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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
For the first time in years last season, the Westlake Chaps finished in a spot other than first place in the district, ending one of the longest streaks in the country when it came to district championships. In fact, Westlake finished third in the standings behind Seguin and Austin High. But Derek Long's squad still managed to find their way into the state championship game against Southlake Carroll. During the offseason, the Bastrop Bears made some headlines with a new hiring in the head coaching position. The man they hired was the legendary and former Westlake coach Ron Schroeder.
Now the question of the district centters around Westlake once again. Can the Chaps make their way back on to the top of the district? And what teams will make their way into the picture to put up a big challenge to the Chaps? No matter what happens this season, the eyes and ears have turned to a suddenly competitive and interesting district.
The Westlake Chaparrals are expected to make their way back on top of the district standings and reclaim their hold onto the district title. But they will have to do it with a brand new quarterback and a replenished offensive line. Offensively, the Chaps should be in a reloading mode with the most experienced player being Jordan Etier at the wide receiver position. Taking over for Nick Foles is Walker Kobelan, who was the back up last season. Junior Ryan Swope, who has plenty of speed and talent, should be a nice fill-in to last season's RB stud Max Minor. With an inexperienced offense, the defense will be the keys to the Chaps success. Look for LBs Mark Daniel, Cameron Nichols, Mike Joyce to turn it up a notch on their opposition. In the backfield, Ryan Ambrose, Justin Tucker and Ryan Swope are expected to be key contributors. On special teams, Westlake has one of the state's top kickers in UT commit Justin Tucker. If games are close, look for Tucker to be the "x" factor in the direction of Westlake season.
Don't be shocked if the Austin High Maroons make their way on the top. Last season, the Rodney Vincent's squad stunned the Texas HS Football world by defeating Westlake and finishing second in the district. This season, the Maroons will be looking to make significant improvement and prove that they are a force to be reckoned with. The district's top returning rusher in Davis Collins, UT-commit OT Mark Buchanan and WRs Trey Cannon and Emory Blake gives the Maroons a reason to be very optimistic about a run for the district title. But the offense will be half of the story for Austin High this season. Expect an improved defense with Hayden Bowers, Chris Young and Kris Green leading the charge in the leadership and playmaking department. If Austin High is going to prove itself worthy of a district title, the defensive stand must show significant improvement and avoid the shootouts.
Despite losing key talent, Seguin should be a lock for a playoff spot. The Matadors do return its star quarterback and key holdovers on the defensive side. Offensively, Kevin Smith will be aiming to bring the younger skill players more confidence and get them adjusted to a full-time varsity spotlight. With over 2,000 yards passing in 2006, Smith should have no problem finding an identity for a new look offense. On the opposite side of the ball, DT Sam Martinez, Malcolm Hillary and DB Justin Hennessy are expected to be the big playmakers that helps give the offense some breathing room. Jim Carson's squad will have to make sure that younger players in the linebacking core as well as the skill areas on offense bring a solid level of confidence and willingness to learn fast. If they can do that, expect this squad to finish no worse than third in the district standings.
The fourth place battle should come between the Austin Bowie Bulldogs and the San Marcos Rattlers. Outside of the Westlake Chaparrals, the Bowie Bulldogs probably have the most depth and talent returning for the 2007 season. Now the question for the Bulldogs is whether or not the experience and depth can translate into a winning season and a berth into the playoffs. This year's squad led by QB Barrett Holcombe, DL Greg Kerr, LB Armando Martinez and OG John Skelton will also be very motivated and battle tested by the time district play rolls around. The key for Bowie is to make sure that talent and depth can be consistent and fundamentally sound. Do not be surprised if this Bowie squad pulls an upset or two in the district race and becomes a solid sleeper in the race.
Last season San Marcos made Texas high school football history by becoming the very first fourth place team to win a playoff game. With that opening round win, the Rattlers gain more confidence, became one of the state's biggest surprises and went into the fourth round of the playoffs. Now the Rattlers will have to find their way back into the playoff hunt after bringing back only 11 lettermen off last season's squad. On the offensive side of the ball, junior RB Aaron Canady will be asked to carry the load out of the backfield with a virtually young offensive trench. Canady and the offense will also be looking to the defensive front to help smooth the transition over. Expect DE Chris Garcia, DT D.J. Hemphill and DE Chris Tovar to become the go-to playmakers on the defensive side. |
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2677 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Barrett Holcombe |
5'10 |
177 |
--- |
Sr |
LB/RB |
Armando Martinez |
5'11 |
194 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/CB |
Heath Hohmann |
5'10 |
175 |
--- |
Jr |
WR/S |
Wyatt Polson |
6'0 |
161 |
--- |
Sr |
DL/DE |
Greg Kerr |
6'1 |
206 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
John Skelton |
6'4 |
280 |
--- |
Sr |
TE/LB |
Charles Holmes |
6'3 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Nick Goss |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Tony Daddeo |
5'10 |
167 |
--- |
Jr |
K/P |
Nick Grasshoff |
5'11 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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2356.5 |
12-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Walker Kobelan |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Ryan Swope |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
OT |
Ross Cooper |
6'1 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Mark Daniel |
6'1 |
205 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Kendrick Cutsinger |
6'3 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Cameron Nichols |
6'3 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Ryan Ambrose |
5'9 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
K |
Justin Tucker |
6'1 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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2338.5 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
Knockus Sashington |
6'2 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Jonathan Conely |
6'0 |
235 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Jeremiah Harden |
6'5 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Dominique Williams |
5'10 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
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2261 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Oseas Sanchez |
5'7 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
Ray Ross |
6'5 |
230 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Reshawn Lincoln |
6'1 |
185 |
4.7 |
Jr |
TE/DL |
Jarrett Haywood |
6'3 |
230 |
5.1 |
Sr |
TE |
Tyler Ferguson |
6'6 |
235 |
5.2 |
Sr |
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2161 |
9-2 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Kevin Smith |
6'5 |
215 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Deshaun Singletary |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Malcolm Hillary |
5'10 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Sam Martinez |
6'0 |
240 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Justin Hennessy |
5'8 |
135 |
--- |
Sr |
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2155 |
7-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Davis Collins |
5'10 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Emory Blake |
6'2 |
180 |
--- |
Jr |
WR |
Trey Cannon |
6'2 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Mark Buchanan |
6'6 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Hayden Bowers |
6'0 |
230 |
--- |
Sr |
DB/KR |
Chris Young |
5'11 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Kris Green |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Jr |
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2083 |
2-8 |
|
Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Duncan McGee |
6'1 |
210 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Patrick Kurunwune |
5'9 |
210 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR |
Adam D'Acierno |
5'10 |
160 |
4.7 |
Sr |
WR/P |
R.P. Stuart |
6'4 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
P.J. Henderson |
6'3 |
210 |
4.6 |
Jr |
OL/DL |
Coleman Feeley |
6'4 |
280 |
5.3 |
Sr |
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1990.5 |
8-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB/CB |
Aaron Canady |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Jr |
TE/DE |
Chris Garcia |
6'2 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
TE/DE |
Blake Bagley |
6'3 |
235 |
--- |
So |
OL |
Michael Moreno |
5'6 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
D.J. Hemphill |
5'11 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
LB/RB |
Zac Cruz |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/DE |
Chris Tovar |
5'11 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
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| Austin High Maroons |
House Park
Lamar Blvd. & 12th St.
Austin, TX 78703 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 6,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Austin Akins Eagles |
Burger Stadium
3200 Jones Rd.
Austin, TX 78745 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 15,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Austin Anderson Trojans |
I.I. Nelson Field
Berkman Dr. & Athletic Dr.
Austin, TX 78752 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 10,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Austin Bowie Bulldogs |
Burger Stadium
3200 Jones Rd.
Austin, TX 78745 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 15,000 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Austin Westlake Chaparrals |
Chaparral Stadium
4100 Westbank Dr.
Austin, TX 78746 |
Surface: Astro Turf 12
Capacity: 10,361 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Bastrop Bears |
Erhard Stadium
Hill St. & Cedar St.
Bastrop, TX 78602 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 7,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| San Marcos Rattlers |
Bobcat Stadium
Aquarena Springs Dr. & Post Rd.
San Marcos, TX 78666 |
Surface: Astro Play
Capacity: 15,218 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Seguin Matadors |
Matador Stadium
1350 E. Cedar St.
Seguin, TX 78155 |
Surface: Astro Play
Capacity: 9,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Austin Westlake |
2 |
Austin High |
3 |
Seguin |
4 |
Austin Bowie |
5 |
San Marcos |
6 |
Bastrop |
7 |
Austin Anderson |
8 |
Austin Akins |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Austin Bowie |
District MVP |
Kevin Smith
Seguin |
Offensive MVP |
Davis Collins
Austin High |
Defensive MVP
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Mark Daniel
Austin Westlake |
Diamond In The Rough |
Nick Grasshoff
Austin Bowie |
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| 2006 Records |
| Austin Bowie |
4-6 |
| Austin Westlake |
12-3 |
| Austin Akins |
2-8 |
| Bastrop |
3-7 |
| Seguin |
9-2 |
| Austin High |
7-4 |
| Aus Anderson |
2-8 |
| San Marcos |
8-6 |
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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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