Projected Playoff Teams:
North Shore, Deer Park, Pasadena Memorial, Pasadena Dobie

Vitals:

    
     North Shore has dominated this district every season this decade, and haven’t lost a district game since 2001 when Baytown Lee edged out a very close encounter.  The Mustangs were challenged a couple of times last year after slipping up when they started the season in top form.  Pasadena Memorial had North Shore tied at 3 at halftime before the Mustangs eventually pulled away in the second half.

    Not much will change at the top of this district this season with North Shore being a clear district championship favorite on paper.  The Mustangs return six all-district players and several others who contributed last season.  Senior Jeremiah McGinty takes over full-time at QB after rotating in on occasion last season.  McGinty showed well when he played, so he’ll be expected to get the offense going right out of the gate.  Speedy junior tailback Deaundre Jones also returns.  Jones made varsity as a sophomore last season, and proved very dangerous with the ball.  Senior all-purpose threat Matt Tolbert is the most experience player on the offense.  The defense is led by senior DL Chase McEntee.  McEntee is a first team all district selection.  Junior DT Thaddeus Randle also earned all-district honors in 2006.  Senior DB Ryan Williams and junior Eric Ruben lead what should be another very good secondary.  This is a team that should win district, and make an impact in the Region 3 playoff race.

    Deer Park looks good to secure another playoff spot.  The Deer finished 7-3 last season.  The Deer don’t return quite as many players as North Shore.  However, they do have senior fullback Chad Littleton (1^st team All District), senior WR Bola Omisanya (1^st team AD), and senior DB Chris Spretz (1^st team AD).  Senior QB Brent Knight looks set to take over at QB after filling a back-up role in 2006.  Look for sophomore TB Shawn Onyechi to take over for his older brother, Jofer.  Senior OL Michael Silcox leads the charge up front.  On defense, Spretz is the top returning player.  Senior DL Chris Abegg also returns.

    The battle for third and fourth place should come down to Pasadena Memorial, Dobie and La Porte.  La Porte graduated key talents such as Boogie Anagnostou and Quentin Castille, so that’s why they aren’t in our top four projection.  Pasadena Memorial surprised quite a few people last season, and will surely want to prove it was no fluke.  Senior DB Brandon Farris and junior RB Brandon Snelson are two of Memorial’s best players.  Senior all-purpose threat Patrick Thomas and senior DB Josh O’Day lead Dobie’s crop of talent this season.  The race for the final two spots could be very close.  As was the case last season, there won’t be much separating 2 through 5 in this district.

    North Shore is the definite favorite, and will likely go 10-0 (9-1 at least) in the regular season as they’ve done every season this decade.  Deer Park looks like the strongest contender for second, but they will be challenged by the three teams mentioned in the paragraph above.  Rayburn and Pasadena will look to take a page out of Memorial’s book, and try to shock the rest of the district.  South Houston will have to battle their way out of that last spot.  Again, this one is North Shore’s.