Reg. 1 Rankings Reg. 1 Super Team Offense Reg. 1 Super Team Defense 1. Euless Trinity (#1, 5-5A)* 2. Plano (#2, 8-5A)* 3. Allen (#4, 8-5A) 4. Southlake Carroll (#5, 6-5A) 5. Abilene (#9, 3-5A) 6. Arlington Bowie (#10, 4-5A)* 7. FM Marcus (#15, 6-5A)* 8. Odessa Permian (#19, 2-5A)* 9. Cedar Hill (#24, 7-5A) 10. Lewisville Hebron (#25, 6-5A) Next three in…Irving MacArthur, Fossil Ridge, Lewisville* * Div. 1 District Strength Ratings: 1. 6-5A 2. 8-5A 3. 4-5A 4. 7-5A 5. 5-5A 6. 2-5A 7. 3-5A 8. 1-5A QB Matt Brown, Allen (Jr.) QB Carson Meger, Plano QB Christian Matthews, Arlington Bowie RB Stepfan Taylor, Mansfield WR Aaron Fisher, Keller Fossil Ridge WR Kris Lott, Plano WR Jarrod Darden, Keller Central WR Phillip Mitchell, Lewisville Hebron TE Alex Norman, Lewisville Hebron TE James Pearson, FW Haltom AP Rex Burkhead, Plano AP Daryn Alves, McKinney Boyd (Jr.) OL Thomas Ashcraft, Cedar Hill OL Joey Gray, Lewisville Hebron OL Garrett Porter, Odessa Permian OL Eric Tausch, Dallas Jesuit OL Ty Cloud, FM Marcus OL Will McWhirter, Southlake Carroll   DL Jackson Jeffcoat, Plano West (Jr.) DL Nikita Whitlock, Wylie DL Randall Dent, S. Grand Prairie DL Brayden Burnett, Southlake Carroll DL Nate Bonsu, Allen LB Chris Williams, Abilene LB Bobby Schneider, Colly. Heritage LB Earnest Norman, Euless Trinity LB Tariq Allen, Irving Macarthur LB David Curley, Lewisville DB Collin Ashley, Flower Mound DB LaRon Kelly, Plano DB Josh Peprah, Plano East DB Dexter Linton, Arlington Bowie DB Eddrick Loften, Irving K Evan Dobbs, Allen   Realignment Highlights           Several rather significant changes occurred throughout Region 1 in the latest UIL realignment.  The “Little SWC” was officially disbanded and merged with the old 2-5A to form one 10-team West Texas super-district including the Panhandle schools and San Angelo.  Cooper fell to 4A and Abilene was shipped East to join the west DFW district with Weatherford and Burleson.            Arlington ISD moved to 4-5A to join Summit and Mansfield, forming a talent-laden district.  Southlake Carroll was done no favors by being placed alongside the Flower Mound and Lewisville schools.  As a result, the new 6-5A is easily one of the top districts in the state.            Possibly more significant than any other change was the fact that Plano, Allen, et al were moved back into Region 1.  That one change has vast playoff implications, because instead of facing off in the State Semifinals, Trinity and Plano will be forced to duke it out for the region.  Meanwhile, Region 2 is opened up considerably without Plano and Allen in the picture.   Region Analysis           Featuring 4 of the top 5 teams in the state and 7 of the top 15, Region 1 is clearly the best in Texas for 2008.  The rest of the state won’t get any breaks from the UIL’s D1/D2 madness either, as the top 10 in the region are evenly split between the two playoff divisions based upon our district projections.            Euless Trinity and Plano are easy choices for #1 and #2 in the state, let alone the region.  Both teams return a wealth of experience from last year’s squads and they figure to be on a collision course for a rematch of last year’s epic overtime playoff battle at Texas Stadium.  No matter what happens withing their respective districts, both Plano and Trinity will be in the Division 1 bracket. It’s hard to imagine that, no matter what, one of these teams won’t have a chance to compete beyond the State Quarterfinals in ’08.           Allen could go Div. 1 or Div. 2 depending on how their district race pans out.  As long as Plano East makes the playoffs, Allen won’t have to worry about Trinity or Plano in the playoffs; they’ll instead face the possibility of another date with Southlake Carroll.  Allen’s main challenge, despite losing Buckner and Ellis at WR, is improving on defense.  If the Eagle D makes strides, Allen will be an extremely tough team to beat.           One Eagle team that won’t have to worry about defense is Abilene.  Seven starters return from one of ‘07’s top defensive units including All-State LB Chris Williams.  Abilene is projected to be the 3rd highest ranking Region 1 team in the Div. 2 bracket.  If their offense maintains last year’s production, Abilene could find themselves back in the state semis.           Our #6 through #8 teams in the region feature three great turnaround stories.  Arlington Bowie, FM Marcus, and Odessa Permian are all expected to join the Div. 1 fray once the postseason kicks off.  Bowie has to replace a majority of their offensive production, but returns one of the most exciting players in the state in QB Christian Matthews.  Coach Kenny Perry has quickly righted the ship at Bowie and has that ultra-talented hotbed headed in the right direction.  FM Marcus is also being formed into an area power by a new coach in Bryan Erwin.  The Marauders return 17 starters and could be underrated, even at #15 in the state.  Odessa Permian is enjoying a resurgence under former Panther player Darren Allman’s leadership and they figure to be a force within the region once again this year.           Though Cedar Hill and Hebron won’t meet in the regular season this year, there’s a good chance they’ll get to face-off in the playoffs.  Both teams are projected to be in the Div. 2 bracket along with Abilene, Allen, and Southlake Carroll.  Cedar Hill will know where they stand early on, having to face Trinity in Week 3.  The Longhorns are inexperienced at two key areas, QB and defense, but they are pretty well set everywhere else.  Hebron is also inexperienced at QB, but they are in great shape on defense.  If the Hawks can find a suitable replacement for Tanner Marsh, look out.       Playoff Teams: Coronado, *Franklin, Montwood, *Socorro Off MVP: QB Anthony Lopez, El Dorado, Sr. Def MVP: FS Milo Gutierrez, Socorro, Jr. Most Improved Team: EP Socorro Predicted Order of Finish: EP Coronado EP Franklin EP Montwood EP Socorro EP El Dorado EP Bel Air EP Hanks EP Eastwood EP Americas Summary:                    Coronado looks to be in the best position to claim the 1-5A crown due to 10 key starters (4 off, 6 def) returning from last year’s 8-4 squad, five of which were All-District performers.  RB/DB/KR Willie Williams is one of the district’s most explosive returning players and LB JoJo Hebert is also one of the area’s best. As always, Franklin and Montwood will be in the mix.  Franklin returns over half of last year’s roster, but has to replace 5 All-District defenders.  Montwood must replace the vast majority of their offensive production due to the loss of David Reza and Josh Flores.  The battle for the final playoff spot will be between Socorro and El Dorado and they’ll face off in the first week of district play.  Socorro returns 17 starters and looks to be in the best shape to claim the final spot.       Playoff Teams: *Odessa Permian, Lubbock Monterey, *Midland, Midland Lee Off MVP: WR Ryan Rumbaugh, Odessa Permian, Sr. Def MVP: LB Jerome Lejia, Odessa Permian, Sr. Most Improved Team: Midland Predicted Order of Finish: Odessa Permian Lubbock Monterey Midland Midland Lee Amarillo Tascosa Odessa Lubbock Coronado Amarillo SA Central Lubbock Summary:           Permian followed up their successful 2006 season with a 12-1 campaign in ’07 and are the favorites to win the newly-formed West Texas super-district.  Keep an eye on Lubbock Monterey, however, as they return a good crop of proven performers from last year’s 6-6 squad.  Midland should be vastly improved with 11 returning starters including RB Darius Miller and WR Antwan Goodley.  The final playoff spot could go to just about anybody.  Lee holds a slight edge due their proven ability to get to the postseason year in and year out.  Both Tascosa and Odessa return a vast majority of their key players from a year ago, but both programs have struggled to make the postseason in recent years.  Amarillo and Lubbock Coronado could also contend.  Coronado is challenged with replacing nearly every key player off of last year’s 11-2 squad.       Playoff Teams: Abilene, Richland, *Burleson, *North Crowley Off MVP: QB Phillip Gonzales, Richland, Sr. Def MVP: LB Chris Williams, Abilene, Sr. Most Improved Team: FW Haltom Predicted Order of Finish: Abilene NRH Richland Burleson North Crowley FW Haltom Weatherford FW Paschal Summary:           Abilene moves into this DFW district and is the immediate and clear favorite to win the district title.  The Eagles will feature one of the top defenses in the state with 7 returning starters off of last year’s state semifinalist squad.  Richland could be the real surprise of the district thanks, in large part, to the return of QB Phillip Gonzales.  Burleson missed out on the postseason last year, but should be able to get back in this time around, especially with the Mansfield schools out of the picture.  North Crowley and Haltom could be two of the most improved teams in the state.  Both teams are loaded with promising young talent.       Playoff Teams: *Arlington Bowie, *Arlington, Mansfield Summit, Mansfield Off MVP: QB Christian Matthews, Arlington Bowie, Sr.; RB Stepfan Taylor, Mansfield, Sr. Def MVP: DT Nosa Eguae, Mansfield Summit, Sr. Most Improved Team: Arlington Predicted Order of Finish: Arlington Bowie Arlington Mansfield Summit Mansfield Arlington Martin Arlington Lamar Arlington Sam Houston Summary:           The addition of Mansfield and Summit to the Arlington ISD district should make this one of the most competitive districts in the state.  Arlington Bowie is the runaway favorite to win the district thanks to QB Christian Matthews, a great coaching staff, and tons of talent throughout the program.  Arlington is a team to watch out for with 17 returning starters from a highly competitive team.  Summit is loaded with talent as usual and should have quite a bit to say about the district race as well.  The Mansfield Tigers and the Martin Warriors will likely compete for the final playoff spot.  Mansfield has the slight edge due to the return of one of the state’s premier tailbacks, Stepfan Taylor, and a promising young defense.       Playoff Teams: *Euless Trinity, Fossil Ridge, Colleyville Heritage, *Hurst Bell Off MVP: WR Aaron Fisher, Fossil Ridge, Sr. Def MVP: LB Earnest Norman, Euless Trinity, Sr. Most Improved Team: Keller Central Predicted Order of Finish: Euless Trinity Fossil Ridge Colleyville Heritage Hurst Bell Grapevine Justin Northwest Keller Keller Central Summary:           Of little surprise, the Euless Trinity Trojans are the favorite to win the new 5-5A.  As good as they’ve been recently, this Trojan team could be the best yet.  Fossil Ridge moves back up to the 5A level and should compete well in their new district home.  The Panthers return the state’s most prolific receiving corps.  Colleyville Heritage and LD Bell are favored to claim the district’s final two playoff spots.  Heritage returns All-State LB Bobby Schneider and 30 other lettermen.  Bell should be vastly improved on defense thanks to the return of several key players including DE Josh Mauro.       Playoff Teams: Southlake Carroll, *FM Marcus, Lewisville Hebron, *Lewisville Off MVP: RB Stephen Hopkins, Jr., FM Marcus Def MVP: DE Jackson Richards, Jr., Southlake Carroll Most Improved Team: NA Predicted Order of Finish: Southlake Carroll FM Marcus Lewisville Hebron Lewisville Coppell Flower Mound Summary:           The UIL did none of these teams any favors when creating this beast of a district.  All 6 teams were playoff caliber a year ago and figure to be at least as good this year.  Carroll is the favorite to win the district, but they’ll be severely tested by the likes of Marcus, Hebron, and Lewisville.  In fact, Lewisville could be the surprise of the district if their offense improves as expected and their defense doesn’t fall off too much.  Coppell, now under Bob Shipley’s direction, should always be competitive, but it will be very tough to take a playoff spot from any of the top four.       Playoff Teams: Cedar Hill, Irving MacArthur, *South Grand Prairie, *Duncanville Off MVP: RB Ben Malena, Jr., Cedar Hill Def MVP: LB Tariq Allen, Sr., Irving MacArthur Most Improved Team: Duncanville Predicted Order of Finish: Cedar Hill Irving MacArthur South Grand Prairie Duncanville Irving Irving Nimitz Grand Prairie Summary:           7-5A may now be home to the most talent-rich district in the state.  Even the schools picked at the bottom are stocked with D1 prospects.  Cedar Hill is the early favorite to take the district crown with the likes of Jr. RB Ben Malena and Jr. LB Aaron Benson primed for breakout years.  Irving MacArthur returns 13 starters from last year’s 9-2 squad and could be a real sleeper in Region 1.  South Grand Prairie and Duncanville were extremely young last year and are both absolutely loaded for ’08.  If SGP finds a reliable QB and Duncanville makes a smooth transition with the new coaching staff, they’re both capable of ruining a highly-ranked team’s playoff run.  Keep a close eye on how Nimitz performs this year, as they will trot out an extremely young, but extremely athletic team.  They’ll definitely be a team to watch for ’09.       Playoff Teams: *Plano, Allen, Dallas Jesuit, *Plano East Off MVP: RB/KR/PR Rex Burkhead, Sr., Plano; QB Daryn Alves, Sr. McKinney Boyd Def MVP: DE Jackson Jeffcoat, Jr., Plano West Most Improved Team: Dallas Jesuit Predicted Order of Finish: Plano Allen Dallas Jesuit Plano East Plano West McKinney Boyd Wylie  Summary:           Region 1 received quite a power boost with the addition of Allen and the Plano schools as well as Wylie and McKinney Boyd.  Plano is favored to win the district, but it should be noted that Allen beat Plano and won the old 9-5A last year.  Dallas Jesuit isn’t likely to finish ahead of either Plano or Allen, but they could be one of the toughest 3rd place teams around with the return of 7 offensive starters and All-State kicker Nicholas Tausch.  The final playoff spot will come down to whoever wins the Plano East v. Plano West grudge match.  PESH is the slight favorite this year due to the return of RB’s Toben Opurum and D’Lyle Washington and FS Josh Peprah, among others.  Don’t sleep on McKinney Boyd as they return one of the most exciting players in the state in QB Daryn Alves, who’s been compared to former Lake Highlands star, Marcus Stiggers.