Texas: Liberty Hill Looks to Sustain 3A Dominance

By Scott Hansen

MaxPreps.com

En route to the 3A-Division I state title last season, Liberty Hill wasn’t challenged. Not even close.

In its state championship game victory over Gilmer, Liberty Hill (14-0, 4-0, 8-3A) was punched in the nose as Gilmer’s Justin Johnson took the opening kickoff 77 yards to paydirt. From there, however, Liberty Hill took control. The Panthers rushed for 342 yards and did not even attempt a pass in the 35-13 victory, Liberty Hill’s second straight 3A triumph.

An ultra-productive running game is Liberty Hill’s identity. Over the past four seasons, the Panthers have had five different running backs surpass 2,000 rushing yards. Last season, Liberty Hill’s top two backs were unstoppable. Dustin Gonzales rushed for 2,300 yards and 33 touchdowns while fullback Doug Allman rumbled his way to 1,802 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Brent Whitbeck could be the heir apparent to Gonzales and Allman. Another option is All-State linebacker Cody Lattimore.

Nine starters are back this season as Liberty Hill brings a 24-game winning streak into 2008. Quarterback Braden Fickel (544 passing yards, 8 TDs in just 13 completions) has a very simple task; get the ball to whoever occupies the running back spots. Fickel leads an offense that eclipsed 50 points nine times in the past two seasons.

Lattimore (85 tackles) and cornerback Dusty Turner (2 INTs) are the key returning starters on defense for the Panthers. Lattimer was the District MVP in 18-3A last season.

Celina (16-0, 7-0, 9-3A) had a similar path to its title in 3A-II. Seven times last season the Bobcats surpassed 50 points, including a 70-21 victory over Glen Rose in the regional final. Celina is 47-1 over the past three seasons with two state championships. Its last loss was to Liberty Hill in the 2006 3A-II state final.

Running backs Charley Waldrep (1,779 rushing yards, 35 TDs) and Troy McCartney (1,138 rushing yards, 13 TDs) give the Bobcats enough to be excited about heading into 2008. Waldrep scored the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of a 21-14 victory over China Spring in the state championship game.

Junior linebacker Caleb Lavey (114 tackles) is already regarded as an emerging prospect in the world of recruiting. Lavey was named the Defensive MVP in 9-3A as a sophomore.

Despite the supreme dominance of Liberty Hill and Celina over 3A football over the past three seasons, Navasota (9-4, 3-2, 24-3A) has a lot to look forward to in 2008.

The Rattlers have a Texas high school football version of “The Triplets” this season. Quarterback Jacolby Stokes (1,922 yards passing, 18 TDs), running back Dexter Pratt (2,054 rushing yards, 20 TDs), and wide receiver Brandal Jackson (756 receiving yards, 8 TDs) make up a tough matchup for any team.

On defense for Navasota, linebacker Eugene Castillo (151 tackles) and sophomore free safety Kye Hildreth (76 tackles, 5 INTs) expect to lead an improved unit.

Brownwood (6-4, 2-3, 2-3A) possess arguably the top quarterback in 3A this season in Casey Pachall (1,399 passing yards, 9 TDs; 465 rushing yards, 4 TDs). Pachall has verbally committed to TCU. Wide receiver Parker Taylor (398 receiving yards, 4 TDs) will hook up with Pachall often. Linebacker Kenny Vaccaro (103 tackles, 4 INTs) is another Division I prospect for the Lions. Brownwood drops from 4A this season.

Waco La Vega (13-1, 5-0, 19-3A) has plenty of offensive weapons, led by junior running back Chris Parr (1,762 rushing yards, 18 TDs). Quarterback Danzel Wilson (1,657 passing yards, 17 TDs) is a three-year starter. Daryl Curl (6-1, 305) is an All-State candidate on the offensive line. On defense, defensive tackle Tim Kemp (80 tackles) and cornerback Daxton Swanson (3 INTs) lead the way.

China Spring (14-2, 4-1, 7-3A) has one of the top targets in the passing game in all of 3A in wide receiver Mike Hicks (89 receptions, 1,462 receiving yards, 13 TDs). Junior quarterback Brian Bell (301 passing yards, 4 TDs) gets the nod in 2008. Strong safety Ryan Boutwell (130 tackles) leads the defense. Hicks made his presence known on defense with 143 tackles. Kicker James French (54-54 PAT; 46 long FG) was All-State in 2007.

Sealy (7-4, 6-1, 25-3A) returns seven starters on offense and eight on defense heading into 2008. Junior running back Dexter Downey (725 rushing yards, 9 TDs) is the leader on offense coming off a campaign where he was named Newcomer of the Year in District in 24-3A. Linebacker Orie King (45 tackles, 1 INT), junior safety Seth Jamison (90 tackles), and sophomore linebacker Cass Mitchell head the returnees on defense.

Cuero (12-3, 4-0, 28-3A) junior quarterback Tyler Arndt (2,507 passing yards, 23 TDs, 70 percent completions) is the trigger man. Wide receiver Robert Armstrong (975 receiving yards, 8 TDs) is Arndt’s favorite target. Linebacker Jake Ranglow (106 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 INT) and Armstrong (4 INTs) lead five returning starters on defense.

West Orange-Stark (11-2, 7-0, 21-3A) returns six starters on offense, led by quarterback Ortavious Hypolite (1,070 passing yards, 11 TDs; 594 rushing yards, 14 TDs). Hypolite could be a Division I talent by the end of the season. Running back Quintavious Garrett (638 rushing yards) joins Hypolite in the backfield for the Mustangs attempting to fill the shoes of his brother DePauldrick, who was the District MVP. Linebacker Robert Jiles is another highly-talented player for West Orange-Stark. Jiles was a unanimous All-District pick last season.

Corpus Christi West Oso (8-3, 4-1, 31-3A) running back Shedrick Howard (1,113 rushing yards, 13 TDs) leads the offense for the Bears. Junior quarterback William Tortorello (3 total TDs) takes over as the starting quarterback after seeing significant duty last season. Linebacker John Baldwin and Howard are the leaders on the defense. Howard also picked off six passes on defense.

Farmersville (13-2, 6-2, 13-3A) is a team of note heading into this season. Farmersville won the 2A-Division I state title last season. Junior quarterback Austin Brooks (1,300 passing yards, 21 TDs) returns, as does a fellow All-District performer in fullback Nickevian Taylor. Juniors Payton Adams and Michael Thompson were All-District on the offensive line. Sophomore cornerback Chase Wiggins was All-District as a freshman and leads the defense.

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Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 3A Top 25

Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason 3A All-State

 Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason 3A All-State

Offense

QB – Casey Pachall, Brownwood

Pachall, a TCU verbal, threw for 1,339 yards and nine scores as a junior in 4A.  Pachall also added 465 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground for the Lions. Pachall was a Second Team All-District pick in 16-4A in 2007.

RB – Chris Whaley, Madisonville

Whaley already possess a Division I frame and has the speed to go with it. The University of Texas commit rushed for 2,119 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior along with taking three of his five receptions for touchdowns. Whaley was the District MVP in 19-3A in 2007.

RB – Dexter Pratt, Navasota

Pratt is the main reason why there is buzz in Navasota entering 2008. Pratt rushed for 2,054 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2007. Pratt was the Offensive MVP in District 23-3A last season for his stellar output. Pratt is verbally committed to LSU.

WR – Mike Hicks, China Spring

Hicks was named first team All-State selection by the Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) after snagging 89 passes for 1,462 yards and 13 touchdowns. Hicks was the Newcomer of the Year in his district as a freshman and has not stopped yet.

WR – Brady Brown, Argyle

Brown used his 6-foot-5 frame to gain an advantage and second team All-State honors by TSWA. Brown caught 95 passes for 1,074 yards and 12 touchdowns. Brown, considered a major Division I talent, was a First Team All-District pick in 8-3A last season.

TE – Jeremy Masterson, Ferris (Jr.)

Masterson, just a junior, is an emerging talent for the Yellowjackets. As a sophomore, Masterson earned a first team All-District selection in 13-3A after catching 16 passes for 431 yards and six touchdowns. Masterson averaged 26.9 yards per catch last season.

OL – Daryl Curl, Waco La Vega

(6-1, 305) While paving the way for Chris Parr, Carl earned himself a second team All-State selection by TSWA as a junior.

OL – Daniel Samia, Snyder

(6-3, 295) Samia played in only seven games as a junior, grading out at 80 percent and posting 63 knockdowns and 11 pancake blocks for the Tigers.

OL – Andrew Ratliff, Llano

(6-5, 285) Ratliff was a first team All-District selection as a junior for the Yellow Jackets, recording a devastating 87 pancake blocks.

OL – Chas Eads, Argyle

(6-2, 240) Whether it was give Argyle’s quarterback sufficient time to find Brown or helping open holes for 1,000-yard rusher Kyle Frizzel, Eads did the work. Eads was a First Team All-District pick in 8-3A in 2007.

OL – Cullen Jahn, Yoakum

(6-0, 210) Jahn has to be technically sound given his disadvantage in size. As a junior, Jahn was a unanimous choice to the All-District unit in 29-3A.

K – James French, China Spring

French alleviated any special teams worries for China Springs in its trek to the 3A-II title game. French was a Second Team All-State pick by TSWA after drilling all 54 of his PATs and adding a long field goal of 46 yards.

Defense

DL – Quinn Anthony, Rusk

Anthony is considered a Division I prospect after back-to-back All-District selections for the Eagles. Anthony has displayed the ability to play inside at tackle and outside at end in his career.

DL – Ryan Boutwell, China Spring

Boutwell was a second team All-State selection by TSWA as a junior. Boutwell posted 130 tackles last season for the Cougars and also earned an All-District honor in 17-3A.

DL – Terrance Dellums, Dallas Roosevelt

Dellums, at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, has the ability to terrorize offensive linemen this season. Dellums was a first team All-District pick in 11-3A as a junior.

DL – Marshall Lambrecht, Gonzales

Lambrecht earned All-District honors in 29-3A last season for the Apaches. Lambrecht also doubles as the center for Gonzales. Lambrecht also excels in baseball.

LB – Cody Lattimore, Liberty Hill

Lattimore anchored Liberty Hill’s championship-winning defense, earning a second team All-State pick by TSWA. Lattimore posted 85 tackles as a junior and looks to become vital on offense in 2008 at running back.

LB – Alex Buckley, Palacios

Buckley kept the statisticians at Palacios busy in 2007. Buckley posted 134 tackles, 11 sacks, nine forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries, and two interceptions. Buckley was named the Defensive MVP in 29-3A last season.

LB – Nik Hammett, Rockdale

Hammett, at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds, was a bear for the opposition last season. Hammett logged 80 tackles, 17 of them for a loss, as a junior and was unanimous choice to the All-District team in 18-3A. Hammett is committed to attend Rice.

DB – Kodey Dixon, Brownfield

Dixon excelled on both sides of the football as a junior. On offense, Dixon rushed for 456 yards and five touchdowns. As a 4-3A All-District performer on defense, Dixon recorded 36 tackles and two interceptions.

DB – Markeith Smith, West Oso

Smith was a first team All-District selection in 32-3A last season for the Bears. Along with averaging 10 yards per carry for three touchdowns on offense, Smith leads a defense that returns eight starters.

DB – Kenny Vaccaro, Brownwood

Vaccaro, a University of Texas verbal, is arguably the top defensive prospect in 3A. As a junior, Vaccaro was a unanimous All-District honoree in 16-4A after posting 103 tackles and four interceptions.

DB – Tristan Warren, Brownsboro

Warren showed his big-play potential on offense, going for 450 yards and five touchdowns on just 20 receptions to earn All-District honors in 14-3A. Warren is expected to have an outstanding season on defense as a senior after picking off five passes as a junior.

P – Carlos Ortiz, Tornillo

Other Returning TSWA All-State Performers

Ckody Burton, WR, Gonzales (Jr.)

Burton’s 1,432-yard outburst in the receiving department broke the school record and earned him All-State honors. Burton added 23 touchdowns and enters his third year as a starter for the Apaches.

Eric Rojas, DL, Palacios

Along with teammate Alex Buckley, Rojas put up quite the impressive stat sheet as a junior. Rojas recorded 105 tackles, 18 sacks, and five fumble recoveries in 2007. Rojas was a unanimous All-District choice in 29-3A for his efforts.

Returning 3A Stat Leaders

Passing

Derek Thompson, Glen Rose, 3,273

Cameron Green, Bridgeport, 2,790

Darian Godfrey, Gilmer, 2,727

Kyle Jackson, Estacado, 2,713

Johnny Esparza, Lyford, 2,693

Si’Darius Blackshire, Carthage, 2,600

Rushing

Matthew Tucker, Tyler Chapel Hill, 2,300

Chris Whaley, Madisonville, 2,119

Dexter Pratt, Navasota, 2,054

Francisco Jaquez, Fort Stockton, 1,948

Charley Waldrep, Celina, 1,779

D.J. Morrow, Westwood, 1,650

Receiving

Mike Hicks, China Spring, 1,462

Ckody Burton, Gonzales, 1,432

Andrew Delgado, Lyford, 1,289

Brady Brown, Argyle, 1,074

Robert Armstrong, Cuero, 975

Colby Hoover, Emory Rains, 964

Interceptions

Meliton Trejon, Zapata, 10

Dequentus Smith, Gladewater; Hagan Daigle, Hamshire-Fannett, 7

Travis Garay, Fabens; Shedrick Howard, West Oso; Corbin Green, Bridgeport; Howard Harris, Madisonville; Ryan Bronson, Jasper, 6