Post by CC_Varmints on May 23, 2013 11:39:27 GMT -6
From DCTF:
The first goal of every high school football team in the state is the same: win their district championship. Every year, fans are treated to a number of must-see district match-ups across the state between two true state title contenders, the games that are important not just for determining the district champion, but also giving us a better idea of where the two teams shake out in the bigger, statewide picture.
Over the next two weeks, TexasFootball.com will highlight the biggest must-see district matchups for the 2013 season, going class-by-class to identify the most significant district clashes out there. Trust us: you’ll want to mark your calendars for these matchups.
May 21: Class 5A
Class 5A’s Must-See District Showdowns
District 3-5A: Arlington Bowie at Arlington Martin (Week 10)
It’s no surprise that Bowie looks strong once again. Even with a new coach in Danny Dearman after Kenny Perry took an assistant’s job at TCU, the Volunteers look loaded with LB Edwin Freeman, WR Tony James (just a junior, if you can believe it) and DE Stody Bradley. But coach Bob Wager’s Martin Warriors could be headed for a big leap after last year’s relatively ordinary 7-4 season, even without all-everything RB Kyle Hicks. The reason: outstanding defense. DE Myles Garrett, LB Josh Watson and DB Cedric Fernandes lead a talented and explosive Warriors defense, and that could make this showdown between crosstown rivals one for the ages. And if the city of Arlington is as good as it was last year, the winner of this one will have much, much more than just bragging rights. They’ll have eyes for the bigger prize.
District 7-5A: DeSoto at Cedar Hill (Week 3)
I mean, do we really have to convince you on this? Cedar Hill played for the 5A Division II state title last year, and even though they lose some big names like Damion Hobbs, Laquivionte Gonzalez and Quincy Adeboyejo, coach Joey McGuire’s cupboard is hardly bare. Not with the lucks of lockdown CB Marcus Green, 1,000-yard rusher Larry Hill and hard-hitting LB Doveon Dillard back. And really, it’s the same song, different verse for DeSoto. The name recognition may be gone now that RB Dontre Wilson – our 2012 Gridiron Legends HS Player of the Year – is off to Ohio State, but don’t sleep on coach Claude Mathis and the Eagles. The defense, largely underappreciated last year, returns almost entirely intact, and guys like DB Nick Orr and DL Shaquel Jackson are out to prove they’re not just an offensive team. (Oh, and electrifying QB Desmond White is back, too.) It’s always a humdinger when these two get together, and when they get together in CHill this year in an early-season matchup that’s going to shape the entire district feel? Well, get your tickets now.
District 14-5A: Lufkin at The Woodlands (Week 6)
It’s dangerous to associate too much meaning with any one game – well, aside from maybe the state championship games – but this game feels big for a lot of reasons. You’ve got Lufkin, and they’re the traditional power. Three state title appearances (one championship), the fifth-winningest program in 5A history, the legend of John Outlaw, everything. And the 2013 Panthers should be up to their usual snuff, featuring a dynamic WR duo of Jamal Jeffery and KeKe Coutee as well as seven players back on coach Todd Quick’s defense. And then there’s The Woodlands, the program we’ve been waiting to break through for years. Sure, they played for a title a decade ago, but we always expect more. Well, without putting two much pressure out there, this might be The Woodlands’ best team yet. Between sophomore sensation RB Patrick Carr, all-everything WR/DB Tyler Patrick and some hogmollies in the trenches, Mark Schmid’s Highlanders look very formidable. The Woodlands toppled Lufkin last year in Lufkin; you know the Panthers would love to return the favor and prove once again that they’re the district big dog.
District 15-5A: Austin Westlake at Lake Travis (Week 9)
If you live in Austin, this game’s already circled on your calendar. Lake Travis, the preeminent Texas high school football dynasty of the last decade, soared to a district title in its first year in 5A…and promptly fell on its face in its first playoff game. Austin Westlake lost a thriller to Lake Travis last year, but got the last laugh, driving all the way to the state semifinals. But regardless of playoff finishes, this game means something. This game isn’t just for the district title; it’s for the title of Best 5A Team In Austin. This will be a different-looking Lake Travis team – gone is QB Baker Mayfield, and the star of the show is breakout RB Varshaun Nixon and the usually crippling Cavs defense. But those who doubt LT do so at their own peril. For Westlake, well, expectations are understandably high. Coach Darren Allman’s got his best team yet, including QB Jordan Severt and a bevy of weapons to go along with a defense that features LBs Hudson Hall and Breckyn Hager. This game is must-see, and here’s an extra wrinkle: the game is at Lake Travis, where LT hasn’t lost since November 5, 2010.
District 21-5A: La Porte at Galena Park North Shore (Week 9)
Are you ready for some…defense? If you like low-scoring, hard-hitting slugfests, this battle for District 21-5A is for you. North Shore has long prided itself on its relentless defense, and the 2013 version of coach David Aymond’s crew should be no different. Five starters are back from last year, including Alabama commit LB Zach Whitley, LB Christian Jacobs and FS J.T. Matthews. On the other side, you have coach Jeff LeReau’s stifling defense that features one of the best players in the state in LB Hoza Scott. But don’t overlook the other stars of the defense, including FS Vic Holmes and LB Trevor Nelson. Last year’s contest finished La Porte 27, North Shore 10; it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were half as many points scored in this year’s meeting, especially with the game at North Shore. Prepare for pain.
District 22-5A: Pearland at Manvel (Week 9)
In a lot of ways, we don’t know exactly how this game is going to look. Pearland is Pearland: they’ve got a great coach in Tony Heath, they’ve got a crushing defense that will be led this year by district MVP LB Justin Phillips and all-district DT Ronald Fraser, and they've got exceptional pedigree. Manvel, though, is going to be much different than last year. Gone is QB Shane McCarley, gone is WR Carlos Thompson, gone is WR Austin Bennett, gone is WR Kyrion Parker, gone is DB Tavares Garner, gone is DT Dewan Edmonson (it goes on, but you get the point). There are a lot of new pieces in place, but the ones that remained are pretty darn special, especially up front with DE Koda Martin and OL Cory Klingler. If coach Kirk Martin can fill in the gaps like he normally does, Manvel will be its usual self. The question is, will it be good enough to take down Pearland? Time will tell, but trust us: you won’t want to miss this.
District 25-5A: Converse Judson at Smithson Valley (Week 7)
Let’s call a spade a spade: Converse Judson got embarrassed on its home field last year by Smithson Valley, and it cost them the district championship. “Smithson Valley 45, Judson 14” is so clear in the memories of the Rockets players that it might as well be their phone number. Now, redemption lies just seven weeks away with a shot to roll into Smithson Valley and return the favor. The bad news: Larry Hill has the SV Rangers looking like a power again, even without RB Lawrence Mattison. QB Garrett Smith is back to lead the offense, and DE Mason Nasis and DB Shane Piatnik should lead a fearsome defense. But Judson, in a second year under coach Mark Smith, is looking like a title contender, led by star LBs Justin Johnson and Malik Pryor and exciting skill position players like TE Cedric Williams and WR Andre Wilson. With all of the emotion in this game, the fact that the district title will likely be on the line makes it all the more enthralling.
District 27-5A: San Antonio O’Connor at San Antonio Brandeis (Week 3)
It took the playoffs to prove just how good District 27-5A was last year. These two teams, which met in Week 3 last year and battled to a thrilling 27-20 Brandeis win thanks to a Trinton Ynclan 69-yard TD run with 5:39 left, went on to big things: O’Connor ran all the way to the 5A DI semifinals while Brandeis made it to the DII regional final. Now they’re back to battling for the top of the district, and this game isn’t sneaking up on anyone. Brandeis may not have Ynclan, but it has a star-studded defense led by OLB Chase Guillory and DE Corey Hayes, while WR Larry Stephens may be the biggest homerun hitter in the game. O’Connor is without their star RB in Tre Johnson, but there’s plenty of speed left over, including outstanding CB Jeilyn Williams, LB Marces Garza-Dishmon and WR Nate Phillips. These two teams meet early, and it could determine the trajectory of the entire San Antonio area; after all, nobody’s sleeping on District 27-5A anymore.
The first goal of every high school football team in the state is the same: win their district championship. Every year, fans are treated to a number of must-see district match-ups across the state between two true state title contenders, the games that are important not just for determining the district champion, but also giving us a better idea of where the two teams shake out in the bigger, statewide picture.
Over the next two weeks, TexasFootball.com will highlight the biggest must-see district matchups for the 2013 season, going class-by-class to identify the most significant district clashes out there. Trust us: you’ll want to mark your calendars for these matchups.
May 21: Class 5A
Class 5A’s Must-See District Showdowns
District 3-5A: Arlington Bowie at Arlington Martin (Week 10)
It’s no surprise that Bowie looks strong once again. Even with a new coach in Danny Dearman after Kenny Perry took an assistant’s job at TCU, the Volunteers look loaded with LB Edwin Freeman, WR Tony James (just a junior, if you can believe it) and DE Stody Bradley. But coach Bob Wager’s Martin Warriors could be headed for a big leap after last year’s relatively ordinary 7-4 season, even without all-everything RB Kyle Hicks. The reason: outstanding defense. DE Myles Garrett, LB Josh Watson and DB Cedric Fernandes lead a talented and explosive Warriors defense, and that could make this showdown between crosstown rivals one for the ages. And if the city of Arlington is as good as it was last year, the winner of this one will have much, much more than just bragging rights. They’ll have eyes for the bigger prize.
District 7-5A: DeSoto at Cedar Hill (Week 3)
I mean, do we really have to convince you on this? Cedar Hill played for the 5A Division II state title last year, and even though they lose some big names like Damion Hobbs, Laquivionte Gonzalez and Quincy Adeboyejo, coach Joey McGuire’s cupboard is hardly bare. Not with the lucks of lockdown CB Marcus Green, 1,000-yard rusher Larry Hill and hard-hitting LB Doveon Dillard back. And really, it’s the same song, different verse for DeSoto. The name recognition may be gone now that RB Dontre Wilson – our 2012 Gridiron Legends HS Player of the Year – is off to Ohio State, but don’t sleep on coach Claude Mathis and the Eagles. The defense, largely underappreciated last year, returns almost entirely intact, and guys like DB Nick Orr and DL Shaquel Jackson are out to prove they’re not just an offensive team. (Oh, and electrifying QB Desmond White is back, too.) It’s always a humdinger when these two get together, and when they get together in CHill this year in an early-season matchup that’s going to shape the entire district feel? Well, get your tickets now.
District 14-5A: Lufkin at The Woodlands (Week 6)
It’s dangerous to associate too much meaning with any one game – well, aside from maybe the state championship games – but this game feels big for a lot of reasons. You’ve got Lufkin, and they’re the traditional power. Three state title appearances (one championship), the fifth-winningest program in 5A history, the legend of John Outlaw, everything. And the 2013 Panthers should be up to their usual snuff, featuring a dynamic WR duo of Jamal Jeffery and KeKe Coutee as well as seven players back on coach Todd Quick’s defense. And then there’s The Woodlands, the program we’ve been waiting to break through for years. Sure, they played for a title a decade ago, but we always expect more. Well, without putting two much pressure out there, this might be The Woodlands’ best team yet. Between sophomore sensation RB Patrick Carr, all-everything WR/DB Tyler Patrick and some hogmollies in the trenches, Mark Schmid’s Highlanders look very formidable. The Woodlands toppled Lufkin last year in Lufkin; you know the Panthers would love to return the favor and prove once again that they’re the district big dog.
District 15-5A: Austin Westlake at Lake Travis (Week 9)
If you live in Austin, this game’s already circled on your calendar. Lake Travis, the preeminent Texas high school football dynasty of the last decade, soared to a district title in its first year in 5A…and promptly fell on its face in its first playoff game. Austin Westlake lost a thriller to Lake Travis last year, but got the last laugh, driving all the way to the state semifinals. But regardless of playoff finishes, this game means something. This game isn’t just for the district title; it’s for the title of Best 5A Team In Austin. This will be a different-looking Lake Travis team – gone is QB Baker Mayfield, and the star of the show is breakout RB Varshaun Nixon and the usually crippling Cavs defense. But those who doubt LT do so at their own peril. For Westlake, well, expectations are understandably high. Coach Darren Allman’s got his best team yet, including QB Jordan Severt and a bevy of weapons to go along with a defense that features LBs Hudson Hall and Breckyn Hager. This game is must-see, and here’s an extra wrinkle: the game is at Lake Travis, where LT hasn’t lost since November 5, 2010.
District 21-5A: La Porte at Galena Park North Shore (Week 9)
Are you ready for some…defense? If you like low-scoring, hard-hitting slugfests, this battle for District 21-5A is for you. North Shore has long prided itself on its relentless defense, and the 2013 version of coach David Aymond’s crew should be no different. Five starters are back from last year, including Alabama commit LB Zach Whitley, LB Christian Jacobs and FS J.T. Matthews. On the other side, you have coach Jeff LeReau’s stifling defense that features one of the best players in the state in LB Hoza Scott. But don’t overlook the other stars of the defense, including FS Vic Holmes and LB Trevor Nelson. Last year’s contest finished La Porte 27, North Shore 10; it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were half as many points scored in this year’s meeting, especially with the game at North Shore. Prepare for pain.
District 22-5A: Pearland at Manvel (Week 9)
In a lot of ways, we don’t know exactly how this game is going to look. Pearland is Pearland: they’ve got a great coach in Tony Heath, they’ve got a crushing defense that will be led this year by district MVP LB Justin Phillips and all-district DT Ronald Fraser, and they've got exceptional pedigree. Manvel, though, is going to be much different than last year. Gone is QB Shane McCarley, gone is WR Carlos Thompson, gone is WR Austin Bennett, gone is WR Kyrion Parker, gone is DB Tavares Garner, gone is DT Dewan Edmonson (it goes on, but you get the point). There are a lot of new pieces in place, but the ones that remained are pretty darn special, especially up front with DE Koda Martin and OL Cory Klingler. If coach Kirk Martin can fill in the gaps like he normally does, Manvel will be its usual self. The question is, will it be good enough to take down Pearland? Time will tell, but trust us: you won’t want to miss this.
District 25-5A: Converse Judson at Smithson Valley (Week 7)
Let’s call a spade a spade: Converse Judson got embarrassed on its home field last year by Smithson Valley, and it cost them the district championship. “Smithson Valley 45, Judson 14” is so clear in the memories of the Rockets players that it might as well be their phone number. Now, redemption lies just seven weeks away with a shot to roll into Smithson Valley and return the favor. The bad news: Larry Hill has the SV Rangers looking like a power again, even without RB Lawrence Mattison. QB Garrett Smith is back to lead the offense, and DE Mason Nasis and DB Shane Piatnik should lead a fearsome defense. But Judson, in a second year under coach Mark Smith, is looking like a title contender, led by star LBs Justin Johnson and Malik Pryor and exciting skill position players like TE Cedric Williams and WR Andre Wilson. With all of the emotion in this game, the fact that the district title will likely be on the line makes it all the more enthralling.
District 27-5A: San Antonio O’Connor at San Antonio Brandeis (Week 3)
It took the playoffs to prove just how good District 27-5A was last year. These two teams, which met in Week 3 last year and battled to a thrilling 27-20 Brandeis win thanks to a Trinton Ynclan 69-yard TD run with 5:39 left, went on to big things: O’Connor ran all the way to the 5A DI semifinals while Brandeis made it to the DII regional final. Now they’re back to battling for the top of the district, and this game isn’t sneaking up on anyone. Brandeis may not have Ynclan, but it has a star-studded defense led by OLB Chase Guillory and DE Corey Hayes, while WR Larry Stephens may be the biggest homerun hitter in the game. O’Connor is without their star RB in Tre Johnson, but there’s plenty of speed left over, including outstanding CB Jeilyn Williams, LB Marces Garza-Dishmon and WR Nate Phillips. These two teams meet early, and it could determine the trajectory of the entire San Antonio area; after all, nobody’s sleeping on District 27-5A anymore.
