Lufkin is the home of the 2006 5atexasfootball.com pre-season number one.

    Few programs have been as successful as the Lufkin Panthers so far this decade.  The Panthers won a state championship in 2001 riding the talent of quarterback Reggie McNeal to dramatic comeback victories in both the state semi-final and championship.  The Panthers put up double digit wins in 2002, 2004 and 2005 as well.  John Outlaw is one of the best head coaches in the state, and his staff has helped put a monster of a program together.

    The Lufkin Panthers have a combined record of 28-2 in the last two seasons, and could be primed to win a second state championship with the experienced team they have this season.  In all, 12 all-district players return from a Panther team that went 14-1 in 2005. 

    Senior quarterback Jeremy Claybon (6’1 185) is rewriting the Panther record books, and will continue his pursuit of program history this fall.  Last year, the lefty Claybon threw for over 3,000 yards in his first year as a starter.  Claybon has 4.4 forty speed, and is a real threat to make big plays on the ground if allowed.  Claybon is the best all-around Class 5A QB in Texas going into the 2006 season.

    In the backfield, senior tailback JaCorey Turner (5’8 165) emerged as the go-to guy last year and will look to build on that in ’06.  Turner has breakaway speed and good quickness. 

    Senior Dez Bryant (6’2 200) is one of the best receivers in the state, and will be Claybon’s main target.  Bryant is a big, physical receiver with very good leaping ability.  He is a match-up nightmare for just about everyone he plays against.  Senior Ralph Thomas will now start at corner, but could obviously line up at WR if needed.  Thomas can also be an emergency QB.  James Davis is nearly the same size as Bryant, so the Panthers have a couple of big targets.  Seniors Demetrius McDuffy (5’10 160) and Derrick Holland (5’10 170) add more depth at this position.

   The offensive line is very experienced.  Seniors Matt Adams (6’0 210), Michael Jost (5’10 225) and Max Taylor (6’2 230) lead the unit.  Senior Kelvrett Maddox (6’2 230) is another experienced returning player.  Seniors Kevin Hanks (6’2 285) and Aaron Jones (6’1 285) add size.  This is a talented and deep line.

   Overall, this is the most experienced offense in the state based on the returning players.  This is about as experienced and talented as a high school football offense can get going into a season.

    The defense isn’t quite as experienced as the offense, but the cupboard is far from bare on this side of the ball.  Defensive coordinator Todd Quick is one of the best in the state, and the Panthers’ aggressive style can be overwhelming for offenses that don’t possess the talent to really expose it.

    Senior Randall Murphy (5’10 235) anchors the defensive line this season.  Seniors Brendan McKelvey (5’11 225) and Jeff Williams (6’0 230) also have varsity experience.  Junior DE Terrance Ivey (6’2 240) is one of the varsity newcomers to watch along with sophomore DT Jamarcus McFarland (6’4 275).

    All-Texas selection and senior A.J. Penson (6’1 220) is an enforcer at linebacker.  Penson is a converted defensive end.  Senior Cameron “Cam” Davis (5’10 195) is also a heavy hitter with experience.  Senior Trent Earley (5’10 200) moves over from the DL, and adds more experience.  Senior Ferris Evans (6’0 220) is one of the top players up the JV squad.  Junior Darrius Terry is another varsity newcomer to look for.

    The secondary is led by seniors Joe Jackson (5’11 185) and Danquon Landry (5’8 160).  Both earned post-season honors last year.  Athletic senior Ralph Thomas (5’8 165) will start at corner opposite Landry.  Thomas is a multi-purpose talent.  Senior Demarkis Redmon (6’2 180) starts at safety with Jackson.  Redmon has been on varsity since his sophomore year, and adds needed size at the back.

    Lufkin’s special teams will be especially dangerous with senior kicker Jamie Fernandez (6’0 210).  Fernandez has a big leg, and is definitely one of the top kickers in the entire state.  He is a tremendous luxury for the Panthers with his ability to convert tries and pin opponents deep.  The field position battle  is an extremely important part of the game, and Fernandez is a one man wrecking crew in that department.  As one might imagine, the return game will be scary (for opponents) given the skill talent on this team.

    This is one of the easiest #1 calls we’ve made in six years of pre-season rankings given the depth of talent and experience that Lufkin returns compared to other top teams in the state.  The Panthers’ nemesis, Southlake Carroll, must replace most of their roster and there’s also a strong chance they aren’t even in Lufkin’s playoff division this year under the new format.  From a talent and experience point of view, Lufkin has everything they need to turn dream into reality.  The path appears well set for the Panthers to make a run at a second state title, but there is obviously much work to be done between now and December.  The journey to the summit is never easy, and we’ll find out if Lufkin is up to the challenge in 2006.