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| District 17-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The unpredictability of the Cypress Fairbanks district will eventually lead to some very exciting games and results. The expectations of this district have now risen to new levels on the statewide scene after the deep run last season by the Cypress Falls Eagles and Cypress Fairbanks Bobcats. What could these two teams do for an encore in 2006? And just how competitive will the district be from top to bottom? One thing is for certain about these teams. Respect has begun to spin thier direction from all angles.
The Cypress Falls Golden Eagles are the favorites to take this district. The Golden Eagles finished the 2005 regular season with a 6-4 record and in a three way tie for the district's third and final playoff spot. After a 52-22 win over Magnolia in the final week, the Golden Eagles assured themselves a trip to the playoffs. Week after week, they were picked to bow out to their opponents. To make matters even more intriguing, in the regional final against the eventual state runner up Katy Tigers, the Eagles had the Tigers on the ropes for a trip to the state semifinals. A late charge by the Tigers ended the Golden Eagles incredible run and gave them a 9-5 record to finish the season. With eight starters back on offense and six starters back on defense, the Golden Eagles have room for even more optimism over last season. The more intriguing fact on the 2006 team is that 21 of the 22 projected starters are entering their senior season.
Under the shot gun at quarterback will be last year's late season starter Jeff Welch. Welch isn't exactly coming into the 2006 season as an inexperienced quarterback. In the 2005 season, Welch started five games and threw for nearly 1,000 yards on nine touchdowns and five interceptions. As Welch takes over as the team's primary quarterback, Darius Thomas and Geoff Dobbin shift to opposite positions. While Thomas goes to running back and Dobbin lands in the receiving core, one of the Houston area's top recruits in Roger Holland makes his return. The speedster Jack Freeman is also a viable threat to make the big plays when it is turn to shine in the spotlight.
One of the team's top returning defenders is a key focus on this year's linebacking core. Derrick Stephens, who is already a soft verbal to Texas A&M, brings in a total of 106 tackles and a leadership role to boot. The Golden Eagles will rely on Stephens' explosiveness and attitude to help them repeat what they accomplished last season. If his desire to play is any indication, Stephens is the type of player that should and will make his teammates around him better. That includes returning starting linebacker Anas Alqady. On the defensive backfield, the return of Jeremy Bibb should help the group overcome the loss of Bry Roby to graduation. Bibb is retuning in 2006 after a season inwhich saw him pick up a total of three interceptions on 106 return yards. Joining Bibb will be Johnny Alexander, Xavier Witchett and Reginald Robinson. Witchett will be the key player looking to seize the opportunity on the team as the lone projected underclassman in the starting line up.
Cypress Fairbanks will be looking to capitalize off last season's deep playoff run. RB Sam McGuffie will be a player to watch over the next couple years. His explosive running style should give the Bobcats an easy transition into 2006. It will be very important to the Bobcats to have a productive pre-district schedule as they must replace a good chunk of players from last season including Bryant Seidle, Eric Humphrey and Jeff Marsh. Brian Smith will be taking over as the primary tight end and Chris Gonzales will be the lead blocker up front. On the defensive side, the Bobcats will have to work harder after the loss of key front line players. Jonathan Buck and Kevin Sandlin will need to pick up their game if the Bocats will have any chance of making a run at the district title.
Third place should come between Cypress Creek, Cypress Springs and Strake Jesuit. Cypress Creek may have enough firepower to turn a few heads and create some havoc in the district race. The Cougars will have the running attack working in their favor again as the speedy D.J. Harper returns. Harper in 2005 rushed for nearly 900 yards and picked up eight touchdowns. With a solid offensive line returning and plenty of depth, the Cougars will be in the mix. On defense, DB Phillip Ofili, LB Austin Cloud and DE Miguel Mateo will be carring the load. Ofili could become one of the top defensive players in the region before the season is done.
Cypress Springs, behind the running game of top prospect Josh Lewis, should be a sleeper team in the district. With 18 starters back, the Panthers will have plenty of expectations and hopes for the 2006 season. The Panthers will have to use the pre-district to get in sync and build a feel for a winning theme. If the Panthers are going to make a push for the playoffs, the defense will have make some solid improvements. Greg Watkins and Randone Allen will be playing the role of leaders at their respective positions. Watkins will be a player that should be fun to watch as a playmaker and motivator.
Strake Jesuit moves into the Cy-Fair district after having some good success in the Katy/Alief district the previous two seasons. Stepping into the quarterback role will be Jeff McVaney and look for McVaney to spread the ball out even more. Two of his top targets will be TE Todd Miller and WR Moses Ogbonnaya. On the defensive side, the Crusaders will strong in the backfield. John Stell and Charlie Beneke should be a pair of players that are expected to have a very big year. If the Crusaders can shore up the holes at the running game and control the clock, they will be in the middle of the playoff picture.
Jersey Village will be improved once again on the defensive side. DB Jacolby Reed and LB Jacob Long have plenty of speed and solid hands and should help the younder players make the smooth transition. If the Falcons can make some improvements in the offensive side of the ball, then look for David Snokhaus' squad to be a good contender. But they will be a spoiler in the district whether they are in the race or not. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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3951.2 |
1-9 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Josh Lewis |
5'9 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DE |
Greg Watkins |
6'4 |
185 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DB |
Randone Allen |
5'9 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Chris Rodriguez |
6'2 |
230 |
5.1 |
Sr |
TE |
Lonnie Teal |
6'2 |
225 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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3768.5 |
10-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Sam McGuffie |
5'10 |
170 |
4.4 |
Jr |
TE |
Brian Smith |
6'3 |
215 |
4.9 |
Sr |
OL |
Chris Gonzales |
6'1 |
215 |
5.4 |
Sr |
RB |
Oliver Galloway |
5'10 |
200 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Clayton Conroy |
5'10 |
200 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Travis Bradshaw |
6'0 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
LB |
Kevin Sandlin |
5'11 |
205 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DL |
Jonathan Buck |
6'0 |
220 |
5.0 |
Sr |
DB |
Michael Elliott |
5'10 |
172 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DB |
Jeremy Briggs |
5'11 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr` |
K |
Chris Patrick |
6'0 |
170 |
4.9 |
Jr |
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3449 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DB |
Curtis Jefferson |
5'11 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Josh Dean |
6'0 |
205 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Royce Hill |
6'0 |
715 |
4.5 |
Jr |
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3368.5 |
6-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Tyler Melton |
6'2 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Kelechi Osemele |
6'5 |
300 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Colton Leonard |
6'1 |
250 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Zack Saucier |
6'3 |
270 |
5.4 |
Sr |
WR |
Jimmy Adams |
6'0 |
200 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Ryan DeLaGarza |
6'5 |
200 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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|
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3350 |
9-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Roger Holland |
6'0 |
181 |
4.3 |
Sr |
LB |
Derek Stephens |
6'3 |
215 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Jack Freeman |
5'9 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
DE |
Stedmann Coleman |
6'2 |
251 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DL |
Jerrod Black |
6'0 |
255 |
4.9 |
Sr |
QB |
Jeff Welch |
5'11 |
195 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Geoff Dobbin |
5'10 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Brandon Hyslop |
6'5 |
270 |
5.4 |
Sr |
DB |
Jeremy Bibb |
5'11 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Austin Marrs |
6'2 |
274 |
5.3 |
Sr |
LB |
Anas Alqady |
5'10 |
205 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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3058 |
5-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DB |
Jacolby Reed |
6'0 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Desmond Marrs |
6'0 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Jacob Long |
6'0 |
195 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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2794 |
8-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DB |
Phillip Ofili |
6'0 |
190 |
4.4 |
Sr |
RB |
D.J. Harper |
5'9 |
175 |
4.4 |
Sr |
QB |
Bryan Smith |
5'10 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Brett Bockeloh |
6'5 |
250 |
5.0 |
Sr |
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1993 |
9-2 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
WR |
Moses Ogbonnaya |
5'9 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
QB/LB |
Jeff McVaney |
6'1 |
195 |
-- |
Jr |
TE |
Todd Miller |
6'1 |
185 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Charlie Beneke |
5'11 |
180 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
John Stell |
5'10 |
165 |
-- |
Sr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Cypress Falls |
2 |
Cypress Fairbanks |
3 |
Cypress Creek |
4 |
Cypress Springs |
5 |
Strake Jesuit |
6 |
Jersey Village |
7 |
Langham Creek |
8 |
Cypress Ridge |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Cypress Springs |
District MVP |
Roger Holland
Cypress Falls |
Offensive MVP |
Josh Lewis
Cypress Springs |
Defensive MVP |
Derek Stephens
Cypress Falls |
Diamond In The Rough |
D.J. Harper
Cypress Creek |
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| 2005 Records |
| Cypress Springs |
1-9 |
| Cypress Fair |
10-3 |
| Cypress Ridge |
3-7 |
| Langham Creek |
6-4 |
| Cypress Falls |
9-5 |
| Jersey Village |
5-5 |
| Cypress Creek |
8-4 |
| Strake Jesuit |
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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