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| District 19-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Spring Branch-Aldine district is one of those districts that suddenly become a very competitive and interesting district. Up at the top, you can expect the Stratford Spartans and Memorial Mustangs battling it out for the top spot. Not far behind will be Eisenhower, Nimitz and Aldine. The extra playoff spit gives the declining Aldine power source brand new life and hope to make a solid playoff push. MacArthur should also factor into the picture before its all said and done.
The Houston Stratford Spartans should rise from the district pile as one of the key favorites in the district race. The return of top prospect Andrew Luck at quarterback gives an already experienced and talented offense even more optimism heading into the 2006 season. Luck finished off his sophomore campaign with 1,530 yards passing while Brandon Carlin found his way towards 1,158 yards on the ground. Luck and Carlin should be even more dangerous with several key offensive linemen back including Hunter Jeffries, Mike Swearingin and Greg Bowers. On the defensive side, the Spartans will be counting on Jake Huggins at linebacker to help guide the younger players into position to make plenty of noise. Look for DE Jimmy Burge to have a breakout season as a junior.
The Memorial Mustangs have enjoyed success at the top of the district ladder the last couple years, but the question for these Mustangs will be whether or not they can repeat as the district champion again. Overall, the Mustangs will be weaker and inexperienced in several areas. Losing 70 lettermen off the 2005 squad should be a big measuring stick to the Mustangs ability to repeat as district champions and rebuild with effectiveness. One of their stars returning is RB/DB Ben Harper, who is expected to start on both sides. Harper in 2005 compiled 450 yards rushing and four touchdowns. Expect Harper's number to go up and become the centerpiece for a rebuilding Mustang roster. On the defense, Tyler Maddox and Tyler Hoffman should be the ones to carry the load.
Third and four place should come between Aldine, Eisenhower and Nimitz. Despite finishing 2005 with a 3-7 record, the Eisenhower Eagles have a lot to look forward to in 2006. After spending a year learning the system, the returnees should have grasp on what to expect and how to win. Melvin Thomas and Tyrell Gaddies will be the two players to watch on this Eagles squad. With both being two-way players, the younger Eagles will know who to turn to for guidance on the field. Gaddies will have something to prove as he will be playing his first full season since Hurricane Katrina sent him packing west to the Aldine area.
Nimitz will be in rebuilding mode after making the playoffs last season. But a pair of returning running backs very well should ease the transition for a young quarterback and offensive line. The running game will not be the only attraction in town for the Cougars. Expect Micahael Thomas and Trent Bottlley to get plenty of touches from sophomore Zerrick Rollins. On the defensive side, Vondrick Powers will become the leader and expects to see his playmaking production improve a great deal.
Aldine comes into 2006 with perhaps a very stingy defense that includes star defensive back Curtis Thomas. But Thomas isn't the only player expected to contibute in a major way. Look for Terrance Garrett and Kevin Ayers to give the Mustangs a chance at improving and making the playoffs. On the offensive side, watch for Terry McGowen and Darron Thomas to connect a number of times and be very creative.
After making the playoffs in 2005, the MacArthur Generals will looking to replace its core linebackers and build on an experienced offense. LB Hallston Higgins will likely see his role become very intriguing and his numbers go way up after filling the shoes left by Alexander Johnson and Felton McWhorter. Offensively, the Generals will bring back Anthony Conner and William Green after a season that saw the duo combine for 1,800+ yards on the ground. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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3555 |
3-7 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/DB |
Melvin Thomas |
5'11 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
TE/DE |
Tyrell Gaddies |
6'2 |
230 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Reggie Rice |
6'0 |
219 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Deon Senegal |
6'0 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DB |
Ahkeen Starks |
6'2 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Craig Loston |
6'1 |
170 |
4.5 |
So |
|
|
 |
3460.5 |
7-4 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Reginald Hale |
5'8 |
165 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB |
Brandon Callagin |
5'10 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Trentel Bottley |
6'1 |
180 |
4.4 |
Sr |
WR |
Michael Thomas |
5'9 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB |
Vondrick Powers |
6'1 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
QB |
Zerrick Rollins |
6'1 |
170 |
4.6 |
So |
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3272 |
4-6 |
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|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
DB |
Curtis Thomas |
6'1 |
190 |
4.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Terrance Garrett |
6'2 |
220 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Kevin Ayers |
6'1 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Terry McGowan |
5'10 |
175 |
4.4 |
Sr |
DE |
Jamail Ricard |
6'2 |
225 |
4.9 |
Sr |
OL |
Daniel Campbell |
6'6 |
330 |
5.4 |
Jr |
QB |
Darron Thomas |
6'2 |
170 |
-- |
Jr |
RB |
Otis Wiley |
5'4 |
170 |
-- |
Jr |
OL |
Rodger DeAvila |
6'2 |
280 |
-- |
Sr |
TE |
Joseph Tristan |
6'2 |
230 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Jermain Broadnax |
5'9 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
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3255 |
8-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Anthony Conner |
5'9 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
William Green |
5'8 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
LB/FB |
Hallston Higgins |
5'11 |
195 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Glen Fulcher |
5'10 |
210 |
5.0 |
Sr |
OL |
Marcel Humphrey |
6'0 |
205 |
5.1 |
Sr |
WR |
Wesley Armstrong |
6'2 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Shawn Eady |
5'10 |
135 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Joenathan Washington |
6'2 |
195 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DE |
Joseph Nailor |
6'2 |
205 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DB |
Javis McQueen |
5'7 |
140 |
4.6 |
Jr |
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2322 |
7-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
TE |
Trent Hoffman |
6'2 |
235 |
4.9 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Ben Harper |
5'10 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Tyler Maddox |
5'11 |
181 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DE |
Shane Barron |
6'5 |
220 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DL |
Tyler Hoffman |
6'2 |
285 |
5.0 |
Sr |
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|
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2264 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Marcus Mendoza |
5'10 |
175 |
4.4 |
Sr |
RB |
Mike Jones |
5'10 |
195 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DE |
Kevin Brothers |
6'3 |
220 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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|
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2187 |
0-10 |
|
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
RB |
Derrick Rainey |
6'0 |
160 |
4.6 |
So |
OL |
Franco Montoya |
6'1 |
295 |
5.9 |
Sr |
DE |
Johnathan Rainey |
6'2 |
220 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Dillard Love |
6'0 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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|
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2122 |
5-5 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB/P |
Andrew Luck |
6'4 |
190 |
4.7 |
Jr |
RB |
Brandon Carlin |
5'8 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
John Sorsby |
6'0 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Hunter Jeffries |
5'11 |
245 |
5.3 |
Sr |
LB |
Jake Huggins |
6'0 |
200 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DE |
Jimmy Burge |
6'2 |
275 |
5.4 |
Jr |
OL |
Mike Swearingin |
5'11 |
310 |
5.7 |
Jr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Houston Stratford |
2 |
Houston Memorial |
3 |
Aldine Eisenhower |
4 |
Aldine Nimitz |
5 |
Aldine |
6 |
Aldine MacArthur |
7 |
Hou. Spring Woods |
8 |
Hou. Northbrook |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Aldine |
District MVP |
Andrew Luck
Houston Stratford |
Offensive MVP |
Brandon Carlin
Houston Stratford |
Defensive MVP |
Curtis Thomas
Aldine |
Diamond In The Rough |
Hallston Higgins
Aldine MacArthur |
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| 2005 Records |
| Eisenhower |
3-7 |
| Nimitz |
7-4 |
| Aldine |
4-6 |
| MacArthur |
8-3 |
| Hou. Memorial |
7-4 |
| Spring Woods |
2-8 |
| Northbrook |
0-10 |
| Hou. Stratford |
5-5 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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