KT2000
01-04-2006, 02:22 PM
2005 is now officially behind us, and I'll take an early look at what to look for in 2006. Just a few random thoughts as I've had a chance to review and look ahead.
First, 2005 will be remembered as a year dominated by the Metroplex in football. DFW schools swept both Class 5A (Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll) and 4A championships (Highland Park and Lewisville Hebron).
This year, realignment is the first order of business and there are some significant moves being made around the state. Copperas Cove, Denton Ryan, Schertz Clemens and Waco are some of the notable programs set to move down. View the pinned TPX article at the top for more on that.
Let's talk about the defending champs...
Dragon Ball
Of course, the prominent story in Class 5A right now is the dominance of Southlake Carroll. Carroll is 63-1 since joining class 5A in 2002, and have captured three state championships since then. Todd Dodge's son, Riley (Jr. to be), will take over at QB this fall with classmate Tre' Newton by his side at RB. Riley is a tremendous athlete with very good speed/quickness. Restocking OL/WR is the primary need. Defensively, DE Kyle Russo and LB Justin Padron will be two of the leaders. Arius Ford is back in the secondary. I think it'd be very foolish to write off the Dragons in '06 even with the big turnover from a senior dominated 05 roster. They lost just as much after the 02 season and still made it back to state the next year. The Dragons will start '06 ranked in the top three without a doubt.
Trojans Here to Stay?
Trinity broke through for a state championship in 2005 with a very talented senior class led by MVP Dimitri Nance and QB Trevor Vittatoe. However, can the Trojans reload effectively enough to put up double digit wins again? Consistency is what separates good programs from great programs, and that will be the challenge for Trinity this year. Playing with the target of a state champion is no easy task, so the 06 Trojans will need to be extremely mentally tough (in addition to the physical talent) in order to make another run.
Hebron in 5A
4A Division II Champs Hebron are expected to make the jump to Class 5A when the realignment becomes official early next month. Brazil will take his troops to the 5A level this year, and their district alignment will obviously play a role in their chances for year one. They have some key players back from the championship squad like QB Brian Aubuchon and LB Max Blue.
Consolidated's "Taste of Texas"
A&M Consolidated posted an impressive 11-3 record in '05 reaching the state semis. Plenty of talent is back in 2006, and this could be a program to really look out for in the fall if they have a good off-season and summer. RB Daniel Palmer, WR-DB Detron Lewis, LB Drew Dudley and K Matt Szymanski are some of the main returning players. All are very talented and will likely be looking at Division 1 college offers this time next year. Consolidated got a taste of big time playoff football in 05, and we'll see if they can make it back or take the next step in 06.
Loaded in Lufkin
The Panthers lost to Southlake Carroll for the third time in the state semi-finals in 2005, but put up a very respectable 14-1 record. Basically, the entire offense is returning in 2006 as well as some key players on defense. QB Jeremy Claybon had a great year in 05 as a first year started before going down with an arm injury against Copperas Cove in the Region 2 championship game. Speedy RB Ja'Corey Turner returns along with top WRs Dez Bryant and Ralph Thomas. On defense; DL Randall Murphy, DL AJ Penson, LB Joe Jackson and DB Danquin Landry lead the crop of returning talent. 2006 looks like it could be a very promising year for Lufkin on paper, but there's obviously a lot of work to be done.
Back to Work at Permian
Coach Darrell Allman and his staff brought an impressive set of credentials to Permian when they began work there last year, and we'll see how things progress in year two. Hard work and discipline have been re-introduced to the Permian culture. I'll be keeping an eye on Permian's progress this year.
The K-Train Rolls into '06
Katy went 14-1 in 2005, captured a 7th Region 3 championship in nine years and lost to Carroll in the Division 2 State Championship. The Tigers need to reload both lines and find a new QB. However, the returning skill talent is very good. RB Aundre Dean (Jr. to be) will be the main man in the backfield with FB Taylor Stuckey. Dean rushed for near 800 yards as a sophomore while splitting time with a senior. Record setting WR Michael Fuda is also back. On defense, Katy doesn't look to miss much of a beat from '05. Junior to be DBs Trent Hunter and Terrance Henry are two of the top returning players along with DL Tyler Mueller and LB Ryan Williams.
North Side Monster?
When Spring Westfield made the state quarterfinals in 2001, some in the area claimed a sleeping giant had been woken up. Westfield is currently booming in population, and will graduate their most talented football class to date in May. Westfield and Euless Trinity are very similar in that regard. We'll find a little about out how deep the talent runs at these schools this year given what each has to replace.
Reclaiming the Throne?
North Shore ended the season with a loss to Westfield for the second year in a row, but look primed to continue their outstanding run of form as a program in 06. North Shore hasn't lost a regular season game since 2001. QB Vance Fizer looks set to take over the reigns on offense. Explosive RB Chris Gainious may be the top returning big play back in the state. If the Mustangs reload at DB (never seems to be a problem) during the off-season and summer...look out.
Ranger Pride
Canyon Lake High School will probably bump SV back down to class 4A in 2008, but we'll see if the Rangers can keep making deep runs in the meantime. SV will graduate many key seniors, but you can never underestimate a program like what Larry Hill has established at SV. The kids on campus right now only know winning. RB Trent Rios (jr. to be) and DE Matt Phister are two of the top returners.
Judson, Wagner and changing of the guard?
Converse Wagner starts their varsity football journey this year as a 5A school. When Wagner opened, many proclaimed the end of the Judson era in 5A due to the big enrollment hit. However, Judson didn't seem to pay attention to that talk in 05 as they pushed through a mediocre regular season by their standards and made it to the state championship game yet again. I don't think you can count out Judson in '06 either. Last year, Judson lost a lot on offense and this year it will be the defense that needs the most work in the off-season. Just based on initial impressions, it looks like San Antonio may be a little more open this year than normal with SV in reloading mode and Judson as an unknown (usually are on paper). O'Connor and Reagan are two area programs to keep tabs on this off-season and over the summer in my opinion.
The 'Cats are back?
Plano racked up 13 wins this year on their way to the Region 1 championship game with a senior laden group. They have to replace a lot of talent in '06, and they're obviously a program to watch after what they did in '05. Flash in the pan or a sign of what's to come?
Just some of the things that stick out to me right now. I still have a lot of research to do an information to gather before anything halfway accurate or concrete can be formed, but you know what they say about first impressions. ;)
First, 2005 will be remembered as a year dominated by the Metroplex in football. DFW schools swept both Class 5A (Euless Trinity and Southlake Carroll) and 4A championships (Highland Park and Lewisville Hebron).
This year, realignment is the first order of business and there are some significant moves being made around the state. Copperas Cove, Denton Ryan, Schertz Clemens and Waco are some of the notable programs set to move down. View the pinned TPX article at the top for more on that.
Let's talk about the defending champs...
Dragon Ball
Of course, the prominent story in Class 5A right now is the dominance of Southlake Carroll. Carroll is 63-1 since joining class 5A in 2002, and have captured three state championships since then. Todd Dodge's son, Riley (Jr. to be), will take over at QB this fall with classmate Tre' Newton by his side at RB. Riley is a tremendous athlete with very good speed/quickness. Restocking OL/WR is the primary need. Defensively, DE Kyle Russo and LB Justin Padron will be two of the leaders. Arius Ford is back in the secondary. I think it'd be very foolish to write off the Dragons in '06 even with the big turnover from a senior dominated 05 roster. They lost just as much after the 02 season and still made it back to state the next year. The Dragons will start '06 ranked in the top three without a doubt.
Trojans Here to Stay?
Trinity broke through for a state championship in 2005 with a very talented senior class led by MVP Dimitri Nance and QB Trevor Vittatoe. However, can the Trojans reload effectively enough to put up double digit wins again? Consistency is what separates good programs from great programs, and that will be the challenge for Trinity this year. Playing with the target of a state champion is no easy task, so the 06 Trojans will need to be extremely mentally tough (in addition to the physical talent) in order to make another run.
Hebron in 5A
4A Division II Champs Hebron are expected to make the jump to Class 5A when the realignment becomes official early next month. Brazil will take his troops to the 5A level this year, and their district alignment will obviously play a role in their chances for year one. They have some key players back from the championship squad like QB Brian Aubuchon and LB Max Blue.
Consolidated's "Taste of Texas"
A&M Consolidated posted an impressive 11-3 record in '05 reaching the state semis. Plenty of talent is back in 2006, and this could be a program to really look out for in the fall if they have a good off-season and summer. RB Daniel Palmer, WR-DB Detron Lewis, LB Drew Dudley and K Matt Szymanski are some of the main returning players. All are very talented and will likely be looking at Division 1 college offers this time next year. Consolidated got a taste of big time playoff football in 05, and we'll see if they can make it back or take the next step in 06.
Loaded in Lufkin
The Panthers lost to Southlake Carroll for the third time in the state semi-finals in 2005, but put up a very respectable 14-1 record. Basically, the entire offense is returning in 2006 as well as some key players on defense. QB Jeremy Claybon had a great year in 05 as a first year started before going down with an arm injury against Copperas Cove in the Region 2 championship game. Speedy RB Ja'Corey Turner returns along with top WRs Dez Bryant and Ralph Thomas. On defense; DL Randall Murphy, DL AJ Penson, LB Joe Jackson and DB Danquin Landry lead the crop of returning talent. 2006 looks like it could be a very promising year for Lufkin on paper, but there's obviously a lot of work to be done.
Back to Work at Permian
Coach Darrell Allman and his staff brought an impressive set of credentials to Permian when they began work there last year, and we'll see how things progress in year two. Hard work and discipline have been re-introduced to the Permian culture. I'll be keeping an eye on Permian's progress this year.
The K-Train Rolls into '06
Katy went 14-1 in 2005, captured a 7th Region 3 championship in nine years and lost to Carroll in the Division 2 State Championship. The Tigers need to reload both lines and find a new QB. However, the returning skill talent is very good. RB Aundre Dean (Jr. to be) will be the main man in the backfield with FB Taylor Stuckey. Dean rushed for near 800 yards as a sophomore while splitting time with a senior. Record setting WR Michael Fuda is also back. On defense, Katy doesn't look to miss much of a beat from '05. Junior to be DBs Trent Hunter and Terrance Henry are two of the top returning players along with DL Tyler Mueller and LB Ryan Williams.
North Side Monster?
When Spring Westfield made the state quarterfinals in 2001, some in the area claimed a sleeping giant had been woken up. Westfield is currently booming in population, and will graduate their most talented football class to date in May. Westfield and Euless Trinity are very similar in that regard. We'll find a little about out how deep the talent runs at these schools this year given what each has to replace.
Reclaiming the Throne?
North Shore ended the season with a loss to Westfield for the second year in a row, but look primed to continue their outstanding run of form as a program in 06. North Shore hasn't lost a regular season game since 2001. QB Vance Fizer looks set to take over the reigns on offense. Explosive RB Chris Gainious may be the top returning big play back in the state. If the Mustangs reload at DB (never seems to be a problem) during the off-season and summer...look out.
Ranger Pride
Canyon Lake High School will probably bump SV back down to class 4A in 2008, but we'll see if the Rangers can keep making deep runs in the meantime. SV will graduate many key seniors, but you can never underestimate a program like what Larry Hill has established at SV. The kids on campus right now only know winning. RB Trent Rios (jr. to be) and DE Matt Phister are two of the top returners.
Judson, Wagner and changing of the guard?
Converse Wagner starts their varsity football journey this year as a 5A school. When Wagner opened, many proclaimed the end of the Judson era in 5A due to the big enrollment hit. However, Judson didn't seem to pay attention to that talk in 05 as they pushed through a mediocre regular season by their standards and made it to the state championship game yet again. I don't think you can count out Judson in '06 either. Last year, Judson lost a lot on offense and this year it will be the defense that needs the most work in the off-season. Just based on initial impressions, it looks like San Antonio may be a little more open this year than normal with SV in reloading mode and Judson as an unknown (usually are on paper). O'Connor and Reagan are two area programs to keep tabs on this off-season and over the summer in my opinion.
The 'Cats are back?
Plano racked up 13 wins this year on their way to the Region 1 championship game with a senior laden group. They have to replace a lot of talent in '06, and they're obviously a program to watch after what they did in '05. Flash in the pan or a sign of what's to come?
Just some of the things that stick out to me right now. I still have a lot of research to do an information to gather before anything halfway accurate or concrete can be formed, but you know what they say about first impressions. ;)