1971Coogs
08-11-2012, 04:58 PM
1 Where did this district come from?
With so many schools moving up and down in classification or joining the UIL ranks this year, there were a lot of changes with the latest realignment. This district draws two teams - West Columbia and Sweeny - from the previously aligned 29-3A to join the only team that stayed in 24-3A, Stafford. Former Class 4A powerhouse La Marque dropped down, and the Sunnyside Senators are in their first season of UIL varsity football.
2 So, La Marque will destroy this grouping, right?
Not so fast. This district is a far cry from the Cougars' 24-4A home of the last two seasons, but it does feature one formidable foe in West Columbia, which went to the 3A Division I state semifinals for the second consecutive season last year. The Roughnecks own back-to-back district titles and haven't lost a district game since Oct. 30, 2009. That being said, the Cougars probably will roll through district.
3 Who, exactly, is Sunnyside?
Sunnyside is a charter school under the KIPP umbrella that serves the Third Ward and surrounding communities. Sunnyside played a JV schedule as an independent against HISD, TAPPS and SPC schools in its second year of football last season.
Players to watch
Demun Mercer, QB, senior, La Marque
The 6-2, 185-pound transfer did a little of everything at Chavez last year, but he was a very successful dual-threat QB as a sophomore under coach Mike Jackson.
Devon Hayward, S, senior, La Marque
Hayward could see time at receiver, too. The first-team all-district safety leads a talented defense with seven returning starters.
Floyd Bess, RB, senior, West Columbia
The 5-9, 165-pound back is the leading returning rusher in this district, with 1,245 yards and 13 touchdowns as the second option last year.
Greg Lemon, DE, senior, Sweeny
Lemon supplied 61 tackles and seven sacks as a junior, helping the Bulldogs reach the 3A Division II regional semifinals.
Easy Anyama, RB/DB, senior, Stafford
The speedy 6-2, 200-pounder, who had 11 TDs last year, fronts the Spartans' attack on both sides of the ball.
Key games
Ball at La Marque
7 p.m., Aug. 30
These old rivals go back to being non-district foes after two years together in District 24-4A. They'll help kick off the season in style on the first Thursday on TV.
Coldspring-Oakhurst at La Marque
7:30 p.m., Sept. 14
The Cougars host seven games, including a matchup with 3A powerhouse Coldspring that provides an early glimpse of how they can expect to fare in the playoffs.
West Columbia at La Marque
7:30 p.m., Nov. 2
This is the only game that matters in this district. It's the season finale for the Roughnecks, who are off in Week 10. The Cougars have a six-game winning streak in the series.
Projected finish
1. La Marque
2. West Columbia
3. Sweeney
4. Stafford
5. Sunnyside
With so many schools moving up and down in classification or joining the UIL ranks this year, there were a lot of changes with the latest realignment. This district draws two teams - West Columbia and Sweeny - from the previously aligned 29-3A to join the only team that stayed in 24-3A, Stafford. Former Class 4A powerhouse La Marque dropped down, and the Sunnyside Senators are in their first season of UIL varsity football.
2 So, La Marque will destroy this grouping, right?
Not so fast. This district is a far cry from the Cougars' 24-4A home of the last two seasons, but it does feature one formidable foe in West Columbia, which went to the 3A Division I state semifinals for the second consecutive season last year. The Roughnecks own back-to-back district titles and haven't lost a district game since Oct. 30, 2009. That being said, the Cougars probably will roll through district.
3 Who, exactly, is Sunnyside?
Sunnyside is a charter school under the KIPP umbrella that serves the Third Ward and surrounding communities. Sunnyside played a JV schedule as an independent against HISD, TAPPS and SPC schools in its second year of football last season.
Players to watch
Demun Mercer, QB, senior, La Marque
The 6-2, 185-pound transfer did a little of everything at Chavez last year, but he was a very successful dual-threat QB as a sophomore under coach Mike Jackson.
Devon Hayward, S, senior, La Marque
Hayward could see time at receiver, too. The first-team all-district safety leads a talented defense with seven returning starters.
Floyd Bess, RB, senior, West Columbia
The 5-9, 165-pound back is the leading returning rusher in this district, with 1,245 yards and 13 touchdowns as the second option last year.
Greg Lemon, DE, senior, Sweeny
Lemon supplied 61 tackles and seven sacks as a junior, helping the Bulldogs reach the 3A Division II regional semifinals.
Easy Anyama, RB/DB, senior, Stafford
The speedy 6-2, 200-pounder, who had 11 TDs last year, fronts the Spartans' attack on both sides of the ball.
Key games
Ball at La Marque
7 p.m., Aug. 30
These old rivals go back to being non-district foes after two years together in District 24-4A. They'll help kick off the season in style on the first Thursday on TV.
Coldspring-Oakhurst at La Marque
7:30 p.m., Sept. 14
The Cougars host seven games, including a matchup with 3A powerhouse Coldspring that provides an early glimpse of how they can expect to fare in the playoffs.
West Columbia at La Marque
7:30 p.m., Nov. 2
This is the only game that matters in this district. It's the season finale for the Roughnecks, who are off in Week 10. The Cougars have a six-game winning streak in the series.
Projected finish
1. La Marque
2. West Columbia
3. Sweeney
4. Stafford
5. Sunnyside