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| District 7-3A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
In a realigned district where championships and playoff performance is the measurement of success, the excitement and anticipation of what could brew up in this season's race looms large. In this district, four of the five teams reached the post-season and three of them made a deep run. Sweetwater ultimately reached the state semifinal round, Abilene Wylie reached the 3A Division quarterfinals and Breckenridge reached the second round where they lost a 43-40 thriller to Bridgeport. In the previous week, that very same Bridgeport squad defeated Comanche, who is also aligned within the district.
Now as for what can be expected in the 2006 season, Sweetwater and Abilene Wylie are expected to battle for the top spot in the district while Breckenridge looks to provide a few surprises. Clyde and Comanche in the meantime, will be looking to play the role of spoiler and sleeper. Anything in district can and will happen if it is competitive enough.
Sweetwater, last season's Division II Regional champion, will be looking to make their way back to where they were and go beyond that. The Mustangs will have a solid running game back in it's saddle again with solid talents in Joseph Banyard and Skye Green. Banyard and Green, a pair of 1,200 + yard rushers in 2005, will be the keys to the offense once again, but they will have to do it with a younger offensive line in front of him. With the early season schedule, the Mustang offensive line should gain valuable experience and momentum, which will be key in the district race. On the defensive side of the ball, Justin Adames comes back as the key linebacker in a very experienced defense.
Abilene Wylie losses Case Keenum to graduation and must rebuild in a big way on both sides of the ball, but the Bulldogs should not have asbig a drop off as most are expecting them to have. Back in the line up is all-purpose threat Gary Edwards. Edwards can play almost every skill position on the field on both sides of the ball and has been considered as the front runner to replace the departing Keenum at the quarterback position. Whether he is at quarterback, running back or wide receiver, the Bulldogs should be in good shape offensively. TE Matt Smith and WR Justin Skinner are also expected to be solid contributors on the offensive side of the ball. On the defense, Edwards will take his place in the backfield at cornerback as Trevor Whisenhunt, takes the leadership role up front. Russell Felts, another key defensive back could be a key sleeper in the defensive production for the Bulldogs.
As Sweetwater and Abilene Wylie are expected to battle for the top prize in the district, the Buckaroos of Breckenridge will be looking to change that expectation and play the surprise role. Overlooked is the wealth of experience that the Buckaroos possess. With Michael Hayworth back alongside Jackie Cooper, the offense could be more dangerous most will give credit for. On the defensive side, the Buckaroos best player is Brooks McClanahan, who will be stationed in the linebacking core. But don't count out the impact of DE Waylon Davis or DB Ronnie Langford. If overlooked by either Sweetwater or Abilene Wylie, the Buckroos could end up as the key darkhorse in the district.
With all the talk surrounding Sweetwater, Abilene Wylie and Breckenridge, the Clyde Bulldogs and Comanche Indians will be looking to play a huge spoiler role and both teams should fit in rather nicely in these roles. Clyde, who is undergoing a coaching change, may be the best team of the two handle the spoiler role. With an experienced line and solid rushing attack in junior Curtis Kevil, the Bullodgs may see a golden opportunity if they are able to hang on to the ball and play time possession properly. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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916 |
10-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
AP |
Gary Edwards |
5'9 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
TE |
Matt Smith |
6'5 |
220 |
4.8 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Russell Felts |
6'0 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Trevor Whisenhunt |
6'3 |
315 |
5.1 |
Sr |
WR |
Justin Skinner |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
|
|
 |
611 |
13-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Joseph Banyard |
5'11 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Justin Adames |
5'10 |
190 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
James Beckwith |
5'10 |
220 |
5.0 |
Sr |
RB |
Skye Green |
5'9 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
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|
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506 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Curtis Kevil |
5'9 |
185 |
4.6 |
Jr |
OL |
Clynt Moyers |
6'4 |
315 |
5.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Nathan Chastain |
5'7 |
200 |
5.6 |
Sr |
DL |
Jared Akers |
5'10 |
215 |
5.3 |
Sr |
LB |
Wes Liles |
5'10 |
195 |
5.1 |
Jr |
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460 |
8-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Blaine Vick |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Jr |
RB |
Michael Hayworth |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Jackie Cooper |
6'0 |
165 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DE |
Waylon Davis |
6'1 |
195 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
Brooks McClanahan |
6'0 |
210 |
4.9 |
Jr |
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426 |
5-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Jonthan Tindol |
6'2 |
235 |
5.1 |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Sweetwater |
2 |
Abilene Wylie |
3 |
Breckenridge |
4 |
Clyde |
5 |
Comanche |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Abilene Wylie |
District MVP |
Gary Edwards
Abilene Wylie |
Offensive MVP |
Skye Green
Sweetwater |
Defensive MVP |
Justin Adames
Sweetwater |
Diamond In The Rough |
Brooks McClanahan
Breckenridge |
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| 2005 Records |
| Abilene Wylie |
10-3 |
| Sweetwater |
13-2 |
| Clyde |
3-7 |
| Breckenridge |
8-4 |
| Comanche |
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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