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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
This is one of the few districts in the state that has a solid combination of everything in one bag. The legendary program, a hotly contested race, a possible runaway candidate, the haves and have nots, a program trying to prove it belongs and much much more. So what is there to make of this district's outlook in 2007? To get into to the 2007 season, taking notes on the 2006 season could be a worthy help to understanding what is to be expected. As we go through this year's outlook, we will take a focus on what last season's results mean this year.
The overall favorite in the district race this season is actually a toss up between Sweeny and Needville. Could one of these two teams actually have the potential to run away with the district crown without any legitimate threat? Sure. Sweeny practically ran away with the district race last year and went three rounds deep in the playoffs. The big question that surrounds the Bulldogs in 2007 is the experience up front in the trenches. They have an excellent WR-QB combo in the making again this season. The return of Marsh Zajicek should help smooth over some concerns and if the young line can grow quickly and buys the QB time to throw at his targets, the Bulldogs could see another successful deep run. Among those targets Zajicek will have are Chris Jammer, Jeremy Johnson and Tommy Singletary. But for Sweemy to be successful, they will need to find a suitable replacement in the running game where Tank Carder and Brandon Smith gave them the boost they needed.
Defensively, the Bulldogs should have one of the tougher units in the region. With Jammer and Johnson jumping back in the jingles of the defensive backfield, the Bulldogs will be tough in the passing game for the opposition. A good unit of linebackers with Michael Knight, Jesse Alvarez and Brett Moore give the d even more stability. Howver it doesn't end with the backfield and linebackers. The strength of Tommy Zajicek's defense will be at the end positions. Jeremy Fields and Josh Higgins could be one of the top DE combos in the all of Class 3A before it is said and done. Bottom line on Sweeny, if the efense is a shade or a mirror image of itself in 2006, watch out in 2007.
Needville, with as much talent as they had, had a disappointing finish to the 2006 season as they were left on the outside looking in. With a majority of the district in the downslide in 2007, the Bluejays luck may turn from rags to riches. Two things to watch for offensively with Needville will be the emergence and development of sophomore Kobie Hajdik and the utilization of stude tight end Trey Porras. How Hajdik develops will depend on how well he learns from the district's top rusher in Thadeus Wilkerson. Wilkerson in 206 rushed for 1,725 yards and picked up 22 touchdowns in 2006.
On the opposite side, the Bluejays will be looking to replace the prescence and leadership that they had with Sean Novosad in the saddle. Greg Manville, at linebacker, should be the one that takes that reign as defensive leader for Ryan Roark's squad. Manville in 2006 was also the leading tackler for Needville. Other key defensive players that are on the rise should be Creed Henry at linebacker and Bryan Buzek at safety. Wilkerson and Hajdik, the two offensive rushers should also factor in as asolid defensive holdovers in the process as well. Overall if Needville can manuver consistency and play to their capability, they could be a big sleeper in the playoff rounds.
Third place is Wharton's to lose. The Tigers finished a strong second to Sweeny a year ago. Replacing Joe Ansley at quarterback will be one of the big keys. But they also have anothe nbig playmaker in Jamial Shelton replace. Filling into thise shoes will be Dylan Fraker at QB1 and Jordan Jones as the top target. Depth in the receiving core and offensive trenches may actually help the Tigers make the easy adjustments into the season. Chris Owens, Justin Sherrill are two key linemen to watch this season in Tiger camp. Defensively, the Tigers are in solid shape. The experience and depth of several key areas gives them hope. Kevin Turner and Triston Washingtoin are two players that will be needed to turn the volme up if they intend to match Needville one on one in the district race.
Sealy is pprobably the most mysterious team of them all when it comes to expectations. With new head coach Jimmie Mitchell coming up from Sinton, the hope is that the glory days of Sealy's dominance can return to form in the near future. But the mountain will be tough to climb considering there are three solid prgrams with more experience, talent and depth to boot. But do not be shocked if Mitchell can pull a few magic tricks out of his hat in an effort to get the Tigers back on the winning track again. A solid nucleus on defense could actually prove to be beneficial. Freddie Harrison, a running back on offense, will house the backfeld of both sides of the ball as Chase Parchman returns to his stay at the linebacker position.
A playoff team a year ago, West Columbia, will have a major rebuilding effort to attend to after losing a vast majority of its starters including Jerry Woodard, Jared Flannel and Clint Matocha. Now the burden will be cast on DE Darren Grice, who has enough talent to be an impact in the district race and beyond. If the Roughnecks can make the rebuilding efforts work early in the season, they may have a possible chance to return back into the playoff picture, |
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833.5 |
8-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
DE |
Darren Grice |
6'2 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
John Holmes |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
K |
Carlos Paniagua |
5'6 |
150 |
--- |
Jr |
|
|
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825 |
1-9 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
LB |
Gerardo Mesa |
5'10 |
190 |
4.7 |
Sr |
LB |
Keenan Starks |
5'11 |
240 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DB |
Vernon Sampson |
5'9 |
180 |
4.8 |
Sr |
DB |
Anthony Watson |
5'7 |
165 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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790.5 |
7-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB/DB |
Thadeus Wilkerson |
5'11 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Kobie Hajdik |
5'11 |
180 |
--- |
So |
TE |
Trey Porras |
6'3 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
C |
Jayson Fuchs |
5'11 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Greg Manville |
6'0 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Creed Henry |
5'11 |
185 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Bryan Buzek |
5'9 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
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732 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Freddie Harrison |
5'9 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Ethan Byerly |
6'4 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Chase Parchman |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
James Koy |
5'9 |
165 |
--- |
Jr |
P |
Colby Hollis |
5'10 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
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636 |
10-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Marsh Zajicek |
6'1 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Chris Jammer |
6'1 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Jeremy Johnson |
5'8 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Jeremy Fields |
6'2 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Josh Higgins |
5'11 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Mike Knight |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jesse Alvarez |
5'10 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
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636 |
7-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Dylan Fraker |
6'1 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
K.C. Curtis |
5'7 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Jordan Jones |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Chris Owens |
6'0 |
315 |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Justin Sherrill |
6'0 |
280 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Triston Washington |
5'10 |
155 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Kevin Turner |
5'10 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
DB/WR |
Kenneth Plymon |
5'10 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
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491 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Stewart Beaird |
6'1 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Curtis Carter |
5'6 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Ladarrian Waddle |
6'5 |
315 |
--- |
Jr |
DL |
Tommy Ostert |
6'1 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Manny Leyendecker |
6'1 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Justin Scott |
5'11 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
K/P |
Jamie Strauss |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
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426.5 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Eric Matthews |
6'0 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Chris Curtis |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Ronald Brandyburg |
6'4 |
275 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Gadrian Muse |
6'2 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
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| Brookshire Royal Falcons |
Falcon Stadium
Durkin Rd. & Royal Rd.
Pattison, TX 77466 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Columbus Cardinals |
Cardinal Stadium
Legion Dr.
Columbus, TX 78934 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 4,662 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Needville Bluejays |
Blue Jay Field
16319 Hwy 36
Needville, TX 77461 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Stafford Spartans |
Spartan Stadium
1625 Staffordshire Rd.
Stafford, TX 77477 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 4,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Sealy Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
939 Tiger Lane
Sealy, TX 77474 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,600 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Sweeny Bulldogs |
Bulldog Stadium
1310 N. Elm St.
Sweeny, TX 77480 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| West Columbia Roughnecks |
Griggs Field
Roughneck Dr.
West Columbia, TX 77486 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Wharton Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
FM 1301 & Stadium Rd.
Wharton, TX 77488 |
Surface: Wharton
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Sweeny |
2 |
Needville |
3 |
Wharton |
4 |
Sealy |
5 |
West Columbia |
6 |
Columbus |
7 |
Stafford |
8 |
Brookshire Royal |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Sealy |
District MVP |
Thadeus Wikerson
Needville |
Offensive MVP |
Marsh Zajicek
Sweeny |
Defensive MVP
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Greg Manville
Needville |
Diamond In The Rough |
Darren Grice
West Columbia |
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| 2006 Records |
| West Columbia |
8-5 |
| Stafford |
1-9 |
| Needville |
7-3 |
| Sealy |
2-8 |
| Sweeny |
10-3 |
| Wharton |
7-4 |
| Columbus |
3-7 |
| Brkshire Royal |
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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