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| Preview Guide 2007 |
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By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
Last season the 8-4A race found itself in a very hotly contested race with two weeks to go before the playoffs. At the time, there were four teams looking to bounce their way into the playoffs with only three spots available. Among those teams was the surprising start of Crowley to their season as they began a 2006 with a 7-0 start. In the final three weeks, the Eagles lose to each of the eventual three playoff teams being Stephenville, Aledo and Everman. The three at the top not only made through a competitive district, but they all finished with identical 6-1 records. Now in 2007, could we possibly see a repeat of the series of events that occured in 2006? Or will we see one or two teams break away from the main pack?
Stephenville, coming off a 10-2 season, is a prime candidate to be state's top ranked team in Class 4A. The offense brings back all but its two stud wide outs Brent McElfresh and Hunter Hendershot, who are at Air Force and Hardin-Simmons respectively. Stepping back in to start under center will be Oklahoma State commit Kody Spano. Spano in 2006 passed for nearly 2,900 yards and 31 touchdowns as a junior starter who replaced Jevan Snead. Expect Cody Davis to have a very big year taking over as the lead receiver and defensive back. Rusher Brad Mills, who is a junior this season is coming off a season where he gained 700 yards and six touchdowns. To make matters even better for the Stephenville Yellow Jackets, the entire offensive line returns as do key defensove players including T.R. Varnado at defensive tackle and Cody Wood at linebacker.
Aledo should find itself in a strong position to finish second with most of their skill players back. Its dual rushing threat in Cole Loftin and Ryan McGuire is back but Loftin is making the switch into the QB1 role for his season after a nearly 1,800 yard rusing campaign with 21 touchdowns. Adding to Loftin's total would be McGuire's grad total of 1,225 yards and 22 more touchdowns. The key for Aledo will be up front where they will need plenty of support. If the Bearcats can solidiffy the holes in the trenches, then a similar offensive output is expected. On the defensive side, the Bearcats will be aiming to use the experience and talent in the middle of the field to shore up key holes and create a similar buzz as they did last year. Among the key contributors on the defensive side of the ball are Blaine Cheatham and Calvin Jones at linebacker and Kenton Day, Nico Dollar and Jack Bryant in the safety positions. Don't be surprised if Aledo finds itself in the middle of the district title chase with Stephenville or unseats them at the top.
Third place in the district is Everman's to lose. If they can keep the momentum of their offense in their favor, then the Bulldogs chances at both a playoff spot and a district title The Bulldogs will be turning to QB Sedric Harris and RB C.J. Jennings to help smooth things over offensively. It will be key for the offensive lines to works its way into last season's late season form. On the defensive side, DB Michael Carter and LB Darius Busby are expected to see solid production increase in their favor while giving the younger players a chance to fit into the mold. If the younger players can work in a solid contribution, Everman should right back where they were last season.
Crowley's fast start in 2006 raised a lot of eyebrows but the hype died down shortly after the Eagles stumbled to three straight losses finding them on the outside looking in. Now in 2007, Brad McCone's club will be looking change their fortunes against one of the big three in the district race. A strong offensive line should help steer the Eagles in the right direction giving QB Colby Ray plenty of opportunity to find new targets and keep defenders on their toes. Defensively, like Everman, the Eagles strength should in the linebacking cores. Junior Chris Allen and senior Patrick Briscoe are expected to be the leaders and provide the firepower that gives Crowley's defense the motivation it is looking for. |
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1625 |
7-3 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Colby Ray |
5'10 |
160 |
4.5 |
Sr |
OT |
Dejuan Davis |
6'4 |
298 |
4.9 |
Sr |
OT |
Trey Taylor |
6'5 |
265 |
5.3 |
Sr |
DE |
Jarvis Wilson |
6'3 |
240 |
4.8 |
Sr |
LB |
Chris Allen |
5'10 |
190 |
4.6 |
Jr |
LB/TE |
Patrick Briscoe |
5'10 |
185 |
4.7 |
Sr |
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1554 |
3-7 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Scotty Walden |
5'10 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
RB |
Jabar Greely |
5'8 |
160 |
4.5 |
Sr |
WR |
DeSean Thompson |
5'11 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Justin Gauntt |
5'9 |
195 |
4.8 |
Jr |
DB |
DeMontre Davison |
5'10 |
155 |
4.5 |
Jr |
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1340 |
1-9 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB/DB |
Jon Blair |
5'8 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
John Savage |
5'10 |
205 |
4.5 |
So |
WR |
Jeff Hickerson |
5'9 |
175 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Jordan Oakes |
6'4 |
310 |
5.3 |
Sr |
OL |
Stanley Downings |
6'4 |
260 |
4.8 |
Sr |
OL |
Michael Biggs |
6'2 |
252 |
4.9 |
Jr |
LB |
Ben Howard |
5'10 |
200 |
4.8 |
Jr |
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1298.5 |
12-2 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Cole Loftin |
6'0 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
RB |
Ryan McGuire |
5'10 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
FB |
Austin Stockton |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Jr |
OG |
Ethan McMillan |
6'4 |
300 |
5.4 |
Sr |
LB |
Calvin Jones |
6'0 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
LB |
Blaine Cheatham |
5'11 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
CB |
Kenton Day |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
WR/S |
Jack Bryant |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Sr |
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1082.5 |
9-4 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Sedric Harris |
5'11 |
165 |
--- |
Sr |
RB |
C.J. Jennings |
5'8 |
200 |
--- |
Sr |
OG/DL |
Jerrel Jones |
6'3 |
250 |
--- |
Sr |
OT |
Tristan Davis |
6'1 |
275 |
--- |
Sr |
OG |
Donnie Wiggins |
5'10 |
240 |
--- |
Jr |
C |
Kenyon Rubel |
6'0 |
280 |
--- |
Sr |
DB |
Michael Carter |
5'10 |
160 |
--- |
Sr |
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1064.5 |
10-2 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Kody Spano |
6'3 |
200 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB |
Brad Mills |
5'10 |
165 |
4.6 |
Jr |
FB |
Trey Taylor |
5'10 |
165 |
4.7 |
Sr |
WR |
Chris Malone |
5'10 |
165 |
4.7 |
Jr |
OG |
Danny Moss |
5'9 |
195 |
--- |
Sr |
DL |
Wayne Viotto |
5'9 |
220 |
--- |
Sr |
DT |
T.R. Varnado |
6'1 |
285 |
5.1 |
So |
LB |
Cody Wood |
5'10 |
185 |
--- |
Sr |
WR/S/P |
Cody Davis |
6'3 |
205 |
4.6 |
Sr |
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1040 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
QB |
Brian Farmer |
6'2 |
185 |
4.7 |
Sr |
RB/DB |
Brandon Hardeman |
5'10 |
180 |
4.6 |
Sr |
WR/S |
Jesse Wright |
6'3 |
180 |
4.6 |
Jr |
DE |
Tim McDonald |
6'1 |
180 |
4.7 |
Sr |
LB |
Kody Cats |
6'2 |
202 |
4.5 |
Sr |
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1000 |
4-6 |
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Team Radio |
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Pos |
Name |
HT |
WT |
40 |
YR |
RB |
J.J. Hardy |
5'8 |
185 |
4.6 |
Sr |
OL |
Nathan Law |
5'11 |
235 |
5.2 |
Sr |
OL |
R.J. King |
6'3 |
270 |
--- |
Jr |
LB |
Darrail McDaniel |
5'10 |
175 |
--- |
Sr |
LB |
Thomas Head |
5'11 |
170 |
4.7 |
Jr |
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| Aledo Bearcats |
Bearcat Stadium
1000 Bailey Ranch Rd.
Aledo, TX 76008 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 8,155 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Alvarado Indians |
Charles Head Stadium
1300 N. Cummings Rd.
Alvarado, TX 76009 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 2,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Cleburne Yellowjackets |
Yellow Jacket Stadium
1201 W Henderson
Cleburne, TX 76033 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 5,400 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Crowley Eagles |
Eagle Stadium
1005 W Main St.
Crowley, TX 76036 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 7,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Everman Bulldogs |
J.E. Marr Stadium
S Race St. & Oak Grove Shelby
Everman, TX 76140 |
Surface: Artificial Turf
Capacity: 5,200 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Joshua Owls |
Owl Stadium
909 South Broadway
Joshua, TX 76058 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 2,250 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Mineral Wells Rams |
Miller Stadium
3801 Ram Blvd.
Mineral Wells, TX 76067 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 4,500 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
| Stephenville Yellow Jackets |
Memorial Stadium
W Sloan St & N Harbin Dr.
Stephenville, TX 76401 |
Surface: Grass
Capacity: 7,000 (est.)
Directions To Stadium |
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Preview Guide Line Up |
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| Projected Finish |
1 |
Stephenville |
2 |
Aledo |
3 |
Everman |
4 |
Crowley |
5 |
Cleburne |
6 |
Alvarado |
7 |
Mineral Wells |
8 |
Joshua |
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| Pre-Season Awards |
District Darkhorse |
Aledo |
District MVP |
Kody Spano
Stephenville |
Offensive MVP |
Cole Loftin
Aledo |
Defensive MVP
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Cody Davis
Stephenville |
Diamond In The Rough |
Jon Blair
Joshua |
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| 2006 Records |
| Crowley |
7-3 |
| Cleburne |
3-7 |
| Joshua |
1-9 |
| Aledo |
12-2 |
| Everman |
9-4 |
| Stephenville |
10-2 |
| Mineral Wells |
4-6 |
| Alvarado |
4-6 |
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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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