanding freshman that didn’t play like a
freshman,” Johnson said.
Other players to watch: senior
Xavier Bryant moves to tight
end from defensive end.
Home
7:30
Home
7:30
9/15
West Rusk
Home
7:30
9/21
Shelbyville
Home
7:30
Superintendent: Dean Evans
9/28
Lovelady
Away
7:30
Away
7:30
TIME
Maud
10/12 *Beckville
PLACE
Union Hill
7:30
7:30
OPPONENT
9/7
Home
Away
DATE
8/31
Ore City
West Sabine
Mount
Enterprise
Mascot: Wildcats
9/14
10/5
9/21
Lovelady
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Louie Johnson
9/28
Cushing
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Scott
Holzhauer, Jim Thompson,
Justin Keling, Clint Creel
10/5
Open
10/12 *Carlisle
Away
7:30
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Wayne Gandy
10/19 *Mt. Enterprise
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Steven
McCann, Kevin Cates, Mark
Lawrence, Joe Tom Shillings,
Scott Ow ens
10/26 *Tenaha
Home
7:30
10/19 *Joaquin
11/2
Away
7:30
10/26 *Overton
Away
7:30
7:30
11/2
*Tenaha
Home
7:30
11/9
*Beckville
Away
7:30
11/9
*Carlisle
*Overton
Home
DISTRICT 20-1A
Coach Ray Brown had to start three freshmen last year on a team that went
2-8. He hopes things won’t be that bad this year. But he will have more than
half of his starting team composed of sophomores.
Malakoff
MALAKOFF
TIGERS
DISTRICT 20-2A
DISTRICT 20-2A
RICE BULLDOGS
75
DISTRICT 20-1A
Overton Mustangs
The Overton Mustangs finished even in 2006 going 5-5. The .500 record
reflects a transition for the Mustangs team. “We lost 19 seniors from the
year before,” said head coach Stephen DuBose. “We started the year
real good, but we just didn’t have enough depth. It was a good year for
us. We could have really bottomed out but we hung in there.”
The advantage this season comes from the same young team armed
now with veteran game experience. The Mustangs bring back 17
letterman in 2007. “We had a couple of ballgames where youth gave it
away. Later in the year we were having to play some kids both ways. It
was hard on those young players to be on offense and defense but we
learned a lot.”
DuBose said in a district where the competition is steep week after
week, he knows the Mustangs were faced with solid challenges to
prepare them for this year. “Everybody in our district has got the star
offensive player and defensively they are all very well coached. Mount
Enterprise is loaded. Joaquin traditionally is good. It’s crazy. But that helps to
make us stronger.”
Two seniors are expected to be the stars of the Mustangs squads. Wide receiver
Xavier Gardner has extraordinary speed. In 2006, on 19 receptions Gardner had
387 yards. During the spring he participated in the state track meet in two hurdle
races. Clint Cain will move to running
Overton
back. Cain was a first district tight end DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
in 2006.
Protecting those two will be a strong
offensive line. “Our line will have some
size this year,” DuBose said. “We are
pretty excited.”
Mascot: Mustangs
Superintendent: Dr. Mark Stretcher
Head Coach: Stephen DuBose
Assistant Coaches: Terry Lowry, Travis
Jackson, Rodrick Portley, Daniel Kern
8/31
Union Hill
Home
7:30
9/7
West Rusk
Home
7:30
9/14
Winona
Away
7:30
9/21
Cross Roads
Away
7:30
9/28
Calvary Christian
(Ft. Worth)
TBD
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Tenaha
Home
7:30
10/19
*Carlisle
Away
7:30
10/26
*Mount Enterprise
Home
7:30
11/2
*Beckville
Home
7:30
11/9
*Joaquin
Away
7:30
DISTRICT 20-1A
Price Carlisle Indians
76
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Joaquin Price Carlisle
Beckville
Tenaha
Overton
Mount Enterprise
For almost two decades the
fans in Carlisle had come to
expect a ten game, lackluster
season.
But in 2006, everything
changed and the stands were
full of Indian fans once again.
After a 17 year playoff
drought, the Carlisle
Indians produced their most
successful season in school
history in 2006. After a 7-0
start to the season the Indians
won the district crown and
bulldozed their way into the post season for the first time since 1989. They were
defeated in the state quarterfinals by Lovelady.
Most of the credit for the turnaround goes to Indians head coach Rocky Baker.
In just his second season as head coach of the Indians, Coach Baker revived a
winning tradition at Carlisle. “We are trying to keep that tradition going,” Baker
said. “From top to bottom this is one of the toughest districts in the state, and we
fight where it takes us.”
Cannon Coleman returns as quarterback. Now a junior, Coleman joined the
team as a starter his freshman year. Baker says his third year quarterback has
matured and it will show on the field. Other players to keep an eye on, senior
running back and linebacker, Riley
Carlisle
Seider, last year’s district most valuable
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
player and running back and cornerback DATE
8/31
Oakwood
Home
7:30
Anthony Moore, who also played at
quarterback last season. The Indians
9/7 Alba-Golden
Away 7:30
return six starters on offense and seven
9/14 Shelbyville
Away 7:30
on defense.
9/21 Cayuga
Home 7:30
Mascot: Indians
9/29 Evadale
Diboll 7:00
10/5 Open
10/12 *Mt. Enterprise
Home 7:30
Superintendent: Mike Payne
10/19 *Overton
Home 7:30
Head Coach: Rocky Baker
10/26 *Beckville
Away 7:30
Assistant Coaches: Jamie Skelton,
11/2
*Joaquin
Home
7:30
Andy Owens, Henry Pace, Wesley
11/9 *Tenaha
Away 7:30
Colley
Tenaha Tigers
If the Tenaha Tigers have the ball, you can bet they will run it. In 2006, the team
had three players contribute almost 3,000 yards rushing. “This year you can
expect most of the same offensively,” said Head coach Scott Tyner. “We threw
the ball a little less than in the past but we’ve still been explosive.”
The Tigers finished the season with a 7-4 record last year. The recipe for
running the ball will have the same three primary ingredients this season;
quarterback Jared Thomas, running back Camaron Choice and wide receiver
Marlon McClure. Thomas will lead the team as a senior. In 2006, he had over
1,100 passing yards and rushed for 917. Camaron Choice will be a junior and is
back for a third season on varsity. Choice ran for more than 1,100 yards in 2006.
Coach Tyner expects big things from the young man he calls the Tigers “double threat,” McClure. McClure ran for 834 yards but also caught
for 450 receiving yards.
Tyner said with the veteran help from
his players this year, his team can focus
more of fine tuning the offense and
defense. “We’re not building anymore. We’re kind of built,” Tyner said.
Mascot: Tigers
Superintendent: Don Fallin
Head Coach: Scott Tyne
Assistant Coaches: Mike Barber, Earl Claibourne, Todd
Bodden, Chad Ashby, Terry Ward, Ian White
Tenaha
DATE
8/31
OPPONENT
Kountze
PLACE
TIME
Away
7:30
9/7
T.K. Gorman
Away
7:30
9/14
Timpson
Home
7:30
9/21
Liberty-Eylau
Home
7:30
9/29
Shelbyville
Home
7:30
10/5
Open
10/12
*Overton
Away
7:30
10/20
*Beckville
Home
7:30
10/26
*Joaquin
Away
7:30
11/2
*Mount Enterprise
Away
7:30
11/9
*Price Carlisle
Home
7:30
77
By Scott Tyler Palestine Herald-Press
While the Alto Yellowjackets are the returning Class A state champions, they may have some competition this year in District 21-A. “The district
should be a lot more competitive,” Alto head coach Keith Gardner said.
The Yellowjackets look to be the cream of the crop again this year. Last season, Alto outscored opponents during the regular season 571-13. The
routing did not stop in the playoffs as the Yellowjackets outscored their four postseason opponents 173-45, including a 42-13 win over McCamey
for the state title.
ALTO YELLOWJACKETS
CAYUGA WILDCATS
The Alto Yellowjackets may have lost a couple of their top players — Julian
Willis, Tyson Mitchell and Jeremy Lofton to name a few — but the Yellowjackets
are ready to reload and make another run at a state title.
Last season, the Cayuga Wildcats saw the ups and the downs.
“We graduated 12 seniors but we still have several great athletes returning,” Alto
head coach Keith Gardner said. “We feel that we will be very competitive once
again.”
One of the key returners for Alto is offensive guard and linebacker Clayton Scott.
The Yellowjacket senior was named the co-Defensive MVP of the district last
year. The 6-0, 210 pound linebacker can bench 290 pounds and he is the top
student in his class.
Lance Low will make the move to quarterback for Alto and also play linebacker,
where he was a first-team selection last year. The senior benches 285 pounds
and is second in his class in academics.
The good for the Wildcats was making the playoffs for the first time since 1998
as Cayuga defeated Cross Roads in the final regular season game to clinch the
third spot.
The bad was that the Wildcats still finished below .500 for the season as a
lopsided playoff loss to Sabine have Cayuga a 5-6 record.
The Wildcats enter the 2007 season with a new leader at the helm of the
program as Glenn Goen retired in April after four years as the Cayuga head
coach. Cayuga has given the task of leading the Wildcats to first-year head
coach Tommy Allison. Allison spent the last four years as the Palestine High
School offensive coordinator.
“There is a lot of young talent on this team and I am looking forward to getting a
chance to coach them,” Allison said.
Tarlandus Mitchell also will be a weapon for the Yellowjackets as he takes over
full time as the Alto running back. Mitchell, who was a first-team selection in the
district last year, runs a 4.5 40-meter dash.
With Allison getting the job in May, it may be difficult to come in late and get
ready for the new season, but the new head coach will have lots of young talent
to work with, including sophomore running back Traylon Shead.
“One of our strengths as a team this year is our team quickness,” Gardner said.
Shead, who was named the district’s top newcomer last year, rushed for 1,017
yards on 115 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. While Shead was banged up
for much of the season, including sitting out a couple of games, he still rushed
for 8.84 yards a carry.
Alto
Players to Watch:
Clayton Scott, senior, LB
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
Tarlandus Mitchell, senior, RB/CB
8/31
San Augustine
Home
7:30
Lance Low, senior, QB/LB
9/7
Timpson
Away
7:30
9/14
Burkeville
Home
7:30
9/21
Hemphill
Home
7:30
10/5
Huntington
Away
10/12
Oakwood
10/19
Mascot: Yellowjackets
Superintendent: Dr. Ray DeSpain
Head Coach: Keith Gardner
Assistant Coaches: Paul Gould,
Gus Moore, John Dixon, Chuck
Gresham, Jay Witt, Jim Dillard,
Clint Gardner
78
Superintendent: Dr. Rick Webb
Head Coach: Tommy Allison
Assistant Coaches: Greg Jenkins, Tim Harrinson, Don Sharp
“Alto definitely is going to be one of the top teams,” Cushing head coach Cory Spivey said. “But as a whole, I think the district is going to be
tougher. Everyone is decent and they are going to be better.”
This year’s district race could go down to the wire just like last year when Cayuga defeated Cross Roads in the final game to claim the third spot.
With several key players returning for Cayuga, Cross Roads, Cushing and Grapeland, it looks to be another dogfight for a playoff spot.
Shead is expected to be the workhorse for the Wildcats in 2007 as Cayuga has
to replace two-year starter Darnell Walker at quarterback.
Cayuga
Mascot: Wildcats
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
9/1
Grace Community
@ Brook Hill
7:30
9/7
Scurry-Rosser
Home
7:30
9/13
Frost
Home
7:30
9/21
Carlisle
Away
7:30
9/28
Colmesneil
Away
7:30
Away
7:30
10/12 Cushing
One of the reasons Spivey expects an improvement from his team is
because of the return of running back Jimmy Sustaita. Sustaita, a first-team
district selection, last year rushed for over 1,500 yards. “We are expecting
big things from him,” Spivey said of Sustaita. “He is a quick scat back type
of runner who has decent speed and is pretty quick. He also sees the field
real well.”
Cushing
PLACE
TIME
Players to Watch:
West Rusk
Away
7:30
Jimmy Sustaita, senior, RB
9/7
Beckville
Home
7:30
Justin Doles, senior, RB
9/14
Union Hill
Away
7:30
Jordy Gaddis, junior, DB
9/21
Karnack
Away
7:30
9/29
Mount Enterprise
Home
7:30
DATE
10/19 Oakwood
Home
7:30
10/26 Alto
Away
7:30
8/31
11/2
Away
7:30
7:30
11/9
Grapeland
Cross Roads
Home
CROSS ROADS BOBCATS
OPPONENT
Mascot: Bearkats
Despite going 1-9 last season, the district coaches know to expect more from
Cross Roads this season. ‘They are one of those up and coming teams that you
can’t overlook,” Cushing head coach Cory Spivey said.
10/12 Cayuga
Home
7:30
10/19 Cross Roads
Away
7:30
10/26 Grapeland
Home
7:30
Head Coach: Cory Spivey
The Bobcats had their share of close games last year, including a two-point loss
to Cayuga in the season finale as Cross Roads rallied to take the Wildcats down
to the wire.
11/2
Oakwood
Home
7:30
11/9
Alto
Away
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Ronald
Cheek, Welf Jentsch, Todd
Kirkpatrick, Justin Nicholson
Cross Roads enters its third year under head coach Chancz Johnson, who was
an assistant for the Bobcats for five years. Since making the playoffs in 2003, the
Bobcats have struggled to get wins. In the past three seasons, the Wildcats have
only won four games.
For the Bobcats to reverse that trend this year, they will have to find a
replacement for Joseph Kirkpatrick, who was their leading rusher last year.
Cross Roads will look for junior John Talley to become a playermaker. On
defense, Jeff Mayhall and Brant Logan will play key roles.
Players to Watch:
Jeff Mayhall, senior, DB
Cross Roads
DATE
OPPONENT
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Frankston
Away
7:30
9/7
Frost
Home
7:30
John Talley, junior, WR
9/14
Rice
Away
7:30
9/21
Overton
Home
7:30
Mascot: Bobcats
9/28
Alba-Golden
Away
7:30
10/12 Grapeland
Home
7:30
10/19 Cushing
Home
7:30
10/26 Oakwood
Away
7:30
11/2
Alto
Home
7:30
11/9
Cayuga
Away
7:30
Bryant Logan, senior, LB
Superintendent: Clay Tompkins
Head Coach: Chancz Johnson
7:30
Under Allison, the Wildcats most likely will go to the spread offense, which Allison
used to produce a lot of success in his tenure at Palestine. On defense, Allison
wants to see his players be aggressive and swarm to the football.
Assistant Coaches: Don Enis,
Robert Hughes, Clint Thompson,
Eddie Ervin
Away
7:30
Players to Watch:
Grapeland
Away
7:30
Traylon Shead, sophomore, RB
CUSHING BOBCATS
10/25
Cayuga
Home
7:30
Malcome Kennedy, sophomore, DB
11/2
Cross Roads
Away
7:30
11/9
Cushing
Home
7:30
Billy Duncan, sophomore, QB
Spivey, who led Cushing to a 4-6 record last year, said it would have a big
impact having the coaching staff back this year. “It is definitely important,”
Spivey said. “The kids know what to expect from me.”
The Cushing Bobcats make to look for an improvement and a push for a playoff
spot in the second year under head coach Cory Spivey. “We are going to be
better,” Spivey said. “We had our first offseason this winter so the kids should be
stronger and faster.”
DISTRICT 21-1A
DISTRICT 21-1A
State Champion Alto Is Favorite to Take
District 21-1A Again
Superintendent: Bob Caster
GRAPELAND SANDIES
The Grapeland Sandies will have a changing of the guards after making the
playoffs and only having three losses — two to Lovelady and one to Alto — in
2006. Gone is head coach Kris Iske, who took the head football job at ScurryRosser in March.
Taking over the Sandies’ program will be a familiar face for the players. Curt
Faigle, who was the offensive coordinator the last two years for Grapeland, was
named the new head coach in May.
“Hopefully there is not going to be a transition period,” Faigle said. “The kids
don’t have to learn about me and they already are in a comfort zone.”
Grapeland also will have to replace a lot of athletic talent including All-State
quarterback Tarrence Faulk and all-everything Jazmin Walker.
However, returning for the Sandies will be Tony Taylor, who will be a force on
both sides of the ball as a running back and safety. Last season, Taylor split
time in the backfield with Chris Pierson, who also will be a senior this year.
Taylor rushed for 315 yards and five touchdowns. Pierson had 320 yards, as he
averaged over 8 yards a carry, and scored one touchdown. Taylor may be more
valuable on the Grapeland defense where he has led the team in tackles for two
straight years. Last season, Taylor had 115 tackles, three interceptions and five
caused fumbles.
While Grapeland loses three receivers to graduation, the Sandies still are loaded
at that position, including Terry Shepherd , who had 22 catches for 418 yards
and five touchdowns.
Players to Watch:
Tony Taylor, senior, RB/LB
Terry Shepherd, senior, WR/DB
79
DISTRICT 21-1A
Henry Faulk, junior, OL/DL
Grapeland
Oakwood
Justin Mills, senior, LB
PLACE
TIME
DATE
PLACE
TIME
8/31
Centerville
Home
7:30
8/31
Price Carlisle
Away
7:30
9/7
Elkhart
Away
7:30
9/7
Colmesneil
Home
7:30
9/14
Lovelady
Home
7:30
9/14
Covington
Away
7:30
Head Coach: Curt Faigle
9/21
Kerens
Away
7:30
9/21
Bruceville Eddy
Home
7:30
Assistant Coaches: Jerry
Richards, Geoffrey Bowdoin,
Brandon Goswick
9/28
West Sabine
Home
7:30
9/28
Grace Community
Away
7:30
Mascot: Panthers
Home
7:30
Mascot: Sandies
Superintendent: E.W. Sumrall
DATE
OPPONENT
OPPONENT
Players to Watch:
10/12 Cross Roads
Away
7:30
10/12 Alto
10/19 Alto
Home
7:30
10/19 Cayuga
Away
7:30
10/26 Cushing
Away
7:30
10/26 Cross Roads
Home
7:30
11/2
Cayuga
Home
7:30
11/2
Cushing
Away
7:30
11/9
Oakwood
Away
7:30
11/9
Grapeland
Home
7:30
OAKWOOD PANTHERS
Luke Bell, senior, WR
Kyle Bushey, junior, OL
Superintendent: Dr. Douglas Moore
Head Coach: Mike Heckathorn
Assistant Coaches: Johnny
Taylor, Doug Moore, Micah Pate,
Trey Smith
But while the Panthers are expected to struggle with numbers, a problem that
has plagued them for several years, the one thing Oakwood has this year is
some consistency.
Mike Heckathorn enters his second year as the Oakwood head coach. This will
mark for the first time since the Ronnie Pat Durham days at Oakwood in which
the Panthers had a head coach stay for more than a season. Durham retired
after the 2003 season, which was the last time Oakwood made the playoffs.
Oakwood does have a handful of returning players including senior linebacker
Justin Mills, who was named to the district’s second team last season after
making 53 solo tackles. Senior tight end Luke Bell, junior offensive lineman Kyle
Bushey and junior defensive back Mike Savage also have varsity experience.
DISTRICT 20-1A
The Oakwood Panthers enter the new season as one of the smallest schools to
produce an 11-man football team with a high school enrollment of 89 students.
1.
2.
4.
5.
6.
the
RED ZONE
friday nights
80
Alto
(tie) Cayuga
(tie) Grapeland Cushing
Cross Roads
Oakwood

T - Pigskin Preview

Transcription

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