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| District 15-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
At long last the Realignment Gods have merged Waxahachie, Ennis and Corsicana into the same district. With the trio locking horns and going after each other in district play, the playoff picture would be under a wide assumption that it is all but locked up with all three. Nobody expected the Waxahachie Indians to be fighting their way into the playoffs last season either. Could we see a repeat of last year's 15-4A race in the works in this year's race? If so, we could be in for one of those photo finishes that are usually seen at the horse races. To count out Lancaster, Midlothian and Arlington Seguin in the district playoff picture, would be a big mistake.
The Corsicana Tigers should have the inside track on the district title as they return their quarterback and several other key players on the offensive side of the ball. The big playmaker and go-to guy on the Tiger offense will be WR Greg Stewart, who piled up over 1,100 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2005. But Stewart isn't the only option quarterback Keith Leerskov will have. Matt Watson and incoming rusher Michael Solomon should see significant looks and opportunities. While the Tigers will enjoy good success in the skill position areas, depth will be a major concern in the trenches. Courtney Green will be the guy the Tiger faithful will be looking to help the young offensive and defensive linemen grow into their positions. Defensively, look for LB Chris Sanders to become the key leader.
The biggest competitor to Corsicana's chances at a district title could come in the form of the Ennis Lions, who will be playing without a quarterback named Harrell for the first time in years. Stepping into the quarterback role will be Blake Hart. Hart, a 6'3 175 pound senior, will not be without a shortage of arsenal. Joining Hart in the backfield is last year's back up running back Lee King, who will be a junior this season. King in 2005 under limited action, saw 400+ yards and five touchdowns through the ground. Two more of the weapons on the receiving end for Hart includes junior wde out Cortney Brooks and senior Aaron Blackshire. Blackshire is also an outstanding defensive back and is a returning starter on both sides of the bal. And speaking of defense, the strength of the Lions should be felt along the front lines with the return of Mario Manuel and Robb Rose. Along with Manuel and Rose, the keys should be on the end with Reggie Curry and the back with a promising prospect Deonte McDade.
Amid all of the off field tragedies and losses, one thing should remain clear about the 2006 season for the Waxahachie Indians. Life is precious and short. With the loss of radio color commentary Mike O'Daniel, Waxahachie Daily Light sports editor John Hicks and outgoing senior Jesus Hernandez, this season will be dedicated in their names. To the Indians and any other team or any others affected by tragedy, football is a secondary item on the importance list of life's great lessons. With that being said, emotion is the key to the Waxahachie season in 2006.
If the Indians can feed off the motivation and spirit, then this group should have no problem gaining access to yet another trip to the playoffs. The return of Ryan Wilson at quarterback will not only help offensively, but it should keep the skill and line players in sync. One of Wilson's top targets in 2005, WR Aldrick Robinson, is back for his senior season and will be looking to improve on the 650 yard receiving and eight touchdown totals. Protecting the skill positions up front, the Indians have one of the top players in the state in Jason Hannan. Over on the defensive side, look for LB Kevin McCluskey to have a very big year in the numbers category and as a leader on the field. The Indians do have a young defensive unit and they will need McCluskey to come through if they are going to have a very solid season.
The Waxahachie Indians should get in the playoffs, but they will have some fierce competition for that third playoff spot. The likely candidates to be a challenge to them includes Lancaster and Arlington Seguin. Ironically, both the Lancaster Tigers and Arlington Seguin Cougars were playoff teams a year ago. Midlothian, a 5-5 team a year ago, is now undergoing a coaching change but still could factor into the district race.
Although they are making the switch from a weaker Region I to a very strong Region II, the Seguin Cougars just might find themselves in a solid position to pull off some very solid surprises in district play. The big core of their offensive skill players are back including that of quarterback Bobby Joe Barrett. Barrett in six starts at the quarterback spot, racked up 2,345 yards and 21 touchdowns through the air. If he can keep the offense reeling like it was last season, Seguin could be a dangerous darkhorse in the district. He will have DeAundre Brown back at wide receiver and Sean Brown at running back to work his way through. But the Cougars in 2006 will not be known for their offense, but rather thier outstanding talent in the defensive backfields. With the return of Jamell Fleming, Jonathan Clark and Donte Neal, the pass defense could very well be in for a field day with a majority of their opponents. Not to mention, the Cougars also have a very good linebacker in Kenny Sims, who led the team in tackles last season.
Lancaster finds themselves in a reloading and rebuilding phase as they only return eight lettermen from last year's squad. The Tigers will be very good on the defensive side of the ball but the questions about this year's squad will be on the offensive side. With a very young skill set, the Tigers will have use the pre-district schedule to find their way back to last year's form. If they can continue under last year's beat, then this group should have no problem adjusting to a stonger district schedule. The big key players to be on the look out for includes Anthony Morgan and Brandon Lewis up front, David Mastal on the end and Trey Williams in the backfield.
Midlothian, with a new stadium and a new coach, will be looking to play more than a spoiler role, but given who is in the district, that task will be a much tougher accomplishment to achieve. There are players for the Panthers to help build around and make some key plays to raise their heads high. For starters, the return of wide receiver Ricky Simpson and rusher Caleb McEachern should ease things in the skill position areas. Up front look for Willie Cox to become the leader they need in order to effective in many areas. On the defensive side, McEachern will be joined by Kevin Arredondo and Michael Autwell. With Autwell's drive and passion for the game and Arredondo's leadership up front, the Panthers could potentially be a surprise team if they work hard to become a very solid defensive team on the rise. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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1929 |
9-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Bobby Joe Barrett |
6'0 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
DeAundre Brown |
6'0 |
185 |
4.4 |
Jr |
LB |
Kenny Sims |
6'0 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Jamell Fleming |
6'0 |
185 |
4.4 |
Sr |
DB |
Jonathan Clark |
6'0 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Donte Neal |
5'11 |
185 |
4.4 |
Sr |
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 |
1911 |
6-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Aldrick Robinson |
5'10 |
167 |
4.4 |
Sr |
OL |
Jason Hannan |
6'3 |
275 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Kevin McCluskey |
6'1 |
205 |
4.8 |
Sr |
LB |
Gary Mason |
6'5 |
220 |
4.7 |
Jr |
LB |
Colton Cain |
6'2 |
215 |
4.9 |
So |
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 |
1877 |
5-5 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Ricky Simpson |
5'11 |
175 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Willie Cox |
6'4 |
240 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Kevin Arredondo |
6'2 |
235 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
Michael Autwell |
6'4 |
205 |
-- |
Jr |
LB/RB |
Caleb McEachern |
5'10 |
185 |
-- |
Jr |
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1665.5 |
8-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DL |
Anthony Morgan |
6'4 |
330 |
5.2 |
Sr |
DL |
Brandon Lewis |
6'5 |
270 |
4.8 |
Sr |
TE/DE |
David Mastal |
6'4 |
235 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DB |
Trey Williams |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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|
 |
1636 |
0-10 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Rodney Cooper |
6'2 |
200 |
4.7 |
Sr |
OL |
Sean Hamm |
6'7 |
350 |
5.7 |
Sr |
DE |
Stanley Stubblefield |
6'2 |
200 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DE |
Kennon Coleman |
6'3 |
212 |
4.9 |
Sr |
LB |
Timmy Hooper |
5'10 |
190 |
4.7 |
Jr |
LB |
Seth Rushina |
5'11 |
190 |
4.7 |
So |
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1519.5 |
9-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Greg Stewart |
5'10 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
WR |
Matt Watson |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Courtney Green |
6'4 |
285 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Chris Sanders |
6'0 |
195 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Chris Meankins |
5'11 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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1504.5 |
11-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Blake Hart |
6'3 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB |
Lee King |
5'10 |
190 |
4.7 |
Jr |
WR |
Cortney Brooks |
6'2 |
175 |
4.8 |
Jr |
WR/DB |
Aaron Blackshire |
5'7 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
TE/DE |
Reggie Curry |
6'3 |
220 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Mario Manuel |
6'3 |
240 |
4.9 |
Sr |
OL |
Sam Chmelar |
6'5 |
320 |
5.4 |
Jr |
DL |
Robb Rose |
6'2 |
240 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Nico D'Amato |
5'11 |
190 |
5.0 |
Jr |
DB |
Deonte McDade |
5'10 |
165 |
4.5 |
So |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Corsicana |
2 |
Ennis |
3 |
Waxahachie |
4 |
Arlington Seguin |
5 |
Lancaster |
6 |
Midlothian |
7 |
Red Oak |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Arlington Seguin |
District MVP |
Bobby Joe Barrett
Arlington Seguin |
Offensive MVP |
Greg Stewart
Corsicana |
Defensive MVP |
Kevin McCluskey
Waxahachie |
Diamond In The Rough |
Trey Williams
Lancaster |
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| 2005 Records |
| Arlington Seguin |
9-3 |
| Waxahachie |
6-5 |
| Midlothian |
5-5 |
| Lancaster |
8-4 |
| Red Oak |
0-10 |
| Corsicana |
9-3 |
| Ennis |
11-2 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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