Projected Playoff Teams:
Allen, Plano East, Plano, Berkner

Vitals:

    
     Last year’s district race came down to a Week 10 clash of contrasting styles; Allen’s high-powered offense against Plano East’s stifling defense.  In the end, Allen had just enough offense to overcome the Panthers and the Eagles claimed the district title.  Both teams went on to have great success in the postseason and both teams appear ready to duplicate that success this year.

     The Allen Eagles are our pick to repeat as district champions with one of the most experienced, high-powered offenses in the entire state.  Overall, the Eagles return 31 lettermen including 6 All-District performers from last year’s Division 1 Region 1 Championship squad.  Dual-threat athlete Stephen Payne will take over as Allen’s next QB.  Three of Allen’s top five rushers return as does each of their top five receivers, including Dan Buckner, arguably the state’s best.  Defense will be a concern once again, but with Allen’s offense, it may not matter all that much.

     Plano East should be right there with Allen battling for the district’s top spot, except this year, they’re likely to do it a little bit differently.  Typically, PESH is known for its awesome defense and an average offense.  This year, it could be quite the opposite.  Four of the Panthers’ six returning All-District players reside on the offensive side of the ball and that doesn’t even include QB Riko Smalls, who also returns.  Meanwhile, the defense will be rebuilding after losing both Keenan Robinson and Kris Akenbauer to graduation.  DE Travis Malone and DB Josh Peprah are tremendous talents and will be counted on to lead the young defense.

     The district’s third playoff spot could very well go to the Plano Wildcats.  Plano has a great Junior class led by QB/RB Rex Burkhead, RB Deshon Purvis-Davis, and Kris Lott to go along with a total of 13 returning starters.  This year sets up a bit like the Wildcats’ 2005 season in which they posted a 13-1 record a year after going 4-6.  Plano had the district’s second best defense a year ago and they return 7 starters from that unit.  If the offense can get going, the ‘Cats will be very tough.

    The Berkner Rams return a ton of experience from last year’s 9-4 area champions, but the one player they don’t return could mean even more for their 2007 prospects.  Justin Johnson’s ability to run the triple option will be sorely missed, and how well his replacement fills in will determine how far Berkner will go.  The Rams return 14 starters and 8 All-District players, so it would be unwise to discount them in the district race.

     Plano West made the playoffs again in 2006, but posted their first ever losing record, finishing 5-6.  That record is a bit deceiving considering that 5 of their 6 losses came by a touchdown or less to teams such as South Grand Prairie, Plano East, Berkner, and Garland.  The Wolves don’t return much from last year’s squad, but given their track record and the young talent within the program, it’s safe to assume that their presence will be felt.

     Wylie and Lake Highlands finished with identical 3-7 records last fall, which was well below expectations in both cases.  Wylie’s first year in 5A was a bit tougher than they may have anticipated and this year, minus the experience they had from a year ago, could be even tougher.  Lake Highlands returns one of the best backs in the district in RB D.J. Monroe, as well as one of the district’s finest DB’s in John Shorter, but they have a good bit of work to do to get back in the playoff race.