Phantom Stang
08-29-2006, 10:05 AM
District 19-3A preview capsules
Monday, August 28, 2006
Realignment didn’t make the road to the playoffs any easier for this Central Texas triad.
Palestine’s drop from 4A gives the Wildcats a huge edge from a numbers [standpoint. After Palestine, Madisonville figures to be a strong contender with 12 starters back from its area playoff team, while Mexia, Fairfield and Groesbeck are evenly matched. Give the third-place nod to the Blackcats for now, based on the late-season momentum they gained a year ago.
Fairfield Eagles
Head coach: David Haynes (1st season; 9th overall: 41-41)
All-time: 352-329-25 since 1937
Playoff trips: 16 (11-15)
Last playoff game: Lost to Cameron, 35-7, in 2004 area
Returning: 18 lettermen, 9 offensive, 7 defensive starters
Key losses: OL Jacob Pratt, DL Chase Gillian
Outlook: Haynes, the former McGregor coach, hopes to open things up offensively by implementing the spread attack.
Two-year starting QB Billy McMillian is superbly mobile. When in trouble, he’ll frequently seek out 6-foot-5 TE/DE Nolan Melontree. RB/DB Eric Palmer is a fleet-footed tailback and return man.
On defense, LB/FB Malcolm Woodruff (6-2, 220) is the reigning district MVP on that side of the ball. DB/WR Alfraid Manning enters his third year as a starter.
Groesbeck Goats
Head coach: Richey Cutrer (6th season: 20-29-1)
All-time: 369-422-32 since 1915
Playoff trips: 11 (11-10)
Last playoff game: Lost to Diboll, 49-28, in 2001 bi-district
Returning: 21 lettermen, 7 offensive, 4 defensive starters
Key losses: LB Tony Taveras (North Texas), RB Travoy Ray
Outlook: The Goats dropped three of their final four games after a 5-0 start in 2005, and Cutrer’s team is intent on redemption.
Four starters return on the offensive line — Chase Logan, Colton Ensminger, John Edgerley and Corey Cortines. They’ll clear holes for QB Cody Wilson, a run-pass threat with 19 TDs last year.
There are some holes to plug on defense, notably Taveras, but DB Patrick Kilman and DL Raymond Castillo will do their parts. The Goats must also overcome the departure of Ray, who transferred.
Mexia Blackcats
Head coach: Larry Adair (2nd season: 3-7)
All-time: 486-368-36 since 1910
Playoff trips: 21 (21-18-1)
Last playoff game: Lost to Connally, 38-0, in 2005 bi-district
Returning: 20 lettermen; 7 offensive, 7 defensive starters
Key losses: OL Chad High, QB Ed Adams
Outlook: The Blackcats snuck into the playoffs in Adair’s first year. This year, the goal is “to go even farther,” Adair said.
Projected No. 1 QB Adams has been dismissed from the team, opening the door for speedster Kendrick Johnson (5-7, 140) and newcomer Lemeul Mosley. RB Omar Lara provides toughness in the backfield, and OL Kelvin Beachum is a pile-mover at tackle.
Beachum and Johnson will also help out on defense, along with DL Michael Gamble (5-10, 240). Five sophomores could see significant playing time.
Groesbeck Schedule
9/1 Groesbeck at Lorena 7:30 p.m.
9/8 La Vega at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Mart at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Groesbeck at China Spring 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Groesbeck at Whitney 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Mexia at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Groesbeck at Palestine 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Fairfield at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Groesbeck at Madison. 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Pal. West. at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
Mexia Schedule
9/1 Gatesville at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/8 Mexia at China Spring 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Connally at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Rockdale at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Mexia at La Vega 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Mexia at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Mexia at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Pal. Westwood at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Mexia at Palestine 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Madisonville at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
Fairfield Schedule
9/1 China Spring at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
9/8 Fairfield at Robinson 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Fairfield at La Vega 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Connally at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Crandall at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Fairfield at Madisonville 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Mexia at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Fairfield at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Fairfield at Pal. W’wood 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Palestine at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Realignment didn’t make the road to the playoffs any easier for this Central Texas triad.
Palestine’s drop from 4A gives the Wildcats a huge edge from a numbers [standpoint. After Palestine, Madisonville figures to be a strong contender with 12 starters back from its area playoff team, while Mexia, Fairfield and Groesbeck are evenly matched. Give the third-place nod to the Blackcats for now, based on the late-season momentum they gained a year ago.
Fairfield Eagles
Head coach: David Haynes (1st season; 9th overall: 41-41)
All-time: 352-329-25 since 1937
Playoff trips: 16 (11-15)
Last playoff game: Lost to Cameron, 35-7, in 2004 area
Returning: 18 lettermen, 9 offensive, 7 defensive starters
Key losses: OL Jacob Pratt, DL Chase Gillian
Outlook: Haynes, the former McGregor coach, hopes to open things up offensively by implementing the spread attack.
Two-year starting QB Billy McMillian is superbly mobile. When in trouble, he’ll frequently seek out 6-foot-5 TE/DE Nolan Melontree. RB/DB Eric Palmer is a fleet-footed tailback and return man.
On defense, LB/FB Malcolm Woodruff (6-2, 220) is the reigning district MVP on that side of the ball. DB/WR Alfraid Manning enters his third year as a starter.
Groesbeck Goats
Head coach: Richey Cutrer (6th season: 20-29-1)
All-time: 369-422-32 since 1915
Playoff trips: 11 (11-10)
Last playoff game: Lost to Diboll, 49-28, in 2001 bi-district
Returning: 21 lettermen, 7 offensive, 4 defensive starters
Key losses: LB Tony Taveras (North Texas), RB Travoy Ray
Outlook: The Goats dropped three of their final four games after a 5-0 start in 2005, and Cutrer’s team is intent on redemption.
Four starters return on the offensive line — Chase Logan, Colton Ensminger, John Edgerley and Corey Cortines. They’ll clear holes for QB Cody Wilson, a run-pass threat with 19 TDs last year.
There are some holes to plug on defense, notably Taveras, but DB Patrick Kilman and DL Raymond Castillo will do their parts. The Goats must also overcome the departure of Ray, who transferred.
Mexia Blackcats
Head coach: Larry Adair (2nd season: 3-7)
All-time: 486-368-36 since 1910
Playoff trips: 21 (21-18-1)
Last playoff game: Lost to Connally, 38-0, in 2005 bi-district
Returning: 20 lettermen; 7 offensive, 7 defensive starters
Key losses: OL Chad High, QB Ed Adams
Outlook: The Blackcats snuck into the playoffs in Adair’s first year. This year, the goal is “to go even farther,” Adair said.
Projected No. 1 QB Adams has been dismissed from the team, opening the door for speedster Kendrick Johnson (5-7, 140) and newcomer Lemeul Mosley. RB Omar Lara provides toughness in the backfield, and OL Kelvin Beachum is a pile-mover at tackle.
Beachum and Johnson will also help out on defense, along with DL Michael Gamble (5-10, 240). Five sophomores could see significant playing time.
Groesbeck Schedule
9/1 Groesbeck at Lorena 7:30 p.m.
9/8 La Vega at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Mart at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Groesbeck at China Spring 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Groesbeck at Whitney 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Mexia at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Groesbeck at Palestine 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Fairfield at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Groesbeck at Madison. 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Pal. West. at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
Mexia Schedule
9/1 Gatesville at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/8 Mexia at China Spring 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Connally at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Rockdale at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Mexia at La Vega 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Mexia at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Mexia at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Pal. Westwood at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Mexia at Palestine 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Madisonville at Mexia 7:30 p.m.
Fairfield Schedule
9/1 China Spring at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
9/8 Fairfield at Robinson 7:30 p.m.
9/15 Fairfield at La Vega 7:30 p.m.
9/22 Connally at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
9/29 Crandall at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/13 Fairfield at Madisonville 7:30 p.m.
10/20 Mexia at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.
10/27 Fairfield at Groesbeck 7:30 p.m.
11/3 Fairfield at Pal. W’wood 7:30 p.m.
11/10 Palestine at Fairfield 7:30 p.m.