 |
| Preview Guide 2007 |
|
 |
|
By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
As the 2006 season drew to a close, the district saw what was the expected finish among the main powers of the district. Parkland, the defending champion, wound up finishing with an 11-1 record as both Riverside and Del Valle finished with a first round exit in the playoffs. Now its time to assess the 2007 season for 2-5A and the expected powers of the district are all expected to be at or near the top once again, but another solid team in Canutillo is expected to make plenty of noise and for a very good reason. Just where will the Canutillo Eagles wind up? And if Canutillo does live up to its hype for the season, just who will of the trio will fall out of the playoff picture?
The district favorite should be the Eagles of Canutillo as the bring back more than half of their starters on the offensive side and all of their starters on the defensive side. After finishing out of the playoffs via head-to-head tie-breaker against the Del Valle Conquistadors and bringing back a wealth of experience, the expectations for the Eagles are rather high when it comes to district play. Making the move to a dual starting role at quarterback and linebacker will be Drew Norris. While Norris makes the adjustment as a full-time starter at quarterback, the Eagles will be looking to Brandon Reid to help ease the tension at running back. Junior Jesse Gonzalez will be up front leading an experienced front line. Defensively, the Eagles will need to be very poised and expect to be challenged. Aaron Martinez in the middle at linebacker along with Eddie Rascon are the key leaders of the defense. The duo last season combined for over 130 tackles and two interceptions.
Second and third will be a battle between Riverside and Parkland but do not count out the possibility of Del Valle making plenty of noise at the end of the season. For Riverside, the return of Johnny Sanchez at the running back position as well as seven others on offense should give the Rangers some hope of making a run at Canutillo and the top of the district. In 2006, Sanchez rushed for nearly 1,600 yards and grabbed 12 trips into football's promised land. WR Andy Gabaldon added an additional 500 yards and six touchdowns last season. With a solid line, the Rangers, Sanchez and Gabaldon should be in good shape. On the opposite side of the ball look for junior class to take the reigns of stopping the opposition. Justin Lopez, Greg Cotton and Joe Robles are just three of the up and coming juniors to watch on the defensive side.
Parkland is aiming to defend its district championship from last season, but they will have to do it with a slightly less experienced team this season. The strength of the Matador roster will be its defensive portion. Defensive end Johnny Williams and linebackers Matt Dudley and Darren Mickens were absolutely superb in their play last season. Mickens, as a sophomore last season, picked up a grand total of 80 tackles while Williams, in his junior season collected 16 sacks. If this trio can carry over the same momentum that they had last season, Parkland should be in solid position to be right back where they were last season. The Matadors, however, cannot rely on its defense to carry the load. With Rivera back at QB1 in his junior season, Jerry Walker should expect to see some improved production.
With UTEP commit Max Savedra back on the offensive side at tight end and wideout Vince Santana back as the go-to wideout, Del Valle expects to be in the middle of the playoff chase. However, a young group of players up front must be able to step up to the plate as the rest of the district looks to be much improved. As a junior, Santana accumulated a grand total of 680 yards of air on six touchdowns while in limited production, Savedra gobbled up 120 yards and three touchdowns with 10 receptions. LB Victor Duate and DB Ramon Galaviz will be assuming the role of leaders of the Conquistador defense. The key for Del Valle will be on defense. If they can work with the graduation losses up front, then don't be surprised to see this squad make plenty of noise near the top.
Overall in this district, look for a hotly contested battled at the top. Del Valle, Parkland, Canutillo and Riverside are all capable of winning the district title and running away with it. And expect a season where the playoff picure may not be solved until the final whistle is blown on the 2007 regular season. On another note, if any of these teams slip up in the process, do not count out Ysleta or Horizon to enter the picture. Ysleta and Horizon could be very big spoilers. Danny Saenz on the Ysleta roster and Ismael Diaz on the Horizon roster are two key impact players to watch in 2007. Saenz, is a player that could see action in several areas of the field including wide receiver, quarterback, running back and defensive back. Diaz, is quite posssibly the best defensive player in the district. In 2006, the Horizon linebacker picked up 115 tackles ansd collected a trio of sacks and interceptions. |
 |
 |
1961.5 |
5-6 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jordan Baeza |
5'9 |
180 |
--- |
So |
RB |
Eric Gonzalez |
6'0 |
198 |
--- |
Sr |
FB |
Julian Johnson |
6'1 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Vince Santana |
5'9 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
TE |
Max Savedra |
6'6 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Jorge Aguilar |
6'2 |
290 |
--- |
Jr |
OG |
Luis Gutierrez |
6'0 |
285 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Victor Duarte |
6'2 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
1949 |
3-7 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR/DB |
Danny Saenz |
6'3 |
173 |
--- |
Jr |
QB |
Carlos Maese |
5'11 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
TE |
Jesus Vasquez |
6'0 |
292 |
--- |
So |
DT |
Andy Chavez |
6'0 |
292 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
1517 |
9-2 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Peter Carreon |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Johnny Sanchez |
5'10 |
181 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Andy Gabaldon |
5'10 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Johnny Sifuentes |
5'8 |
150 |
--- |
So |
DL |
Joe Robles |
5'11 |
270 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Greg Cotton |
6'1 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Eric Gallegos |
5'10 |
195 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Roberto Gonzalez |
5'10 |
155 |
--- |
Jr |
FS |
Madison Shores |
6'1 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Trezmond Herndon |
5'7 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Justin Lopez |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
|
|
 |
1337 |
6-4 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/LB |
Drew Norris |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Brandon Reid |
6'1 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Issac Winters |
5'8 |
160 |
--- |
So |
OT |
Jesse Gonzalez |
6'5 |
275 |
--- |
Jr |
DL |
Mark Naulin |
5'11 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Alex Rodriguez |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Aaron Martinez |
5'9 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Danny Torres |
6'1 |
200 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Fernie De La Rosa |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Eddie Rascon |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
1234.5 |
11-1 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Andrew Rivera |
6'0 |
190 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Mike Davis |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
So |
WR/DB |
Greg Cotton |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Ricardo Dorman |
5'8 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Adam Danberry |
6'3 |
280 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Johnny Williams |
5'9 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Darren Mickens |
6'3 |
195 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Matt Dudley |
6'0 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
K |
Norberto Contreras |
6'2 |
200 |
--- |
So |
|
|
 |
1024 |
6-4 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Bralio Esparza |
5'8 |
170 |
--- |
So |
RB |
Omar Marquez |
5'9 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Ismael Diaz |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Ferwn Al-Shamsi |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
1023 |
2-8 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Eric Vasquez |
6'1 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Larry Arellano |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Manuel Campa |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Frank Ponce |
6'1 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jode Molina |
5'10 |
190 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Nick Gomez |
5'9 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Angel Martinez |
5'8 |
210 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Abe Chavez |
5'9 |
145 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
990 |
0-10 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/RB |
Stephen Reyes |
5'8 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Alan Jacquez |
6'0 |
200 |
--- |
Jr |
WR/LB |
Ray Alvarez |
6'0 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Buster Delgadilo |
6'1 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Oscar Reyes |
6'0 |
240 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Lorenzo Garcia |
6'0 |
190 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Jorge Aguilar |
5'7 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Irvin Aguirre |
5'9 |
190 |
--- |
Jr |
DB |
Emmanuel Jacquez |
5'9 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Cesar Dominguez |
5'9 |
155 |
--- |
Jr |
|
|
|
 |
| Canutillo Eagles |
Lowenberg Stadium
7311 Bosque Rd.
El Paso, TX 79835 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 6,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Clint Horizon Scorpions |
Scorpion Stadium
14651 Horizon Blvd.
El Paso, TX 79928 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Clint Mountain View Lobos |
Lobo Stadium
14964 Greg Dr.
El Paso, TX 79938 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| EP Del Valle Conquistadors |
Conquest Stadium
850 Bordeaux
El Paso, TX 79907 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| EP Parkland Matadors |
Matador Stadium
Quail Ave & Bomarc
El Paso, TX 79924 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| EP Riverside Rangers |
Riverfront Stadium
301 Midway
El Paso, TX 79915 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| EP Ysleta Indians |
Hutchins Stadium
8600 Alameda
El Paso, TX 79907 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 6,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| San Elizario Eagles |
Eagle Stadium
13981 Socorro Rd
San Elizario, TX 79849 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
 |
Preview Guide Line Up |
|
| Projected Finish |
1 |
Canutillo |
2 |
EP Riverside |
3 |
EP Parkland |
4 |
EP Del Valle |
5 |
EP Ysleta |
6 |
Clint Horizon |
7 |
San Elizario |
8 |
Clint Mtn View |
|
| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
EP Del Valle |
District MVP |
Johnny Sanchez
EP Riverside |
Offensive MVP |
Andrew Rivera
EP Parkland |
Defensive MVP
|
Ismael Diaz
Clint Horizon |
Diamond In The Rough |
Ray Alvarez
San Elizario |
|
| 2006 Records |
| EP Del Valle |
5-6 |
| EP Ysleta |
3-7 |
| EP Riverside |
9-2 |
| Canutillo |
6-4 |
| EP Parkland |
11-1 |
| Clint Horizon |
6-4 |
| Clint Mtn View |
2-8 |
| San Elizario |
0-10 |
|
| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
|
| Preview Sponsor |
|
| |
|
| |
|
