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| District 6-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
Logic has it that Fossil Ridge will be one of the top teams in 4A Region I this season. Afterall, making the playoffs last season in a district that included Denton Ryan and Southlake Carroll says a lot about the program's direction. The Panthers will however be treated to a very competitive district at the top of the food chain. Springtown, with a new quarterback and new coach, is expected to be at the top of the race. As will Birdville and Azle. Truth is, this district could be more competitive than one might have originally thought.
Fossil Ridge enters 2006 minus Larry Carter-Holmes, but returns a very solid line that includes Division I prospects Chris Perry and Ben Leung. The Panthers who drop from 5A to 4A, will still have an uphill battle within the region and district with the likes of Denton Ryan, Springtown, Stephenville, Birdville and Aledo. Offensively, if the Panthers can get RB James Russell to perform close or around to the level that Carter-Holmes was able to do so in the last couple years, they will be more than just a regional darkhorse. And with plenty of depth at the wideout position, the Panthers may be even more dangerous, providing Russell's rushing abilities. Over on defense, the Panthers will be looking to show significant improvement with the return of DE R.J. Washington, who was 5-5A's sophomore MVP in 2005, and LB Brian Jackson.
Springtown has a new coach and quarterback this season and they both come over from Sulphur Springs. Brad Turner's son Logan Turner will be looking to keep the winning trend moving on the offensive side at quarterback. With 2,375 yards of offense last season, Turner has turned into one of the state's top collegiate prospects. Jonathan Silvey, who is an all-purpose player on both sides of the ball, will be one of Turner's top targets. Depth along the lines could also prove to have big benefits for the Porcupines. The question is whether or not the buzz with Turner's arrival will translate into a district title and a fierce challenge to Fossil Ridge.
Birdville and Azle appear to be the two teams aiming at the third and final playoff spot. The Hawks bring back star quarterback Tommy Dorman, who will have a pair of a solid wide receiver targets in Jason Martinson and Chase Hayes. With an explosive offense, the Hawks will be a tough team to contain defensively. Martinson is one of top receivers in the area and should be looking for yet another big season. Looking over the Hawk defense, Chris Marcus will be the leader of a somewhat inexperienced squad. If the Hawks can work on a solid defensive game plan, they could be a solid darkhorse to watch. Azle is returning quarterback Jeff Albright, who will also double up as a key linebacker on the defensive side. Albright is a player who is capable of making big big when needed through the pass and rush. Joining Albright will be LB Robbie Deheck. Deheck, who has solid size and speed, will be the key to Azle's chances of making a return trip to the playoffs.
Boswell, like Birdville, has a very solid collegiate quarterback prospect in Taylor Weidman, who passed for over 1,700 yards and rushed for more than 400 yards last season. Weidman's progress on the offensive side may be what the Pioneers will need to get into playoff contention. His top target, Paul Jacobs, is also back for his senior season. If the Pioneers can make a move or two to improve the defense, this team could very easily wind up in the playoffs. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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1921.5 |
6-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Chris Perry |
6'4 |
320 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Ben Leung |
6'3 |
280 |
5.4 |
Sr |
RB |
James Russell |
5'9 |
160 |
4.7 |
Jr |
LB |
Brian Jackson |
5'10 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DE |
R.J. Washington |
6'4 |
235 |
4.7 |
Sr |
PK |
Chris Boswell |
6'2 |
160 |
5.0 |
So |
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 |
1872.5 |
7-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Tommy Dorman |
6'3 |
205 |
4.8 |
Jr |
WR |
Jason Martinson |
6'2 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Chase Hayes |
6'2 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Jonathan Fayazzi |
5'10 |
290 |
5.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Chris Marcus |
6'1 |
200 |
4.6 |
Sr |
PK |
Jordan Walker |
5'10 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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1819.5 |
7-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/DB |
Jeff Albright |
5'11 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
LB |
Robbie Deheck |
6'2 |
215 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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1805.5 |
5-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Taylor Weidman |
6'2 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Paul Jacobs |
6'1 |
175 |
4.8 |
Jr |
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1767 |
New |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Terrance Calton |
6'1 |
160 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB |
Chris Shaw |
6'0 |
185 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB |
Shawn Dutton |
6'0 |
205 |
5.0 |
Jr |
LB |
Nic Garcia |
6'2 |
215 |
4.7 |
So |
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1374 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Zac Givens |
5'11 |
175 |
4.7 |
Jr |
RB |
Mike Kottwitz |
6'0 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Logan Armstrong |
5'10 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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1078.5 |
7-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Logan Turner |
6'1 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Jonathan Silvey |
5'11 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
OL |
Douglas Mooneyham |
6'0 |
245 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Danny Hill |
6'2 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Al Owens |
6'2 |
185 |
4.5 |
Jr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Fossil Ridge |
2 |
Springtown |
3 |
Birdville |
4 |
Azle |
5 |
Boswell |
6 |
Saginaw |
7 |
FW Brewer |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Birdville |
District MVP |
Logan Turner
Springtown |
Offensive MVP |
Tommy Dorman
Birdville |
Defensive MVP |
R.J. Washington
Fossil Ridge |
Diamond In The Rough |
Chris Perry
Fossil Ridge |
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| 2005 Records |
| Fossil Ridge |
6-5 |
| Birdville |
7-3 |
| Azle |
7-5 |
| Boswell |
5-5 |
| Saginaw |
New |
| FW Brewer |
3-7 |
| Springtown |
7-5 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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