Projected Playoff Teams:
Westfield, Forest, Oak, Klein

Vitals:

    
     Boasting one of the best playoff records of any district, and doing so in the state’s toughest region, 16-5A can make a legitimate claim to being one of the very best districts in the state.  This year should be even more competitive because nearly every team returns a ton of talent.

     Many people wondered how Westfield would fare being realigned to Region 2 after winning Region 3 two consecutive years.  The Mustangs proved that they have officially arrived as an elite program by advancing to the regional final in what was supposed to be a ‘rebuilding’ year.  This year, Westfield is most definitely in a ‘reloading’ mode with 12 starters returning; 9 of which made the All-District squad.  Westfield’s experience is evenly balanced between offense and defense with 6 starters returning on each side.  RB Bo Walker is a proven stud and will be counted on as the go-to back.  The Mustang defense should be dominant.  Led by LB Herman Mitchell and a fearsome defensive line, the Mustangs could actually improve on last year’s 9.9 ppg allowed.

     The Klein schools could finish in any order, but all three should make the playoffs once again.  Klein Forest has the most talented team coming back and they’ll likely be the most well-equipped to challenge Westfield for the district title.  Last year, Klein Forest beat Westfield in every category but the scoreboard.  The Golden Eagles return 6 All-District players including star QB Ford Lakin and WR Jared Jerkins.  Athletic TE Louis Hooper also returns, but the rest of the offensive line is a bit of a question mark.  The KF defense returns 4 three-year starters in Kendrick Payne, Chivas Belton, Chris Mazin, and Michael Roulhac and that experience could prove to be invaluable.

     Despite being the district’s 4ing the district’s 4^th place qualifier, Klein Oak matched Westfield by advancing four rounds deep in the playoffs.  A huge reason for their playoff success was the unreal playmaking ability of all-everything athlete DeSean Hales.  Hales is back again this fall and with another year of development, it’s scary to think of how good he could be.  Hales won’t be alone, however, as 6 other All-District players return.  Perhaps the biggest addition for Klein Oak is QB Jordan Navjar, who has been very impressive in off-season camps.  With a legit passing attack to go with the backfield duo of Hales and Jr. Ossam Cook, Klein Oak could beat just about anyone.

    The Klein Bearkats are not to be overlooked either.  RB C.J. Palmer, TE/DE John Youboty, OL J.B. Shugarts, and LB Matt West are each among the best at their respective positions and they’re all back.  What happened against Lufkin notwithstanding, Klein had a very good year.  The Bearkats return 7 of their top players from last year’s team and they could finish anywhere from first to fourth in the district.  Klein’s main weakness last year was that they were too one-dimensional on offense to score consistently enough to keep up with the better teams they played.  If they can find a passing game, that would help their chances tremendously.

     The Spring Lions have to be one of the most talented teams not picked to be in the playoffs.  DB’s Josh Rowe and Jr. Tahare Ray are two of the top prospects in the state.  In addition to Ray and Rowe, Spring returns 5 All-District players and 31 lettermen.  Despite all their talent, Spring didn’t come within 18 points of any of the district’s playoff teams last year.  If Spring can improve their defense, it would go a long way to improving their chances against the top four.

     Tomball and Klein Collins both return some great players, but they don’t appear to return nearly enough to get into the playoff race this year given how strong the top four are.  Klein Collins returns two of the top Juniors in the district in DT Ricky Wagner and Safety Ashton McGlory.   Tomball’s top returnees are OL Ryan Anderson and DB Nick Chavez.