 |
| Preview Guide 2007 |
|
 |
|
By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The 27-1A race features a race with a rivalry at the top of the mountain and a trio of teams eager to find a way to knock that rivaled pair off the the top. After last season's strong run what Granger and Thorndale have in store as a repeat for 2007 will be something that is worth watching. But neither Granger or Thorndale won the district title in 2006 and neither are considered as the district favorite in 2007. That honor goes to Thrall. And could it be possible to see teams such as Holland and Milano have a big say in the district race themselves?
Part of the reason Thrall is considered as the favorite in 27-1A and is expected to repeat as the district champ is largely due to the return of Tanner Newman and 16 other starters. Newman, who is one of the district's top rushers, will be making a position switch from running back to quarterback. As he makes the switch, the Tigers will rely on experience to help guide themselves into a promising position to repeat as district champs and make a deep playoff run. The offensive line, with plenty of depth, will be led by Kenny Kelm. On the opposite side, the Tiger defense will have two things woorking in their favor. The first is the prescence of senior leaders Kyle Urbanek and Jeff Hemenas. The second is the speed and hunger from last season. If the Tigers can use its speed, experience and hunger for the full length of a game, week by week, they could be one of the darkhorses in the playoff picture later in the year.
Thrall's archrival, Thoorndale will be aimiing to knock the Tigers off the summit of the mountain with the return of two of the district's top players in Marcus Gest at running back and Justin Llana at defensive tackle. Among Thorndale's biggest assets in 2007 will be the depth of the trenches. Llana is not the only key stud that will be stationed up front. Look for SeDerrick Brooks and Marc Soto to have a monster season up front as well. If the the boys up front do their job, then look for the Bulldogs to be a very tough playoff quality team. Rusher Marcus Gest should be able to find the proper channels and holes to break through and have a repetitive performance like that of last season. The key for Thorndale will be its ability to spread the ball around. If they are able to spread the wealth and be efficient, look out for a dangerous Bulldog squad.
Granger may have plenty to say when it comes to the rivalry between Thorndale and Thrall in the end. For one thing, the Lions are banking on experience and revenge to get them to the top of the district. Clay Mazoch, a stud in the backfield as a 1,000+ yard rusher, is also a very gifted defensive standout in the linebacking areas. As the leader on both sides, Mazoch will be the centerpiece of Granger's district title and playoff hopes. But Mazoch isn't the only key player to watch. Up front in the offensive and defensive lines, Jacob Isbell will be looked up to as the Lions have plenty of depth to surround him with. And look for Bradley Wilson in the middle of the defense next to Mazoch, to become the heart and soul of a hungry pack of Lions.
For Milano and Holland, a post-season appearance just might not be out of the queston. Both teams have plenty of talent and are headed in the right direction of learning how to win and compete. And although both teams have some major holes to fill, if they can utilize their strengths to offset the weaknesses, either team could be a very big sleeper selection in an already top-heavy district. |
 |
 |
189 |
8-4 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
OL/DL |
Nathan Douglas |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Clay Mazoch |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Stephen Brosch |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Thomas Janke |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Mike Holly |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Jacob Isbell |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Bradley Wilson |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Bradley Sims |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
K |
Gabriel Vences |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
185.5 |
10-4 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB/DB |
Marcus Gest |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Cody Schneider |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OL/DL |
Austin Llana |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
SeDerrick Brooks |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Marc Soto |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Justin Clark |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
QB/DB |
Dylan Schwarz |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
166 |
10-2 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Tanner Newman |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
LeMar Williams |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Kenny Kelm |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Justin Harwell |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Cody King |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Jeff Hemenas |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Kyle Urbanek |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Brandon Beckerman |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Homer Jackson |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
158 |
6-4 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Matthew Jentsch |
5'9 |
155 |
--- |
So |
RB/DB |
Chad Burgess |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Paul Adrian |
6'2 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Cody Cunningham |
6'1 |
220 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Tyler Gordon |
5'10 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Chad Turner |
5'11 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Jantzen Robinson |
5'11 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
146 |
2-8 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Clayton Ash |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Douglas Murphy |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OL |
Ben Delgado |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Taylor Hanson |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
140 |
3-7 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Eric Benavides |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Gabriel Gadison |
--- |
--- |
--- |
So |
OL/LB |
Garrison Rafay |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Ted Crews |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
 |
113.5 |
1-9 |
|
Team Radio |
|
|
Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
Daniel Patterson |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
RB |
Bobby Mathis |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
John Hodde |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DL |
Alan Richard |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Calvin Bradley |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
|
|
|
 |
| Bartlett Bulldogs |
Bulldog Stadium
E Davilla St & Beckman St.
Bartlett, TX 76511 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Burton Panthers |
Panther Stadium
E Cedar St.
Burton, TX 77835 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 300 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Granger Lions |
Lion Stadium
300 North Colorado
Granger, TX 76530 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 300 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Holland Hornets |
Hornet Field
El Paso St. & Hackberry Rd.
Holland, TX 76534 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 1,200 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Milano Rebels |
Pruitt Field
N 4th St & W Milam St.
Milano, TX 76556 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 900 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Thorndale Bulldogs |
Bulldog Stadium
Stadium St & Jenke St
Thorndale, TX 76577 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 1,680 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Thrall Tigers |
Tiger Stadium
Bounds St. & Taylor St.
Thrall, TX 76578 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 1,800 (approx.)
Directions To Stadium |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
 |
Preview Guide Line Up |
|
| Projected Finish |
1 |
Thrall |
2 |
Thorndale |
3 |
Granger |
4 |
Holland |
5 |
Milano |
6 |
Bartlett |
7 |
Burton |
|
| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Granger |
District MVP |
Clay Mazoch
Granger |
Offensive MVP |
Marcus Gest
Thorndale |
Defensive MVP
|
Austin Llana
Thorndale |
Diamond In The Rough |
Tanner Newman
Thrall |
|
| 2006 Records |
| Granger |
8-4 |
| Thorndale |
10-4 |
| Thrall |
10-2 |
| Milano |
6-4 |
| Holland |
2-8 |
| Bartlett |
3-7 |
| Burton |
1-9 |
|
| Recruiting Key |
THSF Top 200 Player |
Top 2008 Prospect |
Top 2009 Prospect |
Top 2010 Prospect |
|
| Preview Sponsor |
|
| |
|
| |
|
