2011 Preseason Top 25: #15 Klein Oak Panthers
By 5ATexasFootball.com on May 30, 2011 with Comments 0
#16 Mesquite Horn Jaguars | Preseason Top 25 Home | #14 DeSoto Eagles
Coach: David Smith
Mascot: Panthers
Region: 2
District: 13-5A
2010: 8-4 D1 Area finalist (L RR Stony Point, 31-55)
PROGRAM
| Rank | Avg. | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
| Wins | 41 | 8.00 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Adj. Offensive Scoring | 38 | 6.56 | 8.29 | -0.38 | 9.51 | 8.72 | 6.66 |
| Adj. Defensive Scoring | 81 | -2.42 | -8.31 | -2.37 | -8.28 | -0.47 | 7.32 |
| Dominance | 44 | 8.98 | 16.60 | 1.99 | 17.78 | 9.19 | -0.65 |
Oak played their first varsity season in 1984 and never made it any further than bi-district through 2005. In 2006, the program got over the hump and progressed to the state quarterfinals despite entering the playoffs with a 5-5 record. 2007 and 2008 marked the first two double-digit win seasons in program history.
OFFENSE
Returning Starters: 5
Unit Rankings
Backfield: 
Receivers:
Offensive Line:
Key Players
QB Nicky Baratti, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
RB EJ Fatu, Senior (’10 2nd All-District)
RB Lorenzo Stewart, Sophomore (’10 District Newcomer of the Year)
Players to Watch
RB Blake Ashford, Senior (5’10 175)
WR Tuff McClain, Senior (5’10 165)
WR Connor McQueen, Senior (5’10 165)
WR Eugene Estes, Junior (5’9 155)
OL Jeremy Jones, Senior (6’0 260)
OL Reid Najvar, Junior (6’0 270)
OL Sam Vela, Senior (6’1 235)
DEFENSE
Returning Defensive Starters: 3
Unit Rankings
Defensive Line:
Linebackers:
Secondary:
Key Players
DL Shaul Daniel, Senior (6’1 240)
LB AJ Hilliard, Senior (’10 2nd All-District)
DB Dashone Smith, Senior (’10 1st All-District)
Players to Watch
DL Jay Andrews, Senior (5’11 261)
DB Cody Spiegelhauer, Senior (6’0 175)
DB Nick Fisher, Junior (5’10 165)
DB Earnest Davis, Senior (5’10 170)
DB/WR Deion Hill, Senior (6’0 190)
SCHEDULE
| 9/10 vs North Shore
The Panthers found running room very hard to come by in last year’s 19 point defeat (2.5 ypc). Can Baratti and co. have better success at home? 9/23 vs Klein Collins This is another match-up against a top defense and experienced front seven. Oak was held to three FGs by Collins last season. 11/4 vs Klein These two have played many classics through the years. Baratti threw for over 200 yards and 3 touchdowns in last year’s 49-14 win. |
2011 Schedule: | |
| 8/26 @ A&M Consolidated | ||
| 9/3 @ Cy Creek | ||
| 9/10 vs North Shore | ||
| 9/16 Open | ||
| *9/23 @ Klein Collins | ||
| *9/30 vs Klein Forest | ||
| *10/8 vs Spring Dekaney | ||
| *10/14 @ Spring Westfield | ||
| *10/20 vs Tomball | ||
| *10/27 @ Spring | ||
| *11/4 vs Klein |
THE BOTTOM LINE
Offense: There’s no secret to the formula here, snap the ball to Nicky Baratti (committed to Notre Dame) and let him do his thing. As a sophomore, his talent was quickly apparent as he averaged almost eight yards per carry at running back. Last season, as a junior, Baratti was moved to quarterback to get his hands on the ball every offensive snap and he responded with 3000 total yards (1200 rushing, 1800 passing) and 30 touchdowns. With his two main aerial outlets moving on in TE Max Stevenson (Oklahoma) and Tory Waites, the offense will rely even more on the ground game. Helping him will be Oak’s top two running backs in senior EJ Fatu (1000 yards) and impressive sophomore-to-be Lorenzo Stewart who averaged 6.5 yards per carry as a freshman on varsity.
Defense: Oak loses some top talent like DE Nathan Hughes (Oklahoma) and DT Jon Lewis (TCU). However, the Panthers return their top two tacklers in LB AJ Hilliard (multiple D1 offers) and DB Dashone Smith (FBS recruit). The pair combined for over 200 tackles, 4 ints, and 5 sacks as juniors. The secondary is the deepest, most experience unit heading into 2011. Last year’s luxury of having two D1 recruits terrorizing opposing quarterbacks is gone, other guys will need to step up.
Overrated if: The defense around Hilliard and Smith don’t hold up their end of the bargain. The Region 2 bracket isn’t kind to those that aren’t getting it done on the defensive end.
Underrated if: This group can find the necessary chemistry needed to do something special.
Filed Under: 2011 Gridiron Guide • 2011 Preseason Top 25 Countdown • News • Preseason Top 25
