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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
For many observers outside the Greater Houston area, the single biggest misconception of the Katy/Alief district is that it is a one team district. While some of that sentiment may be true on a statewide level, it is far from the truth when it comes to the regional outlook. In fact, some of the area's best talent resides in this very district. With a slew of juniors, the Katy Tigers managed to make a big push into the state quarterfinals last season. Now in 2007, the Tigers are more battle-tested and ready to take the next step. And although, Cinco Ranch faces a reloading year of some sorts, could the Cougars make a solid run in the playoffs while outlasting some key programs on the rise this season?
The bottom line about the Katy Tigers is that this year's group has the potential to go well beyond the state quarterfinals. Offensively the Tigers bring back one of the state's top rushers in Aundre Dean. Dean in 2006 rushed for over 2,100 yards while scoring 27 touchdowns and is an early commit to UCLA. Under the wings with Dean in the backfield is junior Michael Webber. Rice commit Eric Bell is expected to be the key leader in the trenches. On the defensive side, Katy in 2006 allowed just under 96 yards passing per game. A lot of the contributions came from DB Trent Hunter and Terrance Henry out of the backfield and Brad Graham in the linebacking core. Junior LB Ryan Williams could be a star in the mnaking at Katy if he is utilized correctly and steps up his game.
Second in the district will come down to either Cinco Ranch or Alief Elsik. Last season while Elsik struggled out of the gate with a relatively young squad, the Cinco Ranch Cougars, with superior talent and depth, flourished in the limelight and finished second behind Katy in district play. In 2007 the Cougars will be looking to repeat a similar theme despite losing all but two starters off last season's 11-2 squad. Both returning starters on the roster are defensive players John Gioffre and Will Morris. Gioffre could pan out to be the district's top defensive player if he can step up his production and be a key leader for the younger players. Will Morris is a player that could also find his way on to the golden road of college recruiting if he works hard enough. But Morris has already displayed a hard-nose brand of football in Cougar camp. Offensively, Shane Ros takes over for J.J. McDermott as QB1 while T.J. Cardone steps in to be the top target out of the air raid. The bottom line for Cinco Ranch and the difference between second place and third place is the developement of the offensive and defensive lines.
The Elsik Rams could find itself in a similar role to that of the Cinco Ranch Cougars last season. A wealth of talent, experience and depth. This year's team includes not one but two Top 200 players on the roster and both will be top contributors on the offensive side of the ball. Out of the backfield, look for multi-threat rusher Jeremy Hills to head for a season that sees significant improvement over last season's 1,400+ yard rushing performance. Hills, an early Texas commit, will be joined by quarterback Charles Jones and wideout William Randle. Up front the second of two Gold star prospects, Emmanuel Aluko, will be counted on to help lift the spirits and play of the offensive front. Under Aluko's eye, will be junior Emone Bailey, who could be another top star recruit in the making. The defense, led by LB Chris Jackson and DE Emone Bailey, will be asked to play a sinificant role and one that sees them learn from last season's struggles. If the defense improves, expect Elsik top put a decent fight for second and possibly first with Katy.
Boston College commit Donte Elliott will be leading the charge for Alief Taylor against Hastings and Katy Taylor for the fourth and final playoff spot. And although the Lions and Elliott have a brand new head coach, do not expect much to change from this squad. Elliott's top target should be WR David Chapman, who will be looking to find football's promised land a lot more than he did in 2006. Defensively, look for DeAndre Thompson, Chris Mitchell and rising sophomore star DeAires Cotton to bring the Lions more respect.
Hastings, like that of Elsik and Katy, has a Top 200 player on their roster. This one is defensive tackle Ray Kibble. Kibble and the Bears defense will be strength of Greg Alexander's squad. Jeremiah Coffman and Darrelle Raven will be looked upon to man the backfield as LB David Christmas and DT Jonathan Johnson help Kibble up front. RB Saheed Imoru and QB Jhvauaghn Forde are expected to carry the load offensive as the Bears adjust to a new offense.
Kay Taylor, another school in the district with a new coach, will have plenty of work to do with a significant loss of its roster to graduation this past offseason. The offensive line with Michael Bergmann and Ryan Evans will be strength of a young Mustang squad. If the younger players make the proper adjustment and learn John Campbell's system quickly, look for Cullen Pabody to be very productive and the Mustangs to pull a few surprises. |
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4376 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
DT |
Ray Kibble |
6'4 |
322 |
5.2 |
Sr |
DT |
Jonathan Johnson |
6'3 |
265 |
5.2 |
Jr |
RB |
Saheed Imoru |
5'11 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Darrelle Raven |
6'1 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Jeremiah Coffman |
5'10 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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4153.6 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Charles Jones |
6'0 |
200 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
Jeremy Hills |
6'0 |
190 |
4.4 |
Sr |
OL |
Emmanuel Aluko |
6'3 |
275 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OT |
Emone Bailey |
6'3 |
300 |
5.2 |
Jr |
K |
Emmanuel Frias |
5'10 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DE |
Chris Asumnu |
6'1 |
260 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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3253 |
11-2 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Shane Ros |
5'10 |
185 |
4.5 |
Jr |
WR |
T.J. Cardone |
5'10 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DL |
John Gioffre |
6'1 |
280 |
5.1 |
Sr |
LB |
Andy Thomas |
5'11 |
195 |
4.6 |
Jr |
DB |
Will Morris |
6'2 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
P |
Carson Beard |
6'1 |
185 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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2801 |
5-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Cullen Pabody |
5'9 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Michael Bergman |
6'5 |
342 |
--- |
Sr |
C |
Ryan Evans |
6'1 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Parker Stevens |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
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2789 |
13-1 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Bo Levi Mitchell |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Aundre Dean |
6'1 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Michael Webber |
5'7 |
195 |
--- |
Jr |
TE |
Markham Slayton |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Eric Bell |
6'3 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Nathan Bryan |
6'1 |
290 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Ryan Williams |
6'0 |
210 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Brad Graham |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Trent Hunter |
5'10 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Terrance Henry |
5'11 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
K/P |
Ryan Doerr |
6'2 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
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2702 |
1-9 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Will Hamlin |
6'3 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
T.J. Keys |
5'8 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Jowyn Ward |
6'2 |
265 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Chase Hooper |
6'2 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Justin Roberson |
5'9 |
190 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Chris West |
5'7 |
160 |
--- |
Jr |
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2588.5 |
6-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
C |
Andrew Krutsinger |
6'3 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
QB/RB |
Donte Elliott |
6'1 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
David Chapman |
6'2 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
De'Aires Cotton |
6'3 |
275 |
--- |
So |
LB |
Chris Mitchell |
6'2 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
DeAndre Thompson |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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2476.5 |
0-10 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Matt Bumer |
6'3 |
215 |
4.6 |
Sr |
QB |
Joe Mitchell |
6'2 |
180 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB/DB |
Michael Venson |
5'11 |
170 |
4.5 |
Jr |
OT |
Daniel Hopkinson |
6'3 |
275 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Daniel Revier |
6'3 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Ryan Metcalf |
6'0 |
180 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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| Alief Elsik Rams |
Crump Stadium
4214 Cook
Houston, TX 77072 |
Surface: AstroTurf 12
Capacity: 8,400 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Alief Hastings Bears |
Crump Stadium
4214 Cook
Houston, TX 77072 |
Surface: AstroTurf 12
Capacity: 8,400 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Alief Taylor Lions |
Crump Stadium
4214 Cook
Houston, TX 77072 |
Surface: AstroTurf 12
Capacity: 8,400 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Katy Tigers |
Jack Rhodes Mem. Stadium
1733 Katy Fort Bend
Katy, TX 77493 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 9,768 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Katy Cinco Ranch Cougars |
Jack Rhodes Mem. Stadium
1733 Katy Fort Bend
Katy, TX 77493 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 9,768 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Katy Mayde Creek Rams |
Jack Rhodes Mem. Stadium
1733 Katy Fort Bend
Katy, TX 77493 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 9,768 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Katy Morton Ranch Mavericks |
Jack Rhodes Mem. Stadium
1733 Katy Fort Bend
Katy, TX 77493 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 9,768 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Katy Taylor Mustangs |
Jack Rhodes Mem. Stadium
1733 Katy Fort Bend
Katy, TX 77493 |
Surface: AstroPlay
Capacity: 9,768 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Katy |
2 |
Katy Cinco Ranch |
3 |
Alief Elsik |
4 |
Alief Taylor |
5 |
Alief Hastings |
6 |
Katy Taylor |
7 |
Katy Mayde Creek |
8 |
Morton Ranch |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Alief Elsik |
District MVP |
Aundre Dean
Katy |
Offensive MVP |
Jeremy Hills
Alief Elsik |
Defensive MVP
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John Gioffre
Katy Cinco Ranch |
Diamond In The Rough |
Donte Elliott
Alief Taylor |
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| 2006 Records |
| Alief Hastings |
4-6 |
| Alief Elsik |
3-7 |
| Cinco Ranch |
11-2 |
| Katy Taylor |
5-6 |
| Katy |
13-1 |
| Mayde Creek |
1-9 |
| Alief Taylor |
6-5 |
| Morton Ranch |
0-10 |
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| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
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