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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Giddings Buffaloes not only appear to be the overwhelming favorite in this district, they also appear to be the darkhorse choice to win the state championship in the 2007 football season. After Giddings, the outlook of 23-3A is very jumbled in terms of who will finish behind the Buffaloes in second and tthird place.
Derek Fitzhenry's Buffaloes will be banking their hopes on two of the state's most talented players in Brock Fitzhenry and Alan Dock. The very lethal Fitzhenry-Dock combination will mainly make its impact on the offensive side of the ball. But the main bulk of Fitzheny's work will be see under center at the quarterback slot and Dock's work will be felt on the defensive side at linebacker. If the dominoes fall right, Fitzhenry, as a quarterback, could eclipse the 7,500 to 8,000 career yard mark by season's end. Alongside Fitzhenry and Dock on the offensive side, look for Jonathan Locke and Spenser Duncan to be very big contributors. If the offensive line can do its part to protect Fitzhenry, then there could be a championship quality team in the works on the offensive side.
Defensively, Dock will be the main contributor and leader for the Buffaloes. In 2006, the All-State linebacker coughed up around 170 tackles and shows no sign of slowing down. Dock, who is also a very solid rusher and multi-sport athlete, will be surrounded by players such as Cassius Bradley, Spencer Duncan and Jesus Castro in a very disciplined defense. This unit does have the capability to tire out its opponents. Look for some significant improvement and development from last year's squad.
As for the district's final two playoff slots, look for Navasota, La Grange and Caldwell to inch through the district race as contenders for the final two playoff spots. The favorite to finish second in the district behind Giddings is Navasota. The Rattlers should be the favorite among those teams in the playoff hunt. After some time in Fedora's ssystem, th Rattlers should see significant improvement in 2007 as a solid core of seniors and underclassmen mix in together. The majority of the Rattlers offensive firepower will be junior-dominated starting with Dexter Pratt at running back and Brandall Jackson at wide receiver. Jackson and Pratt combined for over 1,500 yards of offense in the air and on the ground in 2006 and should see a bigger number coming into play in 2007. The player handing the ball off to Pratt and throwing to Jackson is junior Jacolby Stokes. Up front, Neil Kasper and Aleon Calhoun should be the ones with the top blocking and pancaking. The defense will be led by Eugene Castllo and Jason Orlando in the linebacker slots. Castillo in 2006 picked up 102 tackles on the year.
The central theme for the La Grange Leopards should be its defense. Afterall, they do return seven of the eleven starters from last season's 8-3 squad. But they have a massive rebuilding effort to do on its offense. The lone returning starter on offense is also one of the district's best receivers in Ryan Dockery. Defensively, look for Chris Filla at the end slot to take control alongside Cody Daniels in the defensive backfield. If the defense can carry the load early in the season and give the offense a chance to find its identity, then the La Grange Leopards could surprise some people this season.
Caldwell may have a darkhorse image as they are expected to bring in Xavier Cantu at the running back spot. Cantu has one of the best rushing talents in the entire district. Now after having to spend time at the JV level last season, the question for Cantu is how big of an impact will he have not the Hornet offense and the district race? How well the offensive line can produce and open the necessary holes for Cantu, Farrin Sims and Scott Ofczarzak will determine whether this team is a playoff contender or petender.
For Bellville, the question of being in the race will be determined by how they will do without three of their best players. The lost of the three star players will greatly impact the entire district race and send the district into a major chase in the middle with three teams vying for second and third rather than the four teams that weret to be considered as contenders.If the Brahmas find suitable replacements for the trio, watch out for an even more competitive race. |
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788 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jacolby Stokes |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Dexter Pratt |
6'2 |
220 |
--- |
Jr |
WR |
Brandall Jackson |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
WR |
Tre Mock |
5'10 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Neil Kasper |
6'0 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Aleon Calhoun |
6'6 |
300 |
--- |
Sr |
LB/FB |
Eugene Castilo |
5'7 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
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702 |
8-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/DB |
Austin Trahan |
6'3 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
OT/DT |
Marshall Crawford |
6'2 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Luke Padgett |
6'0 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
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584.5 |
13-1 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/DB |
Brock Fitzhenry |
5'10 |
185 |
4.3 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Alan Dock |
5'11 |
220 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Jonathan Locke |
5'10 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
TE/DE |
Spenser Duncan |
6'4 |
215 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DB/RB |
Cassius Bradley |
6'0 |
195 |
4.4 |
Sr |
K |
Sammy Arteaga |
5'11 |
170 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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581.5 |
8-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR/DB |
Ryan Dockery |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Morgan Johnson |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Andrew Crouch |
5'11 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Chris Filla |
5'10 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Cody Daniel |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
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570.5 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Scott Ofczarzak |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Farrin Sims |
6'0 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Xavier Cantu |
5'9 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Blake Broaddus |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Adam Supak |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Zoe Hawkins |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
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539.5 |
1-9 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
David Wehr |
5'9 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Bradley Campion |
6'3 |
275 |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
John Gajkowski |
6'5 |
245 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Corey Macks |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
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| Bellville Brahmas |
Brahma Stadium
259 Schumann Rd.
Bellville, TX 77418 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Caldwell Hornets |
Hornet Field
550 CR 307
Caldwell, TX 77836 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Giddings Buffaloes |
Buffalo Stadium
1600 N Main St.
Giddings, TX 78942 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| La Grange Leopards |
Leopard Stadium
820 S Vail St.
La Grange, TX 78945 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Navasota Rattlers |
Navasota Rattler Stadium
9238 Hwy 90 South
Navasota, TX 77868 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 7,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Smithville Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
Bishop St & 6th St.
Smithville, TX 78957 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,520 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Giddings |
2 |
Navasota |
3 |
La Grange |
4 |
Caldwell |
5 |
Bellville |
6 |
Smithville |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
La Grange |
District MVP |
Brock Fitzhenry
Giddings |
Offensive MVP |
Ryan Dockery
La Grange |
Defensive MVP
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Alan Dock
Giddings |
Diamond In The Rough |
Xavier Cantu
Caldwell |
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| 2006 Records |
| Navasota |
3-7 |
| Bellville |
8-3 |
| Giddings |
13-1 |
| La Grange |
8-3 |
| Caldwell |
6-5 |
| Smithville |
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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