Projected Playoff Teams:
Katy, Elsik, Cinco Ranch, Alief Taylor

Vitals:

    
    Katy returns 19 players from last season’s two deep, 13 of which have starting experience.  That experience makes Katy a clear choice as 18-5A favorites this season.  Senior QB Bo Mitchell, senior RB Aundre Dean (UCLA commit) and senior OL Eric Ball (Rice commit) are three of Katy’s top returning players on offense.  The defense is led by returning all-district seniors OLB Brad Graham, DB Terrance Henry and DB Trent Hunter.  The only chance that Katy has of going Division 1 is if Mayde Creek and Morton Ranch both make the playoffs.

    Elsik and Cinco Ranch also figure into the equation in the top half of this district.  Elsik returns most of its firepower on offense in senior RB Jeremy Hills (Texas commit), senior RB Derrell Smith, senior QB Charles Jones and senior WR William Randale.  Jones showed definite improvement last season, and can take Elsik up a notch if he’s able to do the same this season.  Jones started as a sophomore also.  Defensively, Elsik will rely on senior LB Chris Jackson and senior DB Rodney Johnson.  All of the players mentioned above have been on varsity since their sophomore seasons, and will now use the experience they’ve gained as seniors.

    Cinco Ranch must replace most of last season’s roster.  The Cougars were very senior heavy across the board last year, and they will rely on players moving up from the sub-varsity ranks in 2007.  They do return a few key players.  Junior all-purpose talent Shane Ros takes over at quarterback.  Ros gives the Cougars a dual-threat.  Fellow junior Adam Hirtz will flank Ros at RB in Cinco’s shotgun offense.  Senior WR Thomas Cardone should feature more in the offense this year.  Defensively, returning all-district players DT John Gioffre and DB William Morris will be the Cougars’ anchor.  They are both seniors.

    Alief Taylor should also challenge for a playoff spot again in 2007.  Athletic senior Donte Elliot leads from the QB position.  Senior WR David Chapman, returning starter, provides insurance on the perimeter.  Senior DB DeAndre Thompson and senior DB Demario Lindsey are the top returning players on defense.  The Lions fell in last year’s bi-district round against Cy Falls.    Hastings may be capable of earning the last playoff spot also.  The running game should be in good hands with seniors Saheed Imoru and Ian Osei.  Senior Jhvaughn Ford takes over at QB after back up duty in 2006, and how well he runs the Bears’ new spread scheme will play a big role in how successful the Bears become.  Senior DT Ray Kibble is the leader on defense. 

    Katy Taylor has a new coach, and must replace quite a few starters.  The Mustangs, like Cinco, started mostly seniors last year.  Senior RB Cullen Pabody and senior OL Michael Bergman are two of the more experienced players returning for the Mustangs.  Morton Ranch and Mayde Creek will have a tough time breaking through against the rest of the district.  Morton Ranch played more competitively as the season went on in 2006, and they return quite a few key players from last year given it was their first season of varsity play.  Senior WR-DB Carson Beard, senior QB Matt Bumer, and senior WR Trevor Taylor are a few of the returning starters for the Mavericks.  Lance Carter takes over as head coach at Mayde Creek, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can jumpstart that program.  Mayde Creek has shown flashes of potential in the past, but never enjoyed consistent success.

    Katy is the favorite in this district once again.  Elsik, Cinco, Alief Taylor and Hastings could all challenge for the remaining playoff spots.  Katy Taylor and Mayde Creek face challenges with new coaches and Morton Ranch will look to continue building in season two and earn the school’s first ever varsity win. ever varsity win.