The Wimberley Texans found themselves with another state championship in 2011, now the question that many are asking is whether or not this year's Texans squad can make the return to the title game as an underdog and with teams in both Region III and IV that are either falling into 3A or are much improved. With a solid defensive nucleus returning for the Texans, the chances are very good they can get through most of the region, but the offense will need some work. The big key for Weldon Nelms' squad is making sure the offensive line, led by junior Tristan Moore.
With all the talk of the Wimberley Texans attempting to make another run into the state title picture, there a few teams that are gunning to take the region by storm. El Campo, Sealy, Bellville and Gonzales are just four of those teams looking to take a slice of the Region IV pie. The El Campo Ricebirds have gone from facing some of the state's toughest playoff draws in 4A to one of the more competive 3A districts in the state. The experience of the current class in 4A, should pay dividends for Bob Gillis's squad. Staying in 25-3A, the Sealy Tigers will be pinning their hopes on the athletic display of one Ricky Seals-Jones and Jowan Davis. Seals-Jones, who has already committed to the Texas Longhorns, should see his totals exceed the 3,000 yard all-purpose total if the Tigers can make a deep run and get past Round 1.
Bellville, another 25-3A team, and one of five in the Texas HS Football Class 3A Region IV Top 10, enters the 2012 season with a new coach and a team that has a pair of talent rushers in DeBrae Parker and LaKeith Nunn. If last season was any indicator as to the potential of the Brahma program, then some big things are in store for them for 22012 and beyond. As for the Gonzales Apaches, reloading is the key to the success of their chances at getting through the region, RB Cecil Johnson and DB Zach Lopez could very well be two of the most dangerous players in the entire region.
Looking through the schedule, a pair of Week 1 games starting off with a showdown between Sealy's Ricky Seals-Jones and Houston St. Pius X's Kohl Stewart before a national television audience on ESPNU could have some hard core fans and college scouts drooling. Then the next day, the Giddings Buffaloes travel to Wimberley for a what could be a very entertaining game between rusher Joseph Glenn and Wimberley's Alden Mann. As for what to look for in terms of district play, Smithville at La Grange could be a match in Week 7 that could possibly shape the course of the 26-3A race. A couple weeks later in Week 9, the 25-3A contest between Sealy and El Campo could decide the district winner outright much like the big rivalry game with Port Isabel and Rio Hondo in the 32-3A race.
|
1 |
Wimberley |
2 |
El Campo |
3 |
Sealy |
4 |
Bellville |
5 |
Gonzales |
6 |
Sinton |
7 |
Wharton |
8 |
Ingleside |
9 |
La Vernia |
10 |
Columbus |
11 |
Kingsville King |
12 |
La Grange |
13 |
Giddings |
14 |
Devine |
15 |
Smithville |
|
