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| District 8-4A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
In a district that has five of eight teams in last year's playoffs and all but two teams bringing back a positive return of lettermen, something will have to give in with only three spots available. The irony of the two teams returning fewer lettermen, they are playoff teams from a year ago and they are Stephenville and Mineral Wells. Both teams are expected to be right in the middle of the district title chase as well. Three of the five playoffs teams also went three rounds deep or longer. And yet if there is more incentive to keep an eye on this district, then look for three Top 200 players and two 1,000+ yard rushers trying to spark up the fireworks. The legit question for the teams in this district..
Who wants it more?
Aledo, Everman and Stephenville all have a legitmate claim as to why they should be the top favorite in the district title chase. Aledo brings back its all-purpose skill player in Cole Loftin, who can pass, throw, run, catch, block and tackle. Last season alone Loftin combined for over 1,200 yards rushing and receiving. But Loftin isn't the only attraction Aledo has. The Bearcats also have a very skilled tight end/punter in Anson Kelton and two linemen who are apart of the pre-season THSF Top 200 list. OL Kyle Hix and DL Michael Wilcoxon will be looking to make a big impact in not just the district race, but the regional playoff picture as well. With a mix of youth and skilled experience, Aledo could very well end up becoming one of the favorites in the region and the state before the year is done.
Stephenville is back from losing all-world quarterback Jevan Snead to the University of Texas and a last minute loss to Highland Park in the state semifinals of last year's playoffs. Some key players still on the roster includes, THSF Top 200 member WR Brent McElfresh, who caught 1,575 yards over 18 touchdowns in 2005. Also back is junior DB Cody Davis, LB Eric Edwards and WR Hunter Hendershot. Taking over Snead's role at the quarterback position will be Kody Spano. Spano, who most certainly will have some big shoes to fill, does have a solid arm, excellent rushing skills and was the quarterback of a perfect JV team last season. Other players to keep an eye on in Stephenville includes WR Brian Smith, LB Dillon Phillips and OL Blake Hodges. The Yellow Jackets will have a much younger group up front and at quarterback, but look for this group to shake off the inexperience bug rather quick.
Everman enters the 2006 season with more than just expectations hanging in the balance. The Bulldogs, like Aledo and Stephenville, has a good nucleus back from last year's deep playoff appearance squad. With perhaps the best defensive backfield in the region, Everman brings back defensive backs Johnny Fobbs and Jonathan Jones. Fobbs and Jones combined for over 100 tackles and 10 interceptions in 2005. And not mention, the defensive back duo isn't the only potent danger the opposition faces. There is also LB Marcus Clark, who is very physical and focused. Everman might look great defensively, but they also have a potentially devestating running game to the fold with the return of 1,200+ yard rusher C.J. Jennings. Expect Jennings to become the key focus of a young but very good offense. And if Aledo or Stephenville somehow come to Earth, Everman will almost certainly be ready to greet them in their arrival.
Mineral Wells might have the best team in the district that nobody is talking about. The return of QB/LB Kevin Harvey, RB/LB Brandon Hardeman and LB John Lusk certainly has the Rams faithful buzzing of the opportunity to be the surprise of the state if they can seize the opportunity. Although this squad is younger and is one of two teams in the district with negative letterman returns, they still should have a very dangerous defense and quick offense. Hardeman and Harvey could be just what the Rams need to not only fight their way into the playoffs, but pull a few surprises. If the duo are solid on both sides of the ball, the Rams will have a decent chance.
Like MIneral Wells, the Crowley Eagles and Cleburne Yellowjackets will be looking to hang a few surprises of their own. The question surrounding both teams is not whether they have the depth to pull it off, but whether the talent and energy will give them enough gas in the tank to be very competitive with not only Mineral Wells, but with Everman, Stephenville and Aledo. Only time will tell on how much of an impact they will have on the district race. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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1625 |
4-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Kolby Ray |
5'9 |
170 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB/LB |
Drew Graham |
6'2 |
215 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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1554 |
3-7 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/DB |
Mitchell Teague |
6'3 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
Jamel Groover |
5'10 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Darry Ayers |
6'3 |
265 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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1340 |
0-10 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
TE/DE |
Ali Carlton |
6'4 |
240 |
4.7 |
Sr |
OL |
Josh Ford |
6'4 |
260 |
5.2 |
Jr |
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1298.5 |
8-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Kyle Hix |
6'7 |
305 |
5.4 |
Sr |
DL |
Michael Wilcoxon |
6'3 |
260 |
4.7 |
Sr |
TE/P |
Anson Kelton |
6'4 |
260 |
5.0 |
Sr |
AP |
Cole Loftin |
5'11 |
175 |
4.5 |
Jr |
DE |
Blake Whisnand |
6'0 |
215 |
5.2 |
Sr |
DE |
Bobby Whan |
6'0 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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|
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1082 |
9-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
C.J. Jennings |
5'9 |
190 |
4.8 |
Jr |
LB |
Marcus Clark |
5'10 |
200 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Jonathan Jones |
6'5 |
195 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Johnny Fobbs |
6'2 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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1064.5 |
13-1 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Brent McElfresh |
6'1 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Cody Davis |
6'2 |
190 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB |
Eric Edwards |
5'10 |
205 |
4.7 |
Sr |
QB |
Kody Spano |
6'2 |
195 |
4.7 |
Jr |
LB |
Dillon Phillips |
5'11 |
215 |
-- |
Sr |
WR |
Hunter Hendershot |
5'11 |
180 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Joseph Stokes |
6'3 |
195 |
-- |
Sr |
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1040 |
8-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/LB |
Kevin Harvey |
6'2 |
227 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Zach Buchanan |
6'3 |
240 |
4.8 |
Sr |
WR |
Bubba Stone |
5'9 |
160 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Brandon Hardeman |
5'8 |
168 |
4.5 |
Jr |
DE |
Kody Cates |
6'2 |
185 |
4.5 |
Jr |
LB |
John Lusk |
5'11 |
210 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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|
 |
1000 |
3-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB/P |
Matt Faulkenberry |
5'10 |
190 |
-- |
Sr |
RB |
Woodrow Apfel |
5'9 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Gerald Cole |
5'11 |
265 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Caleb Rohm |
5'11 |
245 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
Josh Barnett |
6'3 |
210 |
-- |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Aledo |
2 |
Stephenville |
3 |
Everman |
4 |
Mineral Wells |
5 |
Crowley |
6 |
Cleburne |
7 |
Alvarado |
8 |
Joshua |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Mineral Wells |
District MVP |
Cole Loftin
Aledo |
Offensive MVP |
Brent McElfresh
Stephenville |
Defensive MVP |
Cody Davis
Stephenville |
Diamond In The Rough |
Anson Kelton
Aledo |
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| 2005 Records |
| Crowley |
4-6 |
| Cleburne |
3-7 |
| Joshua |
0-10 |
| Aledo |
8-6 |
| Everman |
9-4 |
| Stephenville |
13-1 |
| Mineral Wells |
8-3 |
| Alvarado |
3-8 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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