18-5a

[Raiders09]

Alright the season is about to start and no one from 18-5A has started a thread about the new district. I know that Northbrook, Stratford, and Memorial will be on this thread so we need to talk about Spring Woods, Strake Jesuit, and the Alief Schools until some one from those schools joins the thread.

[MemorialMustangs]

I actually did a while back...

I changed my rankings around a little though:

Memorial
Stratford
Strake Jesuit
Alief Hastings
Alief Taylor
Alief Elsik
Northbrook
Spring Woods

Dont get me wrong raider09... I think yall are going to be pretty good compared to usual and I wouldnt be surprised if u beat an Alief team... But this district is STACKED...

I say Memorial for the same reasons as before... We have all of our WRs, top 3 running backs, better QB, and 3/5 starters on the OL returning... Also our top 2 TEs... Since inconsistancy on offense was our only real setback last year (allowing 10 points on defense a game is pretty good), that really is the focus... With all our playmakers coming back with a year of starting on varsity under their belt I dont see how it couldnt be a great offense... Our top RB next year ran for 5 yards a carry as a Soph... Daniel Neumann at WR had 10 TD catches and exploded on Stratford and Spring Woods while De'Mario Thibodeaux flashed his potential (we have 5 solid players at WR)... And Davis Miller showed he might be the most accurate QB in the district next year as well as the fastest player on our team... And the holes on OL will be replaced by players who were in the rotation... And defense... Its Coach Koch we could lose every single player and still have an incredible defense... But next year we return 5 starters and 2 players that split by series... Ratterree is a beast a safety (http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/1899/10079/) I think that int. explains it all (sorry its towards the end)... We return 3 on the DL including Nathan Miller... And a CB that was a starter as well as some1 who split by series... The FS will be covered by David Oeflke... Hes the next great saftey from Memorial (We never lack safeties)... He played 2 games when Ratterree was hurt... The only position in question is LB... But at least 2 of them had gametime experience last year... 1 of them is a little undersized but is famous for hard hits... Another is just really strong... The one that didnt play last year was projected to play but broke his leg I think and couldnt... We have a lot more team speed than usual... So we appear to be moving to more of a spread offense... That doesnt mean we wont run a lot... Because we will have talented RBs... It just means we are spreading the field out and trying to utilize our speed at our top RB and QB as well as our unusually good passing game to its full potential

I switched Strake around because their skill position players seem to be a little behind the curve... They have a great secondary... great DL... great OL... good coaching... But their QB and RB didnt impress me too much when I saw the spring game...

Stratford is relying a lot on young talent on offense... I think they will be inconsistant but will be very good when they are on... Which makes them hard to predict... If that inconsistancy affects them more often than I think they will they might miss the playoffs (like we did last year)... But I think they will make second due to the weaker coaching in Alief schools... But the Alief schools definately have talent... Which makes me nervous and them dangerous... The Alief schools wont go 10-0 but there are those days when they play like a 10-0 team due to the talent... This will be an interesting district that will be a fight every week... Expect a lot of close games and some weird division records...

If we had stayed in the old district with the Aldine schools I would have said
Eisenhower
Memorial
Stratford
Aldine
Northbrook
MacArthur
Nimitz
Spring Woods

[Raiders09]

I know you did start a thread a while back but it faded out and I just wanted to bring it back.And I understand you're prediction but to have memorial in first is a stretch, memorial has a good team but not a first place team. My predictions for the district is different too.

1st:Stratford
2nd:Hastings
3rd:Memorial
4th-7th is a toss up between: Northbrook, Elsik, Taylor, and Strake Jesuit
8th:Spring Woods


I Believe Stratford will take the district but Hastings is very similar to IKE so they might come and take 1st.Memorial will have a great Defense and the offense will do good but like I said not a first place type of team.Northbrook players want to win but from what I've heard only a hand full have put in work this summer.But those that showed up were mostly skilled players with a little number of linebackers and Defensive linemen.Northbrook's 7on7 team will be the core of the actual team this season and will try their best to lead the Raiders to their first ever playoff appearance. I saw the Raiders play a couple of 7on7 games and at first they were the same Northbrook of past years when things would go wrong the team would collapse but then there was a HUGE change when they just forgot the mistake and made up for it in the next play and they would support one another instead of collapsing so theres unity in the team so don't expect Northbrook to collapse when teams play them this year.Now Elisk they lost a couple of players of last years team but they're going to reload but they're going to put a fight to earn their playoff spot.Taylor's team is not on the same page yet watching them play last year the players didn't seem to work together it was just playing but not as a team.But hopefully they had the change like Northbrook had this summer but don't get me wrong they have the talent and might get that last playoff spot but I can't call it right now.Strake Jesuit is a good team but not much talent it's just assignment football which is good but when Elsik, Northbrook, and Taylor use their talent and play assignment football Strake Jesuit won't get that playoff spot.But Strake Jesuit will take advantage of Elisk, Northrbook, and Taylor's Mistakes when they and if they don't play assignment football.Spring Woods will have one sure win this year but not in district play.Spring Woods has talent on the team but other schools have more and Spring Woods is very predictable running the BUC SWEEP and different variations of it over and over again.So that's why I put them in 8th place in the district.

[Jacob McCandles]

I don't have enough recon on the three Alief schools or SJ to make a prediction for the district as a whole. Here is what I know about SHS and MHS:

I've heard Stratford lost a lot - not just Luck, but nine of top ten o-linemen, so they'll need some time to come together on offense. 7-on-7 team had more success late in the summer and my guess is that fall will mirror that. Spartan defense should be good up front on Lloyd alone, but not sure what's behind the front three (although I've heard some SHS folks talk highly about some of the DB's). SHS folks I know and respect consider this a rebuilding year with an eye towards 09 as a better chance for a strong year. As has been said on previous threads about this district, the Spartans are at a crossroads - they can build on the success and attitude brought by the last two classes, or they can fall back. It will be interesting to watch them this fall.

MHS returns a lot of players/playmakers and optimism is high. The skill guys had a successful summer in 7 on 7 which is nice to see, although MHS is a school where 7 on 7 success doesn't mean much for the fall, given Koch's desire to run the ball between the tackles. The Mustangs have more speed and athleticism than they've had in a couple of years. There are quite a few guys who can run and make plays. Several quality WR's, four deep at RB (look to see one move to defense, h/e), quality and depth at DB, depth at LB (although they are more speed than size), and three QBs capable of running Koch's system. For MHS to succeed, the lines will need to stay healthy and play to their abilities. Three o-linemen with considerable experience return, and there are several juniors who are big and seem ready to take the next step. At d-line, there is a lot of experience, but it is all at End and smaller/quicker Tackle. A new guy or two will have to step up as a big DT. If the line gels, look for the Mustangs to run the ball with a strong stable of RB's, to manage the clock and play Koch's ball control/defense game.

In the end, I think six of the eight schools can battle for a spot. I don't think Woods or NBrook will contend due to lack of depth (and from what Raider said, maybe lack of commitment to working out all summer).

[Rolltide]

For what its worth my predicted order of finish is;

Strake Jesuit
Memorial
Alief Taylor
Hastings

Not being a homer just based on some of the things that I know (think I know) :D. During the spring game at Jesuit the starting QB (James Scott SMU Committ) didn't play, nor did the starting RB (Tim Ashe) also missing from the action were two starting OL (John Holt & Eric Baurs-offered by Harvard), a starting wide receiver (Beau Grenier) and the starting DT (JoJo Willilams UConn, Navy & Stony Brook offers) so that had a lot to due with how the game went. All are health now and will be ready in the fall.

This Senior class is very talented. As Freshman they were 9-1 in the old Katy district which included Cinco, Hastings, Elsik, Katy, Alief Taylor, Katy Taylor, and Mayde Creek. There will be 17 seniors starting this year which is the largest number they've ever had at the school. Of those 17, 14 are returning starters and of the 14, 6 are 3 year starters.

Strake will scrimmage Katy at Katy on August 22. That scrimmage will tell a lot about this years team. I think it will be a tough district battle, you could probably take any prediction and turn it upside down and make a case. I don't envision anyone going through the district with out dropping a game. It should be exciting.

Just curious, who are the other teams scrimmaging?

[Jacob McCandles]

MHS scrimmages against GP Northshore and FB Marshall.

[HUM398]

I actually did a while back...

I changed my rankings around a little though:

Memorial
Stratford
Strake Jesuit
Alief Hastings
Alief Taylor
Alief Elsik
Northbrook
Spring Woods

Dont get me wrong raider09... I think yall are going to be pretty good compared to usual and I wouldnt be surprised if u beat an Alief team... But this district is STACKED...

I say Memorial for the same reasons as before... We have all of our WRs, top 3 running backs, better QB, and 3/5 starters on the OL returning... Also our top 2 TEs... Since inconsistancy on offense was our only real setback last year (allowing 10 points on defense a game is pretty good), that really is the focus... With all our playmakers coming back with a year of starting on varsity under their belt I dont see how it couldnt be a great offense... Our top RB next year ran for 5 yards a carry as a Soph... Daniel Neumann at WR had 10 TD catches and exploded on Stratford and Spring Woods while De'Mario Thibodeaux flashed his potential (we have 5 solid players at WR)... And Davis Miller showed he might be the most accurate QB in the district next year as well as the fastest player on our team... And the holes on OL will be replaced by players who were in the rotation... And defense... Its Coach Koch we could lose every single player and still have an incredible defense... But next year we return 5 starters and 2 players that split by series... Ratterree is a beast a safety (http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/1899/10079/) I think that int. explains it all (sorry its towards the end)... We return 3 on the DL including Nathan Miller... And a CB that was a starter as well as some1 who split by series... The FS will be covered by David Oeflke... Hes the next great saftey from Memorial (We never lack safeties)... He played 2 games when Ratterree was hurt... The only position in question is LB... But at least 2 of them had gametime experience last year... 1 of them is a little undersized but is famous for hard hits... Another is just really strong... The one that didnt play last year was projected to play but broke his leg I think and couldnt... We have a lot more team speed than usual... So we appear to be moving to more of a spread offense... That doesnt mean we wont run a lot... Because we will have talented RBs... It just means we are spreading the field out and trying to utilize our speed at our top RB and QB as well as our unusually good passing game to its full potential

I switched Strake around because their skill position players seem to be a little behind the curve... They have a great secondary... great DL... great OL... good coaching... But their QB and RB didnt impress me too much when I saw the spring game...

Stratford is relying a lot on young talent on offense... I think they will be inconsistant but will be very good when they are on... Which makes them hard to predict... If that inconsistancy affects them more often than I think they will they might miss the playoffs (like we did last year)... But I think they will make second due to the weaker coaching in Alief schools... But the Alief schools definately have talent... Which makes me nervous and them dangerous... The Alief schools wont go 10-0 but there are those days when they play like a 10-0 team due to the talent... This will be an interesting district that will be a fight every week... Expect a lot of close games and some weird division records...

If we had stayed in the old district with the Aldine schools I would have said
Eisenhower
Memorial
Stratford
Aldine
Northbrook
MacArthur
Nimitz
Spring Woods

The Aldine schools are better then the Alief Schools. Northbrook while improved still doesn't have the talent to compete with the likes of ANY of the Aldine schools...or the alief schools. They are grossly undersized, and slow in comparison.

[Raiders09]

The Aldine district is better than the Alief district but Northbrook isn't that undersized anymore and speed wise we have speed people assume Northbrook doesn't have talent because of past years but Northbrook does have talent the only problem is that as soon as something went wrong in the game every one started pointing fingers and the team collapsed and teams took advantage of it.The Raiders return next season with RB Derrick Rainey 6'1" 185lbs FB Brian Thorton 5'8" 190lbs QB Jose Maldonado 5'9" 155lbs DT Andrew Spencer 6'3" 275lbs DE's Anthonio Perez 6'0 185lbs Johnathan Venegas 5'10" 195lbs DB's Anthony Rollings 6'1" 160lbs Pedro Lopez 5'7" 160lbs LB Oscar Munoz 5'9" 170lbs.The Raiders have some big guys on the team and they also have a couple of new players like WR Raphael Batiest 6'4" 165lbs CB's Eric Panameno 5'6" 160lbs Nick Rodriguez 5'6" 155lbs LB's Lexus Cortez 5'10" 190lbs Rene Guzman 5'11" 170lbs Deno Taylor 5'5" 150lbs and these new players have speed.Now compare these players to the aldine schools and some may be slow but others aren't.Northbrook's Mostly under sized on the offensive line but other then that those other under sized players are skilled players who make up for it with speed.And talent wise Northbrook has just as much talent as any of the other schools in the district.

[MemorialMustangs]

The Aldine schools are better then the Alief Schools. Northbrook while improved still doesn't have the talent to compete with the likes of ANY of the Aldine schools...or the alief schools. They are grossly undersized, and slow in comparison.

frankly I dont know much about Nimitz or MacArthur... They Nimitz had a solid defense I think last year... But I dont know... the talent was quite what I expected... But ur right Northbrook probably would still finish 7th... I know this is their best year (in a really long time) so im kinda pullin for em

[MemorialMustangs]

For what its worth my predicted order of finish is;

Strake Jesuit
Memorial
Alief Taylor
Hastings

Not being a homer just based on some of the things that I know (think I know) :D. During the spring game at Jesuit the starting QB (James Scott SMU Committ) didn't play, nor did the starting RB (Tim Ashe) also missing from the action were two starting OL (John Holt & Eric Baurs-offered by Harvard), a starting wide receiver (Beau Grenier) and the starting DT (JoJo Willilams UConn, Navy & Stony Brook offers) so that had a lot to due with how the game went. All are health now and will be ready in the fall.

This Senior class is very talented. As Freshman they were 9-1 in the old Katy district which included Cinco, Hastings, Elsik, Katy, Alief Taylor, Katy Taylor, and Mayde Creek. There will be 17 seniors starting this year which is the largest number they've ever had at the school. Of those 17, 14 are returning starters and of the 14, 6 are 3 year starters.

Strake will scrimmage Katy at Katy on August 22. That scrimmage will tell a lot about this years team. I think it will be a tough district battle, you could probably take any prediction and turn it upside down and make a case. I don't envision anyone going through the district with out dropping a game. It should be exciting.

Just curious, who are the other teams scrimmaging?

Im not too worried about QBs (see Stratford vs. Memorial)... We do a very good job at shutting down the passing game and limiting the inside running game... Does that mean I dont think ull be a challange... NO! Spring Woods is the only game I feel like if everything went wrong wed still win at... Derrick Rainey is great which is y Im not going to say Northbrook here... But Im pretty confident that yall would run outa gas eventually...

Our biggest weakness is teams built on speed on the outside... Or teams with Pearlands or Westfields OL :D... But maybe because our LBs are (admittedly smaller but) faster than usual... That will at least improve (as far as speed on the outside)... Against Eisenhower last year, neither of the WRs really got much on us (except a last minute TD pass)... But McGregor and Craig Loston just couldnt stop running lol... And id say they are both kinda fast :D...

[MemorialMustangs]

I know you did start a thread a while back but it faded out and I just wanted to bring it back.And I understand you're prediction but to have memorial in first is a stretch, memorial has a good team but not a first place team. My predictions for the district is different too.

1st:Stratford
2nd:Hastings
3rd:Memorial
4th-7th is a toss up between: Northbrook, Elsik, Taylor, and Strake Jesuit
8th:Spring Woods


I Believe Stratford will take the district but Hastings is very similar to IKE so they might come and take 1st.Memorial will have a great Defense and the offense will do good but like I said not a first place type of team.Northbrook players want to win but from what I've heard only a hand full have put in work this summer.But those that showed up were mostly skilled players with a little number of linebackers and Defensive linemen.Northbrook's 7on7 team will be the core of the actual team this season and will try their best to lead the Raiders to their first ever playoff appearance. I saw the Raiders play a couple of 7on7 games and at first they were the same Northbrook of past years when things would go wrong the team would collapse but then there was a HUGE change when they just forgot the mistake and made up for it in the next play and they would support one another instead of collapsing so theres unity in the team so don't expect Northbrook to collapse when teams play them this year.Now Elisk they lost a couple of players of last years team but they're going to reload but they're going to put a fight to earn their playoff spot.Taylor's team is not on the same page yet watching them play last year the players didn't seem to work together it was just playing but not as a team.But hopefully they had the change like Northbrook had this summer but don't get me wrong they have the talent and might get that last playoff spot but I can't call it right now.Strake Jesuit is a good team but not much talent it's just assignment football which is good but when Elsik, Northbrook, and Taylor use their talent and play assignment football Strake Jesuit won't get that playoff spot.But Strake Jesuit will take advantage of Elisk, Northrbook, and Taylor's Mistakes when they and if they don't play assignment football.Spring Woods will have one sure win this year but not in district play.Spring Woods has talent on the team but other schools have more and Spring Woods is very predictable running the BUC SWEEP and different variations of it over and over again.So that's why I put them in 8th place in the district.

Hastings doesnt have the talent of Eisenhower... Dont get me wrong THEY HAVE A LOT OF TALENT... But Eisenhower last year had 5 star safety Craig Loston... 4 star DT Rod Davis... 4 star WR Greg Timmons... 3 star WR Jaz Reynolds... 3 star Ath Curtis McGregor... 3 star Ath Kenith Guyton... Jay Guy (good DT prospect for '10)... And I think another 2 star at DB... As far as Hastings is concerned... I still dont think they have the coaching that Memorial and Stratford have... They have the talent but not the team unity (they are playing too much as individuals I think)... But the problem is when they come together all at the right (or wrong depending on which side u are) time they dominate... I dont think they can sustain it all for a district...

My problem with saying Stratford winning the district is (and dont get me wrong - Im not calling them a pushover) but I feel as though a huge portion of their success was Andrew Luck... Now that he is gone, and the OL is essentially gone... and they lost most of the varsity team that got blown out at Tully last year by a young (and all returning might I add) Memorial team... Rodney Harrison was held to 40 yards rushing on 15 carries that game... I mean Koch is an incredible defensive coach... Not that Elliot Allen isnt... But we allowed 10 points a game... And Koch (I dont know if he coached in 92 or not) but he is either 11-4 or 11-3 vs. Stratford... Once again this is no insult to Stratford... U guys are going to be as good as every1 says u will be... I think this is more explaining why I think we are underestimated next year by many... But I guess we'll see how my educated guessing plays out on the field

[shslb15]

We'll, I just found out something that greatly will deminish the bounce back for Stratford. Stratford may be loosing one of its major assets on offense to a different school. Since I don't know much about the details thats all I can say, but I truely believe that this can move Stratford from one of the top 3 to pushing real hard to make that last spot. They're D should be vastly improved, but will need to figure it out on offense.

I thought Stratford would be at #1 if it all came into place but now I can only hope that they can find a way into the playoffs.

[shslb15]

Hastings doesnt have the talent of Eisenhower... Dont get me wrong THEY HAVE A LOT OF TALENT... But Eisenhower last year had 5 star safety Craig Loston... 4 star DT Rod Davis... 4 star WR Greg Timmons... 3 star WR Jaz Reynolds... 3 star Ath Curtis McGregor... 3 star Ath Kenith Guyton... Jay Guy (good DT prospect for '10)... And I think another 2 star at DB... As far as Hastings is concerned... I still dont think they have the coaching that Memorial and Stratford have... They have the talent but not the team unity (they are playing too much as individuals I think)... But the problem is when they come together all at the right (or wrong depending on which side u are) time they dominate... I dont think they can sustain it all for a district...

My problem with saying Stratford winning the district is (and dont get me wrong - Im not calling them a pushover) but I feel as though a huge portion of their success was Andrew Luck... Now that he is gone, and the OL is essentially gone... and they lost most of the varsity team that got blown out at Tully last year by a young (and all returning might I add) Memorial team... Rodney Harrison was held to 40 yards rushing on 15 carries that game... I mean Koch is an incredible defensive coach... Not that Elliot Allen isnt... But we allowed 10 points a game... And Koch (I dont know if he coached in 92 or not) but he is either 11-4 or 11-3 vs. Stratford... Once again this is no insult to Stratford... U guys are going to be as good as every1 says u will be... I think this is more explaining why I think we are underestimated next year by many... But I guess we'll see how my educated guessing plays out on the field

Don't fear the wrath of angry Stratford fans haha. Koch has had great success against Stratford since he left Stratford because he game plans defensively with the best of them but he got to coach against McCaig for a little bit and some not so much talented Stratford teams (which since 95 seemed unbelievably common). It'll be a good game because it's a rivalry and there will be 2 good D's but Stratford's offense is going to need to get A LOT better before that game if they want to come away with a win. There will be more known after we see how they do in the 3 preseason games. And no more saying yall are going to be underestimated. Everyone knows Memorial is probably the premier team in the district so Good Day and I can't wait to hear the play by plays from people that go to the games because i doubt I'll be able to make it to any of the games next year. Football season needs to start!!!:D

[HUM398]

The Aldine district is better than the Alief district but Northbrook isn't that undersized anymore and speed wise we have speed people assume Northbrook doesn't have talent because of past years but Northbrook does have talent the only problem is that as soon as something went wrong in the game every one started pointing fingers and the team collapsed and teams took advantage of it.The Raiders return next season with RB Derrick Rainey 6'1" 185lbs FB Brian Thorton 5'8" 190lbs QB Jose Maldonado 5'9" 155lbs DT Andrew Spencer 6'3" 275lbs DE's Anthonio Perez 6'0 185lbs Johnathan Venegas 5'10" 195lbs DB's Anthony Rollings 6'1" 160lbs Pedro Lopez 5'7" 160lbs LB Oscar Munoz 5'9" 170lbs.The Raiders have some big guys on the team and they also have a couple of new players like WR Raphael Batiest 6'4" 165lbs CB's Eric Panameno 5'6" 160lbs Nick Rodriguez 5'6" 155lbs LB's Lexus Cortez 5'10" 190lbs Rene Guzman 5'11" 170lbs Deno Taylor 5'5" 150lbs and these new players have speed.Now compare these players to the aldine schools and some may be slow but others aren't.Northbrook's Mostly under sized on the offensive line but other then that those other under sized players are skilled players who make up for it with speed.And talent wise Northbrook has just as much talent as any of the other schools in the district.

Take a look at those sizes you just gave me, and tell me that Northbrook isn't undersized.

The "new" speed does little when you are being thrown around by guys bigger and just as fast.

[MemorialMustangs]

Don't fear the wrath of angry Stratford fans haha. Koch has had great success against Stratford since he left Stratford because he game plans defensively with the best of them but he got to coach against McCaig for a little bit and some not so much talented Stratford teams (which since 95 seemed unbelievably common). It'll be a good game because it's a rivalry and there will be 2 good D's but Stratford's offense is going to need to get A LOT better before that game if they want to come away with a win. There will be more known after we see how they do in the 3 preseason games. And no more saying yall are going to be underestimated. Everyone knows Memorial is probably the premier team in the district so Good Day and I can't wait to hear the play by plays from people that go to the games because i doubt I'll be able to make it to any of the games next year. Football season needs to start!!!:D

Well I say underestimated partially because the gridiron guide obviously didnt think too much of us :D... The KT bros put us in 5th! :eek:

[Jacob McCandles]

Let us know something when you can SHSLB15. I can't imagine either of the QBs, the returning WR or OG leaving, so it makes me think it is an RB, which wouldn't help the Spartans. A loss of one of the O-lineman slated to step in would hurt too, given lack of depth/experience.

[GOBIGIKE#1]

I actually did a while back...

I changed my rankings around a little though:

Memorial
Stratford
Strake Jesuit
Alief Hastings
Alief Taylor
Alief Elsik
Northbrook
Spring Woods

Dont get me wrong raider09... I think yall are going to be pretty good compared to usual and I wouldnt be surprised if u beat an Alief team... But this district is STACKED...

I say Memorial for the same reasons as before... We have all of our WRs, top 3 running backs, better QB, and 3/5 starters on the OL returning... Also our top 2 TEs... Since inconsistancy on offense was our only real setback last year (allowing 10 points on defense a game is pretty good), that really is the focus... With all our playmakers coming back with a year of starting on varsity under their belt I dont see how it couldnt be a great offense... Our top RB next year ran for 5 yards a carry as a Soph... Daniel Neumann at WR had 10 TD catches and exploded on Stratford and Spring Woods while De'Mario Thibodeaux flashed his potential (we have 5 solid players at WR)... And Davis Miller showed he might be the most accurate QB in the district next year as well as the fastest player on our team... And the holes on OL will be replaced by players who were in the rotation... And defense... Its Coach Koch we could lose every single player and still have an incredible defense... But next year we return 5 starters and 2 players that split by series... Ratterree is a beast a safety (http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/1899/10079/) I think that int. explains it all (sorry its towards the end)... We return 3 on the DL including Nathan Miller... And a CB that was a starter as well as some1 who split by series... The FS will be covered by David Oeflke... Hes the next great saftey from Memorial (We never lack safeties)... He played 2 games when Ratterree was hurt... The only position in question is LB... But at least 2 of them had gametime experience last year... 1 of them is a little undersized but is famous for hard hits... Another is just really strong... The one that didnt play last year was projected to play but broke his leg I think and couldnt... We have a lot more team speed than usual... So we appear to be moving to more of a spread offense... That doesnt mean we wont run a lot... Because we will have talented RBs... It just means we are spreading the field out and trying to utilize our speed at our top RB and QB as well as our unusually good passing game to its full potential

I switched Strake around because their skill position players seem to be a little behind the curve... They have a great secondary... great DL... great OL... good coaching... But their QB and RB didnt impress me too much when I saw the spring game...

Stratford is relying a lot on young talent on offense... I think they will be inconsistant but will be very good when they are on... Which makes them hard to predict... If that inconsistancy affects them more often than I think they will they might miss the playoffs (like we did last year)... But I think they will make second due to the weaker coaching in Alief schools... But the Alief schools definately have talent... Which makes me nervous and them dangerous... The Alief schools wont go 10-0 but there are those days when they play like a 10-0 team due to the talent... This will be an interesting district that will be a fight every week... Expect a lot of close games and some weird division records...

If we had stayed in the old district with the Aldine schools I would have said
Eisenhower
Memorial
Stratford
Aldine
Northbrook
MacArthur
Nimitz
Spring Woods

If the SBISD schools had of stayed in the old district with the Aldine schools, there is absolutely no way Northbrook would have beaten either Aldine Nimitz or Aldine MacArthur this year, especially Nimitz. IKE would have walked away with this district with Memorial coming in a distant second. Stratford and Aldine Nimitz would have most likely been the other playoff teams with Aldine and MacArthur still staying a notch ahead of Northbrook and Spring Woods.

I think with your current rankings you underestimate the Alief schools. Although their programs are a little down right now, they always have had some great and athletic D1 talented football players! I bet Alief Hastings gives both Memorial and Stratford all they can handle this year and would not be surprised if the Bears won both games.

I am excited IKE is moving into a more competitive district with the Humble ISD schools. It reminds me of the old days when Aldine schools were playing district games against Humble, Kingwood, Spring, and Spring Westfield. That was a great district!

Anyway, good luck in your new district. The Memorial Mustangs were really the only SBISD team to consistently give IKE a lot of competition over the years we played district games against one another. Stratford really improved their program over the last few years.

[MemorialMustangs]

If the SBISD schools had of stayed in the old district with the Aldine schools, there is absolutely no way Northbrook would have beaten either Aldine Nimitz or Aldine MacArthur this year, especially Nimitz. IKE would have walked away with this district with Memorial coming in a distant second. Stratford and Aldine Nimitz would have most likely been the other playoff teams with Aldine and MacArthur still staying a notch ahead of Northbrook and Spring Woods.

I think with your current rankings you underestimate the Alief schools. Although their programs are a little down right now, they always have had some great and athletic D1 talented football players! I bet Alief Hastings gives both Memorial and Stratford all they can handle this year and would not be surprised if the Bears won both games.

I am excited IKE is moving into a more competitive district with the Humble ISD schools. It reminds me of the old days when Aldine schools were playing district games against Humble, Kingwood, Spring, and Spring Westfield. That was a great district!

Anyway, good luck in your new district. The Memorial Mustangs were really the only SBISD team to consistently give IKE a lot of competition over the years we played district games against one another. Stratford really improved their program over the last few years.

Ya I said it before in a poorly written typo filled post above LOL... This is Northbrooks best team in years so I have hopes for them... I put Aldine up there because of their RB and Ive heard they have a lot of hidden talent... I dont know anything about Nimitz or MacArthur, but MacArthur always seems to overachieve...

I do not underestimate the Alief schools but realize the competition should turn into a whos the better coach type game... And Id say Strake, Memorial, and Stratford have the better coach... So thats y I wedged the Alief teams in there.... And I said im scared of Hastings especially

As a better district... The top two are better but Atascocita...

Stratford has improved... Luck's Junior year was their first district title in 28 years... Elliot Allen is doing a great job... But losing Luck will probably set their offense back quite a bit... They will be good but I think they will probably be worse than they were the last 2 years...

[78 Spartan]

I think the Spartans are going to be in the thick of it this fall, but I'm not sure I'd call us favorites. We did, however, have a great spring and the junior class is really strong, just like it was two years ago when we won the district title.

Obviously, with Luck gone there will be some drop off at the QB position, but I also don't think it will be a weakness. Stratford is truly 3-deep at that position, has better receivers overall than last year, and all three impactful RBs are back. As I've said elsewhere, the thing to look for is how quickly a young and inexperienced OL comes together. OTOH, that's exactly the situation we were in at this time last year, and OL ended up being a team strength. Expect to see two juniors and maybe even a sophomore on the O-line this year.

Defensively, Stratford will be as good or better in '08 on the D-line, and markedly improved in the secondary. LBs will need to emerge to pull the defense together, but I think that's exactly what you'll see.

As a result, look for Stratford's defense to be strong out of the gate and the offense to catch up to them as the O-line comes together.

Memorial, Hastings, Taylor and Strake all seem capable of producing a district champ, so I think it's going to be a wide-open and fun season. We all know that Gary Koch can produce a great team out of kids that would be second-stringers most anywhere else, so the respect is definitely there (if not the love). The Alief schools will pose speed challenges for the SBISD schools, but Stratford's defense will be fast on the edges and better in the secondary, and Stratford's experience in recent years with Elsik and with the Aldine schools should have us prepared. It will be very interesting to see how Strake Jesuit lines up -- I hear they lost a lot of seniors last year, but I am sure they will be plenty competitive.

As I've said elsewhere, I look for Northbrook to win a game or two in district this year, and I think Spring Woods may have a tough time escaping the cellar in 18-5A.

Stratford scrimmages Cinco Ranch and Cy Fair this year, which will give us a fair barometer of where we are headed into week zero against MacArthur.

Bottom line: I think 18-5A is going to be a lot of fun this year, and totally up for grabs.

[grasshopper]

actually stratford swept district in 87 and 88, koch was running the d....athlete connection had run a story that it was thier 1st district championship in 28 years, i e mailed them and told them it was wrong but they stuck by their story, o well still a great site though
i dont see how stratford could be favorite to win, in the thick of the race yes, a clearcut faovorite to win, no way. i think it will be a traditional stratford team built on defense (before luck the last time stratford had a better o then d was.......hmm maybe 78....
they are going to have some stong lb just think it will come down to be able to move the ball with the new qb.
not ready to jump on the northbrook banwagon just yet, they let me down last year i thought they had a shot against spring woods
its going to be a fun race as new teams get a chance to clash this year, cant wait for it to start..and it nice to be back

[thptrek]

Thought I'd bump this back up for all you District 18 fans. The weather has been terrible and made it tough for the schools to get full practices in.

[MemorialMustangs]

Thought I'd bump this back up for all you District 18 fans. The weather has been terrible and made it tough for the schools to get full practices in.

Thanks - I was too lazy to go look for it LOL :notworthy

http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/3129/10089/ - Hastings
http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/3164/10078/ - Strake
http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/3175/10078/ - stratford

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/hso/5947264.html-district stuff

anyways I thought these would be good discussion starters - (ours will be out next week)

Honestly I think the most difficult game for us will be the Hastings game... Just because they have athletes that run really fast and thats what we struggle against most defensively... Stratford does have a lot of question marks but the way u guys put it, they will still be difficult... Strake... Im not sure what to think... I feel like we have the best defense in the district and if u match it player to player we might be better offensively (except OL)... But they are a favorite pick so maybe Im missing something... I just feel we are better at QB, WR, and RB (with a tie at TE)... Has anybody seen how well James Scott passes? What happens if u get injured at LB, WR, RB, or QB - Who comes in? Can James Scott and others go both ways without suffering from to much fatigue if u get injured there? I think yall are a solid team though, just it seems a little tight with essentially 22 players and thats it... Although im sure u guys are used to it

I wouldnt be surprised to see Strake beat Hastings, us beat Strake, and then we lose to Hastings - for a three way tie in first...

Cant wait for the season to start - we start late (the 6th of September)... Good luck to everyone (except Stratford ;) )

[Raiders09]

Ok I went to go watch the Northbrook Raiders scrimmage against Jefferson Davis and Calhoun at Tully Stadium on Friday and the Raiders looked horrible. I honestly couldn't believe the Raiders were playing like this. They had blown coverages and not playing there assignments.Offensively the Raiders backfield kept the chains moving with Fullback Brian Thornton breaking for a 40yrd run and Running backs Derrick Rainey and Deno Taylor gaining good amounts of yards, but the offensive line couldn't block to save there lives QB Jose Maldonando scrambled to avoid getting sacked but the defense just kept pressuring him.But enough about the offense lets focus back on the defense the Raiders had so many missed tackles from the SAFETIES!!! the players who are suppost to be the sure tacklers were missing tackles!!! It got me so upset seeing that from the raiders I just couldn't believe that the safeties were missing tackles and then there comes a corner from all the way across the field to make the tackle while the safeties just stared.The coach later took out one of the safeties and move the corner who had been making tackles(BUT STILL MESSED UP IN COVERAGE) to safety and the raiders defense seemed good but still have a lot of improvements to be made.But towards the end the raiders defense stepped up and made stops and forced turn overs but unless this raiders team want to make the playoffs they need to step up there game.From that performance I say the raiders fall back to last place unless they play better against Clements in their scrimmage against them on Thursday. I'll go see how the scrimmage goes but if I don't see an improvement I won't believe the raiders will do much if anything this season.

[spartanwall54]

My problem with saying Stratford winning the district is (and dont get me wrong - Im not calling them a pushover) but I feel as though a huge portion of their success was Andrew Luck... Now that he is gone, and the OL is essentially gone... and they lost most of the varsity team that got blown out at Tully last year by a young (and all returning might I add) Memorial team... Rodney Harrison was held to 40 yards rushing on 15 carries that game... I mean Koch is an incredible defensive coach... Not that Elliot Allen isnt... But we allowed 10 points a game... And Koch (I dont know if he coached in 92 or not) but he is either 11-4 or 11-3 vs. Stratford... Once again this is no insult to Stratford... U guys are going to be as good as every1 says u will be... I think this is more explaining why I think we are underestimated next year by many... But I guess we'll see how my educated guessing plays out on the field

haha id check your facts on mr rodney "harrison" (ANDERSON) your win was vastly due to the two weak senior safeties last year who had no clue on stopping the pass thus the "great" daniel neuman's performance... regardless of how you feel knowing coach koch memorial will still rely on the run as a crutch... when dropping to pass against stratford the MHS oline will face one of the most impressive pass rushers in the country and a tremendous athlete on the other side from Junior Lecorey Pace. The stratford season is completely reliant on their ability to score and utilize anderson and graves while running, and be able to pass the ball to the best receiver corps led by brett benninger

As a player im excited to see this season play out and i am hoping that we will be able to continue the winning tradition established by the last two classes. I'm confident in my teammates ability to pull together and take district regardless of the opinions of the media and other analizers and soon we will see.

[Dynastybegan86]

RollTide write this date down, I believe Strake wins this district. The other 3 in no particular order, imo, would be Alief Hastings, Alief Taylor, Memorial. AT may not and that would give Stratford the nod for me. Strake looked very good in the scrimmage, for what scrimmages are worth. I think they were better than last years play-off team. Good Luck to our Neighbors to the East, see you in Round 1!

[grasshopper]

i would agree with athletes conn that this should be on of the better district races, no clear cut favorite...and no way would i use last years mem stratford game as to where stratford will be this year (and that game was meaninless in standings, stratford had #1 seed locked up and mem was out of playoffs) you will see a faster stronger defense, if the o clicks, they will be in the thick of things

[Rolltide]

RollTide write this date down, I believe Strake wins this district. The other 3 in no particular order, imo, would be Alief Hastings, Alief Taylor, Memorial. AT may not and that would give Stratford the nod for me. Strake looked very good in the scrimmage, for what scrimmages are worth. I think they were better than last years play-off team. Good Luck to our Neighbors to the East, see you in Round 1!

I think it will be close, but not being a homer I would give us the inside track as well. The Memorial game will be a key match up. Because they're always well coached. Stratford will be good on defensive, but I'm sure about their offense.

Scott started out a little rusty during the Katy scrimmage but got better as time went on. He doesn't play both ways. This is the second year in a row that we will not have to rely on players playing both ways. But as usual depth is always a problem and we're always one injury away. Good luck to you'll as well.

[MemorialMustangs]

haha id check your facts on mr rodney "harrison" (ANDERSON) your win was vastly due to the two weak senior safeties last year who had no clue on stopping the pass thus the "great" daniel neuman's performance... regardless of how you feel knowing coach koch memorial will still rely on the run as a crutch... when dropping to pass against stratford the MHS oline will face one of the most impressive pass rushers in the country and a tremendous athlete on the other side from Junior Lecorey Pace. The stratford season is completely reliant on their ability to score and utilize anderson and graves while running, and be able to pass the ball to the best receiver corps led by brett benninger

As a player im excited to see this season play out and i am hoping that we will be able to continue the winning tradition established by the last two classes. I'm confident in my teammates ability to pull together and take district regardless of the opinions of the media and other analizers and soon we will see.

First off sorry for the typo - u clearly knew what I mean on Rodney Anderson, but here was my source:

http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/1945/10086/

Rushing: Rodney Anderson- 15-40 yards

That makes sense because we held him what 4 times inside the two...

Ofcourse u wont admit that 3 TD receptions (including a 60 yarder with essentially 50 yards after the catch) isnt impressive for a run first teams WR... He had a total of 10 TDs including the only offensive TD against Westfield... I know u wont admit it but he is the best WR in the SBISD schools (I wont speak about Alief without seeing their recievers)... I know Koch will use the run a lot... That is our identity and it has brought us a lot of success... But we will pass it more and we are moving to a more spread out offense... With a Junior who had 5 yards a carry last year who is pretty fast, the more spread offense might help him significantly... I admit u guys have a great pass rush... But we on the other hand have a very experienced and talented OLine... On top of that Davis Miller is one of the fastest players on the team... He can step up and take off if the pocket collapses... And Brett is a great reciever... Second best (in my opinion) to Neumann, which really isnt an insult... Its a compliment so dont take it the wrong way...

The Houston Chronicle said (after the North Shore scrimmage) that it appears Memorial may have the talent and coaching to win district and then some... I know they picked us 3rd in the newspaper, but they did say it would be close...

I think Stratford will be a little bit behind the team they were last year (just the loss of Andrew Luck was too much I think)... But I think this is Memorial's best team since the infamous 2OT loss in 2004 in the 3rd round... But I honestly think this team is better... Im trying to have an unbiased view of the district...

Anyways Im excited for next Saturday... While I find out how all of yall did in Week 0

[78 Spartan]

Week Zero fearless forecasts (based on very little intelligence):

Nimitz 34, Elsik 21
Hastings 29, Atascocita 14
Alief Taylor 17, Bellaire 3
New Caney 16, Spring Woods 14
Stratford 17, MacArthur 10
Strake Jesuit 42, St. Thomas 6


Good luck to all. I'm pulling for an 18-5A sweep.

[Jacob McCandles]

Good luck to the 18-5A teams playing in week 0. MHS has second scrimmage tonight vs. FB Marshall.

[shslb15]

The Stratford game should be a close one with Mac. Mac is always a good solid team but undersized. The first step of the Post-#12 era begins and I'd like to see the number of run plays vs pass plays. With both the extremely talented but oft injured Tim Graves as well as 1000 yd runner Rodney Anderson running at full speed I see a big percentage of run plays and lettting which ever QB on the field get a feel for things before really opening up the offense. Stratford's D should be really good. After watching the last practice before having to return to school I though that the D was looking good. Terrance Lloyd is a beast but they have two awesome D Linemen lining up next to him. Good Linebackers Solid Secondary.

My perdiction is a Stratford Classic...

10-3....
Offense struggles alittle bit but starts to show some signs of what is to come, Defense looks good... I don't know how Stratford gets the 3 since I don't have much to say about the Spartan kicker

[spartanwall54]

The Stratford game should be a close one with Mac. Mac is always a good solid team but undersized. The first step of the Post-#12 era begins and I'd like to see the number of run plays vs pass plays. With both the extremely talented but oft injured Tim Graves as well as 1000 yd runner Rodney Anderson running at full speed I see a big percentage of run plays and lettting which ever QB on the field get a feel for things before really opening up the offense. Stratford's D should be really good. After watching the last practice before having to return to school I though that the D was looking good. Terrance Lloyd is a beast but they have two awesome D Linemen lining up next to him. Good Linebackers Solid Secondary.

My perdiction is a Stratford Classic...

10-3....
Offense struggles alittle bit but starts to show some signs of what is to come, Defense looks good... I don't know how Stratford gets the 3 since I don't have much to say about the Spartan kicker

Haha we've got a plethora of talent as far kicking goes (Jose, Jesus, and our boy TDavis) and have to agree with it all besides the score... stratford picks it up in the 2nd half to take the game behind leadership from lil' rodney, tim graves and michael gibson. and im expecting a twin to twin connection from Mark to Brett for a big gain(but i can only hope)

[spartanwall54]

Also memorial check your stats again rodney also had 74 yards receiving... just throwing it out there

[MemorialMustangs]

Also memorial check your stats again rodney also had 74 yards receiving... just throwing it out there

About 55 yrds was on 1 play (at 4:10 in the film http://www.athletesconnection.com/content/view/1949/10079/)... On that play we had #27 and #18 at Safeties... Both were not starters (hopefully obviously)... One was a Sophmore (the one that ran him down and tackled him - im using that to prove that our 2nd strings and Seniors that werent starters were out there at that time)... The rest of his yardage came from standing 5 yards from the line of scrimmage in front of our zones... That is why I didnt factor it in... Just admit it he was shut down THAT DAY... Does that mean he lacks talent - NO he is very talented - Im just saying we stopped him before... If we stopped him before with Andrew Luck, I have full confidence in Koch to stop or at least slow him down significantly again... People that we couldnt stop were people like Curtis McGregor... So likewise I didnt bring him up... Please understand, Im not trying persuade u - I know that wont happen - but im trying to defend my position... Ur welcome to disagree - we'll see come week 5 :)

[TNT]

Week Zero fearless forecasts (based on very little intelligence):

Nimitz 34, Elsik 21
Hastings 29, Atascocita 14
Alief Taylor 17, Bellaire 3
New Caney 16, Spring Woods 14
Stratford 17, MacArthur 10
Strake Jesuit 42, St. Thomas 6


Good luck to all. I'm pulling for an 18-5A sweep.

Same picks for me as well with similar scores. Good Luck to everyone. Represent the district well!

Nimitz 28 Elsik 21

Hastings 20 Atascocita 10

Alief Taylor 20 Bellaire 7

New Caney 14 Spring Woods 7

Stratford 17 MacArthur 14

Strake 35 St. Thomas 10

[TNT]

Week Zero fearless forecasts (based on very little intelligence):

Nimitz 34, Elsik 21
Hastings 29, Atascocita 14
Alief Taylor 17, Bellaire 3
New Caney 16, Spring Woods 14
Stratford 17, MacArthur 10
Strake Jesuit 42, St. Thomas 6


Good luck to all. I'm pulling for an 18-5A sweep.

Same picks for me as well with similar scores. Good Luck to everyone. Represent the district well!

Nimitz 28 Elsik 21

Hastings 20 Atascocita 10

Alief Taylor 20 Bellaire 7

New Caney 14 Spring Woods 7

Stratford 17 MacArthur 14

Strake 35 St. Thomas 10

[eagleswoop#1]

Good luck to the 18-5A teams playing in week 0. MHS has second scrimmage tonight vs. FB Marshall.

Memorial looked really good offensively in that scrimmage.

[MemorialMustangs]

Memorial looked really good offensively in that scrimmage.

Ya... The only place we have ever struggled under Coach Koch is offense... With so many players returning... And how weve looked... Our offense is going to be really good... I cant wait till the season starts for us lol

Im surprised nobody from Stratford has talked about the MacArthur game yet... Looked like yall dominated defensively and were very consistant offensively... Makes for a better district race :D... We'll see how we both do next week... Yall play Spring and we play Jersey Village (if im correct about yall)... Good luck... See u week 5

Course being a Memorial fan Ill say we have the advantage on yall... But Im sure yall will be quick to prove me wrong ;)... This is shaping out to be a great district race

[MemorialMustangs]

I just heard that MacArthur only dressed 27 players... Can anyone confirm that?

[Jacob McCandles]

Memorial looked really good offensively in that scrimmage.

agree. they've actually looked solid on offense in both scrimmages (nshore and marshall). looking forward to saturday night vs. jvillage.

[shslb15]

Mac is like what Northbrook looked like before Cripp's son came and started to turn it around alittle bit for now. They had 27 players and had almost no players show up to practice before this game. They will finish last in their district. (this is all secondary info, I didn't go to the game but I heard this from a very reliable source)

[grasshopper]

its coach cripps son is over at nb (from memorial)..... and i did not count but i would say 27 players at most, wonder what they will do when grades come out, pul up from jv just to make a team would be my guess.
stratford d just crushed mac all night, will get a much better test in 2 weeks vs spring

[shslb15]

Ya my bad about that... the sinus infection Im dealing with as well as the effects from the first game of the year as well as my birthday yesterday has kind of left me brain dead... i don't know how I mixed that up...:confused:

[shslb15]

The JV game was 42-0 and it was embarrassing....

[thptrek]

Does anyone know what is happening to the district game schedules? Strake is going to open school on Monday and they have a game vs Memorial on Friday.