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| District 1-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
Often overlooked and ignored, the El Paso area has some of the top collegiate prospects in the state and some of the biggest sleeper teams in Region I. Sure, the 1-4A and 2-4A are gain beginning to gain more and more respect, but the bigger picture and question is, are the teams in this district ready to take the next step towards earning even more respect. In the overall district scheme of things, can anyone provide a legitimate challenge to the Chapin Huskies at the top? And can this district provide a few surprises of its own at the local level?
If the Chapin Huskies are going to make a big splash on a regional and perhaps a statewide level, this could be the year for them to do it. With two of the top players in the state on their roster, the Huskies it will be more about chemistry than it will be with talent. The Huskies offense has viable weapons to puzzle plenty of defenses around. But the queation for the Huskies in the skill position areas is whether or not they will have a comparable quarterback to that of the now departed Marco Chavez, who is at Mary Hardin Baylor. Defensively, the Huskies have the tools in place to be a dominating force with Dominique Hamilton, but Hamilton will need some help on the front lines. In the backfield, the Huskies will be reliant on David Moore to make the necessary stops. If Chapin can work hard in the close games and build up their depth, then they could be more than just a sleeper in the deep playoff rounds.
Andress could be the Huskies biggest competition. With more overall depth and experience, the Eagles may just have Chapin's number. An improved offensive and defensive line should hold the keys to success once again for Andress. On the offensive line, two key players to watch are Sofeni Laumea and Jonathan Carr. Laumea also has a younger brother, Siebeelea, who will also be starting on the line as a junior. Carr, if groomed right, could potentially become one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009. UT Commit Andre Jones will be playing both ways at tight end on offense and at the defensive end spot on defense. Joining Jones on the defensive side, look for LB Chris Dowell to have a breakout year. And one big advantage for Eagles in the 2006 season over Chapin will be home field in the final week of the season.
The third and final playoff spot could be decided in the final week of the season, like that of the district title. Key possibilities for the third playoff spot are EP Austin, EP Jefferson and EP Burges. It is expected that EP Austin will be much improved and should be a factor in the playoff chase despite finishing 1-9 in 2005. With a solid running game that includes RB Jesse Herrera, the Panthers will be counting on players such as OL Victor Arzola to use his size and experience to get them into the post-season hunt. With eight of eleven starters back from last year, the Panther defense has a bad taste in their mouth and they will be looking cook up a new flavor after the poor performance. The challenge and race to the playoffs will not come easy, but the Panthers are certainly capable of getting there.
If Austin does not make it in, the Silver Foxes of Jefferson could be that team that leaves a mark on the district. Although they are young in various areas of the field including the defensive backfield, like that of Austin, they have a solid running game that could get them in. Work along lines on both sides still needs to be done to help the running game be a success and allowing the linebackers to play their position to thier expectation.
Burges will be looking to their passing game and top prospect WR Steven Skelton to help them turn get in the playoffs. With a new coach in Lloyd Smith, expectation and excitement has given the Mustangs bigger hopes. On top of Skelton's return, look for RB Tyrone Townsend to also make a splash. LB Joshua Phillips and DB Brandon Whittington should be the keys to the Mustang defense.
Irvin, Bowie and El Paso High will and should field very competitive teams on the football field. Irvin will have to replace nearly their entire offensive unit and half the defense. The Rocket defense, led by Luis Mireles, will have to carry the load in getting Irvin back into the playoff hunt. Both Bowie and El Paso High return a good nucleus off last year's squad. Look for all three to fight hard and either get into playoff contention or play a big spoiler role.
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| Key Players & Team Information |
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1974 |
7-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
TE/DL |
Andre Jones |
6'4 |
290 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Sofeni Laumea |
6'0 |
230 |
5.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Chris Dowell |
6'1 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Jonathan Carr |
6'0 |
240 |
5.5 |
So |
QB |
Hoby Pena |
5'9 |
160 |
5.0 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Teddy Meza |
5'10 |
160 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB/K |
Edwin Cole |
5'11 |
160 |
4.7 |
So |
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|
 |
1770 |
7-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Efrain Arce |
5'6 |
160 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Edgar Robles |
5'6 |
165 |
4.9 |
Jr |
LB |
Cesar Moreno |
5'7 |
180 |
5.2 |
Sr |
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|
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1745 |
11-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Cliff Tucker |
6'5 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Aaron Crichlow |
6'0 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DL |
Dominique Hamilton |
6'5 |
280 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DB |
David Moore |
5'11 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
|
|
 |
1560 |
5-5 |
|
|
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB |
Luis Mireles |
6'1 |
220 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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|
 |
1513.5 |
4-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Steven Skelton |
6'3 |
190 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Jonathan Santillanes |
6'2 |
245 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Joshua Phillips |
6'1 |
190 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Brandon Whittington |
6'0 |
175 |
4.8 |
Jr |
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|
 |
1512 |
1-9 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Victor Arzola |
6'0 |
240 |
-- |
Sr |
RB |
Jesse Herrera |
5'8 |
165 |
-- |
Sr |
TE |
Sam Pena |
6'1 |
218 |
-- |
Jr |
DL |
Marc Burns |
6'1 |
280 |
-- |
Jr |
QB |
Travis Arellano |
5'10 |
160 |
-- |
Jr |
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1265 |
1-9 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DL |
Albert Rivera |
6'1 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
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1262 |
4-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Jose Luis Andujo |
5'5 |
155 |
-- |
Jr |
RB |
Jesus Baray |
5'5 |
155 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Joshua Brown |
5'7 |
215 |
-- |
Sr |
WR |
James Martinez |
5'6 |
165 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
Peter Diaz |
6'2 |
235 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Ricky Carrillo |
5'8 |
195 |
-- |
Jr |
OL |
Jose Palacios |
5'10 |
215 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
Albert Nevarez |
6'2 |
235 |
-- |
Jr |
DB |
Adrian Noya |
5'5 |
155 |
-- |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
EP Chapin |
2 |
EP Andress |
3 |
EP Austin |
4 |
EP Jefferson |
5 |
EP Burges |
6 |
EP Irvin |
7 |
EP Bowie |
8 |
El Paso |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
EP Austin |
District MVP |
Andre Jones
EP Andress |
Offensive MVP |
Cliff Tucker
EP Chapin |
Defensive MVP |
Dominique Hamilton
EP Chapin |
Diamond In The Rough |
Chris Dowell
EP Andress |
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| 2005 Records |
| EP Andress |
7-4 |
| EP Jefferson |
7-3 |
| EP Chapin |
11-2 |
| EP Irvin |
5-5 |
| EP Burges |
4-6 |
| EP Austin |
1-9 |
| El Paso |
1-9 |
| EP Bowie |
4-6 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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