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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
Over the past few months a lot has changed about this district and the talent that surrounds it. Gone are the Landrum twins, gone is Rex McDougald and his father Randy, and two other coaches within the district. Regardless of whether the district is weaker in talent or about the same, this district is still one of the most intriguing and competitive districts in all of Class 1A.
Despite posting a 7-3 record last season, the Normangee Panthers saw themselves on the outside looking in when it came time for the second week of November to roll around on the calendar. Now the Panthers, with Jordan and Justin Mullinix back, as well as LB Dillon Wolfe and WR/DB Chandrick Evans returning for another year, appear to be ready to turn their fortunes around in 2007. This year's Panther squad should be the odds on favorite to win the district title as they bring back 16 starters from last year's squad. The Mullinix twins, could mirror have a similar impact that the Landrum twins in district and regional play had the over the past couple years. The duo as sophomores a year ago combined for 38 touchdowns in the air and on the ground. With a stronger offensive and defensive line in the mix, the Panthers should see better production on both sides.
Bremond could also emerge as another district favorite with a strong senior class hanging into the balance of a district title picture. RB Rickie Williams, who rushed for over 1,000 yards in 2006, is probably the most experienced back and the most explosive in the district. Jerry Hamrick's squad will be counting on junior Lidarral Bailey out of the QB1 spot to get them back into the playoffs and in the gate with a winning recipe. On the defensive side, look for Todd Crawford and Michael Martinez to fill in as the key leaders. Martinez, one of the district's top defensive players, has plenty of skill to make it to the next level despite his size and speed.
Third place in the district will come down to last year's Division II State Champion Chilton Pirates and the Axtell Longhorns. The Pirates will definately see a tougher challenge in 2007 now that the Landrum twins have graduated. But there is still hope that the Pirates will still get things done with yet a third Landrum brother fitting into the mix. This time it is the younger brother Javan. Javan is coming off a 2006 season that saw his season cut short, but nonetheless should be a big threat out of the backfield. Taking over as the quarterback for the Pirates will be junior Xavier Shaw, who will also double up as a linebacker. The top returning defensive player left from last season's title team is Steven Foster, who made the All-District list and gobbled up 110 tackles. The key for the Pirates is to make sure they can maintain a similar defensive stand that they had last season. If they can sustain the defensive losses, this year's Pirate squad could be a sleeper regionally.
Do not be shocked to see the Axtell Longhorns grab the third place spot from the most likely third place finisher Chilton. The Longhorns look to improve with the return of most of its skill players on both sides of the ball. Several players on the Longhorn squad have plenty of potential break through the mold this season including RB Weston Popham and QB Michael Stranacher. Stranacher and Popham may not have the flair of other key players in the district, but they have just enough motivation and ability that Axtell coach Mike Cadell could see significant improvement out of both on both sides of the ball. The big key for Axtell will be up front in the trenches. If the boys in the front lines can produce and play fundamentally sound, Axtell has a shot to get into the playoffs.
Hubbard and Iola may be on outside looking in as spoliers in the district race but the interesting theme of both will be how they adjust to the new coaches that have taken over the respective programs. While Hubbard, with the coaching change, is expected to improve, Iola will be in a massive rebuilding mode. Key players to watch for both includes Hubbard's WR/DE Carlos Johnson and Iola's LB Jimmy Wells. |
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172.5 |
7-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/DB |
Justin Mullinix |
5'11 |
165 |
4.5 |
Jr |
RB/DB |
Jordan Mullinix |
5'11 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
WR/DB |
Chandrick Evans |
6'1 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Dillon Wolfe |
6'0 |
192 |
4.7 |
Sr |
DE |
Colton Smith |
6'3 |
190 |
4.8 |
Sr |
TE/K/P |
Justin Arlett |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Steven Baston |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OT/DT |
Ethan Horn |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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160 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Stephen Chapman |
5'10 |
165 |
4.7 |
Sr |
WR/DE |
Carlos Johnson |
6'3 |
185 |
4.9 |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Scottie Huff |
5'8 |
175 |
4.9 |
Sr |
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157.5 |
5-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB/DB |
Weston Popham |
5'10 |
160 |
4.9 |
Jr |
WR |
Thomas Shields |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR/LB/P |
Corey Tucker |
6'0 |
170 |
4.8 |
Sr |
QB/DB |
Michael Stranacher |
6'0 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
DB |
Gage Perkins |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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156 |
9-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Slayton Murray |
5'11 |
175 |
4.4 |
Jr |
WR |
Buzz Galvan |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
TE |
Rueben Calzada |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jimmy Wells |
6'1 |
175 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OL |
Jordan Ruen |
6'0 |
195 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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138 |
0-10 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
FB |
Jerome Tennison |
5'10 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
LB |
Bubba Medrano |
5'8 |
170 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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135 |
5-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/DB |
Lidarral Bailey |
6'0 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
RB/DL |
Rickie Williams |
6'0 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Kie Yezak |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Todd Crawford |
5'11 |
160 |
4.5 |
Sr |
LB |
Michael Martinez |
5'9 |
180 |
4.9 |
Sr |
DB |
Jeremy Baller |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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126.5 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
OL/LB |
Brian Buchmeyer |
5'10 |
210 |
5.0 |
Sr |
LB |
Dillon Baker |
5'10 |
185 |
4.8 |
Sr |
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121 |
14-1 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Dominique Waits |
5'9 |
175 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
Javan Landrum |
5'7 |
150 |
4.6 |
Sr |
DT |
Malcomb Dudley |
5'10 |
220 |
5.1 |
Jr |
QB/LB |
Xavier Shaw |
6'0 |
175 |
4.7 |
Jr |
DB |
Stephen Foster |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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| Axtell Longhorns |
Longhorn Stadium
North 5th St. & Ottawa St.
Axtell, TX 76624 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 400 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Bremond Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
601 West Collins St.
Bremond, TX 76629 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Chilton Pirates |
Featherston Field
CR 4011 & State Hwy 7
Chilton, TX 76632 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 950 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Dawson Bulldogs |
Ed Mitchell Field
North School Ave.
Dawson, TX 76639 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 750 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Hubbard Jaguars |
Jaguar Field
1100 West 4th St.
Hubbard, TX 76648 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 1,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Iola Bulldogs |
Bulldog Stadium
Fort Worth Rd.
Iola, TX 77861 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Normangee Panthers |
Panther Stadium
200 Church St.
Normangee, TX 77871 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 450 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Wortham Bulldogs |
Bulldog Field
Ranger St. & El Paso St.
Wortham, TX 76693 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Normangee |
2 |
Bremond |
3 |
Chilton |
4 |
Axtell |
5 |
Hubbard |
6 |
Iola |
7 |
Wortham |
8 |
Dawson |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Axtell |
District MVP |
Jordan Mullinix
Nornangee |
Offensive MVP |
Rickie Williams
Bremond |
Defensive MVP
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Dillon Wolfe
Normangee |
Diamond In The Rough |
Michael Stranacher
Axtell |
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| 2006 Records |
| Normangee |
7-3 |
| Hubbard |
2-8 |
| Axtell |
5-5 |
| Iola |
9-4 |
| Dawson |
0-10 |
| Bremond |
5-6 |
| Wortham |
2-8 |
| Chilton |
14-1 |
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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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