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| District 9-5A Preview |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
With the Plano schools plus Allen moving from one region to the next and joining the Richardson schools on top of Wylie moving up to 5A from Class 4A, the competitive balance of the schools assigned to the district just found its way to be just that. A lot more competitive. With last year's success of Richardson Berkner, Plano, Plano East, Allen and Wylie, the question of the district race will be whether or not the same teams can repeat the same performance that they accomplished last year and take it a step further.
Three teams are legitimately expected to contend for the district title this season and another pair of teams are expected to make a run at the district's fourth and final playoff spot. With some teams losing their fair share of players and others reloading in the process, it could make for an exciting season ahead. Not to mention, the arrival of Patrick Witt and a coaching change at Wylie and Lake Highlands should further make the district even more unpredictable.
Plano, one of the teams expected to be one of those at the top of the district, will once again be looking to show the world that the Wildcats of old are here to stay for another year. Although the Wildcats lost a large crop of of players to graduation, they still have plenty of solid players left over from last year. Moving into the quarterback spot to replace Mark Sfikas will be Greg Harrell, who will be making the switch from wide receiver. The Wildcats also lost stud running back Justin Jordan, who will be replaced by back up Derrick Henderson. The offensive line, which was the building blocks of the Wildcats rushing attack and success, will be returning Carlos Cuevas, Owen Reese and Mbato Nkwocha. Defensively, the Wildcats only return one starter from last season's squad but the Wildcats won't be far away from having the necessary championship feel and experience any contender needs. Look for DB and all-purpose player Rex Burkhead and LB Noah Wooten to havve the motivation to keep the Wildcats in the running for a district title.
The team that is possibly the favorite to win the district title or be right at the top near the end is Plano East. The Panthers return six on both sides of the ball including a player many would consider as the top linebacker prospect in the state of Texas in Keenan Robinson. Last season Robinson gobbled up 105 total tackles including six for loss. The UT commit, who earn first team All-District honors last season, will be joined by Kris Ankenbauer in the linebacking core and a very touch and quick Zach Skelton on the line. Ankenbauer is also a key rusher in the Panthers offense. Joining him will be multi-threat rusher Chris Slater, who can run, block, catch and return kicks. Taking over at quarterback will be last year's JV starter Riko Smalls.
Richardson Berkner, like that of Plano, enjoyed similar regular season success before taking their only loss deep in the playoffs. Gone are Ugo Chinasa and Calvin Rubles, but the Rams still have last year's 10-5A MVP at quarterback in Justin Johnson. Also back are OL Josh LeRibeus, TE/DE Kramer Lucio and DL Adrian Campbell. QB Justin Johnson rushed for over 1,100 yards as a sophomore and then rushed for 1,558 yards last season as a junior. Aside from being the team's star quarterback, he will also be the kick and punt returner as well as see action at linebacker and defensive back. RB Josh Johnson, brother of QB Justin, will be entering his junior season after picking up 1,500 yards last season. The Rams will be counting on Josh LeRibeus, Heath Jones, Brad Boese and Tony Mendoza to help get the Rams back into string position to win another district title and maintain a strong prescence in the rushing department. What cannot be ignored with the Rams is their strong defensive game. With Kramer Lucio, Adrian Campbell and Glenn Logan as the key leaders of a defense that returns only two starters, the transition may rock the foundation early, but expect this group to become a major force to be reckoned with.
The Allen Eagles return their top rusher and passer from a year ago but lose their top tackler and defensive player to graduation. And if last season's offensive production was any sign that these Eagles intend to be at the top of the district once again, the signs point to that being correctly observed. Last season, Nathan Dick threw for 1,216 yards with seven touchdown passes and only four interceptions. On the rushing part of the offensive counter, RB Charles Opeseyitan grabbed a dozen touchdowns and 1,116 yards. Look for the Eagles to add yet another threat with WR Coby Jones, WR Dan Buckner and RB Matt Morrison. Defensively, the Eagles will be looking for a new leader. DB Cody Gambill, DL Tyler Crane and Chris Jagger are expected to fill the role left by Jeremy Griggs.
Plano West, Lake Highlands and Wylie will all be looking to capitalize on the mistakes and weaknesses of the top four district front runners. Plano West returns a potent passer in Bryce Merkling, who threw for almost 1,800 yards in 2005. And its possible that Merkling could enjoy similar success with an experienced line which includes Ben Bass, John Kelly and J.J. Johnson. Bass, who is a two way starter, will also be looking for make a big impact as the defensive end. He will be joined by LB Austin Shirley.
The Wylie Pirates who enjoyed success last season with a 10-4 record, will be making its debut this season in Class 5A , with not only a brand new team, but a brand new head coach and a highly-recruited quarterback transfer. The only starter back from last year's squad, is fittingly a wide receiver who will be the top target for new Pirate quarterback Patrick Witt. Tyler O'Quin last season racked up almost 900 yards through the air with nine touchdown receptions. Last season's back-up running back, Mallory Woodal will be getting the nod in the backfield, but he is not stranger to game action as he picked up 500 yards alone. Defensively, look for DL Polo Kilman and DB Kyle Kirkland to help build up a very inexperienced defense. If new coach Bill Howard can help the Pirates build a solid defense and offensive line, not only could this group play major spoiler role in the district race, but they could very well find themselves in a playoff race late in the year.
Although a playoff team last season, questions surrounding Lake Highlands has already begun to surface as Jerry Gayden left the team well into mid summer. The big mystery for the WIldcats is whether this squad will be able to make the proper adjustments at the top while fielding a very competitive squad which includes QB Daniel Miller and RB D.J. Monroe. If the Wildcats can answer the call, then there is no limit to what this squad will be capable of. |
| Key Players & Team Information |
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5652 |
6-6 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
LB |
Keenan Robinson |
6'3 |
215 |
4.55 |
Sr |
RB |
Chris Slater |
6'0 |
180 |
4.37 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Kris Ankenbauer |
5'10 |
180 |
4.45 |
Sr |
DL |
Zach Skelton |
6'2 |
230 |
4.9 |
Sr |
QB |
Riko Smalls |
5'11 |
175 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OL |
Louis Finner |
6'3 |
280 |
5.3 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Tobin Opurum |
6'1 |
200 |
4.7 |
So |
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5122 |
13-1 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Carlos Cuevas |
6'2 |
315 |
-- |
Sr |
QB |
Greg Harrell |
6'4 |
200 |
-- |
Sr |
RB |
Derrick Henderson |
5'8 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Owen Reese |
6'1 |
275 |
-- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Tex McCullough |
5'8 |
170 |
-- |
Sr |
TE/DL |
Ryan Elbel |
6'1 |
250 |
-- |
Sr |
TE/LB |
Noah Wooten |
5'11 |
190 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
Mbato Nkwocha |
6'2 |
280 |
-- |
Sr |
AP |
Rex Burkhead |
5'10 |
185 |
-- |
So |
OL/DL |
Wes Perryman |
5'11 |
280 |
-- |
Jr |
DE |
Kyle Coston |
6'1 |
195 |
-- |
Sr |
|
|
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4629.5 |
9-3 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Nathan Dick |
6'4 |
200 |
-- |
Sr |
RB |
Matt Morrison |
5'8 |
195 |
-- |
Sr |
RB |
Charles Opeseyitan |
5'9 |
200 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
Tyler Crane |
6'2 |
215 |
-- |
Sr |
DE |
James Taylor |
6'3 |
230 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
David Hong |
6'2 |
275 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Travis Pickup |
6'0 |
190 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Cody Gambill |
5'10 |
180 |
-- |
Sr |
WR |
Dan Buckner |
6'4 |
190 |
-- |
Jr |
WR |
Coby Jones |
5'10 |
175 |
-- |
Jr |
DL |
Chris Jagger |
6'0 |
230 |
-- |
Sr |
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4156.5 |
6-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Bryce Merkling |
6'3 |
200 |
-- |
Sr |
OL/DE |
Ben Bass |
6'5 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
John Kelly |
6'4 |
290 |
-- |
Sr |
OL |
J.J. Johnson |
6'3 |
260 |
-- |
Sr |
LB |
Austin Shirley |
5'10 |
190 |
-- |
Sr |
DB |
Sean Sweeney |
5'10 |
175 |
-- |
Jr |
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3387.5 |
8-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Daniel Miller |
6'1 |
195 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
D.J. Monroe |
5'10 |
190 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
James Chisum |
6'1 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Rodney Bradley |
6'1 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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2915 |
12-1 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Justin Johnson |
6'1 |
210 |
4.5 |
Sr |
FB |
Josh Johnson |
5'10 |
185 |
4.7 |
Jr |
OL |
Josh LeRibeus |
6'4 |
303 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
Tony Mendoza |
6'2 |
268 |
5.0 |
So |
TE/DE |
Kramer Lucio |
6'5 |
240 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DL |
Adrian Campbell |
6'5 |
243 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DL |
Steven Parkley |
5'10 |
232 |
4.8 |
Jr |
LB |
Jock Payten |
6'0 |
185 |
4.7 |
Jr |
DB |
Cory White |
5'10 |
175 |
4.6 |
So |
DB |
Eric Redman |
6'2 |
182 |
4.5 |
Jr |
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2247.5 |
10-4 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
QB |
Patrick Witt |
6'4 |
220 |
4.9 |
Sr |
WR |
Tyler O'Quin |
6'0 |
185 |
4.4 |
Sr |
RB |
Mallory Wodal |
5'7 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
DT |
Polo Kilman |
6'2 |
240 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DB |
Kyle Kirkland |
5'10 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
WR |
Chris Givens |
6'0 |
185 |
4.4 |
Jr |
DT |
Nikita Whitlock |
5'11 |
225 |
4.8 |
So |
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2186.5 |
2-8 |
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Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
OL |
Cameron Harmon |
6'3 |
271 |
5.8 |
Sr |
QB |
Josh Minde |
6'0 |
220 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Chris Beasley |
5'7 |
160 |
4.6 |
Jr |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Plano East |
2 |
Berkner |
3 |
Plano |
4 |
Allen |
5 |
Plano West |
6 |
Wylie |
7 |
Lake Highlands |
8 |
Richardson |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Allen |
District MVP |
Justin Johnson
Richardson Berkner |
Offensive MVP |
Nathan Dick
Allen |
Defensive MVP |
Keenan Robinson
Plano East |
Diamond In The Rough |
Tyler O'Quin
Wylie |
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| 2005 Records |
| Plano East |
6-6 |
| Plano |
13-1 |
| Allen |
9-3 |
| Plano West |
6-4 |
| Lake Highlands |
8-4 |
| Rchrdsn Berkner |
12-1 |
| Wylie |
10-4 |
| Richardson |
2-8 |
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| Recruiting Key |
| THSF Top 200 Player |
| Top '07 Prospect |
| Top '08 Prospect |
| Top '09 Prospect |
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