|
Defending district
champion Stony Point enters 2008 after pulling the rug out from
underneath their area rivals last
season. The Tigers won their last four district games in
a row to beat favorites Leander and Pflugerville to claim the
title outright. It was the school’s first district title (began varsity
play in 2000). Not only was it their first district title,
it was their first winning season in school history.
Their 9 victories last season was more than they'd compiled in the
previous 5 years combined. Taking it a step further, the
Tigers' 4 victories in a row to end the regular season would've
been, by themselves, their most wins ever in a single season.
Stony Point's rapid ascension is a testament to the masterful job
coach Craig Chessher has done since taking over the program.
Chessher was formerly the defensive coordinator at North Shore and
was the architect of the 2003 North Shore defense, arguably one of
the best of all time.
Stony Point will try and build on their
landmark achievement with 12 returning starters (6 offense, 6
defense) and 13 additional lettermen. All-district senior QB
Nyk McKissic (6’1 200) is back to lead the offense. McKissic’s
return will help Stony Point pick up where they left off last
year in the scoring department (36.3 ppg). McKissic was
one of the state's most efficient passers completing 63% of his
passes for 2,087 yards with 16 TD's to just 3 interceptions.
The biggest hole Stony Point has to fill is the lost production of
graduated RB Ryan Nunn. Nunn quietly had a spectacular 2007
season, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 28 TD's. The
cupboard is far from bare, however. Senior Glasco Martin
(6’0 195), a D1 recruit, will make the transition from WR to RB.
Sophomore Stephen Williams (5’9 165) was one of just a few
freshmen to see significant varsity action last fall, accounting
for 533 yards of total offense and 7 TD's on just 45 touches.
Both Martin and Williams have game-breaking speed and are
excellent receivers out of the backfield.
Senior Austin Caswell
(5’9 145) is a returning starter out wide. Caswell earned 2nd
team all-district honors as a junior. Junior TE Gerard Shillow
(6’2 210), another sure-fire D1 recruit, also returns.
If there's one area of
concern for Stony Point, it is the offensive line as they will be
breaking in four new starters.
Senior OG Jesus Garza (5’9 261) anchors the line as the lone
returning starter. The Tigers have a strong base to build
around on offense, and this unit could really take off if the
new starters on the line step up.
On defense, the line returns three of four
starters. Senior defensive end Tevin Mims (6’4 226) leads the
experience on defense. Mims is a Division 1 recruit and earned
1st team all-district honors as a junior. Senior DT
Darnell Armstrong (5’11 245) earned 2nd team
all-district honors. Senior DT Arthur Neweke (5’10 205) rounds
out the experience up front. Junior Nathan Godfrey (5’8 180)
adds more experience at linebacker along with senior Nick
Cestari (5’11 190). Sophomore OLB PL Lindley (6’2 187) is a
young one to watch.
The secondary is most experienced at the
corner position. Outstanding seniors Julian Dozier (5’9 175) and Kenneth Browder (5’10 175) return to solidify the perimeter.
Dozier is also a very dangerous return man and may also be used at
WR from time-to-time. Dozier is a highly sought-after D1
recruit. Junior FS
Desmond Martin (6'0 165) is yet another young player to keep an
eye on this fall.
Stony
Point allowed 25.4 points a game last year, and that average
will obviously need to drop if the Tigers want to take the next
step and advance to the later rounds of the playoffs. With
the amount of talent and experience they have back on defense, one
would expect them to make a significant improvement.
Overall, this looks like a team well-equipped to build on
last year’s success and it wouldn't be a surprise for them to
break the double-digit win barrier. Stony Point will have to
adapt to their new role as a favorite, but with the talent and
coaching they have in place, it should be a fairly smooth
transition.
|
2008 Team Outlook |
Pre-Season State Top
25: 22nd
Pre-Season Rank (Region):
5 (2)
Pre-Season Rank (District):
1
(16)
Returning Offensive Starters:
6
QB Nyk McKissic (Sr.)
RB Stephen Williams (So.)
RB Glasco Martin (Sr.)
WR Austin Caswell (Sr.)
TE Gerard Shillow (Jr.)
OG Jesus Garza (Sr.)
Returning Defensive Starters:
6
DT Darnell Armstrong (Sr.)
DE Tevin Mims (Sr.)
NT Arthur Neweke (Sr.)
OLB Nathan Godfrey (Jr.)
CB Kenny Browder (Sr.)
CB/ATH Julian Dozer (Sr.)
All-State Players (Team):
1
QB Nyk McKissic (3rd)
Returning All-District Players:
4
QB Nyk
McKissic (1st)
DE Tevin Mims (1st)
WR Austin Caswell (2nd)
DT Darnell Armstrong (2nd)
Other Players to Watch:
WR Phillip Prather (Sr.)
OG Nate
Broughton (Sr.)
OT Trenton Davis (Jr.)
TE Aryn Sharp (So.)
DE Rashard Asmore (Jr.)
LB P.L. Lindley (So.)
CB Kevin White (Jr.)
SS David Fulgencio (Jr.)
FS Desmond Martin (Jr.) |
2008 Schedule
(Stadium):
8/28
Alamo Heights (Dragon)
9/5
@ Pflug. Connally (Connally)
9/12 @ Waco
(Waco ISD)
9/19 OPEN
9/26 RR Westwood
(Dragon)
10/03 @ Leander (Bible
Memorial)
10/10 Georgetown (Dragon)
10/17 @ RR McNeil (Round
Rock)
10/24 Cedar Park (Dragon)
10/31 @ CP Vista Ridge (Bible
Memorial)
11/7 Round Rock
(Dragon)
Opponents Combined Record:
34-30
Projected 2008 Record:
10-0
Key Games (Rank):
@ Leander
@ RR McNeil
vs. Cedar Park
vs. Round Rock
Strength of Schedule (Rank):
70.50 (21st)
Unit Rankings:
#10 Total
Offense |
|
The Bottom Line:
|
Strengths:
Offensive
and Defensive Experience
Leadership in Key Areas
"Game Changers" on Off. and Def.
|
Weaknesses:
Program
Consistency (Newer School)
Inexperience along the Offensive Line |
|
|
