2007 proved to be a good season for turnaround teams, and perhaps none were more impressive than Pflugerville.  The Panthers nearly missed the playoffs after finishing district in a three-way tie for third place with Georgetown and Round Rock.  Pflugerville won a close game in bi-district against Temple (34-31) and then reeled off four more wins to earn the school’s first ever 5A state championship appearance.  The Panthers finished 12-4 overall.  One of the state’s most experienced defenses (8 returning starters) returns from that team, but only one starter returns on offense.  Defense will carry the team early while the new starters on offense gain experience.  Pflugerville’s 30 returning lettermen will be flanked by players moving up from sophomore and JV teams that went a combined 16-2-1. 

          The tallest order of business will be restocking a running back stable that produced two Division 1A recruits last year.  Sophomores Sammy Flowers (5’10 165) and Julian Ward (5’11 175) are two stepping up to fill the void.  Senior FB Craig Sandoval (5’11 205) adds some experience in what will be a young backfield.  Sophomore Alex Dean (5’10 160) is set to take over at QB in the Panthers’ Wing T base scheme.  Dean will have experienced targets downfield in seniors WR Valentino Bishop (6’0 165) and TE Devon Harris (6’0 180).  The most experienced part of the offense is the line.  Senior center Luke Hurtado (6’1 245) is the lone returning starter on offense, but senior OT Brandon Anderson (6’3 235) has experience as well.  Junior guard Steven Wiebel (5’10 208) is the only non-senior penciled in to start.

          Pflugerville took some hits on defense in the regular season and first round of the playoffs, but switched gears in the post-season and played well all the way through the state championship game.  Eight starters return from last year’s unit, and the other three also saw significant playing time. 

          The Panther defense starts up front with an outstanding line.  Senior DE Alex Okafor (6’6 235) committed to the University of Texas in the off-season.  Junior DT Tyrus Thompson (6’5 285) is a D1 recruit.  Thompson started as a sophomore last year.  Senior DE IK Enemkpali (6’0 195) is a very productive player despite not having the size of some of his teammates.  Senior DT Joe Hernandez (5’11 305) rounds out the state’s best defensive line. 

          Experienced linebackers are in place to clean up what does get by the defensive line.  Senior LB Dwight Matthews (6’1 195) and senior OLB AJ Reese (5’10 180) are the most experienced.  Matthews led the team in tackles last year.  Senior corners Tremayne Williams (5’8 160) and Carl Hattley (6’1 165) lead the secondary along with senior free safety Depaul Marshall (6’1 175).  Overall, this is a very experienced defense that’ll be a tough match-up for anyone. The Panthers are typically strong in special teams, and senior kicker Justin Garelick (6’0 160) should help insure good field position. 

          If not for the turnover on offense, Pflugerville would be a top 10 lock.  Ultimately, the young offense’s progression will determine what this team is capable of accomplishing.  Last year’s team changed the standard for Pflugerville football, and it’ll be interesting to see how the program builds off that achievement.  

 

2008  Team  Outlook

Pre-Season State Top 25:  17th Pre-Season Rank (Region):  2 (4) Pre-Season Rank (District):  1 (25) Returning Offensive Starters: 1 C Luke Hurtado (Sr.) Returning Defensive Starters: 8 DE Alex Okafor (Sr.) DE IK Enemkpali (Sr.) DT Tyrus Thompson (Jr.) DT Joe Hernandez (Sr.) ILB Dwight Matthews (Sr.) OLB AJ Reese (Sr.) CB Tremayne Williams (Sr.) CB Carl Hattley (Sr.) All-State Players (Team): 1 DE Alex Okafor (1st) Returning All-District Players:  1 OE Alex Okafor (1st) Other Players to Watch: QB Alex Dean (So.) RB Sammy Flowers (So.) RB Julian Ward (So.) RB JP Carruth (Jr.) FB Craig Sandoval (Sr.) WR Valentino Bishop (Sr.) OT Brandon Anderson (Sr.) OG Jared McGill (Sr.) DT Josh Strickland (Jr.) OLB Jeffrey Hall (Sr.) OLB Storm Woods (So.) ILB Jamar Jackson (Sr.) FS Depaul Marshall (Sr.) 2008 Schedule (Stadium): 8/29      @ Leander (Bible)          9/5        OPEN 9/12      @ Converse Judson (Rutledge) 9/19      Round Rock (Kuempel) 9/26      Bastrop (Kuempel) 10/3      @ Westlake (Chaparral) 10/10    Austin Anderson (Kuempel) 10/17    @ Austin High (House) 10/24    Austin Akins (Kuempel) 10/30    @ Austin Bowie (Burger) 11/7      Pflugerville Connally (Kuempel) Opponents Combined Record:  50-36 Projected 2008 Record: 9-1 Key Games (Rank): @ Leander @ Converse Judson vs. Round Rock @ Austin Westlake @ Austin Bowie Strength of Schedule (Rank): 69.20 (20th) Unit Rankings: #8 Total Defense #10 Linebackers #2 Defensive Line The Bottom Line: Strengths: Outstanding Defensive Talent & Experience Team Speed Very Talented Soph. & Jr. Classes Weaknesses: Inexperience in Offensive Backfield