By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) has been off and running since its inception in 1996. 2008 is setting up to be another exciting year in TAPPS football. TAPPS may not get the recognition it might deserve, as much publicity at the big boys in UIL, but there are plenty of Division I athletes in TAPPS.
Houston St. Pius X is aiming for its third straight Division I championship, while Argyle Liberty, Waco Reicher, and Halletsville Sacred Heart are all attempting to repeat as champions in their respective divisions.
Here is the 2008 TAPPS High School football preview:
MaxPreps Final Computer Top 10_______________________________________________________________
1. Houston St. Pius X (11-2, Division I state champions)
2. Argyle Liberty Christian (12-1, Division II state champions)
3. Addison Trinity Christian (8-3, Lost Division I regional)
4. Beaumont Kelly Catholic (9-1, Lost Division I regional)
5. Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (10-3, Lost Division I state championship game)
6. Waco Reicher Catholic (12-2, Division III state champions)
7. Dallas Christian (12-3, Lost Division II state championship game)
8. Grapevine Faith Christian (13-1, Lost Division III state championship game)
9. Midland Christian (7-5, Lost Division II regional)
10. San Antonio Central Catholic (11-1, Lost Division I state semifinal)
(Note: Halletsville Sacred Heart won the Division IV state title game with a 39-8 victory over Fort Worth Calvary.)
2008 TAPPS Preseason Top 10__________________________________________________________________
1.) Houston St. Pius X (I)
Houston St. Pius X is aiming for its third straight Division I state title and fourth since 1996. RB Trey Nelson returns for the Panthers, rushing for 763 yards and eight TDs as a junior. K Anthony Fera was an All-State pick last season and also returns. DL Aaron Stephany and LB Anthony Allen return fresh off their First Team All-State selections as juniors. DL Neil Crumpton was a Second Team honoree and also returns for the Panthers.
2.) Tomball Concordia (II)
The Crusaders return First Team All-State selection FS Joshua Christian, who swiped six passes last season. Christian is also the starting QB, throwing for 1,810 yards and 19 TDs along with rushing for 10 TDs as a junior. LB Tommy Thompson logged 95 tackles last season, while DE Alex Roberts had 10 sacks. The Crusaders are a dangerous team heading into 2008.
3.) San Antonio Central Catholic (I)
enters the season fresh off a run to the Division I state final. QB Chase Nickerson moves from WR, while All-State WR Alexander Tovar returns as the top target following 496 receiving yards and 11 TDs as a junior. LB Patrick Joyce and DB Michael Elder return on defense. Joyce and Elder were Second Team All-State selections last season.
4.) Fort Worth Nolan (I)
Nolan has arguably the best QB in Division I, returning the run the air show for Nolan in 2008. Robert Ratliff threw for 2,689 yards and 27 TDs as a junior. OL Kyler Lamers was an All-State honorable mention pick last season. FS John Boudreaux was a Second Team All-State pick after posting 52 tackles and eight INTs.
5.) Argyle Liberty Christian (I)
Argyle Liberty looks to repeat as Division II state champions. RB Reid Fitzgerald is as good as it gets in TAPPS, rushing for 2,100 yards and 24 TDs in 2007. WR Adam Smith was a two-way All-State performer last season and caught 20 passes as a junior, but 11 went for TDs. LB Warren Kincaid and DB Bailey Brown are the main holdovers on defense. Kincaid posted 112 tackles last season and Brown, who could take over at quarterback, picked off five passes. The Warriors will be awfully difficult to beat in 2008.
6.) Waco Reicher Catholic (III)
QB Kenneth Cluley leads the charge for the Cougars in 2008. A First Team All-State selection in Division III, Cluley rushed for 1,613 yards and 26 TDs and added 2,008 yards and 13 TDs through the air in 2007. Cluley also was All-State in the secondary for Reicher Catholic. LB Ross Rasner joined Cluley on the All-State list and enters his senior season as a Division I prospect. Rasner posted 90 tackles and one INT last season.
7.) Dallas Christian (II)
Dallas Christian is talented enough to put a damper on Argyle Liberty Christian’s plans to repeat. QB Corey Brooks is a DI prospect and threw for 2,188 yards and 20 TDs last season. RB Garrison Baker is a speedy threat out the backfield who rushed for 953 yards and 12 TDs as a junior. Junior OL Chris Adcock was All-State honorable mention. LB Blake Rudd posted 136 tackles, six sacks, and 2 INTs last season as well as hauling in six receiving TDs. Rudd was a First Team All-State pick as was DB Caleb Withrow while DL Tyler Sutton earned Honorable Mention honors. Withrow picked off four passes last season.
8.) Dallas Parish Episcopal (I)
The Panthers return QB Brant Costilla. In 2007, Costilla threw for 1,463 yards and 12 TDs. RB Trey Morse had an outstanding campaign, totaling for 1,881 yards and 24 TDs. LB Ryan Simmons posted 111 tackles and anchors the defense. RB/DB Andre Brackens picked off five passes, returning two for TDs. On offense, Brackens averaged over 10 yards per carry and rushed for 848 yards and 17 TDs. Both Morse and Brackens were All-State honorees in the backfield, while Simmons joined them as a defensive selection.
9.) Dallas First Baptist (I)
First Baptist has another talented signal caller in Division II- District 2. QB Braden Frazier totaled 41 TDs last season, 30 of them through the air. Frazier threw for 2,801 yards as beat out Brooks as a First Team All-State pick. TE Bryce Frazier posted 185 receiving yards and 2 TDs as a sophomore last season. DB Austin Childers leads the defensive returnees after recording 85 tackles last season.
10.) Addison Trinity Christian (I)
Addison Trinity returns QB Johnny Catalano at after rushing for 1,077 yards and 15 TDs and adding 881 yards and 12 TDs through the air. RB Josh Fellows also returns coming off a season where he rushed for 763 yards and nine TDs. DL James Voelker was a Second Team All-State choice last season and returns to lead the defense. DL Johnny Adams returns after being named All-State honorable mention in 2007.
2008 TAPPS Preseason All-State Team__________________________________________________________
Offense
Quarterback: Braden Frazier, Dallas First Baptist
Backs: Kenneth Cluley, Waco Reicher Catholic; Josh Fellows, Addison Trinity
Receivers: Alexander Tovar, San Antonio Central Catholic; Jake Lawson, Argyle Liberty
Tight End: Adam Smith, Argyle Liberty
Line: James Voelkner, Addison Trinity; Johnny Adams, Addison Trinity; Aaron Miller, San Antonio Central Catholic; Chris Adcock, Dallas Christian (Jr.); Kyler Lamers, Fort Worth Nolan
Kicker: Anthony Fera, Houston St. Pius X
Utility: Corey Brooks, Dallas Christian
Defense
Line: Dion Chidozie, Dallas Bishop Lynch; Aaron Stephany, Houston St. Pius X; Neil Crumpton, Houston St. Pius X.
Linebackers: Anthony Allen, Houston St. Pius X; Blake Rudd, Dallas Christian; Patrick Joyce, San Antonio Central Catholic; Ross Rasner, Waco Reicher Catholic.
Secondary: Michael Elder, San Antonio Central Catholic; John Boudreaux, Fort Worth Nolan; JoshC Christian, Tomball Concordia; Caleb Withrow, Dallas Christian
Punter: Devin Evans, Dallas Bishop Dunne
DIVISION I
Division I- District 1 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Addison Trinity Christian (8-3)
Dallas Bishop Dunne (4-6) returns QB Andrew Kappes, who threw for 698 yards and nine TDs last season. DE/P Devin Evans, an honorable mention All-State pick, leads the defense.
Dallas Bishop Lynch (7-5) is led by DE Dion Chidozie, who is committed to Texas Tech. Chidozie registered 64 tackles and 10 sacks as a junior. RB Chris Smith comes off a campaign where he rushed for 662 yards and seven TDs. QB John Dodson threw for 884 yards and five TDs for the Vikings.
Fort Worth Nolan (10-3)
Gainesville State School (3-7) returns only two starters from an offense that was shut out four times in 2007. Five starters return on defense for the Tornadoes, led by three defensive linemen.
Grapevine Faith Christian (13-1, Division III) makes the huge jump to Division I this season. RB Jordan Dunnington rushed for 720 yards and 12 TDs for an offense that scored 672 points in 14 games (48 points per game). Sophomore QB Peter Ashton takes over and throwing for 535 yards and nine TDs. LB Greg Wright leads the defense.
Plano John Paul II (0-10) has a new stadium and a new coach as of last season. Plano John Paul II will now hope it can become competitive in TAPPS Division I after a rough 2007. Junior QB Gage Anderle is the leading returnee posting three passing TDs for John Paul II.
Division I- District 2 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Austin St. Michael’s (6-5) returns QB Mike McNamara, who threw for 1,447 yards and 18 TDs. WR Stephen Dunnigan is a viable option in the passing game. DL Sean Cady leads the Crusaders defense, posting 96 tackles as a junior to earn All-State honorable mention.
Brownsville St. Joseph’s (0-10) had a difficult 2007 season and enters the 2008 season looking to improve.
Harlingen Marine Military (3-6) has a young squad, led on offense by junior RB Duran Hollis. Hollis earned a Second Team All-State selection as a sophomore. Sophomore LB J.T. Whitteker posted 50 tackles as a freshman and joints DB Andrew Hampton on defense. Hampton had four INTs in 2007.
San Antonio Antonian Prep (4-5) QB Joey Park takes over as the signal caller for the Buttons after having a solid sophomore campaign as a receiver in 2007. Matt Smith returns at RB after rushing for 229 yards and three TDs last season. LB Travis Crane and DB Raynor Mendoza return to lead the defense.
San Antonio Central Catholic (11-1)
San Antonio Holy Cross (6-4) returns key RB Paul Duenes returns off his 200 yards and three TDs as a junior. The Knights should be set on defense with the return LB’s Ramiro Garcia and junior Dennis Cuellar. DB Joran Montez intercepted three passes last season and returns in the secondary.
San Antonio St. Anthony’s (3-8) moves from Division II up to Division I this season. RB Daniel Romero rushed for 665 yards and five TDs last season and is back for the Yellowjackets. WR Cole Jones got for touchdown passes last season and leads the receiving corps. DL Chance Reinhardt leads the returnees on defense.
Division I- District 3 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Beaumont Monsignor Kelly (9-1) defeated eventual champion St. Pius X before losing in the regional final to Fort Worth Nolan. FB Matthew Lighty rushed for 450 yards and three TDs, while WR Sharrod Narcise hauled in six touchdown passes in 2007. QB/DB Stanleigh Sullivan was an All-State honorable mention pick last season as a sophomore on offense. LB Chris Quinn recorded 70 tackles in 2007 and returns to boost the Bulldogs defense.
Houston St. Pius X (11-2)
Houston St. Thomas (3-7) returns RB Conor Mills, who rushed for 345 yards and four TDs last season. Junior RB Ian Stout is player to watch on offense. LB’s Paul Rogers and Kyle Willard lead the Eagles defense into 2008.
Division I- Independent Preview_________________________________________________________________
El Paso Cathedral (1-9) returns seven starters on offense and all but one on defense. QB Seth Brown threw for 470 yards and seven TDs last season for the Fighting Irish. WR Bryan Herrera returns to lead the wide outs. DE Christian Canada posted 65 tackles and three sacks last season and returns to lead the defense.
2007 Division I Playoffs_________________________________________________________________________
Regional
Houston St. Pius X 24, Addison Trinity 10
San Antonio Central Catholic 37, Austin St. Michaels 22
Dallas Bishop Lynch 30, San Antonio Holy Cross 6
Fort Worth Nolan 28, Beaumont Kelly 24
Semifinals
Houston St. Pius X 38, San Antonio Central Catholic 10
Fort Worth Nolan 33, Dallas Bishop Lynch 3
Division I State Championship
Houston St. Pius X 38, Fort Worth Nolan 13
DIVISION II
Division II- District 1 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Argyle Liberty Christian (12-2)
Arlington Grace Prep (5-5) returns junior QB Morgan Kenyon from a regional qualifier last season. Kenyon threw for 1,454 yards and 10 TDs as a sophomore and added eight rushing TDs. RB Jerrit McCreight is the leading returnee in the backfield, scoring five rushing TDs as a junior. The Lions lost just 13 players to graduation from last season and are a good bet to improve in 2008.
Fort Worth Christian (6-6) returns QB Chris Chapman, who totaled seven TDs as a junior in 2007. The varsity roster was loaded with underclassmen last season and the Cardinals are hoping to improve this time around.
Fort Worth Southwest (2-8) will have two quarterbacks to count on in Payton Johnson and Walker Johnson. Johnson also doubles as a wide receiver, checking with 257 receiving yards and two TDs last season.
Midland Christian (7-5) fared quite well offensively in 2007, scoring 49 points or more four times. RB Derick Perkins is back, rushing for 671 yards and 10 TDs last season. DB Collin Elder, 63 tackles, and sophomore DB Hunter Redman return. Redman picked off four passes in 2007 as a freshman.
Division II- District 2 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Dallas Christian (12-3)
Dallas First Baptist (7-5)
Dallas Parish Episcopal (9-4)
Plano Prestonwood (4-8) had a roller coaster season in 2007, losing its first six games before winning four straight. Junior QB Kaleb Kyper returns after throwing for 1,190 yards and 12 TDs as a sophomore. WR Luke Taylor caught five TD passes. LB Aaron Epperson recorded 118 tackles last season, while DE Brandon Brisco was a Second Team All-State selection after posting 77 tackles.
Cedar Hill Trinity (6-5) moves from Division III this season. RB Dominique Rambo will look to continue his assault on the All-State list. As a junior, Rambo garnered Second Team honors after rushing for 1,497 yards and 16 TDs. Rambo even threw for two TDs on just two attempts last season. QB Jacobie King threw for 1,280 yards and 14 TDs. DL Nick Bourgeois and K Kenny Roseman joined Rambo on the All-State team in 2007.
Tyler Bishop Gorman (1-9) returns RB Kevin Navetta, who rushed for 1,900 yards and 20 TDs last season. Navetta is a good start for the Crusaders to improve. LB Ricky Hand, 87 tackles, leads the defense.
Tyler Grace Community (7-2, Independent) joins TAPPS Division II, unfortunately for the other participants in this district. Grace Community defeated Dallas Parish last season, 48-41. OL Tyler Gleitz leads the offensive line and is a dandy. Watch this space. Grace Community should have no problems adjusting to the trials on tribulations of TAPPS football.
Division II- District 3 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Austin Hyde Park (5-6) is up from Division III in 2008. LB J.D. King was a Second Team All-State selection a year ago and looks to help ease the transition for the Panthers.
Giddings State School (1-7) had a rough go of it in 2007 with its one win. The Indians were competitive last season and are looking to increase their win total.
San Antonio Christian (7-4) is loaded with returnees from All-State honors. QB Wilson Vick threw for 2,529 yards and 29 TDs. WR Cheston Goudge had 1,199 receiving yards and 11 TDs last season. Junior RB Kyle Pawelek rushed for 660 yards and 11 TDs. OL Aaron Miller was a Second Team selection. On defense, DB Buster Williams returns to lead the Lions coming off an All-State season.
San Antonio TMI Episcopal (4-7) enters the season in decent shape. Nine starters are back on both sides of the football. Junior RB/LB Austin Carr is the leading returning starter on both sides. Carr had two interceptions last season, returning one for a score.
San Marcos Baptist (4-7) moves from Division III for 2008. WR/DB Jake Marcum was the leader for the Bears, hauling in three TDs and rushing for seven more. Only three starters return on both sides of the ball, so the transition should be difficult at first.
Victoria St. Joseph (10-2) has four players returning that were All-State selections. OL Mark Towes in the All-State returnee on offense, while Kier Wells and Brian Arquisola were honored on the DL. DB Trent Wagner joined Wells on the First Team. The wildcard for the Flyers is QB Andre Delbosque, who threw for 3 TDs on six completions before falling to injury.
Division II- District 4 Preview____________________________________________________________________
Houston Lutheran North (7-4) stormed out to win its first five games last season before faltering late. The Lions are back for a similar start in 2008 with a better outcome. Junior QB Marquis Fruge returns, fresh off a campaign where he produced15 total TDs. Junior LB Matthew Hatcher recorded 61 tackles and six sacks last season and leads the Lions defense.
Houston Lutheran South (3-7) finished the 2007 season on a high note by winning its final game over Fort Bend Baptist. QB David Bumgardner returns with experience. LB Jon King had 77 tackles last season and sophomore DB John Fuhrman had two INTs.
Houston Northland Christian (3-7) returns RB Stuart Trahan off his 10 rushing TDs a year ago. QB Shane Knight returns to run the offense. LB Matt Lee is a load and returns to lead the defense, while S Joe Cate had three INTs last season.
Houston Second Baptist (8-4) is led offensively by junior QB Connor Wood. Wood threw for 2,200 yards and 24 TDs as a sophomore. RB John Buckley rushed for 12 TDs to pace the offense. LB Chris Duncan was all over the place, logging 144 tackles last season.
Houston Westbury Christian (0-10) will be looking to improve in 2008. That improvement starts with the hiring of Florida State’s former Heisman Trophy winner Charlie Ward as its head coach. Ward knows the game and will be a huge grab for the Wildcats. Ward was an assistant with Westbury last season.
Sugar Land Fort Bend Baptist Academy (3-7) has sophomore LB Josh Wood to build around. Wood posted 77 tackles last season. WR Wes Kennedy will get more production in the offense.
Tomball Concordia (10-4)
2007 Division II Playoffs________________________________________________________________________
Bi-District
Midland Christian 56, Plano Prestonwood 28
Dallas Christian 65, Fort Worth Christian 7
Houston Christian 37, San Antonio TMI 6
Victoria St. Joseph 31, Houston Lutheran North 13
Tomball Concordia 43, San Antonio Christian 33
Houston Second Baptist 56, San Antonio St. Anthony 32
Dallas Parish Episcopal 28, Arlington Grace Prep 12
Argyle Liberty 41, Dallas First Baptist 0
Regional
Dallas Christian 52, Midland Christian 27
Houston Christian 21, Victoria St. Joseph 8
Tomball Concordia 28, Houston Second Baptist 16
Argyle Liberty 55, Dallas Parish 15
Semifinal
Dallas Christian 48, Houston Christian 28
Argyle Liberty, Tomball Concordia
Division II State Championship
Argyle Liberty 28, Dallas Christian 7
DIVISION III
2007 District Standings_________________________________________________________________________
Division III-District 1
Division III-District 2
Division III-District 3
Division III-District 4
Division III Teams to Watch_____________________________________________________________________
Arlington Pantego Christian (8-4): Junior QB Nathan Hohulin threw for 1,452 yards and 12 TDs last season. Junior LB Jacob Attaway posted 158 tackles.
Bullard Brook Hill (7-4): RB Julius Johnson rushed for 2,399 yards and 28 TDs last season. LB Lake Molidor leads the defense.
League City Bay Area (12-1): TE Austin Kennedy was a First Team All-State pick. LB Will Weeks and WR Karlis Ercums also saw postseason honors for the Broncos. Broncos’ offense scored 610 points in 13 games in 2007.
2007 Division III Playoffs________________________________________________________________________
Bi-District
Waco Reichner 55, Carrollton Christian 15
Carrollton American Heritage 50, Cedar Hill Trinity 28
Austin School for the Deaf 20, Beaumont Legacy 18
Austin Regents 47, Baytown Christian 0
Austin Hyde Park 29, Katy Faith West 13
League City Bay Area 68, San Marcos Baptist 7
Arlington Pantego 49, Richardson Canyon Creek 24
Grapevine Faith 54, Flower Mound Coram Deo 0
Regional
Waco Reicher 20, Carrollton American Heritage 17
Austin Regents 42, Austin School for the Deaf 12
League City Bay Area 46, Austin Hyde Park 0
Grapevine Faith 52, Arlington Pantego 3
Semifinal
Waco Reicher 15, Austin Regents 9
Grapevine Faith 28, League City Bay Area 6
Division III State Championship
Waco Reicher 41, Grapevine Faith 7
DIVISION IV
2007 District Standings_________________________________________________________________________
Division IV-District 1
Division IV-District 2
Division IV-District 3
Division IV-District 4
2007 Division IV Playoffs________________________________________________________________________
Regional
Halletsville Sacred Heart 52, Bryan St. Joseph 10
Colleyville Covenant 41. Bullard Brook Hill 21
Shiner St. Paul 33, Waco Christian 14
Fort Worth Calvary 24, Rockwall Christian 12
Semifinal
Halletsville Sacred Heart 17, Colleyville Covenant 14
Fort Worth Calvary 32, Shiner St. Paul 14
Division IV State Championship
Halletsville Sacred Heart 39, Fort Worth Calvary 8
Statistic Submission___________________________________________________________________________
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