The Eagles finished last season on the doorstep of the state championship game after losing an overtime thriller to finalists Pflugerville (20-13).  Abilene finished 13-2 overall and 4-1 in 3-5A play.  Both losses came by seven points apiece.  The regular season loss came by a 28-21 score line against Permian.  Nine starters (2 offense, 7 defense) and 22 lettermen lead the 2008 edition of the Eagles. 

          This off-season’s realignment changed things considerably for Abilene’s schedule.  With Cooper dropping down to 4A, Abilene moved east down I-20 to join Fort Worth area schools in a new look 3-5A.  The traditional West Texas competition moved into 2-5A.  Abilene High beefed up their non-district schedule to include Florida powerhouse Glades Central (Belle Glade, Fla.), Plano East (away), Cooper and Tyler Lee (Shotwell).  The Eagles will be challenged in those games and should enter district play as heavy favorites to finish first place.

          Senior QB Stephen Warren takes over the starting reigns this season after sharing snaps with Spens Lackey in 2007.  Warren completed 63 of 99 passes for 706 yards and 6 TDs to just 1 INT.  Senior RB Zach Bass flanks Warren in Abilene’s one-back scheme.  Bass lettered as a junior and ran for 483 yards (5.9 ypc) and 8 TDs.  Junior Zack Mosley and sophomore Hershel Simms add depth to the backfield.    Abilene runs a very balanced scheme overall (2805 passing, 2670 rushing in 07).  The Eagles need to find playmakers at receiver since last year’s top five receivers graduated.  Seniors Tevin Wiley and John Reynolds both lettered a year ago, and will step into bigger roles this season. 

          The two returning starters on offense are both linemen.  Senior Alec Egan (6’5 230) and junior Drew Carroll (6’3 260) anchor the Eagles up front.  Seniors Mitchell Moser and Santos Escobedo also lettered last year, so Abilene has a nice base of experience to work with on the line.

          The key to the offense will be the receivers.  Abilene’s had very few problems at this position in recent seasons, and the offense will be in good shape if that can reload that position again this year.

          Aside from a few hiccups, Abilene fielded one of the top defenses in the state last year and seven starters return from that unit.  All-American candidate Chris Williams (6’1 220) could scoop several accolades this season, and his presence gives Abilene the ability to dominate offenses.  The Eagles have plenty of quality around Williams.  Senior OLB Justin Carroll earned all-district honors as a junior and further solidifies the second level along with OLB Nathan Ashlock.

          Two starters return on the defensive line in senior P.J. Butler (6’1 225) and junior Hunter Cooke (5’11 210).  Senior John Paul Englerth adds size to the line and will make it tough on opponents to attack the middle of the defense, something that wouldn’t be advisable anyway.

          The secondary is in great shape with three returning starters.  Senior Keith Carroll (6’0 170), senior Tyler Hale (5’10 155) and junior Karsten Goodman (6’1 180) should strengthen the resistance in the back four with their experience.  Senior Cameron Walding rounds out the starting group.

          Overall, it’s hard to imagine Abilene won’t be improved on defense this season with seven returning starters.  In fact, barring injuries, the Eagle defense should be one of the top 5 in the entire state.  Receiver is the only area where graduation hit really hard.  Aside from that, Abilene has a nice balance of returning talent at every other position.  The Eagles are the certain favorite in district, but they will be tested  early by their tough non-district schedule.  If the offense comes together, the 2008 Eagles will have a great shot at topping last year's outstanding playoff run.

 

2008  Team  Outlook

Pre-Season State Top 25:  9th Pre-Season Rank (Region):  5th (R1) Pre-Season Rank (District):  1st (3) Returning Offensive Starters:  2 OL Drew Carroll (Jr.) OL Alec Egan (Sr.) Returning Defensive Starters:  7 DL Hunter Cooke (Jr.) DL P.J. Butler (Sr.) LB Chris Williams (Sr.) * '07 Dist. Def. MVP LB Justin Carroll (Sr.) CB Tyler Hale (Sr.) S Keith Carroll (Sr.) S Karsten Goodman (Jr.) All-State Players (Team):  1 LB Chris Williams (1st) Returning All-District Players:  4 LB Chris Williams (District Def. MVP) S Keith Carroll (1st) RB Zach Bass (2nd) S Carsten Goodman (2nd) Other Players to Watch: QB Stephen Warren (Sr.) RB Zach Bass (Sr.) RB Zack Mosley (Jr.) RB Hershel Simms (So.) WR Tevin WIley (Sr.) WR John Reynolds (Sr.) WR Austin Turman (Sr.) TE Blaine Whitlock (Sr.) OL Mitchell Moser (Sr.) OL Santos Escobedo (Sr.) DL John Paul Englerth (Sr.) LB Nathan Ashlock (Sr.) LB Parker McKay (Sr.) DB Tyler Hale (Sr.) DB Cameron Walding (Sr.) 2008 Schedule (Stadium): 8/29     Bell Glades Central, FL (Shotwell)  7:30 9/5       @ Plano East (Clark)                          7:30 9/12     @ Abilene Cooper (Shotwell)          7:30 9/19     Tyler Lee (Shotwell)                          7:30 9/26     Burleson (Shotwell)                           7:30 10/3     @ FW Paschal (Farrington)               7:30 10/11   Weatherford (Shotwell)                    1:00 10/17   OPEN 10/24   FW Haltom (Shotwell)                        7:30 10/31   N. Richland Hills (Shotwell)               7:30 11/7     @ North Crowley (Panther)              7:30 Opponents Combined Record:  34-58 Projected 2008 Record: 10-0 Key Games (Rank): vs. Bell Glades Central, FL vs. Tyler Lee vs. FW Haltom Strength of Schedule (Rank): 92.00 (74th) Unit Rankings: Total Defense (4th) Linebackers (3rd) Secondary (7th) The Bottom Line: Strengths: 7 Starters Return From a Great Defense Efficient QB & All-District RB Program Consistency Weaknesses: Replacing Top 5 Receivers