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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
For this five district its no secret as to who the favorites are and who are the teams looking to make the impact into the middle of the district. Lytle, Somerset and Poteet have a tall order in knocking of the district's two-headed monster in Pleasanton and Medina Valley, but stranger things in the world have happened. Just how close the trio can close the gap remains to be seen.
The district favorite is Pleasanton with the return of the explosive and talented Niko Salinas back in the controls of the Eagle offense. While Salinas is the headliner of the district with his arm and legs, the the Eagles will be looking for the support around him to quietly make a name for themselves. It is entirely possible to see the 1,724 yard passing and 1,378 yard rushing performance of Salinas to repeat because the the Eagles bring back most of the lines on both sides of the ball. Among the key returnees are Robert Pyssen, Michael Rocha and junior Trent Schuchart. Defensively, Brad Dumont's Eagles will have just as much experience and talent back from last year's squad. Expect big seasons out of defensive end Tyler Bryan and linebacker Matt Sudell. Bryan and Sudell, who are the leaders of the Eagle defense, will have a talented front that should give them a bigger boost. If the defense can keep pace with Salinas and the offense, look for Pleasanton to become a darkhorse candidate for a state championship appearance.
Medina Valley will have plenty to say as far as Pleasanton's bid for a district title is concerned. Like that of Pleasanton, the Panthers bring back virtually the entire house of talent at their dispersal. The headliners for Medina Valley are, like Pleasantion, on the offensive side of the ball and at quarterback. And like that of Pleasanton, depth along the lines will be a big advantage for this year's Panther squad. For Medina Valley, quarterback Matt Gonzales will be aiming to build on his 2006 performance of 1,363 yards passing with the return of his targets Chris Harris, Travis Hildenbrand and Quinn Jette. In the backfield Gonzales will be joined by the very youthful and explosive talent in sophomore rusher Aaron Baxter. Protection up front will be crucial for the Panthers as Patrick Hoog and Justin McMillan aim to use their size to shut down defenses. Defensively, the Panthers, will be very talented as they are on offense. Depth is not an issue for this squad. Controling the middle of the field and protecting the "maroon zone" will be key for Medina Valley's chances to make run at a late season run.
The race for third between Lytle and Somerset could be almost as entertaining as the race for first between Pleasanton and Medina Valley. Lylte's top strengths are going to be its defense and depth in the trenches. In fact, the Pirates just may have the district's top defensive player in their corner with defensive back Mark Lentz. If Lentz and his defensive counterparts can maintain a stand and limit the offense's passing game, the Pirates could be a team to watch. Offensively, consistency will be the name of the game. The depth up front should give Lytle plenty of chances to keep the offense on the field. Quarterback Jonathan Flores will need to be able to read the coverage of the opposition's defensive front if the Pirates will be looking to grab a few additions to their side of the scoreboard.
Somerset has what could be a sleeper crew in their defensive front. Leroy Santos and Alfonso Pineda are two players that will ultimately determine how the pace of the game will go for Somerset. While the duo are the two most experienced players on that side of the ball. the Bulldogs will be relying on its youth in the defensive skill areas to step up to the plate. Offensively, quarterback Adam Brosig has the opportunity to really make a name for himself, if he can help lead the Bulldog offense to above average expectations. |
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944.5 |
7-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Niko Salinas |
6'0 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Phillip Pawelek |
5'10 |
140 |
--- |
Jr |
WR/DB |
Robert Benavides |
5'8 |
135 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Robert Pyssen |
5'11 |
285 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Michael Rocha |
5'11 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
OL/DE |
Josh Morales |
6'0 |
255 |
--- |
So |
C |
Trent Schuchart |
6'1 |
275 |
--- |
Jr |
DE |
Tyler Bryan |
6'0 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Matt Sudell |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/S |
Ray Baca |
5'11 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Conner Ellis |
5'9 |
145 |
--- |
Sr |
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908.5 |
8-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB/DB |
Matt Gonzales |
5'10 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB/LB |
Aaron Baxter |
5'9 |
175 |
--- |
So |
WR/DB |
Chris Harris |
6'0 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Travis Hildenbrand |
6'1 |
180 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Quinn Jette |
5'6 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/DB |
Clinton Bippert |
5'11 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/LB |
Brett Bippert |
6'1 |
185 |
--- |
So |
OL/DT |
Justin McMillian |
6'3 |
240 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Patrick Hoog |
6'4 |
290 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Travis Lange |
6'2 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Bernie Lopez |
5'10 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/CB |
Neil Tschirhart |
5'9 |
165 |
--- |
Jr |
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889 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
WR |
Jordan Hillyer |
6'4 |
185 |
--- |
Jr |
TE |
Jonathan Garibay |
6'1 |
190 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
Leroy Santos |
6'1 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
DE |
Alfonso Pineda |
6'2 |
170 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Gilbert Castillo |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Adrian Gomez |
5'5 |
145 |
--- |
Sr |
S |
Adam Hernandez |
5'6 |
155 |
--- |
Jr |
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489 |
2-8 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jaime Leal |
6'0 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Moses Rodriguez |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Daniel Benavides |
5'10 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Koby Kendrick |
6'2 |
270 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Alex Garza |
6'1 |
260 |
--- |
Sr |
CB |
Anthiony Huron |
5'8 |
140 |
--- |
Sr |
S |
Daniel Benavides |
5'10 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
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440.5 |
6-5 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Jonathan Flores |
6'2 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
Clayton Jopling |
5'8 |
150 |
--- |
Sr |
WR |
Shawn Pringle |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Joseph Allsup |
5'11 |
240 |
--- |
Sr |
OL |
Isiah Calais |
6'1 |
315 |
--- |
Jr |
OL |
Don Flores |
5'10 |
270 |
--- |
Jr |
DE |
Juan Davila |
5'9 |
210 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Steve Piazza |
5'9 |
170 |
--- |
Sr |
S |
Mark Lentz |
6'0 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
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| Lytle Pirates |
Walter H Joyce, Jr. Stadium
N Prairie St. & Laredo St.
Lytle, TX 78052 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Medina Valley Panthers |
Panther Stadium
FM 471 & Rues Lane
Castroville, TX 78002 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 3,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Pleasanton Eagles |
Eagle Stadium
Stadium Dr. & Long St.
Pleasanton, TX 78064 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Poteet Aggies |
Aggie Field
School Dr. Horton Lane
Poteet, TX 78065 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 1,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Somerset Bulldogs |
Bulldog Stadium
3rd St. & FM 2790
Somerset, TX 78069 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 4,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Pleasanton |
2 |
Medina Valley |
3 |
Lytle |
4 |
Somerset |
5 |
Poteet |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Somerset |
District MVP |
Niko Salinas
Pleasanton |
Offensive MVP |
Matt Gonzales
Medina Valley |
Defensive MVP
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Mark Lentz
Lytle |
Diamond In The Rough |
Aaron Baxter
Medina Valley |
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| 2006 Records |
| Pleasanton |
7-6 |
| Medina Valley |
8-4 |
| Somerset |
4-6 |
| Poteet |
2-8 |
| Lytle |
6-5 |
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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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