#10 Pearland Oilers |  Preseason Top 25 Home |  #8 North Shore Mustangs

Coach: John Walsh
Mascot: Wildcats
Region: 1
District: 7-5A
2010: 13-3 D2 State Finalist

PROGRAM

Guyer proved last season that the jump to 5A wasn’t going to slow down their rapid ascent as a program.  After one win total in their opening two seasons, Guyer has reeled off 38 wins including three state semifinal appearances (2 in 4A, 1 in 5A) and one state championship appearance (5A – 2010).  That’s already a resume that most programs can’t match.

OFFENSE

Returning Starters: 5

 Unit Rankings
Backfield:
Receivers:
Offensive Line:

Key Players
QB Jerrod Heard, Sophomore (6’2 180 4.6)
WR Connor Crane, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
OT John Ferguson, Senior (’10 1st All-District)

Players to Watch
RB Sebastian Williams, Senior (6’1 190 4.5)
RB DJ Breedlove, Sophomore (5’8 175 4.5)
FB Thomas Ferguson, Sophomore (6’1 215 4.8)
WR Ellis Jefferson, Junior (6’4 190 4.5)
WR Lance Cullum, Senior (6’2 180 4.5)
OT Patrick Morris, Junior (6’2 270)
OG Jesse Robertson, Senior (6’2 270)
C Hunter Krastin, Sophomore (5’10 215)

DEFENSE

Returning Defensive Starters: 6

Unit Rankings
Defensive Line:
Linebackers:
Secondary:

Key Players
DT Dan Kottman, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
MLB Dominic Ramacher, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
CB Josh Harris, Junior (5’9 175 4.4)

Players to Watch
DE Diontre Thomas, Senior (6’2 225 4.7)
DE Dylan Slovachek, Senior (6’1 220 4.7)
DT Cody Hennessee, Senior (6’3 260 4.9)
LB Kiondre Ballard, Senior (5’9 185 4.5)
LB Corey Miller, Senior (5’8 175 4.6)
SS Tavi Sanches, Junior (5’10 180 4.5)
FS Ryan Williams, Senior (5’11 175 4.6)

SCHEDULE

THE BOTTOM LINE

Offense: A big piece of the program’s history graduates in QB JW Walsh (Oklahoma State).  It’s time for a new quarterback to leave his mark on the program and the Guyer coaches feel great about sophomore QB Jerrod Heard doing just that.  Wideouts senior Connor Crane (6’4 190 4.5) and junior Ellis Jefferson (6’4 190 4.6) are match-up nightmares for the opposition.  Last season, Crane finished with 35 receptions for 854 yards and 11 tds.  The offensive line is young, but very talented with two all-state candidates in John Ferguson (6’4 245) and junior Patrick Morris (6’2 270).

Defense: The Wildcats are a senior laden bunch with only two underclassmen in the projected starting lineup.  The spine of the defense is very strong with seniors DT Dan Kottman (several D1 offers) and MLB Dominic Ramacher (committed to Oklahoma St.). This bodes well for a defense that came on late in the season with great performances against Southlake Carroll (twice) and Abilene Cooper.

Overrated if: The disappointment of last season’s loss in the state final carries over.  Following title losses, neither Judson or Pflugerville made it past the 1st round in 2008, nor did FB Hightower or Wylie in 2009, nor did Austin Westlake in 2010.

Underrated if: The offense isn’t limited due to a young quarterback.  That may be the case early, but Heard will definitely be battle tested by the time Guyer starts their D2 playoff road.