Reports of Rocket Pride’s demise appear to be greatly exaggerated after yet another trip to the state championship game.  True to tradition, Judson saved its best football for the playoffs en route to an 11-5 overall record last year.  Judson struggled for consistency during the regular season, and lost a couple of shockers to Kerrville Tivy and Wagner.  The Rocket defense went to another level in the post-season, and that helped Judson establish the consistency it was lacking.  The Rockets allowed 20.6 points per game in the regular season and dropped that average to 13.8 in six playoff games.  Judson returns eight starters (2 offense, 6 defense) from the 2007 team. 

           Eight senior starters lead the Rocket offense.  Senior OT Ameer Townes (6’0 300) is one of Judson’s most experienced returning players.  Townes earned all-district honors as a junior.  Center Cody Kohler (6’0 210) and OG Andre Gary (5’11 220) add senior leadership.  Junior OT C.J. Boyd (6’0 270) and junior OG Tim Stone (6’0 230) complete the starting five on the line.  Senior OT Michael Shortes (6’1 245) is a returning letterman.

          Senior Chris Patton (5’11 165) will start at quarterback.  Patton has good speed (4.5), so Judson will have the added threat of his mobility.  Senior fullback Elliot Hudson (5’7 180) adds experience to the backfield.  Senior RB Chauncey Harris (5’9 155 4.4) and junior Gabe Hilliard (5’6 155 4.4) will be two of Judson’s primary options in the running game.  Harris and Hilliard both have the speed to run away from defenses and pick up big chunks of yards as a result. 

          Senior WR Adrian Morgan (5’9 160) and senior TE Rashawn Davis (6’1 190) are two downfield options in the passing game.  Senior WR Michael Hilliard (5’10 160) lettered last year.

          Judson’s offense doesn’t generally “wow” anyone on paper, but their style wears on teams and eventually they find a way to win football games.  The spread offense has proliferated among Texas high schools this decade, but programs like Judson prove ball control schemes can still be very effective in today’s game.  Fundamental execution gets overlooked, but it is the bread and butter of what’s made Judson a great program.

          The Rocket defense should be among the state’s best this season.  In consecutive weeks in the playoffs last fall, Judson held Reagan to 21, North Shore to 7, and Trinity to 13.  Those totals were 12, 32, and 17 points below their opponents' season scoring averages.  Six key returning starters lead Judson into the 2008 season.  Judson has multiple players who will contend for MVP and all-state honors.  This is a very disciplined and fast defense overall.

          Most of Judson's defensive experience returns at linebacker and in the secondary.  Senior WLB Chris McAllister (6’2 215 4.6), senior MLB Will Thornton (6’0 200 4.6) and senior SLB Luke Boswell (5’9 175 4.5) form one of the best second levels in Texas.  McAllister and Thornton were both all-district picks in 2007.  McAllister also captured all-area and all-state honors and is a top D1 recruit.  Sophomore Derek Lockhart (6’0 190 4.7) is a young one to watch.

          Senior corner Erik Brown (5’10 180 4.5) leads the returning talent in the secondary.  Brown picked off seven passes last year on his way to all-district and all-state recognition as a junior.  Seniors CB Phillip Gaines (6’0 165 4.4), SS Robert Shaw (5’10 180 4.6) and FS Anthony Moore (6’2 190 4.5) complete an experienced and talented starting four.  Judson's secondary should be among the best in the entire state.

          The only three non-senior starters will be on the defensive line.  Senior DE Courtland Tolbert (6’1 220 4.8) is the lone senior.  Junior DE Kori Jones (6’3 200 4.6), junior DT Jordan Spice (5’9 190 4.6) and junior DT Charles Parks (6’0 250 4.9) will anchor the Rockets up front along with Tolbert.  Jones and Tolbert are Division 1 talents. 

          Judson will start 16 seniors (8 offense, 8 defense) in all, so this will be an experienced team despite the graduation turnover from last year.  Realignment moved Judson from the tradition 26-5A to 27-5A.  The Rockets have the Corpus schools and Victoria Memorial in district along with San Antonio schools Wagner, East Central, Highlands and South San Antonio.  Judson opens its schedule with challenging non-district games versus Warren, Smithson Valley (away) and Pflugerville.  The Rockets are heavily favored in district, but Wagner and East Central are very talented in their own right.  Regardless of how Judson finishes up during the regular season, it would be foolish to discount them come playoff time.  The coaching is always there, but this team is talented enough to bring home a 7th State Championship trophy.

 

2008  Team  Outlook

Pre-Season State Top 25:  3rd Pre-Season Rank (Region):  1st (R4) Pre-Season Rank (District):  1st (27) Returning Offensive Starters:  2 OL Ameer Townes (Sr.) Returning Defensive Starters:  6 DE Courtland Tolbert (Sr.) WLB Chris McAllister (Sr.) MLB William Thornton (Sr.) DB Phillip Gaines (Sr.) CB Erik Brown (Sr.) FS Anthony Moore (Sr.) All-State Players (Team): CB Eric Brown (1st) WLB Chris McAllister (2nd) OL Ameer Townes (3rd) DE Kori Jones (All-Junior) Returning All-District Players:  3 OL Ameer Townes (1st) LB Chris McAllister (1st) DB Erik Brown (2nd) Other Players to Watch: QB Chris Patton (Sr.) RB Chauncey Harris (Sr.) RB Gabe Hilliard (Jr.) WR Adrian Morgan (Sr.) WR Michael Hilliard (Sr.) FB/TE Elliot Hudson (Sr.) OT CJ Boyd (Jr.) OG Andre Gary (Sr.) OG Tim Stone (Jr.) C Cody Kohler (Sr.) OT Michael Shorties (Sr.) DE Kori Jones (Jr.) SLB Luke Boswell (Sr.) LB Derek Lockhart (So.) SS Robert Shaw (Sr.) 2008 Schedule (Stadium): 8/28     SA Warren (Rutledge)                   7:00 9/5       @ Smithson Valley (Ranger)        7:30 9/12     Pflugerville (Rutledge)                  7:30 9/20     OPEN 9/26     Sou. San Antonio (Rutledge)         7:30 10/3     @ Converse Wagner (Rutledge)   7:30 10/10   SA Highlands (Rutledge)                7:30 10/17   @ CC King (Cabiness)                    7:30 10/24   SA East Central (Rutledge)            7:30 10/31   Victoria Memorial (Rutledge)        7:30 11/7     @ CC Carroll (Buccaneer)              7:30 Opponents Combined Record:  59-45 Projected 2008 Record: 10-0 Key Games (Rank): vs. SA Warren @ Smithson Valley vs. Pflugerville vs. Converse Wagner vs. SA East Central @ CC Carroll Strength of Schedule (Rank): 91.50 (70th) Unit Rankings: Total Defense (2nd) Defensive Line (5th) Linebackers (1st) Secondary (1st)   The Bottom Line: Strengths: Dominant Defense w/ High-End D1 Talent Team Speed Playoff Experience Great Coaching Staff Weaknesses: Question Marks on Offense