LH Panther Mom
08-30-2006, 05:19 AM
From the Austin American-Statesman
District 18-3A
CAMERON YOE
"They look like the team to beat." Even in a district that includes a state runner-up with its star QB returning, the Yoemen look like not only the team to beat in 18-3A, but also legitimate state title contenders. QB Brian Scott returns after 36 combined rushing and passing TDs. He also topped 1,000 yards rushing and throwing as well. WR Cordrick Mobley, who had 3 TDs in last year's playoffs, also is back.
HUTTO
"They're not gonna sneak up on anyone." The Hippos still are riding the crest of their surprise run to the Class 3A Division II championship game. QB Jeremy Kerley, a TCU commitment, is one of Central Texas' most electric players. He'll star on both offense and defense. RB Shiloh Wampler came on strong during district play and the playoffs. The key to the Hippos is how well their offensive line — a strength last year — plays after returning just one starter from 2005. LB Dylan Martinez, an All-District player, also is back.
LIBERTY HILL
"They can really surprise." While Yoe and Hutto will generate most of the attention, Liberty Hill will have a lot to say during district play. QB Thomas Perrin and RB Brent Bode are back, and the Panthers' offense again will be a high-scoring one. LB Cody Lattimore, who had 107 tackles last year as a freshman, leads a defense that is well-balanced.
ROCKDALE
"It's Miller time." The Tigers are expected to finish out of the playoffs, and are in their first season with new coach Jeff Miller. Rockdale was 3-7 last year and returns four starters on defense.
TAYLOR
"Moving on up." Like Hays and Copperas Cove, the Ducks too could benefit from their move as a strong area Class 4A team back into 3A, where they experienced success early this decade. QB Braeden Lawhon will lead the offense, and RB Lamar Rollie rushed for 1,220 yards and 11 TDs.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Cameron Yoe
2. Hutto
3. Liberty Hill
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District 23-3A
CALDWELL
"He's a hard-nosed player." Two-way star David Waters is back, and will be one of the district's best athletes. He rushed for 7 TDs last year on offense, and had 4 INTs on defense. The Hornets have some talent on offense and if the defense can rise, Caldwell can play the role of spoiler.
GIDDINGS
"They're loaded." The Buffaloes will be one of Class 3A's top teams, and have realistic hopes of doing even better than last year's 10-3 state quarterfinals season. QB Brock Fitzhenry, right, is back, and lends instant credibility to an offense that was one of Central Texas' best. He rushed for 2,465 yards and 36 TDs last year, and added another 700 yards passing and 11 TDs. FB Devane Jarmon also nearly rushed for 2,000 yards. LB Alan Dock leads the defense.
LA GRANGE
"They'll look to air it out." The passing game should be good, especially with QB Matt Woods, who threw for 1,500 yards and 15 TDs, leading it and having WR Brady Goehring (5 TDs) to throw to. But with the strength of the top three teams in the district, it's unlikely the Leopards can scratch their way into the picture.
SMITHVILLE
"Their backs are up against the wall." The Tigers ended their long losing streak in 2005, but are quickly placed at the back of the pack in a very strong 23-3A lineup. QB Kyle Land, who threw for 1,500 yards and 10 TDs last season, returns.
THE REST:
If Giddings weren't in this district, Bellville would be the heavy favorites. The Brahmas return 9 starters on offense and 8 on defense, from a 9-2 team. . . . Like Bellville, Navasota also is blessed with experience. Seventeen starters are back for the Rattlers, including their QB and RB.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Giddings
2. Bellville
3. Navasota
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District 25-3A
LLANO
"They can really stretch out a defense." The Yellow Jackets have two home run hitters in FB Shane Pope and RB Josh Yocum. They combined for more than 2,000 yards and 20 TDs. Llano, 8-4 last season, has good talent on both sides of the ball, and is strong on the lines to boot. They'll need to stay healthy and play consistently once district play begins.
WIMBERLEY
"Life is good on top." The Texans haven't lost a game since 2004. Last year's undefeated season that ended with the Division I state championship opens the door for head coach Weldon Nelms (above) to cement his Texans as one of Central Texas' most consistent powers. A big test this year, however, will be to find out how the program responds to the loss of All-State players like OL Buck Burnette and LB Craig Biddle. If new QB Ricky Beaty can play within himself then another big season can be expected. RB Michael Buse (1,266 yards, 17 TDs) is one of the area's top rushers.
THE REST:
Bandera returns a strong QB in Brandon Hicks, who threw for 2,703 yards and 28 TDs last year, and eight starters on defense from last year's 5-5 team. The Bulldogs also have weapons on offense to make them contenders for the district title, especially if Wimberley struggles out of the gate. . . . Ingram Moore is talented on the defensive side of the ball, a strength which will continue because there are several underclassmen on that side, but it's unlikely the Warriors will make the playoffs.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Wimberley
2. Llano
3. Bandera
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OTHER AREA 3A TEAMS:
A good nucleus of returning starters, including QB David Coe and RB Jonathon Lugo, has some thinking Luling will find its way back in the playoffs in District 26-3A.
link (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/30/30HS_CAPS2.html)
District 18-3A
CAMERON YOE
"They look like the team to beat." Even in a district that includes a state runner-up with its star QB returning, the Yoemen look like not only the team to beat in 18-3A, but also legitimate state title contenders. QB Brian Scott returns after 36 combined rushing and passing TDs. He also topped 1,000 yards rushing and throwing as well. WR Cordrick Mobley, who had 3 TDs in last year's playoffs, also is back.
HUTTO
"They're not gonna sneak up on anyone." The Hippos still are riding the crest of their surprise run to the Class 3A Division II championship game. QB Jeremy Kerley, a TCU commitment, is one of Central Texas' most electric players. He'll star on both offense and defense. RB Shiloh Wampler came on strong during district play and the playoffs. The key to the Hippos is how well their offensive line — a strength last year — plays after returning just one starter from 2005. LB Dylan Martinez, an All-District player, also is back.
LIBERTY HILL
"They can really surprise." While Yoe and Hutto will generate most of the attention, Liberty Hill will have a lot to say during district play. QB Thomas Perrin and RB Brent Bode are back, and the Panthers' offense again will be a high-scoring one. LB Cody Lattimore, who had 107 tackles last year as a freshman, leads a defense that is well-balanced.
ROCKDALE
"It's Miller time." The Tigers are expected to finish out of the playoffs, and are in their first season with new coach Jeff Miller. Rockdale was 3-7 last year and returns four starters on defense.
TAYLOR
"Moving on up." Like Hays and Copperas Cove, the Ducks too could benefit from their move as a strong area Class 4A team back into 3A, where they experienced success early this decade. QB Braeden Lawhon will lead the offense, and RB Lamar Rollie rushed for 1,220 yards and 11 TDs.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Cameron Yoe
2. Hutto
3. Liberty Hill
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
District 23-3A
CALDWELL
"He's a hard-nosed player." Two-way star David Waters is back, and will be one of the district's best athletes. He rushed for 7 TDs last year on offense, and had 4 INTs on defense. The Hornets have some talent on offense and if the defense can rise, Caldwell can play the role of spoiler.
GIDDINGS
"They're loaded." The Buffaloes will be one of Class 3A's top teams, and have realistic hopes of doing even better than last year's 10-3 state quarterfinals season. QB Brock Fitzhenry, right, is back, and lends instant credibility to an offense that was one of Central Texas' best. He rushed for 2,465 yards and 36 TDs last year, and added another 700 yards passing and 11 TDs. FB Devane Jarmon also nearly rushed for 2,000 yards. LB Alan Dock leads the defense.
LA GRANGE
"They'll look to air it out." The passing game should be good, especially with QB Matt Woods, who threw for 1,500 yards and 15 TDs, leading it and having WR Brady Goehring (5 TDs) to throw to. But with the strength of the top three teams in the district, it's unlikely the Leopards can scratch their way into the picture.
SMITHVILLE
"Their backs are up against the wall." The Tigers ended their long losing streak in 2005, but are quickly placed at the back of the pack in a very strong 23-3A lineup. QB Kyle Land, who threw for 1,500 yards and 10 TDs last season, returns.
THE REST:
If Giddings weren't in this district, Bellville would be the heavy favorites. The Brahmas return 9 starters on offense and 8 on defense, from a 9-2 team. . . . Like Bellville, Navasota also is blessed with experience. Seventeen starters are back for the Rattlers, including their QB and RB.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Giddings
2. Bellville
3. Navasota
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
District 25-3A
LLANO
"They can really stretch out a defense." The Yellow Jackets have two home run hitters in FB Shane Pope and RB Josh Yocum. They combined for more than 2,000 yards and 20 TDs. Llano, 8-4 last season, has good talent on both sides of the ball, and is strong on the lines to boot. They'll need to stay healthy and play consistently once district play begins.
WIMBERLEY
"Life is good on top." The Texans haven't lost a game since 2004. Last year's undefeated season that ended with the Division I state championship opens the door for head coach Weldon Nelms (above) to cement his Texans as one of Central Texas' most consistent powers. A big test this year, however, will be to find out how the program responds to the loss of All-State players like OL Buck Burnette and LB Craig Biddle. If new QB Ricky Beaty can play within himself then another big season can be expected. RB Michael Buse (1,266 yards, 17 TDs) is one of the area's top rushers.
THE REST:
Bandera returns a strong QB in Brandon Hicks, who threw for 2,703 yards and 28 TDs last year, and eight starters on defense from last year's 5-5 team. The Bulldogs also have weapons on offense to make them contenders for the district title, especially if Wimberley struggles out of the gate. . . . Ingram Moore is talented on the defensive side of the ball, a strength which will continue because there are several underclassmen on that side, but it's unlikely the Warriors will make the playoffs.
PLAYOFF PICKS
1. Wimberley
2. Llano
3. Bandera
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
OTHER AREA 3A TEAMS:
A good nucleus of returning starters, including QB David Coe and RB Jonathon Lugo, has some thinking Luling will find its way back in the playoffs in District 26-3A.
link (http://www.statesman.com/sports/content/sports/stories/highschool/08/30/30HS_CAPS2.html)