Reg. 2 Rankings Reg. 2 Super Team Offense Reg. 2 Super Team Defense 1. Spring Westfield (#6, 13-5A)* 2. Dallas Skyline (#7, 9-5A)* 3. Lufkin (#11, 14-5A) 4. Cy Ridge (#19, 15-5A) 5. RR Stony Point (#22, 16-5A)* 6. Cy Falls (15-5A)* 7. Klein Forest (13-5A)* 8. Temple (12-5A) 9. Naaman Forest (10-5A) 10. The Woodlands (14-5A)* Next three in…Copperas Cove, Leander, Klein Oak * Div. 1 District Strength Ratings: 1. 16-5A 2. 13-5A 3. 10-5A 4. 15-5A 5. 12-5A 6. 14-5A 7. 11-5A 8. 9-5A   QB Kolby Gray, Cy Falls QB Nyk McKissic, RR Stony Point RB Lache Seastrunk, Temple RB Jonathon Miller, Gar. Naaman Forest RB Hasan Lipscomb, Cy Ridge RB Dominic Wilkins, Klein Forest WR John Harris, Gar. Naaman Forest (Jr.) WR Marquise Goodwin, Rowlett WR Alex Tweedy, The Woodlands TE Colby Goodwin, Cy Fair AP Russell Shepard, Cy Ridge OL Chad Lindsay, The Woodlands (Jr.) OL Clint Naron, Klein Oak OL Jeramie Roberts, South Garland OL Bobby Janisch, Jersey Village OL Matt Eureste, Cy Falls    DL JaMarcus McFarland, Lufkin DL Corey Nelson, Dallas Skyline (Jr.) DL Tevin Mims, RR Stony Point DL Loren Baker, The Woodlands LB Tanner Brock, Copperas Cove LB Dekar Williams, RR McNeil LB Tanner Estes, Cedar Park LB Blake Cavil, Conroe LB Darnell Taylor, Mesquite DB Demarquez Freeman, Lufkin DB Steve Williams, Dallas Skyline DB Kerry Nation, Dallas Skyline DB Adrian White, DeSoto (Jr.) DB Terrance Bullitt, Gar. Naaman Forest   Realignment Highlights           The main change that the latest UIL realignment brought about for Region 2 was the swapping of the addition of the Cy-Fair district and the loss of the Plano schools and Allen. Although the Cy-Fair schools were very competitive in Region 3, life will be much tougher for them now that they’re aligned in Region 2. For the rest of the region, the swap means that the races for the region championships are wide open now that Plano and Allen are out of the picture.   Region Analysis           Region 2 doesn’t feature the high-end quality that Region 1 boasts this year, but it is a very deep region with many quality teams that are capable of competing with the best from any other part of the state.           Similar to Region 1, the top two teams in this region, Westfield and Skyline, are both projected in the Division 1 playoff bracket. That means that 5 of the top 7 teams in our preseason Top 25 are projected in the D1 bracket. Ouch. Westfield and Skyline would likely meet in the third round, which really leaves the lower half of the bracket wide open.           In the Div. 2 bracket, Lufkin and Cy Ridge are our two highest rated teams. Lufkin bowed out early last season, but has a potentially very dangerous team coming back this year, with QB Jeffrey Claybon and DT Jamarkus McFarland both returning to lead the team. Cy Ridge, of course, features the dynamic backfield duo of Russell Shepard and Hasan Lipscomb. If they’re able to reload on defense, they could make a deep playoff run.           Stony Point, Cy Falls, and Klein Forest check in at #5, #6, and #7 in the region and all three are projected in the Div. 1 bracket along with Skyline. Stony Point has the best chance of the remaining teams to get out of the region and they’ll hope to avenge last year’s 33-21 playoff defeat at the hands of Westfield. Cy Falls can compete with anyone in the state if they improve their defense. Falls always reloads with skill talent and that was no more evident than how they performed last season. Klein Forest returns a good amount of experience from last year’s squad and figures to be much improved on offense. If that’s the case, they are also capable of making a deep run.           Temple and Naaman Forest figure to make noise in the Div. 2 bracket featuring 2 of the nation’s best running backs in Lache Seastrunk and Jonathan Miller. Temple returns at least 11 starters from last year’s 7-4 squad that nearly ended Pflugerville’s state run before it even began. Naaman Forest will face stiff competition within its own district, but if they can find a QB, they’ll be a very tough out.           Perhaps the most intriguing team in the state is The Woodlands. The Highlanders return basically everyone from last year’s 3-8 squad that went through an absolutely brutal schedule that featured 5 teams who ended up winning more than 10 games. The Highlanders’ schedule is much less daunting this time around and their team is obviously much more experienced. How much of a difference those factors will make remains to be seen. The talent is certainly there for a deep playoff run, but the Highlanders have much to prove.         Playoff Teams: *Dallas Skyline, Dallas White, Lake Highlands, *Richardson Berkner   Off MVP: RB James White, Dallas Skyline, Sr. Def MVP: DE Corey Nelson, Dallas Skyline, Sr.   Most Improved Team: Dallas White   Predicted Order of Finish   Dallas Skyline Dallas White Richardson Lake Highlands Richardson Berkner Carrollton Creekview Richardson Dallas Molina Dallas Sunset   Summary:           The Skyline Raiders are the overwhelming favorites to win the 9-5A championship on the strength of 10 returning All-District players and several other key contributors.  The WT White Longhorns are favored to claim one of the four playoff spots since they’re returning QB Carter White and over 30 other lettermen from last year’s playoff team.  Lake Highlands, Berkner, and Creekview will fight for the final two spots.  Lake Highlands and Berkner are favored to ultimately break through.       Playoff Teams: Naaman Forest, *Rowlett, South Garland, *Garland   Off MVP: RB Jonathan Miller, Naaman Forest, Sr. Def MVP: FS Joseph Ibiloye, South Garland, Sr. Most Improved Team: Garland   Predicted Order of Finish:   Garland Naaman Forest Garland Rowlett South Garland Garland Garland Lakeview Centennial Garland Sachse North Garland   Summary:           With Rockwall dropping down to 4A, 10-5A is now exclusively comprised of Garland ISD schools.  Naaman Forest and Rowlett are pretty much interchangeable as the top two in the district.  Rowlett had a very young roster last fall and got hot down the stretch before being humbled by the buzzsaw that was Skyline.  Naaman Forest returns All-State RB Jonathon Miller, but must find a replacement for QB Levi Keffer.  South Garland has a very talented team returning but lost a three-year starter at QB, a star LB, and their coach over the offseason.  They could be a real darkhorse, but there’s just too many unknowns surrounding their team right now to project them any higher.  Garland is a real dark darkhorse given that they were 3-7 last year.  The Owls have some real talent coming up and they’re making the move to a spread offense to better utilize their gifted athletes.       Playoff Teams: *Mesquite, Tyler Lee, *DeSoto, John Tyler   Off MVP: RB Seydadrian “DaDa” Brown, Tyler Lee, Jr. Def MVP: LB Darnell Taylor, Mesquite, Sr.   Most Improved Team: Tyler Lee   Predicted Order of Finish:   Mesquite Tyler Lee DeSoto North Mesquite Tyler John Tyler Mesquite Horn   Summary:           Within the last few weeks, Mesquite found out that longtime coach Steve Halpin was going to retire.  It’s hard to know how much they’ll be affected by the sudden change, but the Skeeters have a promising team coming back in ’08 led by QB Luke Halpin and a fearsome defense.  Tyler Lee will certainly claim one of the four playoff spots and could make some noise in the playoffs thanks to their defense and the electric Seydadrian “DaDa” Brown at RB.  DeSoto will be a very interesting team to watch this fall because of their youth.  The Eagles will start at least 12 underclassmen, nine of which will be on offense.  John Tyler and North Mesquite will duke it out for the final playoff spot.       Playoff Teams: Temple, Copperas Cove, *Bryan, *A&M Consolidated Off MVP: RB Lache Seastrunk, Temple, Jr. Def MVP: LB Tanner Brock, Copperas Cove, Sr.   Most Improved Team: Killeen Shoemaker   Predicted Order of Finish:   Temple Copperas Cove Bryan A&M Consolidated Killeen Ellison Killeen Shoemaker Killeen Harker Heights Belton   Summary:           The Temple Wildcats were one defensive stop away from knocking off eventual state finalists Pflugerville in the first round of the ’07 playoffs and have at least 11 starters back to form the nucleus of this year’s team.  The Wildcats will be led by sensational Jr. RB Lache Seastrunk, who is possibly the top young back in the country.  Copperas Cove, fresh off a 4A State Finals appearance figures to compete for the district crown with key players like LB Tanner Brock returning.  Bryan also returns a good bit of experience from last year’s 6-5 squad that upset DeSoto and Cy Falls.  A&M Consolidated is our pick to claim the district’s final playoff spot.       Playoff Teams: *Spring Westfield, *Klein Forest, Klein Oak, Klein   Off MVP: QB Jacoby Walker, Spring Westfield, Jr. Def MVP: LB Cameron Nwosu, Klein Forest, Jr.   Most Improved Team: Tomball   Predicted Order of Finish:   Spring Westfield Klein Forest Klein Oak Klein Spring Tomball Spring DeKaney Klein Collins   Summary:           Spring Westfield is the pick to win this district once again with a loaded offense led by Jr. QB Jacoby Walker.  Westfield’s defense will be replacing some key players, but they have enough back at most spots to ensure that there won’t be much of a dropoff.  Klein Forest is a darkhorse team in the region and could challenge Westfield for the top spot in the district.  Klein Oak will be hard-pressed to replace DeSean Hales and Terrance Robinson, but they return no less than 10 starters from last year’s 10 win team.  Klein has a promising couple of classes coming up through the ranks, led by the backfield tandem of Patrick Johnson and Dekota Barnes.  Spring could crash the party as they return a host of D1 skill players.  Tomball is led by the Chad Tarhini to Jordan Leslie combo and could also figure into the playoff race.  Dekaney will be young, but very talented.  It may not be long before Coach Amendola has his new team in the playoffs.       Playoff Teams: Lufkin, *The Woodlands, College Park, *Conroe   Off MVP: QB Jeffrey Claybon, Lufkin, Sr. Def MVP: DT Jamarkus McFarland, Lufkin, Sr.   Most Improved Team: The Woodlands   Predicted Order of Finish:   Lufkin The Woodlands College Park Conroe Oak Ridge New Caney   Summary:           Lufkin surprised nobody by winning this district last year, but it was surprising how hard they had to work for it.  The Panthers are again the favorites, but they could be sternly tested again by a talented, now experienced, Highlander squad.  The Woodlands may be picked in some statewide Top 25’s, but they have to prove that they can not only be competitive, but win against top-tier competition before they’re considered on that level.  College Park and Conroe should claim the district’s final two playoff spots and it could be in any order.       Playoff Teams: Cy Ridge, *Cy Falls, *Cy Woods, Cy Fair   Off MVP: QB Russell Shepard, Cy Ridge, Sr. & QB Kolby Gray, Cy Falls, Sr. Def MVP: LB Princeton Jackson, Cy Ridge, Sr.   Most Improved Team: Jersey Village   Predicted Order of Finish:   Cy Ridge Cy Falls Cy Woods Cy Fair Langham Creek Jersey Village Cy Creek Cy Springs   Summary:           Cy Ridge won their first district title a year ago and are the favorites to claim the ’08 title.  Russell Shepard and Hasan Lipscomb will be tough for anyone to stop, especially if Shepard’s passing game has improved.  Cy Falls, with Kolby Gray returning, are certainly capable of beating Ridge out, but only if their defense has improved significantly.  Cy Woods is the real wildcard in the district race and we currently have them penciled in to finish 3rd.  The Wildcats are chock-full of D1 talent including a dynamic backfield with Jeremy Conley and Chris Walker.  Cy Fair should also claim one of the four playoff spots.  The Bobcats have gone at least three rounds deep three years in a row now.       Playoff Teams: *Stony Point, Leander, *Westwood, Cedar Park   Off MVP: QB Nyk McKissic, Stony Point, Sr. Def MVP: LB Austin Minor, Cedar Park, Sr.   Most Improved Team: Westwood   Predicted Order of Finish:   Stony Point Leander Westwood Cedar Park McNeil Round Rock Georgetown Vista Ridge   Summary:           Stony Point began varsity play in 2000 and hadn’t won more than 3 games in any year prior to last season.  Now they’re favorites to repeat as champs in one of the state’s toughest districts.  The Tigers return 12 starters from last year’s 9-3 squad.  Leander is a team to watch in the district and the region.  The Lions have only missed the playoffs once since 2001 and they’ve got a promising team this year, led by 8 returning starters.  Westwood looks poised to claim a playoff spot with 14 returning starters including QB Taylor Grabarkewitz and LB Chase Griesbach.  Cedar Park will feature a speedy backfield with Dedrick McKnight and Darren Thornhill and a great LB corps led by Tanner Estes and Austin Minor.  The Timberwolves should grab the district’s final playoff spot after narrowly missing out last year.  McNeil has a talented young roster, but it might be tough for them to unseat any of the top four.  Round Rock is a team that nobody should overlook because of their great coaching staff and it wouldn’t be surprising if they grabbed one of the four spots.