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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The perception of the district outlook this season is not the competitive nature of what to expect, but what could possibly happen. It is a motivating factor from team to team each and every year. With that said, the last time Highland Park did not hold the outright or share of the district title was 1996. The question for most in the district and for Highland Park is, whether or not that streak can continue.
The West Mesquite Wranglers and Mesquite Poteet Pirates pulled one of the surprises of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex by making the playoffs with identical overall records last season. But it is the Wranglers that could very well see that success of last season carry over to bigger heights. The return of quarterback Kendall Thomas alongside an experienced offensive line should help the Wranglers find the holes in the other skill positions. Expected to take over in the backfield is Kenny Davis, who saw spot time last season. If Thomas can control the offense efficiently, look for the Wranglers to become a very big surprise. Defensively, the Wranglers will be strong in the linebacking core and in the defensive backs areas. Defensive back Jonathan McCray, who landed seven picks last season, is probably the best defensive player in the district.
Highland Park will be looking to add on to the magic that is the Scot tradition despite losing a bulk of talent and depth. The strength of the Scots this season and a tool they will need if they are going to continue to have success in district play is the offensive line. Both Blake Davis and Zach Boyd have Division I talent in the offensive trenches. If the duo can help the Scots with ample protection, the young skill position players may have a chance to find gold at the end of the rainbow. On the defensive side, the top player on the Scot roster should be junior Matt Bonano at defensive back. If the inexperienced defensive until can rise to the level, one of the longest active district title streaks may continue on for another year.
After struggling through a rough time trying to re-establish the success they had in Class 3A over the years, the Forney Jackrabbits may finally crack through the code that is the Class 4A playoff picture. The Jackrabbits have a load of potential and they have an offense and defense that has a shot to get really hot at any given moment in time. Last year's near miss of the playoffs should give this year's group plenty of motivation and desire to change the results. On the offensive side of the ball, quaterback Landon Hartwick will take the controls as a starter for the fourth and final season. If Hartwick can be effective and find his targets, then the senior could be looking for a shot to play on Saturdays really soon. Among his targets are Peter Smith at running back and Austin Williams at the wideout position. Look for Smith to be a much more effective rusher in 2007 if the offensive trenches can hold up to their end of the bargain. On the defensive side, the strength of the Jackrabbits will be on the linebacking and defensive backfield areas. But they do have solid talent on the line with Kenneth Parker. If Parker can help the rest of the troops stay focused, then the Jackrabbit defense may be one that becomes a sleeper in district play.
Looking on the outside in could be the Pearce Mustangs. After a coaching change, the Pearce program will be looking for answers on how to become more effective in a suddenly competitive district race. It is no secret that the Mustangs do have a load of receivers just waiting to to get their feet moving. WR Jordan Gush, Dishon Hughes and Brad Wegner are about as talented as they come but how they do with an inexperienced quarterback is the key to Pearce's success early in the year. The Mustangs will also have to find its identity on the defensive side of the ball. With a decent linebacking core, the transition to a new coaching style may take some work, but it is expected that the defense can and will improve.
Mesquite Poteet, among last year's big district surprises, will have some work to do in the 20007 calendar year if they plan to be around the top again. Offensively, the Pirates are very young in the skill areas. Plus, a change at quarterback with Andrew Maddox stepping in should give the Pirates a big challenge. Although there are no homerun heavy playmakers on the defensive, the defense will be the strength of this year's squad and must carry the load if Poteet is to make noise again this season.
Of all the teams in the district, the Terrell Tigers may be the most improved team out there. But will the Tigers have enough in the tank to make a surprising run? A new starting cast on offensive side with some solid receivers may help coach Peter Gee's squad find an identity. Once the Tigers find out what they are capable of accomplishing, the results on the scoreboard will improve in their favor.Look for Brashard Booker in the defensive backfield to have a break out season season. |
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1980 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
Jordan Gush |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Dishon Hughes |
6'2 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Brad Wegner |
6'3 |
185 |
--- |
Jr |
OL |
Travis White |
6'5 |
275 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Kane Kaualoku |
5'11 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Brian Motsenbacher |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
K/P |
Jacob Shackleford |
6'0 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
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1957.5 |
11-1 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
Seth Gardner |
6'4 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Blake Davis |
6'3 |
285 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Zach Boyd |
6'3 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
NG |
Jamie Nolan |
6'3 |
255 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Brett Martin |
5'10 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Matt Bonano |
5'11 |
165 |
--- |
Jr |
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1708 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Drew Hollingshead |
6'4 |
180 |
5.0 |
Jr |
RB |
Matt Tanner |
5'9 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Kendial Lawrence |
5'9 |
167 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OL |
Blake Gunderson |
6'2 |
280 |
5.2 |
Sr |
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1684.5 |
8-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
OL |
Will Foster |
6'2 |
265 |
--- |
Sr |
QB/DB |
Andrew Maddox |
5'10 |
162 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Chris Bibins |
5'9 |
165 |
--- |
Jr |
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1661 |
8-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Kendall Thomas |
5'9 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Jose Guzman |
5'11 |
240 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Josh Neal |
6'0 |
220 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Markeith Elder |
6'2 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Jonathan McCray |
5'11 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
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1427 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jeremy Fowler |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Jr |
WR/LB |
Kevin Heath |
5'5 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Bennielee Shelby |
6'3 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Justin Reeves |
6'0 |
260 |
--- |
Jr |
DE |
Jamaine Hamilton |
5'8 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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1262 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Landon Hartwick |
6'2 |
235 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Peter Smith |
5'6 |
165 |
--- |
Jr |
WR |
Austin Williams |
5'8 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Kenneth Parker |
6'3 |
245 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Justin Price |
5'9 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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1164 |
1-9 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Logan Smith |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
De'Noderick Dabney |
5'10 |
183 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/WR |
Wesley McCoy |
5'9 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Derek Kenedy |
6'3 |
178 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Chase Arradondo |
6'0 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Brashard Booker |
6'3 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
P |
J.D. Simmons |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Jr |
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| Forney Jackrabbits |
City Bank Stadium
800 FM 741 South
Forney, TX 75126 |
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 10,500 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Greenville Lions |
T.A. "Cotton" Ford Stadium
3515 Lions Lair Rd.
Greenville, TX 75401 |
Surface: Sport Turf
Capacity: 7,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Highland Park Scots |
Highlander Stadium
4233 Grassmere
Highland Park, TX 75205 |
Surface: Sport Turf
Capacity: 8,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Mesquite Poteet Pirates |
E.H. Hanby Stadium
410 E. Davis St.
Mesquite, TX 75149 |
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 11,950 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
Memorial Stadium
2411 W. Scyene Rd..
Mesquite, TX 75149 |
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 20,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Richardson Pearce Mustangs |
Eagle-Mustang Stadium
1250 W. Belt Line Rd.
Richardson, TX 75080 |
Surface: Safe Play
Capacity: 11,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Rockwall-Heath Hawks |
Wilkerson-Sanders Stadium
1435 T.L. Townsend Dr.
Rockwall, TX 75087 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 8,500 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Terrell Tigers |
Terrell Memorial Stadium
1300 West Moore Ave.
Terrell, TX 75160 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 7,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| West Mesquite Wranglers |
E.H. Hanby Stadium
410 E. Davis St.
Mesquite, TX 75149 |
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 11,950 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
Memorial Stadium
2411 W. Scyene Rd..
Mesquite, TX 75149 |
Surface: Field Turf
Capacity: 20,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
West Mesquite |
2 |
Highland Park |
3 |
Forney |
4 |
Rchrdsn Pearce |
5 |
Mesquite Poteet |
6 |
Terrell |
7 |
Greenville |
8 |
Rockwall-Heath |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Forney |
District MVP |
Kendall Thomas
West Mesquite |
Offensive MVP |
Landon Hartwick
Forney |
Defensive MVP
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Jonathan McCray
West Mesquite |
Diamond In The Rough |
Brashard Booker
Terrell |
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| 2006 Records |
| Rchrdsn Pearce |
5-5 |
| Highland Park |
11-1 |
| Rockwall-Heath |
2-8 |
| Mesquite Poteet |
8-3 |
| West Mesquite |
8-3 |
| Greenville |
3-7 |
| Forney |
5-5 |
| Terrell |
1-9 |
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| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
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