Vitals:

   
    The Abilene Eagles opened the 2006 season with one of the toughest schedules in the state and with a team that was breaking in a multitude of new starters.  The results weren’t pretty.  Abilene lost their opening four games by an average score of 33-14 and it looked like the Eagles were in for a long year.  Ten weeks later, they had won 8 games in a row and were one play away from advancing to the Region 1 final.  Abilene lead DeSoto 35-32 with just under three minutes remaining and DeSoto was down to a 4^th and 5 at their own 30 when Cyrus Gray exploded around the right end and raced 70 yards for the decisive score.  It was a tough way to end a remarkable season, but the Eagles can look back on their progress and take away nothing but positives heading into 2007.

     Abilene returns 27 lettermen, 12 starters, and 7 All-District players from last year’s team.  QB Spens Lackey was charged with the task of replacing record-setting QB Taylor Potts and he did a very admirable job.  Lackey proved to be a threat through the air as well as on the ground, actually leading the team in rushing on occasion.  Running backs, Dmidrick Harrell and Keith Flye both return as do receivers Kortney McDow and J.J. James. 

     On top of all of that returning skill talent, Abilene returns 4 starters along the offensive line.  TE Matt Carroll, OG Wyatt Martinez, OG Hunter Hettich, and OT Sterling Beard are the formidable foundation of the Eagle offensive attack.  Abilene averaged 34 ppg over their last nine games in 2006 and they could quite possibly improve upon that number this fall.

     The Abilene defense was average at best last fall which is surprising given how strong Steve Warren’s defenses usually are.  Imposing DE Andre Davis and LB’s Chris Williams and Mark Weaver will be the heart of the defense this year.  Both Williams and Weaver were named to the All-District squad a year ago.

     Under Steve Warren, Abilene has been one of the most consistent teams in Texas, averaging 10 wins a year over the last five years and racking up 9 playoff wins in that time frame.  The Eagles have advanced to the third round of the playoffs 4 years in a row and they are poised to extend that streak.  If Abilene can improve even slightly on defense, there is no ceiling on how far they can go.

The Bottom Line:

2007 Schedule

Strengths:

Weaknesses:

Forecast:

Overall Experience,
Productive Offense

Need to improve defensively

Contend for district w/ Permian,
Impact Region 1 playoffs

Top Players: