North Shore starts the 2006 season as the top ranked team in the Houston area.  The Mustangs return 13 first or second team all-district players.  Senior RB Chris Ganious is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball.  North Shore is loaded with experience, and has the talent to make this a very special season.  The play of athletic QB Vance Fizer (6’2 185), as well as new players in the secondary, will play a big role in how far the Mustangs go.

    Not surprisingly, Katy begins the season with a high ranking in region 3 and the state.  Big play specialist Michael Fuda is back at receiver after earning all-state honors last year.  Junior Aundre Dean (6’1 187) takes over full-time at running back.  Defensively, seniors Tyler Mueller (DL) and Ryan Williams (LB) will be counted on to lead.  Also, dynamic junior Trent Hunter will be seen at DB, RB, KR and KC.  Katy, like North Shore, needs a talented new QB to catch on to full-time varsity football.

    Cy Falls has the pieces back to build on their dramatic run to the state quarterfinals last season.  They’ve made two consecutive trips to the quarters.  Cy Falls nearly missed out on the post-season last year, and must play better in district to avoid being in the same position again.  Injuries and an unsettled line up, namely the QB position, had a lot to do with their 4-loss regular season.  Seniors WR-DB Jack Freeman, WR-DB Roger Holland and LB Derek Stephens are the top returning players.  The Eagles are dreaming big this year, and we’ll see if their up to the task of turning dream into reality.

    Lamar returns one of the top playmakers in the state in senior QB Demetrius Woods.  If he has talent out wide similar to what he had during his sophomore year, look out.  Lamar has been consistently good under Coach Nolen so it’s very wise to take notice when they return the amount of experience they do for this year.  Keep an eye on the Redskins.

    Westfield is a bit of a wild card given they graduate the school’s best ever football class.  However, talent is still plentiful on campus and great programs will re-load.  We should find out more about what kind of program Corby Meekins is establishing this year.  Seniors RB Dwayne Stewart and DB Luther Eta are players who have valuable experience.  Humble, Galveston Ball and Pearland also have the ability to emerge as favorites.  Humble looks to be getting back to their more power-oriented style of the mid and late 90s.  Ball has one of the top juniors in the state in DB Mike Littleton.  Pearland’s backfield duo of QB Sam Proctor and RB Fozzy Whittaker will be explosive.

    There are a few teams flying below the radar going in who could emerge as tough outs in district, and possibly the playoffs.  Cinco Ranch is steadily improving, and should be improved over last year.  They were unlucky to miss the playoffs in ’05.  Clear Creek has a very athletic team led by QB, and coach’s son, Neal Warden.  Creek made some noise last year in their bi-district win over Deer Park.  West Brook has steadily improved under the leadership of Craig Stump and they return top playmaker Joe Chaisson (QB).  Dulles, led by talented QB Cotton Turner, and Westside are teams to keep an eye on as well.  Westside returns a number of key players.