3afan
08-21-2008, 05:53 AM
No. 1 Euless Trinity
COACH: Steve Lineweaver
2007 RECORD: 15-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Denarius McGhee developed into a smooth operator of Trinity's power attack last season on the way to the Division I state title. He's back for his senior season after rushing for six touchdowns and passing for 1,706 yards and 14 more scores. Also returning is Dontrayevous Robinson, a Nebraska commit who was the primary running back until a late-season injury. The offensive line, a traditional Trinity strength, is a question mark, but only because of lack of experience. The defense should be strong again with the return of tackle Siosaia Tuipulotu, linebacker Earnest Norman and defensive back Eryon Barnett, who's committed to Texas.
NOTABLE: Trinity is ranked No. 1 in two national polls, the National Prep Poll and the ESPNRISE.com Fab 50. The Trojans open the season Sept. 1 at Texas Stadium against longtime Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis.
No. 2 Plano
COACH: Jaydon McCullough
2007 RECORD: 13-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Former assistant McCullough takes over as Plano's fourth head coach in 42 years. He inherits a loaded offense with quarterback Carson Meger, running back Rex Burkhead and wide receiver Kris Lott. Defensive backs Laron Kelly and Justin Collins return to lead the defense.
NOTABLE: Plano's most recent state title was in 1994. The last decade that ended without Plano winning a state championship was the 1950s.
No. 3 Southlake Carroll
COACH: Hal Wasson
2007 RECORD: 11-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Kyle Padron, who looked good in spot action backing up Riley Dodge, takes over the coveted quarterback position. Tommy Avers, who saw action when Tre' Newton was injured, is in line to be the primary ballcarrier. Defensive ends Brayden Burnett and Jackson Richards anchor the defense.
NOTABLE: Carroll's four previous starting QBs – Chase Wasson, Chase Daniel, Greg McElroy and Riley Dodge – each was named Offensive Player of the Year on the AP all-state team.
No. 4 Arlington Bowie
COACH: Kenny Perry
2007 RECORD: 12-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Christian Matthews is one of the area's premier passers after throwing for 2,786 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2007. Most of his targets have graduated, but he will have linemen Jamal Lewis and Derek Okafor back protecting him. Free safety Dexter Linton, who had 75 stops last season, is the top returning tackler.
NOTABLE: Bowie was 1-9 in both 2004 and 2005 but has won 19 games in the two seasons since.
No. 5 Allen
COACH: Tom Westerberg
2007 RECORD: 10-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: This year's Allen team should look a lot like last year's 10-0 team, with a huge offensive line and quarterback Matt Brown (2,420 yards passing, 928 yards rushing) back for his junior season. Receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu (373 yards, 6 TDs) is poised for a big season. Defensive back Steven Terrell had 96 tackles in 2007.
NOTABLE: Nwachukwu's first name means "The road is good" in Nigerian. His older brother, Chima, is a starting cornerback at Washington State.
No. 6 Skyline
COACH: Reginald Samples
2007 RECORD: 12-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: The defense should be one of the best in the area, with a deep secondary led by Oklahoma commit Steve Williams. Two quarterbacks, Chris Frazier and Javia Hall, have experience. Running back James White is a blur.
NOTABLE: Skyline was one-and-done in the playoffs for 11 straight years until going four rounds deep in 2007. With the DISD down to four 5A schools, the Raiders share a district with schools from the Richardson and Carrollton ISDs.
No. 7 Cedar Hill
COACH: Joey McGuire
2007 RECORD: 8-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Offensive tackle Thomas Ashcraft (6-5, 290), a Texas commit, is one of the area's top recruits. Running back Ben Malena could step into a bigger role after rushing for 563 yards and five touchdowns in 2007. Defensive end Tyler Washington had five sacks a year ago.
NOTABLE: Cedar Hill won the 2006 Division II state title and has recorded 31 wins over the last three seasons.
No. 8 Garland Naaman Forest
COACH: Bill Patterson
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Running back Jonathon Miller rushed for a school record 1,984 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Lineman J.V. Mason (6-5, 270) is back to pave the way. Derrick Osborn, who caught 21 passes at receiver, transitions to quarterback.
NOTABLE: Safety Terrance Bullitt is the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts defensive back Melvin Bullitt.
No. 9 Hebron
COACH: Brian Brazil
2007 RECORD: 11-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: A passing team last year, Hebron returns to a more balanced offense with Justin Iwuji taking over at quarterback. Three-year starter Joel Gray (6-6, 280) provides muscle on the offensive line while running back Darius Staten and receiver Phillip Mitchell fortify the skill positions.
NOTABLE: Hebron, whose home stadium is nicknamed The Woodshed, has averaged 10.5 wins a season for the last six years. The Hawks have won at least 10 games in each of the last four years.
No. 10 DeSoto
COACH: Claude Mathis
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: New coach Mathis brings a fresh approach to what is traditionally one of the area's most talent-laden programs. Quarterback Ryan Polite played as a freshman last year and showed poise beyond his years. Defensive standouts include end Damian Lewis and defensive back Rod Jones.
NOTABLE: Mathis led Austin LBJ to the 4A-Division I state quarterfinals last season where it lost to eventual state champion Rosenberg Lamar, 17-14, in overtime.
No. 11 Flower Mound Marcus
COACH: Bryan Erwin
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 8 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Running back Stephen Hopkins (6-0, 210) is a big, physical back who should be even stronger in his junior season. He will have four returning linemen opening holes, including all-district selections Ty Cloud and Chase Douglass. Another junior, defensive lineman Daniel Noble (6-4, 285), was the district defensive sophomore of the year.
NOTABLE: The bad news is Marcus is in a six-team district with Southlake Carroll and Hebron. The good news is four teams make the playoffs.
No. 12 Colleyville Heritage
COACH: Mike Fuller
2007 RECORD: 8-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Steven Hill returns at quarterback after passing for 1,516 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007. Eddie Foster and Jake Skinner were two of his top targets. The defensive front is deep, while the linebacking corps has loads of experience with Bobby Schneider, Tyler Crouch and Alex Scheiwe.
NOTABLE: Schneider is ranked 13th in his class and is a national merit scholar finalist.
No. 13 Plano East
COACH: Johnny Ringo
2007 RECORD: 6-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Bruising running back Toben Opurum spearheads the offense, and safety Josh Peprah, brother of the Green Bay Packers' S Charlie Peprah, leads the defense. Chase Howland (6-3, 310) and Clark Gregg (6-3, 240) provide bulk on the offensive line. Logan Reneau and Conrad Bongo make for a solid pair at linebacker.
NOTABLE: Plano East's four-game skid to end the 2007 season, after a 6-0 start, snapped a 10-year streak of making the playoffs.
No. 14 Garland
COACH: Jeff Jordan
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 9 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Garland averaged 9.6 wins a season over the five years before 2007's slide. A strong senior class, led by linebacker Lavar Hart, linebacker Steven Baker and receiver Keith Blanton, is expected to get the program back on track.
NOTABLE: Garland, one of the last remaining Wing-T holdouts, switched to the spread offense in the spring.
No. 15 Rowlett
COACH: Kiff Hardin
2007 RECORD: 6-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Rowlett showed its potential last year by upsetting undefeated Allen in the playoffs. The offense is well stocked again, starting off with running back Dexter Imade, who averaged 7.9 yards a carry in 2007. Blake Hamblin moves from safety to quarterback.
NOTABLE: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin won the World Junior long jump title in July.
No. 16 Duncanville
COACH: Jeff Dicus
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 9 offense; 10 defense
STRENGTHS: New coach Dicus led Lake Travis to a Class 4A state title last season. Quarterback Larry Miller has adapted well to the new pass- oriented offense. Linebacker Alex Adewunmi racked up 121 tackles, including 12 for losses, in 2007.
NOTABLE: Dicus passed up a chance to coach Garrett Gilbert, one of the nation's top quarterback recruits, in his senior season at Lake Travis.
No. 17 Keller Fossil Ridge
COACH: Tony Baccarini
2007 RECORD: 10-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Linebacker Branden Mahoney, an Oklahoma recruit, steps out of the shadow of R. J. Washington, who was the state's top recruit a year ago. Wide receiver Aaron Fisher, a Texas Tech commit, is a great route runner with breakaway speed.
NOTABLE: Kicker Chris Boswell has scored 248 points in his varsity career. He is 29 of 31 on field goals with a long of 47 and 151 of 151 on extra points.
No. 18 Arlington
COACH: Scott Peach
2007 RECORD: 4-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 10 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Arlington returns a wealth of experience, including running back Jamal Nero, who rushed for 1,127 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Quarterback Matt Joeckel passed for 736 yards and three TDs as a sophomore. Brad Onyegbule registered 100 tackles at end.
NOTABLE: Left tackle Eric Walker (6-3, 290) had 44 knockdown blocks in 2007 and didn't allow a sack.
No. 19 Irving MacArthur
COACH: Brian Basil
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Linebacker Tariq Allen (6-2, 220) is committed to Texas after recording 121 tackles and six sacks in 2007. Mike Brooks carries on a family tradition at quarterback. He completed 18 passes for 266 yards and two scores last year as a backup.
NOTABLE: MacArthur has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons but is 0-5 in playoff games in that span.
No. 20 Wylie
COACH: Bill Howard
2007 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Wylie, the fourth 8-5A team in the rankings, can boast one of the area's most physically imposing quarterbacks, Jerod Monk (6-5, 230). Nose guard Nikita Whitlock (5-10, 235) and free safety Alan Menchaca lead a tough defense.
NOTABLE: Wylie has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons, but last year was its first postseason appearance as a 5A school.
COACH: Steve Lineweaver
2007 RECORD: 15-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Quarterback Denarius McGhee developed into a smooth operator of Trinity's power attack last season on the way to the Division I state title. He's back for his senior season after rushing for six touchdowns and passing for 1,706 yards and 14 more scores. Also returning is Dontrayevous Robinson, a Nebraska commit who was the primary running back until a late-season injury. The offensive line, a traditional Trinity strength, is a question mark, but only because of lack of experience. The defense should be strong again with the return of tackle Siosaia Tuipulotu, linebacker Earnest Norman and defensive back Eryon Barnett, who's committed to Texas.
NOTABLE: Trinity is ranked No. 1 in two national polls, the National Prep Poll and the ESPNRISE.com Fab 50. The Trojans open the season Sept. 1 at Texas Stadium against longtime Louisiana powerhouse John Curtis.
No. 2 Plano
COACH: Jaydon McCullough
2007 RECORD: 13-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Former assistant McCullough takes over as Plano's fourth head coach in 42 years. He inherits a loaded offense with quarterback Carson Meger, running back Rex Burkhead and wide receiver Kris Lott. Defensive backs Laron Kelly and Justin Collins return to lead the defense.
NOTABLE: Plano's most recent state title was in 1994. The last decade that ended without Plano winning a state championship was the 1950s.
No. 3 Southlake Carroll
COACH: Hal Wasson
2007 RECORD: 11-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 1 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: Kyle Padron, who looked good in spot action backing up Riley Dodge, takes over the coveted quarterback position. Tommy Avers, who saw action when Tre' Newton was injured, is in line to be the primary ballcarrier. Defensive ends Brayden Burnett and Jackson Richards anchor the defense.
NOTABLE: Carroll's four previous starting QBs – Chase Wasson, Chase Daniel, Greg McElroy and Riley Dodge – each was named Offensive Player of the Year on the AP all-state team.
No. 4 Arlington Bowie
COACH: Kenny Perry
2007 RECORD: 12-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense; 2 defense
STRENGTHS: Christian Matthews is one of the area's premier passers after throwing for 2,786 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2007. Most of his targets have graduated, but he will have linemen Jamal Lewis and Derek Okafor back protecting him. Free safety Dexter Linton, who had 75 stops last season, is the top returning tackler.
NOTABLE: Bowie was 1-9 in both 2004 and 2005 but has won 19 games in the two seasons since.
No. 5 Allen
COACH: Tom Westerberg
2007 RECORD: 10-1
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: This year's Allen team should look a lot like last year's 10-0 team, with a huge offensive line and quarterback Matt Brown (2,420 yards passing, 928 yards rushing) back for his junior season. Receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu (373 yards, 6 TDs) is poised for a big season. Defensive back Steven Terrell had 96 tackles in 2007.
NOTABLE: Nwachukwu's first name means "The road is good" in Nigerian. His older brother, Chima, is a starting cornerback at Washington State.
No. 6 Skyline
COACH: Reginald Samples
2007 RECORD: 12-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: The defense should be one of the best in the area, with a deep secondary led by Oklahoma commit Steve Williams. Two quarterbacks, Chris Frazier and Javia Hall, have experience. Running back James White is a blur.
NOTABLE: Skyline was one-and-done in the playoffs for 11 straight years until going four rounds deep in 2007. With the DISD down to four 5A schools, the Raiders share a district with schools from the Richardson and Carrollton ISDs.
No. 7 Cedar Hill
COACH: Joey McGuire
2007 RECORD: 8-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 4 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Offensive tackle Thomas Ashcraft (6-5, 290), a Texas commit, is one of the area's top recruits. Running back Ben Malena could step into a bigger role after rushing for 563 yards and five touchdowns in 2007. Defensive end Tyler Washington had five sacks a year ago.
NOTABLE: Cedar Hill won the 2006 Division II state title and has recorded 31 wins over the last three seasons.
No. 8 Garland Naaman Forest
COACH: Bill Patterson
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Running back Jonathon Miller rushed for a school record 1,984 yards and 25 touchdowns last season. Lineman J.V. Mason (6-5, 270) is back to pave the way. Derrick Osborn, who caught 21 passes at receiver, transitions to quarterback.
NOTABLE: Safety Terrance Bullitt is the younger brother of Indianapolis Colts defensive back Melvin Bullitt.
No. 9 Hebron
COACH: Brian Brazil
2007 RECORD: 11-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 5 defense
STRENGTHS: A passing team last year, Hebron returns to a more balanced offense with Justin Iwuji taking over at quarterback. Three-year starter Joel Gray (6-6, 280) provides muscle on the offensive line while running back Darius Staten and receiver Phillip Mitchell fortify the skill positions.
NOTABLE: Hebron, whose home stadium is nicknamed The Woodshed, has averaged 10.5 wins a season for the last six years. The Hawks have won at least 10 games in each of the last four years.
No. 10 DeSoto
COACH: Claude Mathis
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 3 offense; 4 defense
STRENGTHS: New coach Mathis brings a fresh approach to what is traditionally one of the area's most talent-laden programs. Quarterback Ryan Polite played as a freshman last year and showed poise beyond his years. Defensive standouts include end Damian Lewis and defensive back Rod Jones.
NOTABLE: Mathis led Austin LBJ to the 4A-Division I state quarterfinals last season where it lost to eventual state champion Rosenberg Lamar, 17-14, in overtime.
No. 11 Flower Mound Marcus
COACH: Bryan Erwin
2007 RECORD: 9-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 8 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Running back Stephen Hopkins (6-0, 210) is a big, physical back who should be even stronger in his junior season. He will have four returning linemen opening holes, including all-district selections Ty Cloud and Chase Douglass. Another junior, defensive lineman Daniel Noble (6-4, 285), was the district defensive sophomore of the year.
NOTABLE: The bad news is Marcus is in a six-team district with Southlake Carroll and Hebron. The good news is four teams make the playoffs.
No. 12 Colleyville Heritage
COACH: Mike Fuller
2007 RECORD: 8-3
RETURNING STARTERS: 5 offense; 6 defense
STRENGTHS: Steven Hill returns at quarterback after passing for 1,516 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2007. Eddie Foster and Jake Skinner were two of his top targets. The defensive front is deep, while the linebacking corps has loads of experience with Bobby Schneider, Tyler Crouch and Alex Scheiwe.
NOTABLE: Schneider is ranked 13th in his class and is a national merit scholar finalist.
No. 13 Plano East
COACH: Johnny Ringo
2007 RECORD: 6-4
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Bruising running back Toben Opurum spearheads the offense, and safety Josh Peprah, brother of the Green Bay Packers' S Charlie Peprah, leads the defense. Chase Howland (6-3, 310) and Clark Gregg (6-3, 240) provide bulk on the offensive line. Logan Reneau and Conrad Bongo make for a solid pair at linebacker.
NOTABLE: Plano East's four-game skid to end the 2007 season, after a 6-0 start, snapped a 10-year streak of making the playoffs.
No. 14 Garland
COACH: Jeff Jordan
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 9 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Garland averaged 9.6 wins a season over the five years before 2007's slide. A strong senior class, led by linebacker Lavar Hart, linebacker Steven Baker and receiver Keith Blanton, is expected to get the program back on track.
NOTABLE: Garland, one of the last remaining Wing-T holdouts, switched to the spread offense in the spring.
No. 15 Rowlett
COACH: Kiff Hardin
2007 RECORD: 6-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 3 defense
STRENGTHS: Rowlett showed its potential last year by upsetting undefeated Allen in the playoffs. The offense is well stocked again, starting off with running back Dexter Imade, who averaged 7.9 yards a carry in 2007. Blake Hamblin moves from safety to quarterback.
NOTABLE: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin won the World Junior long jump title in July.
No. 16 Duncanville
COACH: Jeff Dicus
2007 RECORD: 3-7
RETURNING STARTERS: 9 offense; 10 defense
STRENGTHS: New coach Dicus led Lake Travis to a Class 4A state title last season. Quarterback Larry Miller has adapted well to the new pass- oriented offense. Linebacker Alex Adewunmi racked up 121 tackles, including 12 for losses, in 2007.
NOTABLE: Dicus passed up a chance to coach Garrett Gilbert, one of the nation's top quarterback recruits, in his senior season at Lake Travis.
No. 17 Keller Fossil Ridge
COACH: Tony Baccarini
2007 RECORD: 10-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 7 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Linebacker Branden Mahoney, an Oklahoma recruit, steps out of the shadow of R. J. Washington, who was the state's top recruit a year ago. Wide receiver Aaron Fisher, a Texas Tech commit, is a great route runner with breakaway speed.
NOTABLE: Kicker Chris Boswell has scored 248 points in his varsity career. He is 29 of 31 on field goals with a long of 47 and 151 of 151 on extra points.
No. 18 Arlington
COACH: Scott Peach
2007 RECORD: 4-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 10 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Arlington returns a wealth of experience, including running back Jamal Nero, who rushed for 1,127 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Quarterback Matt Joeckel passed for 736 yards and three TDs as a sophomore. Brad Onyegbule registered 100 tackles at end.
NOTABLE: Left tackle Eric Walker (6-3, 290) had 44 knockdown blocks in 2007 and didn't allow a sack.
No. 19 Irving MacArthur
COACH: Brian Basil
2007 RECORD: 9-2
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 7 defense
STRENGTHS: Linebacker Tariq Allen (6-2, 220) is committed to Texas after recording 121 tackles and six sacks in 2007. Mike Brooks carries on a family tradition at quarterback. He completed 18 passes for 266 yards and two scores last year as a backup.
NOTABLE: MacArthur has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons but is 0-5 in playoff games in that span.
No. 20 Wylie
COACH: Bill Howard
2007 RECORD: 5-6
RETURNING STARTERS: 6 offense; 8 defense
STRENGTHS: Wylie, the fourth 8-5A team in the rankings, can boast one of the area's most physically imposing quarterbacks, Jerod Monk (6-5, 230). Nose guard Nikita Whitlock (5-10, 235) and free safety Alan Menchaca lead a tough defense.
NOTABLE: Wylie has made the playoffs five of the last six seasons, but last year was its first postseason appearance as a 5A school.