3afan
08-14-2008, 08:25 AM
from the DMN:
No. 1 Highland Park
COACH: Randy Allen
2007 RECORD: 15-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Tradition. Highland Park has made the playoffs 48 times and is currently enjoying one of its best runs. In 10 seasons at Highland Park, Allen is 106-11 with a state title in 2005 and a runner-up finish last year. Senior defensive backs Jeff Howeth (6-0, 200) and Matt Bonano (6-0, 175) combined for 138 tackles and nine interceptions last year. Junior Luke Woodley (6-2, 190) inherits the quarterback job. Center Chris Calandro (6-1, 255) is the only offensive starter who returns.
NOTABLE: The program is one win away from its 700th victory.
2. Everman
COACH: Dale Keeling
2007 RECORD: 14-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Ryan Smith (5-8, 180) was 12th among Class 4A rushers in 2007 with 1,150 rushing yards. Last season, Everman was the only 4A area team to rush for more than 4,000 yards (4,859). End Keith Ruston (6-2, 195) made 95 tackles last season and should be a defensive leader.
NOTABLE: The jump from 3A to 4A hasn't slowed Everman, which owns a streak of nine straight playoff seasons.
3. Dallas Carter
COACH: Allen Wilson
2007 RECORD: 7-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior QB Jarvis Phillips (6-0, 190) proved his presence makes a big difference when he came back from an injury to lead a playoff run last season. Defensive lineman Chris Henderson (6-3, 245), orally committed to Texas A&M, doesn't stay blocked for very long.
NOTABLE: It is the 20th anniversary of Carter's greatest team, which won the 1988 Class 5A state title only to have it stripped because of an ineligible player.
4. Rockwall
COACH: Scott Smith
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Versatile TE/OLB Aaron Arterburn (6-3, 225) and OL John Noble (6-5, 290) will be welcomed back by returning receivers Mark Ulbik (28-516 in '07) and Jarron White. Adam Dingwell (6-3, 175) moves to quarterback from tight end.
NOTABLE: Rockwall drops to Class 4A after making the playoffs in Class 5A last season.
5. Mansfield Timberview
COACH: Terry Cron
2007 RECORD: 9-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Eric Stephens, orally committed to Minnesota, rushed for 1,906 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. When defenses keyed on him, quarterback Donte Parker proved he was capable, passing for 805 yards and four TDs in 2007. Linebacker Patrick Houston-Cathey (80 tackles) leads the defense.
NOTABLE: Despite dropping from Class 5A, Timberview might find itself in a more difficult district alongside Everman and Stephenville.
6. Denton Ryan
COACH: Joey Florence
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Jay Catlin (5-10, 225) returns after leading the team in rushing with 909 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. D.J. Beshears also returns after leading Ryan in receiving last season with 56 catches for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cornerback Sedrick Purnell is the top returning defender.
NOTABLE: Ryan has made the playoffs each of the last eight seasons.
7. Dallas South Oak Cliff
COACH: Chris Gilbert
2007 RECORD: 9-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior safety Kevin Brent (5-11, 200), ranked the area's top recruit, should provide defensive leadership after a 2007 season that included 86 tackles and three interceptions. The blocking of senior tight end James Phillips (6-4, 225) should help clear the way for senior running back Kenneth Douglass, who rushed for 7.7 yards per carry last year in limited action.
NOTABLE: Although the boys basketball program draws more attention, South Oak Cliff's nine-win season in '07 was its second in four years.
8. Rockwall-Heath
COACH: Mickey Moss
2007 RECORD: 7-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: If the return of leading rusher Kendial Lawrence (1,724 yards, 21 TDs) and passer Drew Hollingshead (1,319 yards, 12 TDs) weren't enough, the addition of linebacker Austin Moss (6-3, 218), a transfer from South Garland and the son of the new head coach, should help shore up the defense. Moss has orally committed to Arkansas and Hollingshead to Houston.
NOTABLE: In its three defeats last season, the defense allowed an average of 37.7 points per game.
9. Dallas Lincoln
COACH: Jerry Sands
2007 RECORD: 4-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior linebacker/defensive end Tony Battie (6-0, 210) is one of five starters returning from a solid 2007 defense. Offensively, senior running back Mason Hays (5-9, 195) rushed for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.
NOTABLE: Lincoln is trying to extend a streak of nine straight playoff seasons.
10. West Mesquite
COACH: Mike Overton
2007 RECORD: 10-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: A receiving corps headed by Skyler Scott (6-1, 185), a transfer from Laredo United, and returnee Cornell Ridge (38-539 in '07) should provide help for sophomore quarterback Trevone Boykin (6-0, 185). Defensively, senior linebackers Brian Crawford (102 tackles last season) and Greg Robinson (90 tackles) are very active.
NOTABLE: West Mesquite plays four of its six District 15-4A games in Mesquite, where it was unbeaten (5-0) in 2007.
11. Fort Worth Southwest
COACH: Lanny Trammell
2007 RECORD: 10-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Jason Dillon was a two-way threat in 2007, rushing for 1,007 yards and passing for 1,782 with a combined 34 touchdowns. Linebacker Travis Burton and defensive back J.T. Kelly are being counted on for defensive leadership.
NOTABLE: Southwest has won 18 straight regular-season games.
12. Red Oak
COACH: Mike Shields
2007 RECORD: 10-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Nic Boyd rushed for 1,580 yards and 19 TDs last season. Versatile wide receiver Seth Rushing accounted for 654 combined rushing and receiving yards. The defense should be led by end Chris Ellison and free safety Victor Cooper, who combined for 142 tackles in '07.
NOTABLE: Red Oak's playoff trip last year was the school's first since 1984.
13. McKinney
COACH: Bobby Reyes
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: After taking its lumps with a young lineup last year, McKinney is ready to take advantage of 26 returning lettermen. The defense will be led by cornerback Prescott Mack and linebacker Ryan Hughes (90 tackles in '07), both seniors. Junior Zach Lee returns at quarterback hoping to improve on last season's 1,901 passing yards and 17 TDs.
NOTABLE: McKinney has had only one winning season (2004) in the last seven years.
14. Lancaster
COACH: Andrew Jackson
2007 RECORD: 6-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 11 defense
STRENGTHS: Four members of the secondary are among Rivals' top 100 on the state recruiting list: Josh Brown (No. 56), Phillip Harvey (No. 99), Demontre Hurst (No. 61) and Kerry Lewis (No. 86).
NOTABLE: Lancaster lost its No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks to broken ankles last season. Harvey eventually sparkled after taking over in the final three games.
15. Ennis
COACH: Sam Harrell
2007 RECORD: 7-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Harrell is toying with moving Deonte McDade, who rushed for 1,721 yards last season, from quarterback to running back. Junior D.J. Betik will get a shot at QB. A passer is needed to take advantage of the receiving talents of junior Kyle Guinyard.
NOTABLE: Ennis, which turned from the pass to the run the last couple of years, could go back the other way this season.
16. Waxahachie
COACH: David Ream
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 1 defense
STRENGTHS: Returning experience is mostly in the offensive line, with tackles Taylor McCulloch, Ethan Aungiano, center Bryer Duncan and tight end Drew Harrison.
NOTABLE: Junior wide receiver/defensive back Sam Gagliano (5-8, 165), runner-up in the 110-meter high hurdles at the 4A state track and field meet, will add punt and kickoff returns to his other duties.
17. Dallas Kimball
COACH: Chester Barnes
2007 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Other defenses may be bigger, but end Jomo McDuff (6-2, 215), and linebackers Chris Moten (5-10, 185) and Dontay Livingston (5-10, 200) can do the job. They combined for 176 tackles last season.
NOTABLE: How will Kimball play in the afternoon? District 11-4A games with Carter, South Oak Cliff and Pinkston are all scheduled for 2 p.m. kickoffs.
18. Royse City
COACH: Greg Strahm
2007 RECORD: 11-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Richard Morrison (6-0, 174), orally committed to Arizona, threw for 3,350 yards last season. Protection will come from veteran offensive linemen Brock Wempa and Gabriel Martinez.
NOTABLE: Royse City seems well-stocked to make the jump to Class 4A, but it landed in a district with four teams that have been at the 5A level within the last three alignments.
19. Frisco
COACH: Vance Gibson
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 2 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior quarterback Gavin Gray (6-2, 197) and favorite target Alphonse Coleman (6-1, 187) combined for 1,021 of Gray's 2,426 passing yards last season. Running back Josh Hill, who rushed for 702 yards last season, keeps defenses honest.
NOTABLE: Frisco is the only team in District 9-4A to have a winning record at the 4A level last season.
20. Lake Dallas
COACH: Michael Young
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior Jared Beggs (5-8, 180) rushed for 620 yards last season. Junior James Franklin, slated for quarterback, did a little of everything last year. He rushed for 322 yards, passed for 253 and added 421 receiving yards.
NOTABLE: The schedule favors Lake Dallas, with home games against District 5-4A powers Denton Ryan (Oct. 10) and Wichita Falls Rider (Oct. 24).
No. 1 Highland Park
COACH: Randy Allen
2007 RECORD: 15-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Tradition. Highland Park has made the playoffs 48 times and is currently enjoying one of its best runs. In 10 seasons at Highland Park, Allen is 106-11 with a state title in 2005 and a runner-up finish last year. Senior defensive backs Jeff Howeth (6-0, 200) and Matt Bonano (6-0, 175) combined for 138 tackles and nine interceptions last year. Junior Luke Woodley (6-2, 190) inherits the quarterback job. Center Chris Calandro (6-1, 255) is the only offensive starter who returns.
NOTABLE: The program is one win away from its 700th victory.
2. Everman
COACH: Dale Keeling
2007 RECORD: 14-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Ryan Smith (5-8, 180) was 12th among Class 4A rushers in 2007 with 1,150 rushing yards. Last season, Everman was the only 4A area team to rush for more than 4,000 yards (4,859). End Keith Ruston (6-2, 195) made 95 tackles last season and should be a defensive leader.
NOTABLE: The jump from 3A to 4A hasn't slowed Everman, which owns a streak of nine straight playoff seasons.
3. Dallas Carter
COACH: Allen Wilson
2007 RECORD: 7-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior QB Jarvis Phillips (6-0, 190) proved his presence makes a big difference when he came back from an injury to lead a playoff run last season. Defensive lineman Chris Henderson (6-3, 245), orally committed to Texas A&M, doesn't stay blocked for very long.
NOTABLE: It is the 20th anniversary of Carter's greatest team, which won the 1988 Class 5A state title only to have it stripped because of an ineligible player.
4. Rockwall
COACH: Scott Smith
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Versatile TE/OLB Aaron Arterburn (6-3, 225) and OL John Noble (6-5, 290) will be welcomed back by returning receivers Mark Ulbik (28-516 in '07) and Jarron White. Adam Dingwell (6-3, 175) moves to quarterback from tight end.
NOTABLE: Rockwall drops to Class 4A after making the playoffs in Class 5A last season.
5. Mansfield Timberview
COACH: Terry Cron
2007 RECORD: 9-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Eric Stephens, orally committed to Minnesota, rushed for 1,906 yards and 23 touchdowns last season. When defenses keyed on him, quarterback Donte Parker proved he was capable, passing for 805 yards and four TDs in 2007. Linebacker Patrick Houston-Cathey (80 tackles) leads the defense.
NOTABLE: Despite dropping from Class 5A, Timberview might find itself in a more difficult district alongside Everman and Stephenville.
6. Denton Ryan
COACH: Joey Florence
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Jay Catlin (5-10, 225) returns after leading the team in rushing with 909 yards and seven touchdowns in 2007. D.J. Beshears also returns after leading Ryan in receiving last season with 56 catches for 879 yards and 13 touchdowns. Cornerback Sedrick Purnell is the top returning defender.
NOTABLE: Ryan has made the playoffs each of the last eight seasons.
7. Dallas South Oak Cliff
COACH: Chris Gilbert
2007 RECORD: 9-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior safety Kevin Brent (5-11, 200), ranked the area's top recruit, should provide defensive leadership after a 2007 season that included 86 tackles and three interceptions. The blocking of senior tight end James Phillips (6-4, 225) should help clear the way for senior running back Kenneth Douglass, who rushed for 7.7 yards per carry last year in limited action.
NOTABLE: Although the boys basketball program draws more attention, South Oak Cliff's nine-win season in '07 was its second in four years.
8. Rockwall-Heath
COACH: Mickey Moss
2007 RECORD: 7-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: If the return of leading rusher Kendial Lawrence (1,724 yards, 21 TDs) and passer Drew Hollingshead (1,319 yards, 12 TDs) weren't enough, the addition of linebacker Austin Moss (6-3, 218), a transfer from South Garland and the son of the new head coach, should help shore up the defense. Moss has orally committed to Arkansas and Hollingshead to Houston.
NOTABLE: In its three defeats last season, the defense allowed an average of 37.7 points per game.
9. Dallas Lincoln
COACH: Jerry Sands
2007 RECORD: 4-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior linebacker/defensive end Tony Battie (6-0, 210) is one of five starters returning from a solid 2007 defense. Offensively, senior running back Mason Hays (5-9, 195) rushed for 886 yards and 12 touchdowns last year.
NOTABLE: Lincoln is trying to extend a streak of nine straight playoff seasons.
10. West Mesquite
COACH: Mike Overton
2007 RECORD: 10-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: A receiving corps headed by Skyler Scott (6-1, 185), a transfer from Laredo United, and returnee Cornell Ridge (38-539 in '07) should provide help for sophomore quarterback Trevone Boykin (6-0, 185). Defensively, senior linebackers Brian Crawford (102 tackles last season) and Greg Robinson (90 tackles) are very active.
NOTABLE: West Mesquite plays four of its six District 15-4A games in Mesquite, where it was unbeaten (5-0) in 2007.
11. Fort Worth Southwest
COACH: Lanny Trammell
2007 RECORD: 10-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Jason Dillon was a two-way threat in 2007, rushing for 1,007 yards and passing for 1,782 with a combined 34 touchdowns. Linebacker Travis Burton and defensive back J.T. Kelly are being counted on for defensive leadership.
NOTABLE: Southwest has won 18 straight regular-season games.
12. Red Oak
COACH: Mike Shields
2007 RECORD: 10-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior running back Nic Boyd rushed for 1,580 yards and 19 TDs last season. Versatile wide receiver Seth Rushing accounted for 654 combined rushing and receiving yards. The defense should be led by end Chris Ellison and free safety Victor Cooper, who combined for 142 tackles in '07.
NOTABLE: Red Oak's playoff trip last year was the school's first since 1984.
13. McKinney
COACH: Bobby Reyes
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: After taking its lumps with a young lineup last year, McKinney is ready to take advantage of 26 returning lettermen. The defense will be led by cornerback Prescott Mack and linebacker Ryan Hughes (90 tackles in '07), both seniors. Junior Zach Lee returns at quarterback hoping to improve on last season's 1,901 passing yards and 17 TDs.
NOTABLE: McKinney has had only one winning season (2004) in the last seven years.
14. Lancaster
COACH: Andrew Jackson
2007 RECORD: 6-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 11 defense
STRENGTHS: Four members of the secondary are among Rivals' top 100 on the state recruiting list: Josh Brown (No. 56), Phillip Harvey (No. 99), Demontre Hurst (No. 61) and Kerry Lewis (No. 86).
NOTABLE: Lancaster lost its No. 1 and 2 quarterbacks to broken ankles last season. Harvey eventually sparkled after taking over in the final three games.
15. Ennis
COACH: Sam Harrell
2007 RECORD: 7-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Harrell is toying with moving Deonte McDade, who rushed for 1,721 yards last season, from quarterback to running back. Junior D.J. Betik will get a shot at QB. A passer is needed to take advantage of the receiving talents of junior Kyle Guinyard.
NOTABLE: Ennis, which turned from the pass to the run the last couple of years, could go back the other way this season.
16. Waxahachie
COACH: David Ream
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 1 defense
STRENGTHS: Returning experience is mostly in the offensive line, with tackles Taylor McCulloch, Ethan Aungiano, center Bryer Duncan and tight end Drew Harrison.
NOTABLE: Junior wide receiver/defensive back Sam Gagliano (5-8, 165), runner-up in the 110-meter high hurdles at the 4A state track and field meet, will add punt and kickoff returns to his other duties.
17. Dallas Kimball
COACH: Chester Barnes
2007 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Other defenses may be bigger, but end Jomo McDuff (6-2, 215), and linebackers Chris Moten (5-10, 185) and Dontay Livingston (5-10, 200) can do the job. They combined for 176 tackles last season.
NOTABLE: How will Kimball play in the afternoon? District 11-4A games with Carter, South Oak Cliff and Pinkston are all scheduled for 2 p.m. kickoffs.
18. Royse City
COACH: Greg Strahm
2007 RECORD: 11-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Richard Morrison (6-0, 174), orally committed to Arizona, threw for 3,350 yards last season. Protection will come from veteran offensive linemen Brock Wempa and Gabriel Martinez.
NOTABLE: Royse City seems well-stocked to make the jump to Class 4A, but it landed in a district with four teams that have been at the 5A level within the last three alignments.
19. Frisco
COACH: Vance Gibson
2007 RECORD: 6-5
RETURNING STARTERS: 2 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior quarterback Gavin Gray (6-2, 197) and favorite target Alphonse Coleman (6-1, 187) combined for 1,021 of Gray's 2,426 passing yards last season. Running back Josh Hill, who rushed for 702 yards last season, keeps defenses honest.
NOTABLE: Frisco is the only team in District 9-4A to have a winning record at the 4A level last season.
20. Lake Dallas
COACH: Michael Young
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Senior Jared Beggs (5-8, 180) rushed for 620 yards last season. Junior James Franklin, slated for quarterback, did a little of everything last year. He rushed for 322 yards, passed for 253 and added 421 receiving yards.
NOTABLE: The schedule favors Lake Dallas, with home games against District 5-4A powers Denton Ryan (Oct. 10) and Wichita Falls Rider (Oct. 24).