Projected Playoff Teams:
Reagan, Smithson Valley, Madison, Judson

Vitals:

    
     26-5A is regarded as arguably the most competitive district in all of Class 5A.  With apologies to 28-5A, this district boasts the cream of the greater San Antonio area crop.  Smithson Valley claimed the district title once again in 2006, and favored to do so again this season, right?  Not quite.

    Reagan put together one of 2006’s surprises last season by reaching the Region 4 championship game before falling to Westlake.  Senior tailback Marcus Wright will challenge Trent Rios and Devin Thomas for the 26-5A and possibly state rushing crowns.  Junior QB Derrick Walls returns after starting as a sophomore last season.  Senior all-district OL Sean Emadi will help pave the way for Wright.  If Reagan can build on the momentum and confidence they gained last season by winning the school’s first ever playoff games, they could be a very dangerous team to play.  Reagan beat Smithson Valley (away) and Judson in back to back weeks to make the post-season last year, and proved this young program may be ready to step up with the area elite.   34 lettermen return in total for Reagan.

    The Smithson Valley Rangers return most of their firepower on offense. Senior running back Trent Rios (5’8 170) leads the Smithson Valley attack.  Rios is a quick back who can pick up big yards in a hurry.  Rios will have three very experienced players paving the way up front.  Senior OLs James Fry (6’4 265), Shawn Wyatt (6’4 295) and Tommy Parsons (6’6 265) anchor a very strong line.  Senior WR Cody Renken adds experience on the perimeter.  The big question on offense is finding who will step up at quarterback after the graduation of two year starter Bryan Hill.  Senior David Pawelek (6’1 200) could be next in line.  On defense, senior DBs Dominic Hamilton, Ben Woodchick and Hayden Hughes are three of the most experienced.  The Rangers will be deepest on the line and in the secondary.  At linebacker, senior Zac Russell is one of a few returning lettermen with experience (he can also play RB).  The offense has the edge going in, but if the Rangers can shore things up defensively, they will be a clear threat to make a long playoff run.

    Madison witnessed the coming out party for one of the state’s big time players last season when running back Devin Thomas (5’10 185) torched opposing defenses in his first season as a varsity starter by eclipsing the 2,000 yard mark in just eight games.  The bad news for the rest of 26-5A is that Thomas gets to try it again this season.  Thomas isn’t the only talented player returning for the Mavs.  Senior QB Brian Ehrlich gives Madison experience at a very key position.  Senior OL Josh Corby (6’2 282) is one of the best linemen in the city.  On defense, senior LB Jason McLean and junior SS Andrew Green are two of the top players on a defense returning the majority of its starting line up.  Madison missed out on the playoffs last season, but it’d be a genuine shock if that happened again this season.

    The battle for fourth place is where things could get very muddy.  Judson, Churchill and Macarthur should all be in the mix.  Judson is favored right now to win that spot, but it should be very close if past history in this district means anything.   Senior LB Cory Williams (6’1 212) and senior DB Dominic Maddox (5’11 194) are two of Judson’s best players.  Churchill has quite a bit to replace from their second place finishing team last season, and that’s why they don’t appear in the top four to start the season.  Macarthur must also replace a talented senior class that led Macarthur to its best season since 1998.  Senior LB Zach Williamson and senior DB Ryan Hardaway are two experienced players they do have.  Given the firepower at the top of this district, the Brahmas and Chargers will have their work cut out to break into the top three again this season.

    Wagner was competitive last season despite being in their first varsity season, and should be improved this year because of that experience in addition to some talented returning players.  Senior DE Carrington Chambers (6’0 205) and senior OLB Marlon Smith (6’5 210) are two of the Thunderbirds’ best returning players.  Junior WR Eric Jackson (6’2 185) is one of the talented underclassmen to keep an eye on.

    Roosevelt also got hit pretty hard by graduation and must reload.  The Rough Riders finished tied for sixth last season.  Lee must overcome the graduation loss of one of the best players they’ve ever had, RB Travis Lewis, but senior QB Jerome Tiller (6’3 184) returns.  Overall, Reagan, Smithson Valley and Madison look evenly matched as the top three.  Any one of those three can win district.  Judson is the favorite to earn the last playoff spot, but that race can get crowded very quick in a district like this.