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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
As wild and crazy as it seems, this particular district is quite possibly the toughest and most competitively balanced in the entire state from top to bottom. All eight teams in the district have a legitimate chance to either pull some upsets, become a surprise sleeper or simply get into the playoff picture. The bottom line is, all eight teams in the district are legitimate playoff quality teams. With that said, it could be a very crazy and unpredictable season ahead where almost anything is possible in this district. Every team is either one big play from making a name for itself or one freak injury away from dramaticallty altering the landscape of the entire race.
The district favorite, if there is one in this district, has to be the Leander Lions to start out with. Despite entering the season with a new quarterback, the offense should be just as dangerous as it was last year. The top returning rusher is Reggie Hodges. Hodges will be counting on a strong offensive line to help increase his production and give the new skill players some much needed support. But it will be the defense that headlines the Lion season in 2007. The return of Texas commit Blake Gideon in the backfield alongside LB Frank Rodriguez and CB Dion McKinley should give the Lions a boost and reason to be optimistic about defening their district championship crown.
Westwood has one of the most promising teams to look out for as they bring in a solid group of youth, experience and talent. Depth in the defensive backfield is one of Westwood's key components to the season but be on the look out for the Warrior offensive line. Trevor Marongelli and Spencer Koch are two of the district's most talented linemen. If the duo can play a solid role in leadership and help the younger guys be successful, the rest of the of offense in the skill areas may follow suit. And if players such as LB Chase Griesbach and QB Tyler Grabarkewitz can raise the level of their game as juniors, Westwood could be a very big sleeper in the district and regional playoff picture.
Another team with plenty to say on the outcome of the district is the Mavericks of McNeil. The positives of the Mavericks heading into the season is that a majority of the defense returns. Among the returning defensive players is Texas commit Aaron Williams out of the backfield. Alongside Williams will be Will Kelly, who is also proven to be one of the top defensive talents in the district. The key to McNeil's success will be up front. If the new guys on the trenches on both sides of the ball can become a key asset to the results on the scoreboard in a positive manner, the Mavericks could be a much better team than many will be willing to see on a sheet of paper. Offensively, quarterback Jake Fenske has already shown he can play with the best of them in terms of talent, now its his turn to show the offense, with a lot of depth at wide receiver can be a solid and legitimate threat at the top of the district's already crowded food chain.
Cedar Park is one of those teams that continues to baffle and surprise many in terms of their success in recent years. A perfect way to describe the Timberwolves over the last couple years is sort of like the story of the little engine that could. With good fundamentals in place on both sides, Chris Ross and company have been able to produce some solid talent. On the offensive side, the T-Wolves have one of the more promising rushers of the next two years coming through the wood works in junior Dedrick McNight. McNight will also have some experience to help him make the full time adjustment with quarterback Michael Cochran and rusher Hunter Dixon. Like McNight, Cochran served last season in a part-time status on first team offense. It could be however, the continued success of the defense that gets this squad right back into the playoff picture. Look for DB Matt Knicky, DE Michael Damron and LB Austin Minor to assume the leadership of the defense and have a break out season.
In terms of have plenty of off-season success, look no further than the Eagles of Georgetown. After winning the state's annual seven on seven passing/touch football title and reaching the semi-finals of the national select passing and touch football seven on seven tournament, the Eagles will be looking to carry over that momentum to the regular eleven man football game. But how much of the seven on seven experience will carry over to the fall will be interesting to see. The Eagles, like seven other teams in the district are capable of making a deep playoff run and winning the district title. One of the summer's bggest success stories in Morgan Mickan will be back in the controls of the offense. Mickan will be looking to rusher Justin Jacobs and a virtually new offensive line to help guide their way on to the scoreboard. But for Georgetown, it will be the defense that is the story of whether this team is a contender or pretender. With plenty of talent and depth in the defensive skill areas, the question mark, as it is on offense, will be in the trenches. If the Eagle lines can work as a cohesive unit and produce, then this squad has unlimited potential.
The team that stunned virtually the entire state of Texas with their upset of Lufkin in the second last season, is also looking to make their way back to the playoffs. For Lanny Wilson and company, recuilding the offense will be a key in whether or not the Dragons return to the playoffs. One of the thing the Dragons do have in their favor offensively is the return of rusher Marcus Jackson. Jackson's prescence will actually help the offense transition a lot more than most will be led to believe. But as it was late in the season last year, it was the defense that was the headline of the Dragon run. That defense returns roughly half of their starters including DT Donovan Wiggins and DB Zach Pate. Wiggins and Pate are expected to be very productive and aggressive in their play and the rest of the defense follows their lead, there is no reason this squad cannot return to last season's form.
Of all the teams in the district, the Pflugerville Panthers could be the most dangerous and most experienced team in the race. But as most in the district know, this particular district is not your average district. The Panthers do have the potential to either run away and win the district title or be right in the mix of a crowded house heading for the exits. Zavier Gooden and Greg Nwoko are two of the most talented rushers in the entre region and how they go so goes the Panther season. As long as the front lines does it job, Pflugerville will figure to be right in the middle of the district race. Gooden as also a very talented defensive player and he will be joined by LB Logan Robichau as the leaders of this very hungry and upset defense. Last season's disapointing finish left a really sour taste in the mouth of the defense and brand new drink of motivation and aggression could be the keys to their success.
Last but not least, there is the Tigers of Stony Point. After a year in Craig Chessher's system and with a promising set of young players, the Tigers just may be the surpise of the season if the dominoes fall in the right order. A strong rusher in Ryan Nunn will be looking for a line to guide him into some positive holes. If the trenches are ready and can control what comes into their area, there is no reason Stony Point cannot be a contender in what could be one of the craziest district races in recent memory. |
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2957.9 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Ryan Nunn |
5'7 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Courtland Cepak |
6'4 |
305 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Felix Odigibor |
6'2 |
252 |
--- |
Sr |
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2699 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Morgan Mickan |
6'1 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Steve Miller |
5'9 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
LB/P |
Rees Crosby |
5'11 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Maina Musa |
5'11 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
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2581 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jake Fenske |
6'4 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Adrian Smith |
6'0 |
215 |
--- |
So |
WR |
Derek Litteral |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Chris Tyrone |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Aaron Williams |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Will Kelly |
6'0 |
172 |
--- |
Sr |
K |
Barrett Philen |
6'1 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
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2536.5 |
9-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Tyler Grabarkewitz |
6'3 |
180 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB |
Princeton Collins |
6'0 |
185 |
4.5 |
So |
WR |
Phillip Roush |
6'1 |
178 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Trevor Marrongelli |
6'4 |
290 |
5.2 |
Sr |
C |
Spencer Koch |
6'2 |
225 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Chase Griesbach |
6'1 |
195 |
4.6 |
Jr |
DB |
Brennan Medford |
6'1 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Tanner Hogue |
6'0 |
178 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DB |
Nathan Ostrout |
5'9 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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2239 |
9-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Josh Elander |
6'0 |
195 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Marcus Jackson |
5'11 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
TE |
Andre Taylor |
6'5 |
215 |
--- |
Jr |
TE |
Reid Nicholas |
6'1 |
225 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Donovan Wiggins |
6'1 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Zach Pate |
5'9 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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2154 |
9-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Michael Cochran |
6'3 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Dedrick McNight |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Hunter Dixon |
5'9 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Jaime Knight |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Michael Damron |
6'2 |
225 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Austin Minor |
6'1 |
200 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Matt Knicky |
6'1 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Brandon Lopez |
6'1 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
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2043.5 |
10-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Reggie Hodges |
5'9 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Lafon Clark |
6'2 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Josh Connally |
5'10 |
245 |
--- |
Sr |
C |
Anthony Rodriguez |
5'11 |
235 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
David Delaware |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Frank Rodriguez |
5'9 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Travis Sugar |
5'11 |
215 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Dion McKinley |
5'9 |
160 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Blake Gideon |
6'0 |
187 |
--- |
Sr |
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2028.5 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Brandon Wilson |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Greg Nwoko |
6'2 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Zavier Gooden |
6'2 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Alex Okafor |
6'4 |
220 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Logan Robichau |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Justin Sorrell |
5'10 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
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| Cedar Park Timberwolves |
Bible Memorial Stadium
3301 South Bagdad Rd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613 |
Surface: Astro Turf
Capacity: 14,800 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Georgetown Eagles |
Eagle Field
2211 North Austin Ave.
Georgetown, TX 78626 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 6,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Leander Lions |
Bible Memorial Stadium
3301 South Bagdad Rd.
Cedar Park, TX 78613 |
Surface: Astro Turf
Capacity: 14,800 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Pflugerville Panthers |
Kuempel Stadium
1301 West Pecan
Pflugerville, TX 78660 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 7,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Round Rock Dragons |
Dragon Stadium
230 North Lake Creek Dr.
Round Rock, TX 78681 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 8,800 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Round Rock McNeil Mavericks |
Round Rock ISD Stadium
10211 West Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78717 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 11,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Round Rock Stony Point Tigers |
Dragon Stadium
230 North Lake Creek Dr.
Round Rock, TX 78681 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 8,800 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Round Rock Westwood Warriors |
Round Rock ISD Stadium
10211 West Parmer Lane
Austin, TX 78717 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 11,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Leander |
2 |
RR Westwood |
3 |
RR McNeil |
4 |
Cedar Park |
5 |
Georgetown |
6 |
Round Rock |
7 |
Pflugerville |
8 |
RR Stony Point |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
RR Westwood |
District MVP |
Aaron Williams
RR McNeil |
Offensive MVP |
Morgan Mickan
Georgetown |
Defensive MVP
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Blake Gideon
Leander |
Diamond In The Rough |
Jake Fenske
RR McNeil |
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| 2006 Records |
| RR Stony Point |
3-7 |
| Georgetown |
5-5 |
| RR McNeil |
4-6 |
| RR Westwood |
9-3 |
| Round Rock |
9-4 |
| Cedar Park |
9-3 |
| Leander |
10-3 |
| Pflugerville |
3-7 |
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| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
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| Preview Sponsor |
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