Following their stunning
16-0 run to a state championship in 2006, few knew what to expect
from Cedar Hill last fall. After all, prior to their ’06
run, the Longhorns hadn’t won a single playoff game in their
entire history. That being the case, Cedar Hill’s 8-4 finish
in 2007 (against the state’s 23rd toughest schedule)
can only be seen as yet another sign that they are on their way to
building a program to be reckoned with. The Longhorns' 24
wins in the past two seasons tops what the program had
accomplished in the previous 5 years combined.
Despite having to replace William Cole, Cedar Hill’s offense
really didn’t suffer as much as most expected, ranking 18th
in the state in scoring (36.3 points per game) and averaging 11
points above what their opponents allowed on the season.
Because William Cole was so indescribably amazing the year
before, few people realized what a great season James Hamilton
put together. Hamilton’s 1,921 rushing yards and 34 combined
TD’s will be more difficult to replace than most probably
realize, but Cedar Hill has a couple of promising young
signal-callers ready to make their own mark on the program.
Driphus Jackson (6’0 185, 4.5) and Ladarian Cochran, both
sophomores-to-be, will battle it out between now and the end of
August to determine who will lead the Longhorns’ spread attack.
Both QB’s are gifted runners and whoever ultimately wins the job
will get to operate behind a potentially great offensive line
and they’ll have no shortage of high-end talent to distribute
the ball to.
Up front, Cedar Hill will be lead by three-year starter and
University of Texas commit, Thomas Ashcraft (6’5 290). Ashcraft
earned 5ATexasFootball.com All-Texas honors in each of his first
two varsity seasons and was named Sophomore Offensive MVP for
his contribution to Cedar Hill’s state title run in ’06.
Joining Ashcraft is a pair of outstanding Jr.’s in OG Adam Shead
(6’4 295) and OT Josh Allen (6’3 255).
The Longhorns, not surprisingly, are loaded at the offensive
skill positions. Jr. RB Ben Malena (5’10 190) has been talked
up for the better part of his young career at Cedar Hill, but
this may be the year that he truly breaks out. Besides Malena,
the Longhorns will likely get significant contributions from Sr.
RB Keenan Walker and Jr. RB Brian Davis.
Out wide, Cedar Hill will be led by Irving High transfer Laquan
Harper (5’11 180). Harper can do a little bit of everything and
it wouldn’t be that surprising to see him in the backfield from
time to time. The other two WR spots will likely be filled by a
couple of promising juniors in Oliver Wells (6’2 180) and John
Coleman (5’9 170). The only real question about Cedar Hill’s
offense is whether or not the young QB’s will be able to develop
a downfield passing game to take advantage of their talented
wideouts and compliment their explosive ground attack.
Of even more concern for the 2008 Longhorns is their defense.
Although they did hold their opponents 6 points below their
season scoring average last fall, Cedar Hill really struggled to
stop their toughest opponents, allowing 57, 37, 37, and 34 in
their 4 losses. Help is on the way, however, not only in the
form of a talented crop of young players, but also in the hiring
of former Southlake Carroll DC, Ron Mendoza. Mendoza will scrap
the Longhorns’ typical 33 stack look in favor of the more
traditional 4-3. Mendoza’s defenses at Carroll were often
overlooked, but were extremely effective.
Though they’ll dearly miss Jarvis Humphrey, the Cedar Hill
defensive line looks to be in good shape with DE Tyler
Washington (6’1 225) and DT Jamarcus Goodall (6’0 290).
Washington has great speed off of the edge and is athletic
enough that he’ll probably play LB at the next level.
The linebacking corps will be led by junior MLB Aaron Benson
(6’1 210), one of the most sought-after recruits in the country,
and senior OLB Tyler Smith (5’11 195). Speedy OLB Collin Glover
(5’11 185) is likely to take over the other starting spot.
Corners Darrious Smith (6’0 180) and Jameel Bagby (5’9 170) and
safeties Sylvan McGowan (5’10 170) and Chris Young (5’10 175)
round out a very talented and very fast secondary.
And, if all that weren’t enough, Cedar Hill returns one of the
top junior kicking prospects in the entire country in Eduardo
Camara, who will be a 4-year letterman by the time he’s done.
If Cedar Hill can develop a respectable downfield passing threat
and if their revamped defense comes together, they could
significantly outplay their #23 preseason ranking. An
early Week 3 test against Euless Trinity at Longhorn Stadium
will give Cedar Hill an opportunity to see where they stand
against one of the elite programs in the state. If Cedar
Hill continues on the path they're on, it won't be long before
they themselves become a measuring stick for aspiring,
up-and-coming programs.
|
2008 Team Outlook |
Pre-Season State Top
25: 23rd
Pre-Season Rank (Region):
9 (1)
Pre-Season Rank (District):
1 (7)
Returning Offensive Starters:
4
OT Thomas Ashcraft (Sr.)
OG Adam Shead (Jr.)
RB Ben Malena (Jr.)
WR LaQuan Harper (Sr.)
*Transfer from Irving
Returning Defensive Starters:
3
DE Tyler Washington (Sr.)
MLB Aaron Benson (Jr.)
OLB Tyler Smith (Sr.)
Preseason All-State Players (Team):
OT Thomas Ashcraft (1st)
LB Aaron Benson (3rd)
Returning All-District Players
(Team):
OT Thomas
Ashcraft (1st)
K Eduardo Camara (1st)
WR LaQuan Harper (2nd)
DL Tyler Washington (2nd)
Other Players to Watch:
QB Driphus
Jackson (So.)
QB Ladarian Cochran (So.)
OT Josh Allen (Jr.)
WR Oliver Wells (Jr.)
DE Adrian Blaylock (Sr.)
DT Jamarcus Goodall (Sr.)
CB Jameel Bagby (Sr.)
CB Darrious Smith (Sr.)
*Transfer
from Lincoln
|
2008 Schedule
(Stadium):
8/30
@ Cincinnati La Salle (Texas Stadium)
9/5
Wichita Falls Rider (Longhorn)
9/12 Euless
Trinity (Longhorn)
9/19 @ Arlington
Martin
(Cravens)
9/26 OPEN
10/3 South Grand
Prairie (Longhorn)
10/10 @ Irving (Irving)
10/17 Duncanville (Longhorn)
10/24 @ Irving MacArthur (Irving)
10/31 Grand Prairie (Longhorn)
11/6 @ Irving
Nimitz (Irving)
Opponents Combined Record:
43 - 45
Projected 2008 Record:
9-1
Key Games (Rank):
vs. Euless
Trinity
vs. South Grand Prairie
vs. Duncanville
Strength of Schedule (Rank):
66.60 (16th)
Unit Rankings:
#7
Offensive Line
|
| The Bottom Line:
|
Strengths:
Offensive Line
Talent and Leadership
Very Talented at Skill Positions
Special Teams
|
Weaknesses:
Inexperienced at QB
and on Defense |
|
