Projected Playoff Teams:
Lufkin, College Park, The Woodlands, Conroe

Vitals:

    
     When Lufkin left East Texas to join Region 2’s North Houston district, most people knew what was coming, but it wasn’t supposed to be this easy.  Lufkin is the favorite to win the district again this year, and they’ll probably do it as easily as ever.  Even with Lufkin having to replace a tremendous 2007 class, they return far more talent and experience than anyone else in the district.  The Panthers return 48 lettermen and 6 All-District players, including Jr. RB Trevon Lewis and Jr. DT Jamarcus McFarland.  Lewis and McFarland are two of the top players in the state and they’ll be around for two more years.  Lufkin also returns star receivers, Eric Johnson and James Davis.  Safety Darrius Terry is one of the top DB recruits in the state and he’ll be counted on to lead the Panther secondary.  Lufkin’s biggest concern is replacing QB Jeremy Claybon, but younger brother Jeffery and Sr. Jeremy Nobles should fill in nicely.

     When College Park opened up and Richard Carson was announced as their head football coach, most people knew it wouldn’t be long before they were competitive within the district and beyond.  Hardly anyone could’ve expected them to be a playoff team in their first season, let alone be favored to finish ahead of The Woodlands in year two.  The Cavaliers return 27 lettermen and 6 All-District players from last year’s squad including star RB David Crittenden.  In all, the Cavs return 8 different players who scored touchdowns last fall.  College Park should improve upon their 5-5 record from a year ago and they are more than capable of getting their first playoff win.

     The Woodlands produces quality teams every single year and they should be good again, but they’ll be depending on a ton of new faces this fall.  RB Tracy Milo and OL Brandon Thompson were both first team All-District performers last fall, but they’re the Highlanders’ only returning key players.  In fact, 60 of last year’s 83 varsity players graduated.  The Woodlands will rely on a young crop of players this fall, but they should be loaded for next year.  By the end of the season, the Highlanders could be dangerous.

     The Conroe Tigers had to feel like making the playoffs last year was a given, especially after a promising 4-1 start, but the wheels fell off down the stretch and Conroe earned the dubious distinction of missing the playoffs in a 6 team district.  The Tigers are in great shape to make the playoffs this year with RB’s like Draylon Booker and Lou Greenwood returning.  LB Blake Cavil is back to lead the defense.

     Oak Ridge stole Conroe’s 4^th place bid last year, but that may be a difficult feat to accomplish this year with just 1 returning All-District player, LB Chase Daniel.  Magnolia struggled to a 2-8 record last year and beat just one team, Oak Ridge, in district play.  The Bulldogs have a great coach in Ron Lynch, but they still have a long way to go to get into the postseason.