Aldine to Challenge in 19-5A

[78 Spartan]

According to this morning's Houston Chronicle, Stratford should survive a serious challenge to their supremacy in 19-5A, led by Aldine (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/5051521.html).

What's your take on this increasingly competitive district?

[AHS Mustangs]

I think Stratford will win again, but this will be the last year for them. After Luck leaves, they will be back down in the bottom of this district. Aldine, IKE, and Nimitz should challenge for the other playoff spots, and you can never rule out Memorial. I haven't heard much about MacArthur, but they had a decent team last year. Of course, poor Spring Woods and Northbrook will be battling for last place again.

[CyFallsMom]

Stratford should do a "Katy" and roll through this district. Just don't fall into the comfort zone with that because many of these undefeated teams fall into it and then come playoff time have a difficult time (see Northshore). Cy Falls didn't go undefeated and knew that every playoff game was a hurdle to jump. As for district for Stratford though - no competition from the others IMO. I think the first game on the 30th will give us a better idea of both the Spartans and the Bobcats.

[ktCarl]

What about Ike and Memorial? Aren't they going to put up a challenge for Stratford? I would like to see Stratford do well and take the District but I would think some of the Aldine schools might be tough.

What's YOUR take 78Spartan? Ike and Memorial going to be stiff competition or do you believe Stratford will roll as CyFallsMom predicts.

[78 Spartan]

OK then, I will tell you what I think.

This district could be won by any of four schools: Stratford, Ike, Aldine or Nimitz. These teams have enough talent to beat any of the other three on a given Friday night.

Stratford and Aldine are skewed in favor of talented offenses, Ike is probably skewed the other way, and Nimitz might be the most balanced. Memorial and MacArthur should be competitive for the #4 playoff spot and could knock off somebody ahead of them.

And this is the year I believe Northbrook is going to beat Spring Woods and climb out of the cellar in the district. The Raiders might even win two games in district this year -- if they do they are probably looking at a four or possibly even a five win season. Can you imagine that? I hope it happens.

Returning starters (according to Dave Campbell's):

Stratford: 2-O / 3-D
Aldine: 9-O / 4-D
Eisenhower: 7-O / 7-D
Nimitz: 8-O / 4-D

Now, Stratford in reality has more guys returning with starting experience than just the five who were full time starters all last year. I would say reality is closer to 4-O / 4-D, but still it's obvious we are less experienced than the Aldine schools in terms of returning starters.

Aldine is going to rack up yards and points, but I don't think they'll have any ability to slow us down. The Stratford/Aldine game will be high scoring.

Ike and Nimitz are going to play Stratford tough, keeping the scores lower. Ike's defense scared me last year, and they have 7 of those guys back? Wow. And Nimitz really outplayed the Spartans last year, and get Stratford on their home turf this year.

Memorial is going to be very young this year. They have a real gauntlet of nondistrict games to play which will toughen them up if it doesn't kill them first (Westfield, Pearland, Jersey Village). But I don't think they will challenge this year -- although in Week Ten's grudge match, anything can happen in one of those games.

So I have to beg to differ with CFMom, I think it will be anything but a cakewalk for Stratford. We are also looking at a classic "trap" game in week 2 against Elsik, who is going to be much improved from last year.

I still give the edge to Stratford because we have the best offensive player in the district and one of the three best defensive players in the district. We're going to score a lot of points, but the fate of the season rests on the other side of the ball. I think Stratford's defense will outperform expectations as I think we are going to be quicker this year on the edges versus last year, and stronger up front. I think any team that goes 6-1 in district is probably going to be outright district champs, I think all others will have two losses or more.

I think multiple teams from 19-5A are going to do well in the playoffs this year and overall, this district is going to get a lot more respect than it's had recently.

[CyFallsMom]

And this is the year I believe Northbrook is going to beat Spring Woods and climb out of the cellar in the district. The Raiders might even win two games in district this year -- if they do they are probably looking at a four or possibly even a five win season. Can you imagine that? I hope it happens.

As always, a very in depth analysis - good job. I don't mind you disagreeing - I still feel Stratford will go undefeated in district. Those teams you listed may have more returning starters but it's also about the make up and mental readiness of a team too, even with new players on the team.

I think time will tell on this but I have seen teams with so much potential fall by the wayside (2005/2006 Northshore) and I have seen some with very little preseason potential rise above the naysayers and do quite well (Langham Creek 2006 for example and, hopefully, 2007 Cy Falls!!:) ). Stratford may have a loss or two in preseason but that doesn't matter in the long run and it only makes them improve upon their gameplan as the weeks go along. Remember, we went 1-2 before district began last year:).

As for Northbrook - they have a good start with the Cripps boys at the helm and I hope they win a few this year for sure!!

[KT2000]

Thorough breakdown 78, and I happen to agree completely. This will be a competitive district. That Stratford-Elsik game could be very entertaining. Many of the seniors on this Elsik team started as sophomores two years ago, so I expect they will benefit from that experience.

Aldine, Ike and Nimitz will definitely have something to say in this race.

[CyFallsMom]

But Elsik isn't a district game. Again, IMO Stratford has the post season exposure from last year and they play "smarter" if that makes any sense...I think they go undefeated in district.

[KT2000]

But Elsik isn't a district game. Again, IMO Stratford has the post season exposure from last year and they play "smarter" if that makes any sense...I think they go undefeated in district.

Yeah, I was just responding to 78s comment on Elsik. That could very well happen for Stratford. I was very impressed with the team spirit they had in 7 on 7 this summer. That probably sounds ridiculous, but it looked to me like the players had a great team attitude and Luck brings a real positive leadership to the team.

[Drake]

But Elsik isn't a district game. Again, IMO Stratford has the post season exposure from last year and they play "smarter" if that makes any sense...I think they go undefeated in district.Hmmm... All of a sudden you have time to research and offer opinions on other districts? What? Did you get a Roomba or something? :D

(now you know I'm just kidding)

[CyFallsMom]

and that team spirit and even the ability to work together as a team goes miles. Elsik will be tough.

[CyFallsMom]

Hmmm... All of a sudden you have time to research and offer opinions on other districts? What? Did you get a Roomba or something?

(now you know I'm just kidding)

Oh so you think I only do housework huh:eek: Believe me - couldn't be further from the truth. Actually, it's just slow right now and I'm able to come on the board more and, yes, I have been reading the phenomonal, most awesome piece of journalism known as the Houston Chronicle (you all KNOW I'm kidding on THAT!!):cool:

[Drake]

Oh so you think I only do housework huhNo, I don't think that's all women do... I'm trying to change my attitude about that stuff anyway since it almost caused me a divorce that time my wife came in the den and asked, "what's on TV?", and I shot back, "You mean besides dust?" :D

[CyFallsMom]

No, I don't think that's all women do... I'm trying to change my attitude about that stuff anyway since it almost caused me a divorce that time my wife came in the den and asked, "what's on TV?", and I shot back, "You mean besides dust?"

LOL!!! OMG I almost choked on that one!!! Now THAT'S funny I don't care who you are.

[Drake]

Now THAT'S funny I don't care who you are.Um, why do you and Miss Kitty always say the "I don't care who you are" part to me? Makes me feel like I'm Kim Jong Il or something...

[t00 playa]

As always, a very in depth analysis - good job. I don't mind you disagreeing - I still feel Stratford will go undefeated in district. Those teams you listed may have more returning starters but it's also about the make up and mental readiness of a team too, even with new players on the team.

I think time will tell on this but I have seen teams with so much potential fall by the wayside (2005/2006 Northshore) and I have seen some with very little preseason potential rise above the naysayers and do quite well (Langham Creek 2006 for example and, hopefully, 2007 Cy Falls!!:) ). Stratford may have a loss or two in preseason but that doesn't matter in the long run and it only makes them improve upon their gameplan as the weeks go along. Remember, we went 1-2 before district began last year:).

As for Northbrook - they have a good start with the Cripps boys at the helm and I hope they win a few this year for sure!!


NS lost to two of better teams westfield has fielded... so how is that falling by the wayside? NS was talented but ran into another talented team..... and have run into solid teams in playoffs...and in response to your earlier comment about "see north shore".... well "see cy falls" when it comes to having no state title and getting embarrassed on the big stage.... so yes.. NS has its losses in the playoffs like the next team ... pearland last year had a solid team.. westfield 2 years when they were loaded.... IKE, and a vince young leg madison.....we have not lost to weak teams...so i dont know where you are coming from... but then again... i guess "almost (if you call it that by losing by 40pts in the title game)" winning a state title with your best team in school history entitles your type of talk...and besides.... having losses during year does not translate into better success in the playoffs as you so try to preach...you try and preach it as an excuse for losses...if that were the case.. nobody would want to go undefeated......:eek:


but anyway.. back to the thread... i think spartan had a good breakdown... i think aldine will challenge for the title.... and i think the real threat to stratford will be IKE... IKE wasnt bad last year and this year they will be better... they will be solid if they can throw the ball at least a little.... defensively they will be very stout.... its offensively where i think the big questions will need to be answered.....i dont know too much about nimitz... and ill see memorial in a scrimmage against shore later this month.... but i think this will be an extremely exciting district to watch....:eek:

[CyFallsMom]

NS lost to two of better teams westfield has fielded... so how is that falling by the wayside? NS was talented but ran into another talented team..... and have run into solid teams in playoffs...and in response to your earlier comment about "see north shore".... well "see cy falls" when it comes to having no state title and getting embarrassed on the big stage.... so yes.. NS has its losses in the playoffs like the next team ... pearland last year had a solid team.. westfield 2 years when they were loaded.... IKE, and a vince young leg madison.....we have not lost to weak teams...so i dont know where you are coming from... but then again... i guess "almost (if you call it that by losing by 40pts in the title game)" winning a state title with your best team in school history entitles your type of talk...and besides.... having losses during year does not translate into better success in the playoffs as you so try to preach...you try and preach it as an excuse for losses...if that were the case.. nobody would want to go undefeated......

I don't make excuses for Cy Falls as you think. I think ANY team that has a loss early in the season (outside of district) can still do quite well in the end. It does help a little to know how to lose. I have absolutely nothing against Northshore - they have a great history of success BUT I do think winning by 50 every game and sitting key players in the second half only hurts a team in the end, thus causing them to "fall by the wayside" come playoff times. The reason those other teams were "better" is because they had better competition during the season. Yes, we lost by 40 - am I embarrassed - heck no I'm not. I'm so proud they were playing that day and nobody can take that away from them - not even you. I was only using NS to make a point - it could have been any team that did well and then lost in PO's - Lufkin for example. Take these teams that lose early and look at their records during the regular season. I would rather have losses and a competitive district than to steamroll through only to come up against a more competitive team. And the losses can only be one or two to make sense and usually in preseason play.

Again, nothing against NS at all but you take things way too personally sometimes...it was a case in point only...not meant to hurt anyone. Jeez...

[CyFallsMom]

Um, why do you and Miss Kitty always say the "I don't care who you are" part to me? Makes me feel like I'm Kim Jong Il or something...

I know you're joking right? It's from some comedy group who always says "now that's funny I don't care who you are" - some redneck group. Not being a redneck or a hick or even a country western fan, I don't know who it was because someone told me about it but that line is a good one to use.

[t00 playa]

I don't make excuses for Cy Falls as you think. I think ANY team that has a loss early in the season (outside of district) can still do quite well in the end. It does help a little to know how to lose. I have absolutely nothing against Northshore - they have a great history of success BUT I do think winning by 50 every game and sitting key players in the second half only hurts a team in the end, thus causing them to "fall by the wayside" come playoff times. The reason those other teams were "better" is because they had better competition during the season. Yes, we lost by 40 - am I embarrassed - heck no I'm not. I'm so proud they were playing that day and nobody can take that away from them - not even you. I was only using NS to make a point - it could have been any team that did well and then lost in PO's - Lufkin for example. Take these teams that lose early and look at their records during the regular season. I would rather have losses and a competitive district than to steamroll through only to come up against a more competitive team. And the losses can only be one or two to make sense and usually in preseason play.

Again, nothing against NS at all but you take things way too personally sometimes...it was a case in point only...not meant to hurt anyone. Jeez...

im one of the toughest critics of my alma mater NS.... and ill be the first to say when i think they underachieved..... my point was that they have lost to some good teams.. when it comes to the playoffs... thats just what happens... teams lose.... have we lost playoff games that i think we could have... or even should have won? of course... but i take nothing away from the teams that defeated us because they were not weak teams by any stretch.... i know ppl use us as an example....which is fine.... we do get a lot of hype...and because of high expectations we are the example many times in people referring to talent "falling by the wayside".... i just dont agree....yes we dont play a tough regular season schedule.... well.. we have Aldine , IKE , and woodlands... which is not too bad....but we like all the other teams in the playoffs are on relative even terms when the playoffs start..and anyone can win it all......and for the record... i dont get my feelings hurt... :eek:

[CyFallsMom]

Well, in that same vein, I don't think we lost to a weak team either at state. They could have taken on and more than likely beaten and team in our area besides us.

[grassroots]

IMO Nimitz will win district this year for one reason.....Micheal Thomas!!

78 do you remember him?

1.Nimitz
2.Ike(they have kids that have played varsity since freshman year)
3.Stratford(LUCK)
4.Aldine(talented but disciplined)
5.Memorial(Always a contender but may lack talent this year)
6.Mac(i dont know too much)
7.Northbrook(Coach Cripps will bring some discipline)
8.Spring Woods(Lost Mendoza who perhaps was all they had)

[AHS Mustangs]

I had no idea that so many people would be so interested in this district. Aldine did shock me last year, especially winning against Lamar in the regular season, and beating IKE by more then 1 point, which they haven't done since 1992. But, the lack of discipline did show against MacArthur, Nimitz, and Stratford. I think this district will be tougher then in the past, and I don't think anyone is going to win the district out-right. Yes, Stratford will have luck, but if IKE or Aldine can get their defense to cut them down, one of them will be able to beat them. Then with Aldine and IKE it is always a knock down drag out fight. Same with Memorial and Stratford. So, those four games will be great games to watch, and will decide the champ.

[78 Spartan]

Interesting how the 19-5A thread gets turned into a "discussion" between fans of two other districts.

I don't personally think North Shore has anything to apologize about. They play in the district to which they are assigned, they go out and win the games they are scheduled to play. Aldine, Ike and The Woodlands were all weaker than expected last year, they will probably be better competition, all of them, this year. North Shore has an impressive run over the past decade or so, and when they've lost, they've lost to good teams. I am not sure you can blame their loss to Pearland last year on the fact that they have South Houston and Pasadena in their district. I think it was just a better Pearland team last year.

On the other hand, Cy Falls got rolled by Cedar Hill, but occasionally those things happen on the big stage. Things went bad from the start and they went from bad to worse in a hurry. Those of us down here in Houston just didn't see how good Cedar Hill was until we saw it. They weren't 16-0 for nothing! If they had played again, I doubt it would have been that big a blowout. But we'll never know.

Getting back to North Shore, and more to the point getting it back to 19-5A, it will be interesting to see how well Aldine and Ike match up against the Mustangs this year. Remember, Aldine also plays Lamar and Klein Forest pre-district, and I believe Ike also plays Humble and Lufkin. So no cupcakes on those schedules. Those are impressive challenges. We will see if Aldine and Ike can stand up to some big time heat right away. I think they will surprise some folks, but we'll see.

[78 Spartan]

IMO Nimitz will win district this year for one reason.....Micheal Thomas!!

78 do you remember him?


We remember him very well. I truly think he outplayed our QB in that particular ballgame, and frankly Nimitz deserved to win that game. But, the ball bounced our way at the end.

The Cougars have Elsik, Clear Brook and Port Arthur Memorial pre-district. I think at least Elsik and PAM are likely to be playoff contenders, but Nimitz could easily go 3-0 and come into district play with a lot of confidence and a big head of steam.

[CyFallsMom]

Interesting how the 19-5A thread gets turned into a "discussion" between fans of two other districts.

TP and I have a history of hi jacking at times when we get into a heated discussion:). He really is a nice guy but we hardly ever see eye to eye - if we did, where would the fun be?

But, as for 19-5a, I am actually interested in watching what pans out - haven't been watching the district for a few years now so it's good to have other teams to pay attention to...will keep me busy that's for sure!

[dada]

I actually think the district title will go to Ike or Aldine. Stratford is getting all the attention now, but don't sleep on the other two schools. Ike will be loaded so will Aldine who has one of the best dual threat QB's and an Offensive lineman who has already commited to USC......this district will be real competative.

[Hoodleboy80]

I think the district as a whole will be making some noise. Stratford obviously has some talent and will be looking to go further than the 2nd round again, but Nimitz, Aldine and Ike all look to be loaded with talent. Those Aldine district games sure are gonna be fun to watch, and any 1 of those 4 teams could make some noise in the playoffs