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| District 16-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
Things to look forward to in the Klein-Spring District includes the emergence of quarterback Ford Lakin in his junior season, the reloading of Westfield and the question of how Klein Oak will do in their first year back up to Class 5A. It should be a very intriguing season ahead for 16-5A. Who will ultimately take the final two playoff spots and can Klein Forest overtake Westfield atop the district ladder?
The most notable thing about Westfield is the unpleasant rebuilding they will have to endure this season after guiding along the shoulders of Pierre Beasley and Danny McCray. With the quarterback position up for grabs, the running back position should be secure with the return of Dwayne Stewart. Stewart's playmaking ability could help offset the huge losses the Mustangs will have offensively, but its the defense that will be the name of the game in 2006. The Mustangs return LB Marcus Sanders alongside DBs Luther Eta and Anthony Forker to the line up. Eta, who is also a key player in the special teams area, could end up becoming the key to Westfiled's chances at repeating as a district champion.
But right out the rear view mirror of the Mustangs is an explosive offense from Klein Forest that includes Ford Lakin Jonathan Wilson and Mattaniah Andrus. Lakin in his sophomore campaign threw for over 1,100 yards with almost 400 of them going to Jonathan Wilson. If the duo can be more effective in 2006, the Golden Eagles just might have enough to challenge the Mustang defense head to head. And speaking of defense, Klein Forest will be counting on a strong front line to help guide them through an inexpereinced backfield. If the Eagles can shore up the holes on defense early, expect to see a solid run at a district title.
The battle for the final two playoff spots should come between Spring, Klein and Klein Oak. Spring, with the return of Nate Poppell at quarterback, will be looking to ease the trasition of inexperienced offense. If Spring will be looking to make noise, they will have to do it with their defense, which icludes DL Terrance Moore and DB Josh Carr. There should be room for improvement at Spring High, but expect this group to find a way into the playoffs.
Klein has the pieces in place to not only be in playoff contention, but lock in a playoff spot in a big way. Look for quarterback Huntley Grichor to step into big role with plenty of options on the ground. The return of Horace Gibson and C.J. Palmer will make this squad that much more dangerous. The offensive line will have to deal with the loss of Chris Stewart but they should be very solid with a lot of promise ahead of them.On the defensive side, Aaron Yates should be in for a big year if he can help rally the rest of the defense around him.
Klein Oak will make the jump from 4A to 5A again, and if the pieces are in place properly, there will be no reason the Panthers will be basement dwellers. With a strong offense back, David Smith's Panthers will be looking to stay on the field as much as they can. With the return of quarterback Josh Cooley and the entire offensive line, the skill position players could be in for a big season. WR Elliot Lim, DeSean Hales and RB Chris Coburn are expected to be Cooley's top targets. On the defensive side the Panthers will need work with the entire backfield moving up from the JV. Look for Mark Hunter on the line to assume the leadership role for the Panther defense.
With Klein Collins undergoing a coaching change and Tomball reuilding, there is hope for both programs in the near future. Both teams could still factor into the district race and do not be surprised if either of the two makes a decent run at a playoff spot. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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4893 |
11-1 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Dwayne Stewart |
5'11 |
195 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Jacory McGhee |
6'2 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Adam Watson |
5'10 |
155 |
4.6 |
So |
TE |
Jon Gimm |
6'3 |
240 |
4.8 |
Jr |
LB |
Marcus Sanders |
6'1 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Luther Eta |
5'8 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Anthony Forker |
5'9 |
175 |
4.4 |
Sr |
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3395.5 |
3-7 |
|
|
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Huntley Grichor |
6'1 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
J.B. Shugarts |
6'6 |
290 |
5.6 |
Jr |
RB |
Horace Gibson |
5'9 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Nick Parsons |
5'11 |
210 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
C.J. Palmer |
6'0 |
210 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DE |
Aaron Yates |
6'4 |
220 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DB |
Ben Temple |
5'10 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Clay Hebert |
6'2 |
265 |
5.6 |
Jr |
DB/K |
Chad Bauman |
5'10 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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3383.5 |
4-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Nate Poppell |
6'1 |
170 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DL |
Terrance Moore |
6'3 |
275 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DB |
Josh Carr |
6'0 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
TE |
Wesley Tonga |
6'3 |
215 |
4.8 |
Sr |
WR |
Blake Farmer |
5'10 |
160 |
4.6 |
Jr |
OL |
T.J. McGriff |
6'1 |
260 |
5.0 |
Sr |
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3371 |
8-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Ford Lakin |
6'1 |
184 |
-- |
Jr |
OL |
Rickey McGowan |
6'5 |
245 |
-- |
Sr |
WR |
Jonathan Wilson |
6'3 |
190 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Brian Stacey |
6'3 |
255 |
-- |
Sr |
DL |
Chivas Belton |
6'0 |
260 |
-- |
Jr |
DE |
Kendrick Payne |
6'3 |
250 |
-- |
Jr |
RB |
Mattaniah Andrus |
5'11 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Stephen Brown |
6'4 |
232 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Jeovany Ortega |
6'1 |
200 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Tim Dupree |
6'0 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
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2964 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Nathan McCage |
6'4 |
250 |
4.9 |
Sr |
WR/P |
Brendan Green |
6'2 |
180 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DE |
John Longoria |
6'0 |
220 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DL |
Ricky Wagner |
5'11 |
260 |
5.0 |
So |
LB |
Chase Peacock |
5'11 |
220 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Demetri Gooden |
5'11 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
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2635 |
5-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Keaton Smith |
5'10 |
175 |
4.6 |
Jr |
OL |
Eric Ritts |
5'11 |
240 |
5.2 |
Sr |
LB |
Osiris Taylor |
6'1 |
215 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Jason Alleman |
5'9 |
170 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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2348 |
9-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DL |
Andrew Lester |
6'1 |
270 |
4.9 |
Sr |
QB |
Josh Cooley |
5'10 |
165 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Justin Sisson |
6'0 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Justin Walters |
6'0 |
260 |
5.2 |
Sr |
WR |
DeSean Hales |
5'10 |
170 |
4.4 |
Jr |
DL |
Mark Hunter |
6'1 |
220 |
4.8 |
Jr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Spring Westfield |
2 |
Klein Forest |
3 |
Klein |
4 |
Spring |
5 |
Klein Oak |
6 |
Klein Collins |
7 |
Tomball |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Klein Forest |
District MVP |
Ford Lakin
Klein Forest |
Offensive MVP |
Dwayne Stewart
Spring Westfield |
Defensive MVP |
Aaron Yates
Klein |
Diamond In The Rough |
Luther Eta
Spring Westfield |
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| 2005 Records |
| Spring Westfield |
11-1 |
| Klein |
5-5 |
| Spring |
4-4 |
| Klein Forest |
8-3 |
| Klein Collins |
3-7 |
| Tomball |
5-5 |
| Klein Oak |
9-2 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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