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| District 3-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Panhandle 4A District looks to be a district that is going to be a race decided by Hereford and Palo Duro at the top and Pampa and Randall for the third and final playoff spot. There are a few things within this district that should make it entertaining and interesting. Hereford's talented offensive weaponry heads into their senior season and Palo Duro's depth on defense heads in for a challenge. Not to mention, Pampa with a brand new head coach. Canyon Randall with good skill players. And Caprock and Dumas fielding very competitive looking squads.
Hereford brings back a pair of players that will and should become a force that has high expectations worth watching for. Quarterback Casey Page returns after a stellar junior year where he passed for over 2,100 yards and 21 touchdowns. The question for Page is, can he punch in the same production or help the Whitefaces get beyond the first round of the playoffs? He will have some help on that side of the ball with the return of stud wide out Colby Marsh, who will likely be Page's favorite target. On the defensive side, LB Ricky Mariscal returns in hopes of improving and leading the Herd on to the district title and a second straight trip to the playoffs.
Palo Duro will be looking to keep the Whitefaces out of the district title picture with hopes the depth and size on the trenches will equate to wins and production out of the skill positions. Two way starter Curry Read will be joined by Gilbert Anderson on the offensive side while Raul Garcia and James Anderson join him on the defensive side. On top of an improved line, the Dons linebacking core also has a key asset with junior Chris Brown. If the Dons can find a suitable replacement for what WR/DB Michael Carter accomplished the last couple years, then expect this squad to find bigger and better plans in the late season rush.
Pampa and Canyon Randall, who are expected to play for third in the district race should also have a legitimate case as to why they should be at the top as well. After all, there was a three way tie for first in the district last season.
Pampa, which hired Andy Cavalier to take over as their new head coach, will be looking to its defense to help make their return to the playoffs. LB James Coffee and DE Jerod Bivens will be looking to make improvements off the front and middle of the field. Offensively, look for Michael Robinson to have a breakout season alongside Chase Harris at the same position. Canyon Randall will be looking to take revenge off last season's loss to Pampa, which kept them from an appearance in the playoffs. With Blake Bonner and Jamal Pritchet returning to the backfield, the Raiders will be relying on a rushing attack that is experienced and hungry for more action. On the defensive side, Ryan Merrifield, Landry Waldrip and Zach Heiskell should assume some key roles. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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1952 |
7-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB |
Chris Brown |
6'1 |
180 |
4.8 |
Jr |
OL/DL |
Curry Read |
6'1 |
240 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Gilbert Anderson |
6'0 |
260 |
5.2 |
Sr |
RB |
Curtis King |
5'9 |
160 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Hunter Young |
5'11 |
205 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DL |
Raul Garcia |
6'3 |
255 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DL |
James Anderson |
6'0 |
210 |
5.1 |
Sr |
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1729 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/DB |
Trevor Cordova |
6'1 |
165 |
-- |
Jr |
RB |
Matt Landeros |
5'10 |
185 |
-- |
Jr |
DE |
Devon Woods |
5'9 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Lenny Renteria |
5'10 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Alex Ballin |
6'0 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
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1486 |
4-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB/DB |
Blake Bonner |
5'11 |
175 |
-- |
Jr |
QB/DB |
Jordan Bonner |
6'0 |
170 |
-- |
Jr |
QB/DB |
Landry Waldrip |
6'0 |
160 |
-- |
Sr |
WR/LB |
Ryan Merrifield |
6'1 |
160 |
-- |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Jamal Pritchet |
5'7 |
160 |
-- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Zach Heiskell |
5'10 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
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1176 |
6-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Casey Page |
6'1 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
WR/K/P |
Colby Marsh |
6'3 |
175 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Ricky Mariscal |
5'11 |
180 |
-- |
Sr |
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1125 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR/DB |
Michael Bustamante |
5'9 |
150 |
-- |
Sr |
QB/DB |
Shayne Johnson |
6'2 |
180 |
-- |
Jr |
TE/DE |
Tatum Cartrite |
5'11 |
170 |
-- |
Jr |
WR/DB |
Braden Glasgow |
5'10 |
145 |
-- |
Sr |
TE/DE |
Gabriel Jimenez |
6'3 |
250 |
-- |
Sr |
TE/LB |
Josh Meason |
5'11 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
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1050 |
5-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB/LB |
James Coffee |
6'1 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Michael Robinson |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Chase Harris |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR/DE |
Jerod Bivens |
6'2 |
180 |
4.8 |
Jr |
OL/DE |
Brad Johnson |
6'2 |
210 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Hereford |
2 |
Palo Duro |
3 |
Pampa |
4 |
Canyon Randall |
5 |
Dumas |
6 |
Caprock |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Canyon Randall |
District MVP |
Casey Page
Hereford |
Offensive MVP |
Colby Marsh
Hereford |
Defensive MVP |
Chris Brown
Palo Duro |
Diamond In The Rough |
Shayne Johnson
Dumas |
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| 2005 Records |
| Palo Duro |
7-4 |
| Caprock |
2-8 |
| Canyon Randall |
4-6 |
| Hereford |
6-5 |
| Dumas |
2-8 |
| Pampa |
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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