KT's Record

[nsmustang]

Kt, I've been visiting this site since early 2003 and every year you have a great record and are pretty much on the target with predictions. I was just wondering how you get all your info and compile it, or is it a trade secret? I know you can't visit every 5A school in the state to see them.

[pack0808]

His key to success is he waits for me to submit my pickem picks and then uses them for himself. ;) :D

[Redneckn]

His key to success is he waits for me to submit my pickem picks and then uses them for himself. ;) :D

Could you pass those picks over this way? I've not done as well as I would like.. :)

I've wondered how it is that so many have done so well on pick'em anyway. But I guess that is just part of being in Texas and paying attention to the scores and whatnot.

I've been in the top 15 on the Louisiana pick'ems since the start of the year. But I kind of know what to expect there..

[pack0808]

You should not do well. I would not even attempt a Lousiana pickem contest. I would have no clue!!

[KT2000]

Basically, we gather prelim info on each team starting in Feb.-March to see what they've got back from the previous year. Of course, in pre-season rankings the results from the year before have to factor in because that's the most recent on-field "data" you have to go by at the time. There are teams that jump out on paper in March who end up doing very well in the fall, and some who dissapoint so there really is no guarantee that you'll hit on every prediction. That'd be crazy. We don't expect our pre-season top 25 to hold up at all. It's just positioning the grid for the race.

Basically, we gather as much information as we can and I think that's all you can really do when trying to make predictions. We want to be as educated as possible on what is going on around the state, so our opinion is as well-informed as possible.

We also definitely keep an eye on non-seniors during each season to see if any teams are getting heavy contributions from younger players. We pay close attention to what everyone is doing each season and what they're doing it with, so we have these things in mind when it comes time to start thinking about the next season.

In North Shore's case in 2003, they had only lost three games combined the previous 00-02 seasons going into the 03 season...all in the playoffs and all tight games...six points total diff. in the losses. The 2003 team returned close to 10 all district starters (don't have the info in front of me so just going from memory) from the 11-1 team that lost to Ike the previous year by one point. Also, six of those returning players on defense had started at least one varsity game since their sophomore years. Of course, returning a QB like Bobby Reid will also boost the stock. North Shore 03 is a classic example of things we look for in any potential contender pre-season, and we knew how close they'd come in previous seasons with teams that weren't as complete talent wise as the 03 team was. It's the easiest pre-season #1 call we've ever made along with Carroll last year.

Oddly enough, the second/third round of the playoffs from previous seasons appear to be a great place to look for potential contenders the following season.

Since 2001, four of the eight crowned state champs (Lufkin 01, Judson 02, Shore 03, Tyler Lee 04) were eliminated in the second or third round in tight games the previous season. So, following apparent trends can definitely be useful as well when trying to ID teams that could make a run without any current on-field results to go on.

It is definitely an inexact science with way too many variables involved to make any guarantees, but I think it's a lot of fun to think about and research every year. We just try to be as educated as possible on each part of the state and go from there. Much of the info is just gathered through leg work we do in the off-season combined with observations from the previous season. In addition, we get great information from many coaches and reliable contacts we've developed throughout the state.

[nsmustang]

KT, Go out on a limb for me. Who would win- Westfield or SLC against each other?

[ALLIN]

KT told me to reply to this for him..... SLC Big time!! :D :D
Jk KT

[KT2000]

Dang, puttin me on the spot. If they played right now I'd honestly go with Westfield because Southlake is still getting some questions answered on both offense and defense. The Dragons need to have every facet of their offense going if they play someone like Westfield who doesn't appear to have missed a beat from last season. This year, Westfield is better on offense than they were a year ago and the defense has also put up better numbers so far. Later in the year, it wouldn't be as easy to call.

I expect we'll be talking about both of these teams well into December.

[Fleeman93]

Don't you wish you could just force a couple match ups at this point of the year. Westfield and SLC would be a good one to see. I agree with KT on his Westfield pick at this point, but in watching Westfield last week I did notice that Memorial's receivers did get behind Westfield's secondary a couple of times. SLC's outstanding receivers could give the Westfield secondary trouble. Speed against speed would be a lot of fun to watch.

[dada]

Don't you wish you could just force a couple match ups at this point of the year. Westfield and SLC would be a good one to see. I agree with KT on his Westfield pick at this point, but in watching Westfield last week I did notice that Memorial's receivers did get behind Westfield's secondary a couple of times. SLC's outstanding receivers could give the Westfield secondary trouble. Speed against speed would be a lot of fun to watch.
Well....just check the scouting report on Memorial and you know what their bread and butter is so you can say the Westfiled was "Relaxed" when it came to the pass. I'm pretty sure that would change when they faced a pass oriented offense. Westfiled has a great secondary..big, physical AND fast. I'm still upset that Westifield and North Shore will more than likely meet in the 2nd round...hate to see one of these teams sitting at home. Memorial was 0-8-1 passing and were held to 17 rushing yds on 31 carries.

[Fleeman93]

Memorial actually uses a lot of play action so that should have been accounted for by Westfield. I'm just surprised the coaches did make the adjustments for it not to happen multiple times.

[dada]

Memorial actually uses a lot of play action so that should have been accounted for by Westfield. I'm just surprised the coaches did make the adjustments for it not to happen multiple times.
Not trying to make excuses for them...I'm just assuming. You have a big lead on a run oriented team who've you completely shut down...and they only attempted 8 passes...you tend to go through the motions. I played a little CB in highschool and I remember some games I would think "I'm not about to chase this fool all the way down field every play...not like he's gonna catch it" :D Bad example to kids...but I'm pretty sure after a week preparing and practicing for SLC or any passing team...they would be ready.

[KT2000]

Memorial actually uses a lot of play action so that should have been accounted for by Westfield. I'm just surprised the coaches did make the adjustments for it not to happen multiple times.

After watching Katy through the years, you should know that no one in Houston accounts for play action by now. ;)

[Fleeman93]

Play action is a beautiful thing when used to it's potential.

[nsmustang]

Dang, puttin me on the spot. If they played right now I'd honestly go with Westfield because Southlake is still getting some questions answered on both offense and defense. The Dragons need to have every facet of their offense going if they play someone like Westfield who doesn't appear to have missed a beat from last season. This year, Westfield is better on offense than they were a year ago and the defense has also put up better numbers so far. Later in the year, it wouldn't be as easy to call.

I expect we'll be talking about both of these teams well into December.

Good answer. No question both these teams will be there this year. Westfield reminds me so much of '03 Shore. The difference I see between SLC and WF is defense. WF has not allowed the points SLC has given up. Right now my money would go on WF. I believe they would handle SLC easily.