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| District 6-3A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Wichita Falls 3A district has not failed to disappoint over the last few years in terms of competitiveness, darkhorses and talent. The Burkburnett Bulldogs, who will be dropping in from 4A, replaces Breckenridge in the district alignment. And like last season, the district appears to be in for a showdown of unpredicatbility and excitement. The most intriguing factor in the district's make up is the fact that Vernon, Iowa Park, Graham and Burkburnett appear to be about as even as you can get.
After having to compete with some rather challenging 4A competition, the Bulldogs of Burkburnett will be hoping the drop down to 3A will greatly benefit them. The Bulldogs will have stud running back Nate Brown to help them make the adjustments offensively. Brown and the Bulldogs will have the talent to make themselves a serious contender atop the district and in regional action. Along with Brown offensively, the Bulldogs also have Josh Hayter and Don Williams ready to go in the backfield while Ian Albin provides the protection up front. Defensively, Albin will again be in the trenches but joined by LB Sammy Wise.
The Graham Steers, Iowa Park Hawks and Vernon Lions will be looking to make sure their reign atop the district race stays put. The question about Burkburnett is, how good are they for the 3A level? And can the other three super teams within the district compete with the Bulldogs? All signs point to a very competitive four team race. Graham will see the return of WR Chance McCoy, who is one of the top wide receiver prospects in the state. With a good sized line and an experienced offense, the Steers will be ready offensively. Over on the defensive side of the ball, Trevor Sparks and Casey Cox will be looking to bolster the defense and give it some big improvements. If the Steers can hang in the bulk of their games defensively and avoid a shootout, then this team can become a solid contender.
Iowa Park will have a very young team in the mix but will still have some key players from last year's playoff team. Returning in Hawks camp is stud running back Derek Robertson. Robertson is a player that can not only run the ball but he can catch and provide a solid blocking scheme. The multiple threat along with QB Caleb West will give the Hawks one of the more dangerous squads on the offensive side. The Hawk defense will be one of the better ones in terms of depth and talent. The main bulk of the depth defensively will be in the linebacking and defensive back areas. Key players to watch will be Robertson, who will double as a linebacker, Cody Hicks, and Stephen McGuire. The depth and talent available for the Hawks, not only makes them a key sleeper in the district, but a top regional contender as well.
One team that will be looking to rebound into positive teritory in the win column will be the Lions of Vernon. The one key player of the Lions, who could end up being one ofthe best players in the district before it is said and done is Aston Whiteside. After rushing for nearly 1,000 yards last season and being one of the leading returning defenders, some colleges have aleady made some inquiries on him. If he can help the Lions secure a playoff berth and help them get back into its winning ways, his stock will go up in a big way. But Whiteside is not the only player worth watching in Keith Hall's I formation offense. Look for QB William Miller to provide his fair share of fireworks. The Lions should be much improved not only offensively, but defensively as well. It's defensive back tandem in Darien Williams and Coryan Briggs could be as talented as you can get in the district. What they lack in size, they will make up in playmaking and skill.
Hirschi will be looking to play spoiler role all over again and this time they should see some improvements on and off the field. Coming in to help lead the Huskies back to its winning ways and help bring back a once proud athletic program is Bret Alexander. Moving into the quarterback role this season will be a very gifted athlete in Ray Barry. And look for Desmond Ridley to become the premiere playmaker out of the backfield. If Ridley and Barry and help improve the production of the offense, it will go a long way towards bringing the Huskies in the right direction. The question for Hirschi will be, are they going to be improved enough to make an impact in the district race and deciding who stays home and who moves on. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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948.5 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Nate Brown |
5'10 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Josh Hayter |
5'11 |
200 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Ian Albin |
6'3 |
265 |
5.2 |
Sr |
LB |
Sammy Wise |
6'0 |
165 |
4.8 |
Sr |
|
|
 |
892 |
0-10 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/DB |
Ray Berry |
6'2 |
195 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Desmond Ridley |
5'8 |
180 |
4.4 |
Jr |
WR |
Lamon Evans |
5'10 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Kendall Allen |
6'3 |
295 |
5.4 |
Sr |
K |
Jose Martinez |
5'8 |
180 |
-- |
Sr |
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763.5 |
5-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Chance McCoy |
6'2 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
QB/P |
Cody Stansell |
5'9 |
160 |
-- |
Jr |
OL |
Ben Butler |
6'1 |
255 |
5.2 |
Jr |
OL |
Alex Trejo |
6'1 |
230 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Trevor Sparks |
5'11 |
175 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB |
Casey Cox |
6'2 |
190 |
-- |
Jr |
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|
 |
611 |
6-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Houston Slaughter |
6'2 |
230 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Ryan McLaughlin |
5'11 |
240 |
5.4 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Derrick Robertson |
5'9 |
185 |
4.8 |
Sr |
LB |
Cody Hicks |
6'1 |
195 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DB |
Stephen McGuire |
6'1 |
175 |
4.8 |
Sr |
K |
Nathan Gilbert |
5'10 |
140 |
5.1 |
Jr |
QB |
Caleb West |
6'2 |
165 |
4.7 |
Jr |
TE |
Dusty Ross |
6'2 |
215 |
5.0 |
Jr |
OL |
Randall Wathan |
6'2 |
215 |
5.2 |
Jr |
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|
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603 |
5-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB/LB |
Aston Whiteside |
6'2 |
215 |
4.6 |
Sr |
QB |
William Miller |
6'2 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Coryan Briggs |
5'7 |
150 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Darien Williams |
5'9 |
170 |
4.5 |
Jr |
LB |
Jorge Cardenas |
6'0 |
200 |
4.7 |
Sr |
K |
Grant Schur |
5'7 |
145 |
4.6 |
Jr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Burkburnett |
2 |
Graham |
3 |
Iowa Park |
4 |
Vernon |
5 |
WF Hirschi |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Iowa Park |
District MVP |
Nate Brown
Burkburnett |
Offensive MVP |
Chance McCoy
Graham |
Defensive MVP |
Cody Hicks
Iowa Park |
Diamond In The Rough |
Aston Whiteside
Vernon |
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| 2005 Records |
| Burkburnett |
3-7 |
| WF Hirschi |
0-10 |
| Graham |
5-4 |
| Iowa Park |
6-6 |
| Vernon |
5-6 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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