One of football’s timeless creeds is that any good defense starts up front with strong line play.  No defense can be great without the ability to win the trench battle.  Texas churns out over 300 Division 1-A college prospects annually, and 5A defensive linemen are among the highest rated in the 2009 and 2010 classes.

          Lufkin senior defensive lineman JaMarcus McFarland enters his third season as the rock on the Panthers’ line.  McFarland started as a sophomore and earned all-district honors.  McFarland has continued to improve his game, and will have his choice of school on signing day next February.  Lufkin head coach John Outlaw is highly complimentary of McFarland’s efforts both on and off the field.  The Panthers return two other line starters in Shaquille Teal and Germad Reed.  They rank #1 in our 2008 Unit Rankings for top defensive lines.

          Pflugerville’s run to state last year was one of the great playoff stories, and they made that run with one of the state’s youngest and most talented lines.  The Panthers are now a year experienced, and have one of the best units in the state this season.  Senior Alex Okafor (6’6 235) is the recruiting jewel, but opponents must contend with four very good players and not just Okafor in Pflugerville’s 4-3 front.

          Defending state champions Euless Trinity and Katy fielded two of the state’s top ranked scoring defense last year, and return senior experience in 2008.  Trinity will start four seniors including all-district picks Siosaia Tuipulotu (6’1 280) and Sioeli Pauni (6’0 255).  Katy returns nose tackle Elvin Tapong (6’0 235), DE Micah Marks (6’2 210) and DE Matt Wiens (6’0 205).  All three players gained starting experience in the Tigers’ 16 game run in 2007.

          North Shore and Converse Judson are traditionally fast and athletic across the defensive front.  There will be no changes to that approach this season.  North Shore starts three all-district linemen in seniors DT Thad Randle, DE Terrance Kindle (6’4 200) and DE Jestin White (6’4 210) and a young one to watch in junior DL Jarrod Foster.  Judson’s defense was playing as good as anyone in the playoffs last year, and their line will be a blend of youth, talent and experience.  Senior DE Courtland Tolbert (6’1 220) starts alongside three juniors.  Junior Kori Jones (6’3 200) leads the youth movement.  These two teams are tough to block because of their quickness.

          Southlake Carroll and Wylie will be two units to watch in DFW.  Carroll has one of the state’s most talented defensive end combinations in senior Brayden Burnett and junior Jackson Richards.  Both players are stockpiling Division 1 scholarship offers.  Wylie returns district MVP DT Nikita Whitlock (5’11 230) plus two of his all-district colleagues in senior John Pittman and junior Colton Whitehead.

          Warren has established itself as a defensive power in San Antonio and senior DT Calvin Howell (6’4 280) is an absolute gem.  Senior Arturo Lopez of San Benito is one of the top players in the Rio Grande Valley.  Lopez earned first team all-state honors for his exploits as a junior.  Plano West’s Jackson Jeffcoat (6’5 230) is the top rated lineman in this year’s junior class.

          There is no shortage of talent on the defensive line this season.  This is the area that separates great defenses from good or average ones.  The above text only highlights the depth of talent in this class.