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| District 14-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
From top to bottom, the uncertainty of how the district will eventually play out is somewhat of a mystery. What we do know is that two of the teams expected to be at the top of the food chain are Leander and Pflugerville. After that, all bets are off. Every single team within the district has a legit case to being within striking distance at a playoff spot. McNeil and Round Rock with an expereinced offense, Stony Point with a promising young offense and solid defensive front, Cedar Park with strength on the lines, Westwood with experience on both sides and Georgetown with a solid running game and coach.
Leander's main task at hand will be to rebuild an offense with only three returning starters which includes star wideout Curenski Gilleylen. Taking over at the quarterback position will be Josh McKinley, who is the Lions' leading returning rusher. On the defensive side of the ball, look for Will McCann and Ryan Douglas to assume the leadership role and have a huge year. McCann in 2005 racked up over 100 tackles. Leander will have to work on the depth of the team early if they intend to make a deep run in the playoffs.
Pflugerville only returns one starter on offense from its 2005 team but do return a majority of the defense. Look for the Panthers to establish the offense around a rushing attack with Zavier Gooden and Melvin Green. Defensively, the Panthers will be counting on Justin Wendal, Jacob Russey and Erik Staha to bring in a playoff berth and a district title. If the defense can keep the young offense on the field, the Panthers will have a lot of success coming their way.
The McNeil Mavericks will be rebuilding in a different direction as Pflugerville will this season. The Mavericks return only two starters on the defense, so the offense will be counted on in a big way. With talent on the lines, the Mavericks will be looking to developing the skill positions rather smoothly and early. If they can click offensively with consistency, the Mavericks will have a solid season ahead of them.
Round Rock ironically is in a mirror image situation as the McNeil Mavericks The strength of the Dragons will be found in the front as Cody Honeycutt and Alex Russian return to their respective positions. Not to mention the return of James Kirkendoll at wide receiver will make the Dragons that much more of a threat. If they can improve the defensive skill positions, then look for Round Rock to become an instant sleeper in the district race.
And speaking of sleepers, Stony Point is one that is filled with lots of youth, skill and talent just waiting for the food at the table. Under new head coach Craig Chessher, the hope and attitude of the Tiger program has made a complete turnaround. Some key players to watch on the offensive side includes the ever dangerous rushing attack of Cameron Bell and Ryan Nunn. And passing attack of Trevin Wade will be expected to make a prescence. Over on the defensive side, look for Curtis Bell, Conrad McCue and Kennedy Ezimako to become the key leaders. For the Tigers, depth on both sides of the ball should be a big advantage. Don't be surprised if Stony Point makes a run at a playoff spot and even the district title.
Another playing that could factor into the wild goose chase that is the 14-5A playoff chase is the Timberwolves of Cedar Park. Under Chris Ross's flexbone offense, look for quarterback Travis Watson to have plenty of support in the back with RB Tyler Smith and Hunter Dixon as the key returnees. On the defensive side of the ball, the Timberwolves will need to get the defense to help control the clock in their favor if they have any chance to compete for a playoff spot. Look for Andrew Baughman and Justin Allen to be the keys to their success.
And if Westwood and Georgetown have any say in who will advance and who stays home, the two teams will need to improve in bast areas of the field. With two completely approaches offensively, the Eagles and Warriors will be hoping their skill players can put up the numbers they are capable of. Before the end of the season, one of these two will eventually be climbing their way into greater success and spoiling the party for at least two teams in the race. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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2957.9 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Trevin Wade |
5'11 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Camron Bell |
6'2 |
208 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Ryan Nunn |
5'7 |
185 |
4.5 |
Jr |
DL |
Kennedy Ezimako |
6'1 |
275 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DE |
Felix Odighibor |
6'2 |
225 |
5.0 |
Jr |
DE |
Tevin Mims |
6'2 |
195 |
4.9 |
So |
DB/K |
Conrad McCue |
5'11 |
175 |
4.7 |
Jr |
LB/DB |
Curtis Bell |
5'11 |
175 |
4.6 |
Jr |
QB |
Nick McKissic |
5'11 |
160 |
4.5 |
So |
OL |
Matt Baca |
6'2 |
225 |
5.5 |
Jr |
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2699 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Runey Davis |
6'0 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Dan Morin |
6'6 |
275 |
5.5 |
Jr |
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2581 |
6-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DL |
Natave Brown |
6'1 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Bryce Tennison |
6'3 |
300 |
-- |
Sr |
WR |
Dominic Ayala |
5'9 |
155 |
-- |
Sr |
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2536.5 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Chase Rich |
6'0 |
175 |
4.8 |
Sr |
WR |
Phillip Roush |
6'1 |
180 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OL |
Trevor Marrongelli |
6'3 |
265 |
5.1 |
Sr |
DE |
Nathan Alexander |
6'4 |
210 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Richard Havins |
5'11 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Chase Griesbach |
6'0 |
185 |
4.7 |
So |
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2239 |
6-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
James Kirkendoll |
5'11 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
TE |
Alex Russian |
6'5 |
220 |
4.7 |
Sr |
OL |
Cody Honeycutt |
5'10 |
260 |
5.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Zack Pate |
5'10 |
175 |
4.6 |
Jr |
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2154 |
5-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Tyler Smith |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Hunter Dixon |
5'9 |
160 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB |
Justin Allen |
5'11 |
210 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DB |
Brandon Lopez |
6'1 |
190 |
4.7 |
Jr |
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2043.5 |
10-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Curenski Gilleylen |
6'1 |
195 |
4.5 |
Sr |
QB |
Josh McKinley |
6'2 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Blake Gideon |
6'1 |
185 |
4.5 |
Jr |
DE |
Ryan Douglas |
6'3 |
218 |
4.8 |
Sr |
LB |
Will McCann |
5'11 |
200 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DB |
Aaron Redman |
6'1 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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2028.5 |
7-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
TE/DE |
Jacob Russey |
6'5 |
215 |
4.9 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Zavier Gooden |
6'1 |
190 |
4.5 |
Jr |
DL |
Justin Wendel |
6'3 |
240 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Erik Staha |
6'0 |
190 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Leander |
2 |
Pflugerville |
3 |
RR McNeil |
4 |
Round Rock |
5 |
RR Stony Point |
6 |
Cedar Park |
7 |
RR Westwood |
8 |
Georgetown |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Stony Point |
District MVP |
Josh McKinley
Leander |
Offensive MVP |
Camron Bell
Stony Point |
Defensive MVP |
Will McCann
Leander |
Diamond In The Rough |
Alex Russian
Round Rock |
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| 2005 Records |
| RR Stony Point |
3-7 |
| Georgetown |
3-7 |
| RR McNeil |
6-4 |
| RR Westwood |
2-8 |
| Round Rock |
6-5 |
| Cedar Park |
5-5 |
| Leander |
10-2 |
| Pflugerville |
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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