Looking at Class 4A Region II, the team with the most expctations and with big target on their back is the Lions of Tyler John Tyler. The Lions do return one the best quarterback-wide receiver duos in the state with Fred Ross and Greg Ward. In the 2011 season, Ward threw for 5,000 yards and 54 touchdowns as Ross was the recipient of 1,320 yards and 15 touchdowns. Although, the Lions return 16 starters from last season's team, they will be doing it under a new head coach in Ricklan Holmes ater Dereck Rush left for 5A Conroe Oak Ridge. Aside from Tyler John Tyler, early contenders could come from teams like Highland Park, Wylie East, West Mesquite, Mansfield Summit and Sherman.
Last season the Frisco ISD schools took the Texas HS Football and Dallas/Fort Worth world by surprise as the reams within the district continued to win. The question now is what will the Frisco ISD schools do in 2012, most notably Frisco Centennial. The Titans will have a big challenge from within the district as a very dangerous and improved Prosper team makes the jump from Class 3A to Class 4A. The match up between the Titans and Eagles, which could decide 9-4A, takes place in Week 5 at Prosper.
Other blockbuster games on the schedule includes a trio of Week 2 contests and a high profile district games. In Week 2, before the district slate begins, the high octane offenses and defenses of Sulphur Springs and Whitehouse comes full circle in what could be a game that comes down to the final few minutes. Also in Week 2, Highland Park will travel to a very hungry Sherman team that is looking to prove that they will be right in the thick of the regional and state championship picture through out the season. In what was a district match up in 2011, West Mesquite travels to Waxahachie. West Mesquite's skill players goes up against Waxahachie's solid interior on both sides of the ball. And not to forget an early district contest between John Tyler and Corsicana looms large as Corsicana looks to knock off the Lions with Devontay Bell calling the signals for the Tigers again in 2012.
As most already know about the dynamic duo on offense for Tyler John Tyler, the region is filled with some of the top offensive skill players in the state and perhaps the country. Elite 11 participant Davis Webb takes over at Prosper after transferring in from 5A Keller. Some of his targets includes WRs Torii Hunter, Jr and Connor Thompson. West Mesquite and Lancaster has Eldridge Massington and DeMarcus Ayers respectively. Ayers spent part of the summer participating in national team activities with Team USA at the IFAF Under-19 World Championships. And Wylie East is loaded with high profile athletes with junior QB Garrett McCain getting the option to hand the ball off to Jabari Anderson or throw to either Quan Jones, Marcel Ateman or TE Jesse Brubaker.
The defensive line up of talent in the region is equally as impressive as it goes from highly touted defensive tackle Justin Manning at Dallas Kimball to Prosper's star defensive back Money Hunter. Texas High could be a solid sleeper team with DT Jonathan Hunt, DE Joseph Meredith and LB Anthony Rhone on defense. Dallas ISD is loaded with solid skill players such as WIlson's Colin Spencer at DB, Kimball's Brandon Hines, Adams' Ian Compton and Carter's Cameron Hampton. Other players to keep an eye on includes Frisco Centennial DB Ranthony Texada, Wylie East LB Chase Eckles, Sulphur Springs DB Larry Pryor and Whitehouse DB Patrick Mahomes. |
1 |
Tyler John Tyler |
2 |
Highland Park |
3 |
Wylie East |
4 |
Corsicana |
5 |
Prosper |
6 |
Dallas Kimball |
7 |
West Mesquite |
8 |
Mansfield Summit |
9 |
Sulphur Springs |
10 |
Sherman |
11 |
Frisco Centennial |
12 |
Waxahachie |
13 |
Texas High |
14 |
Whitehouse |
15 |
Mesquite Poteet |
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