2006 - Darkhorse team of the year

[Down n' Out]

Who is going to blow everyone's predictions out the window?

[cougardude]

Why not - Abilene Cooper! New coach going to be announced today (Mike Spradlin coming from the University of Houston and a former Cooper assistant in the 80s). I can dream anyway!:D

[Drake]

Beaumont Westbrook - will continue to improve...

[Warbird]

Abilene High might end up being a darkhorse team, but I kind of doubt it. Senior laden defense. A seemingly revamped offense with a junior QB. Sound familiar?:cool:

[hardknox]

Would Northshore fall into this category. Seeing as how they are always out coached in the playoffs (according to what Ive read). If so they are my pick.

[Red Raiders]

Why not - Abilene Cooper! New coach going to be announced today (Mike Spradlin coming from the University of Houston and a former Cooper assistant in the 80s). I can dream anyway!:D

I doubt it! :D

[Red Raiders]

Def. has to be Tyler Lee for darkhorse next season.

[Down n' Out]

Would Northshore fall into this category. Seeing as how they are always out coached in the playoffs (according to what Ive read). If so they are my pick.
I wouldn't consider Northshore a darkhorse...They'll be in the mix.

[ktchamp97]

They'll be in the mix.

Yes...as in the mix with Lufkin and SLC.

Look out for Hebron. Not only are they pretty stacked, they're a new kid on the block and not many people will see them coming.

[dada]

Every so often a HISD team throws themselves in the mix.....Madison, Washington, Westside.....Look out for Houston Lamar next year.

[duckpluck]

I think Westbrook will continue to improve greatly since they have a good coach.

TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS LINKS (http://www.leaguelineup.com/txhssports)

[LongviewLobo209]

Longview :eek: ....okay, well maybe not this next year, but maybe the next....2008 might be a promising season...who knows with the Lobos.

[Favpack]

Agree about Hebron - they may come in a pull an SLC on us. This sounds crazy - but I think you'll see Huntsville continue to improve - of course, I guess they drop back to 4A next year.

[SeguinMatadors]

The mighty Matadors of Seguin are coming out of region 4... mark that down.

[dragonsdaddy]

Agree about Hebron - they may come in a pull an SLC on us. This sounds crazy - but I think you'll see Huntsville continue to improve - of course, I guess they drop back to 4A next year.
i don't think hebron will surprise as many as slc did, simply because people have seen that 4a ball is truly top notch at the highest levels. they will be in everyones top 25 out of the gate. they will make some noise in the pos.

[rich_pack]

I believe Wylie will be bringing some good talent into next season as well as moving up, but watch out for Highland Park

[AZTiger]

On the local level, I expect Morton Ranch to make some noise in 19-5a

[badger95]

The mighty Matadors of Seguin are coming out of region 4... mark that down.

Not if Westlake moves back in to Region IV. If that happens look for them to fall back into their comfort zone of travelling south for a long playoff run.

[SeguinMatadors]

Not if Westlake moves back in to Region IV. If that happens look for them to fall back into their comfort zone of travelling south for a long playoff run.

I hope to God Westlake is in region 4 next year... I would love to see a game between my boys and yours.. especially next year because Seguin is going go field the best team they have in my life (Doesn't say much) but yeah.

[farmerfan]

i don't think hebron will surprise as many as slc did, simply because people have seen that 4a ball is truly top notch at the highest levels. they will be in everyones top 25 out of the gate. they will make some noise in the pos.


as always DD, perfectly said.

[LoboFan07]

Longview :eek: ....okay, well maybe not this next year, but maybe the next....2008 might be a promising season...who knows with the Lobos.

08 I agree might be one. 09 God Help us there and thats all I have to say about the Freshmen. I just hope they continue to improve cause right now..well yea not looking good.

[Mini-Me]

On the local level, I expect Morton Ranch to make some noise in 19-5a

Morton Ranch? Are you serious? I realize they had a decent JV team last year, but don't you think part of the reason for their JV success was the fact that all of the other schools moved their best juniors and sophomores up to the varsity level?

I saw Morton Ranch (JV) play last year and I think they'll be lucky to win more than 2 games in '06.

On the other hand, if you're going to pick a dark horse, I don't think they come any darker than Morton ranch.

In 19 5A, I look for Katy Taylor to surprise people.....so I'll pick them as my dark horse.

[AZTiger]

Morton Ranch? Are you serious? I realize they had a decent JV team last year, but don't you think part of the reason for their JV success was the fact that all of the other schools moved their best juniors and sophomores up to the varsity level?

I saw Morton Ranch (JV) play last year and I think they'll be lucky to win more than 2 games in '06.

On the other hand, if you're going to pick a dark horse, I don't think they come any darker than Morton ranch.

In 19 5A, I look for Katy Taylor to surprise people.....so I'll pick them as my dark horse.

ha ha, well I'm assuming you're still at HS in KISD, so maybe you've seen them more than I have. I will NEVER pick Katy Taylor as a darkhorse for anything as long as Bill Lane is the head coach.

The comment about other teams moving up their best juniors to varsity? will katy only had 9 underclassmen on varsity this year, is that because their underclassmen were'nt good? I doubt it. It's a numbers thing.

I just think that community support at MRHS is already 3rd MAYBE 2nd above Cinco for football. When I was back home I saw a lot of spirit items for MRHS around town. Maybe they won't be good outta the gate, but I think they could contend with Cinco for 2nd best in KISD.

[Mini-Me]

ha ha, well I'm assuming you're still at HS in KISD, so maybe you've seen them more than I have. I will NEVER pick Katy Taylor as a darkhorse for anything as long as Bill Lane is the head coach.

The comment about other teams moving up their best juniors to varsity? will katy only had 9 underclassmen on varsity this year, is that because their underclassmen were'nt good? I doubt it. It's a numbers thing.

I just think that community support at MRHS is already 3rd MAYBE 2nd above Cinco for football. When I was back home I saw a lot of spirit items for MRHS around town. Maybe they won't be good outta the gate, but I think they could contend with Cinco for 2nd best in KISD.

Your assumption that I'm in high school is wrong. Far from it, I'm afraid. I live in Katy and attend alot of high school sports, particularly football games.

You make my point regarding the underclassmen. Imagine how good Katy's JV would have been had those 9 underclassmen been playing on the JV level. Fuda and Dean made huge contributions on the varisty level; imagine what they would have done to Morton Ranch on the JV level.

As to Katy Taylor, they have a bunch of kids (9, I believe) that started at one time or another coming back on the defensive side of the ball. They were in every game last year (if you count being down 6-3 to Katy at halftime as being "in the game"). Looks to me like they have a good shot at making some noise in 19 5A, but will likely be picked to finish in the bottom half of the district. Hence, the dark horse moniker.

[AZTiger]

point well made about JV

i know KISD football pretty well, and taylor has got athletes EVERY year, good ones in fact, and yet do NOTHING. they'll remain on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs are concerned once again

[LeanderLions3033]

I hope to God Westlake is in region 4 next year... I would love to see a game between my boys and yours.. especially next year because Seguin is going go field the best team they have in my life (Doesn't say much) but yeah.
If the UIL moves AISD schools to region 4 (which they shouldnt) then they better move district 15-5a to region 4. All i would ever hear from Westlake guys is how they did this in the playoffs and then how they did that in playoffs and all i could say is we're in region 2 and we have a tougher road to the finals. They then moved to region 2 and got their butts handed to them by the Leander's and the Pflugerville's. If they go back to region 4 and we dont, then they will just continue to add to their history (jealousy lol i know).

[HoldUp]

On the local level, I expect Morton Ranch to make some noise in 19-5a

If I were to say LOL to this it wouldn't explain the tickles I get from this post... Morton Ranch, don't expect anything from them in a while. My opinion of this school and the students that go to this school cannot be voiced due to everyone getting pissed.

[Mini-Me]

i know KISD football pretty well, and taylor has got athletes EVERY year, good ones in fact, and yet do NOTHING. they'll remain on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs are concerned once again

As I understand it, 4 teams from each district will make the playoffs next season under the new UIL rules. So I offer up a wager to you Mr. AZTiger....let's say an adult beverage of the winner's choice.....that the Taylor Mustangs make the playoffs in '06. :)

[AZTiger]

If I were to say LOL to this it wouldn't explain the tickles I get from this post... Morton Ranch, don't expect anything from them in a while. My opinion of this school and the students that go to this school cannot be voiced due to everyone getting pissed.

haven't you heard, its the new style of sports media....throw anything at the wall and see what sticks ;)

[AZTiger]

As I understand it, 4 teams from each district will make the playoffs next season under the new UIL rules. So I offer up a wager to you Mr. AZTiger....let's say an adult beverage of the winner's choice.....that the Taylor Mustangs make the playoffs in '06. :)

I'll take a Shiner Bock please ;)

Consider that a virtual handshake

[a&mconsoltiger]

i'd definitely have to say us, we made it to the state semi-finals and we have all our skill players returning + the #1 kicker in the nation

[westlake]

If the UIL moves AISD schools to region 4 (which they shouldnt) then they better move district 15-5a to region 4. All i would ever hear from Westlake guys is how they did this in the playoffs and then how they did that in playoffs and all i could say is we're in region 2 and we have a tougher road to the finals. They then moved to region 2 and got their butts handed to them by the Leander's and the Pflugerville's. If they go back to region 4 and we dont, then they will just continue to add to their history (jealousy lol i know).


Granted, but Westlake teams havent been as good lately.... since they moved to region 2. Either that or the other teams in the area have gotten better.... Hays Consol, A&M Consol, Leander, Pville, Cove.....

How many times has Seguin beat Westlake? 0 ?

[badger95]

LL, you have a good argument. I was one of those who had their chest out when speaking of Westlake's playoff success in the past. After the las two years I can say that the football in North Austin is excellent and has caught up with the Chaps. That is the biggest reason to be happy we are in South Austin and could end up back in Region IV.

I don't hold with my other Westlake fans in that we were down the last two years, especially this past year. Leander and Pflugerville each had excellent teams. Two years ago, they we underestimated. This year we got beat. 15-5A has the speed to neutralize our skill and discipline, unlike the AISD schools and San Antonio.

[Texasfrog]

LL, you have a good argument. I was one of those who had their chest out when speaking of Westlake's playoff success in the past. After the las two years I can say that the football in North Austin is excellent and has caught up with the Chaps. That is the biggest reason to be happy we are in South Austin and could end up back in Region IV.

I don't hold with my other Westlake fans in that we were down the last two years, especially this past year. Leander and Pflugerville each had excellent teams. Two years ago, they we underestimated. This year we got beat. 15-5A has the speed to neutralize our skill and discipline, unlike the AISD schools and San Antonio.

I would agree with most of what you say... The overall ability of the Northern Austin area teams has increased the last 5 years. Probably alot to do with the population "explosion" of the area and the talent pool increasing.

Overall.. San Antonio area has stepped up in my opinion. San Antonio was always known as having "ONE" good football team each year. Now, San Antonio is producing 3 to 4 very solid teams each year that seem to make serious runs in the playoffs and have proven they can play with anyone.

[Down n' Out]

On the local level, I expect Morton Ranch to make some noise in 19-5a
I think you might be right...I don't think they'll be at the bottom of the division. They could definetly surprise a few teams this year.