Projected Playoff Teams:
Ray, Southwest, East Central, Carroll

Vitals:

    
   Ray and Southwest tied for this district championship last season, and both remain favorites to finish at the top in 2007 thanks to quality returning talent.  Ray is the number one pick in part because they have Southwest at home this season. 

    The Ray Texans also return the defending 27-5A district MVP in senior QB Jerry Bell.  Bell won the award as a junior last season, and will lead the Ray attack again this season.  Senior running back Michael Anaya is also back.  Anaya was named district newcomer of the year as a junior.  Anaya earned a first team all-district selection, so he adds valuable experience to this Ray team.  Ray’s top two receivers, Paul Perez and Efrin Harper, are both seniors and returning all district players.  The best player on defense is senior DT Daniel Swantner. 

    While most of Ray’s returning production is on offense, the Southwest Dragons return their firepower on defense.  Senior linebackers Roland Garanzuay and Tyler Fields are two of the best players for the Dragons.  Senior safety Jorge Sauceda adds more experience.  Southwest, led by coach Matt Elliot, is arguably the strongest program in this district right now but need to beat Ray in order to solidify that claim.

    East Central and Carroll look like favorites to fight for the third and fourth playoff spots again this season.  East Central returns four all-district players.  Senior DE Ernesto Garza is one of their best players.  Senior QB Matt Ortega should be improved after a successful all-district season as a junior.  Carroll senior QB Tim Hawkins will no doubt be a favorite to earn post-season accolades in this district again in 2007.  Hawkins was named to the first team all-district last year and returns to lead the Carroll Tiger attack.

    King appears to have the best chance of crashing the party for one of the four above.  Senior RB Phillip Thomas is one of the best players in the district.  Junior corner Aron Alexander is the best non-senior in the district.  Senior OLB Roman de la Paz is another all district caliber player. 

    Memorial and Highlands face a challenge to get back in the race after 1-9 seasons a year ago.  The good news is there isn’t much room to go anywhere but up from where they finished last season.  Memorial’s senior OL Derrick Jameson is a top district player.  Highlands returns one of the top defensive linemen in Ryan Belovosky.  Overall, this district looks like it will finish very similar to last season as far as the order of teams goes.  Ray and Southwest will likely battle for the title while East Central, Carroll and King fight for the final two playoff spots.