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Check out highlights of the Tigers' top players coming back, and hear insight from Zack Poff.
Head coach: Gary Joseph
Last season: 10-3, lost in 6A-1 Region 3 semifinals to North Shore, 20-17
Last decade: 140-13, four state titles
Famous alumni/players: Bengals QB Andy Dalton, country singer Clint Black, actress Renee Zellweger
Head coach Gary Joseph (right) stands along with several top returning players.
Photo by Leslie Johnson
PLAYERS TO WATCHRB Deondrick Glass (5-11, 190, Jr.) — The big contributor since his freshman season has 13 offers and is the No. 7 recruit in his class for Texas.
OT Connor Galvin (6-7, 250, Sr.) — The No. 67 recruit in the state has 17 offers including UCLA, Florida and Colorado.
DT Moro Ojomo (6-3, 265, Sr.) — Though he has 12 college offers, Oklahoma State appears to be his destination.
DE Michael Matus (6-2, 235, Sr.) — The Arizona State commit may play linebacker in college.
CB Keshon Rowe (5-11, 170 Sr.) — The defensive back earned All-District honors last season.
Running back Deondrick Glass
Photo by Leslie Johnson
KEY GAMES
Sept. 1 — vs. Westlake (Austin, Texas)
Sept. 8 — at Klein Collins (Spring, Texas)
Sept. 16 — vs. The Woodlands (Texas)
Offensive tackle Connor Galvin
Photo by Leslie Johnson
STORYLINES* After four straight state final appearances, a very young Tigers team fell a couple games short last season and lost three games for the first time since 2008. How will they respond?
* Glass was a MaxPreps freshman All-American and last year he rushed for 1,912 yards and 30 touchdowns. An injury kept him out of the season-ending defeat. Will he approach 2,500 yards in 2017?
* In close games, the Tigers have a serious advantage in 5-11, 190-pound senior kicker
Seth Small, who has already committed to Texas A&M.
* Three seniors shared the quarterback spot last year, primarily handled by Rocky Emery (1,747 yards, 19 touchdowns, 4 interceptions). Who will emerge at that spot?
* With a 178-17 record in 13 seasons as head coach — this is his 37th season at the school — Joseph has the second-highest winning percentage (.913) in Texas behind only 1A Richland Springs coach Jerry Burkart (188-14, .931). How much longer will he be the Tigers' leader?
Cornerback Keshon Rowe
Photos by Leslie Johnson
Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo