Projected Playoff Teams:
Baytown Lee, West Brook, PA Memorial, Humble

Vitals:

    
     In 2006, this district finished with four teams (Lee, West Brook, PA Memorial, Kingwood) tied with 5-2 district records.  West Brook was the only representative to advance beyond the second round.  Lee lost a one-point heartbreaker to North Shore in bi-district. 

    This season, the Baytown Lee Ganders begin as the district favorite thanks to the return of five all-district players in addition to an overall majority of their starting lineup.  Senior running back Jarvis Moore (5’6 165) is one of the top talents on offense.  Fellow senior RB Desarian Cartwright further strengthens the ground game.  Seniors Josh Jones and Octavio Torres will compete for the starting quarterback position.  Senior WRs Michael Mahan and Kelvin Craft are the top targets downfield.  Senior defensive lineman JT Cleveland (6’1 273), a D1 prospect, is the best returning players on defense and could line himself up for both district and state recognition with another strong season.  Also, the Ganders will be strong in the secondary with senior Reggie Butler and junior Thomas Bates.  This is a very experienced Lee team, and it would be a shock to see them finish any lower than second in this district.

    Lee’s main competition should come from Beaumont West Brook.  In fact, the Bruins host Baytown Lee in their third district game.  West Brook beat the Ganders away last season 40-28, so we’ll see if the Bruins can protect the home turf this time around.  Dynamic backfield duo senior Albert Williams (5’11 190) and junior Christian Michael (6’0 195) will be a nightmare for opposing defenses once again in 2007.  These two combine to produce an explosive ground game, and Michael is being tabbed by some as the best junior back in the state.  Junior Christian Louis looks set to take over at QB, and this offense will go from very good to scary if he's able to downfield with the ball consistently in the passing game.   Senior OL-DL Ryan Pollard (6’3 280) is a D1 prospect as are senior defensive ends Blake Chavis and Shane McCardell (both are 6’5).  Senior David Falgout earned first team all-district honors as a junior DB last season.  He also played some QB.  West Brook’s made an immediate return to consistent post-season trips under Coach Craig Stump, and this is a Bruin team that can definitely contend for the district title as well as heavily factor into the Region 3 playoff race.

    The battle for third place could come down to Port Arthur Memorial’s visit to Humble in the final week of the regular season.  Last season, Memorial shut the door on the Wildcats’ playoff hopes in a closely contested 33-30 game.  Humble’s top returning players are senior RB Jarret Malone and senior OL Jesse Hernandez.  The Titans return senior all-district tailback Patterson Clay.  Clay could split some carries with sophomore talent Oristes Hughes, Jr (5’7 177).  Senior WR Freddie King is one of the district’s top receivers.  Senior defensive back David Whitmore adds experience on the defensive side.    This will be Memorial’s second season under the leadership of Ronnie Thompson, and it’ll be interesting to see the progress they’ve made since last season’s mixed 6-5 effort.

    Kingwood could push Memorial or Humble for a playoff spot again this season.  Last year, the Mustangs reeled off six straight wins before falling to Hightower in the second round of the playoffs.  Senior LB Pat Gardner is the best returning player for Kingwood. 

    Sterling, Channelview and Atascocita will be very hard pressed to get in on the playoff race, but it’s tough to completely dismiss that notion with four teams advancing to the post-season.  If things get crowded in the middle of the pack, as is often the case, then one of these teams can be a party crasher should the chips fall right.  Sterling and Channelview both finished two games out of the playoffs in 2006.  Most of Sterling’s returning experience is on offense.  Senior WR Manasah Davis is the best of the bunch.  Senior DL Anthony Gray is one to watch on defense.  Channelview shocked West Brook in the final week of the regular season last year, and return one of the top all-purpose talents in the district in senior WR-DB-KR Jackie Hinton.  Atascocita will look to improve on last season’s inaugural 1-9 mark.  Senior RB Jeremy Braden and senior athlete Jamarquis Thomas (6’1 235) are two of their most experienced players.

    Overall, expect a battle between Lee and West Brook for the championship.  Memorial, Humble and Kingwood should battle for the final two spots.  Sterling and Channelview could sneak into a spoiler role for other teams.ole for other teams.