SEASON OUTLOOK
Linebacker Christian Sam
File photo by Kyle Dantzler
Southlake Carroll. A year ago, Carroll was nationally ranked and had to go on the road to take on Allen. Allen won convincingly 24-0, so Carroll will look to return the favor in 2013.
Question mark: Will the team's offensive line be able to buy Murray enough time? He can more than hold his own on broken plays, when he's forced to use his legs. However, the more he's running, the more likely an injury becomes. A healthy Murray is vital for Allen.
Local outlook: Allen leads a deep group of Texas teams this fall. DeSoto and Coppell also appear in the preseason Top 25. In the mammoth Dallas-Fort Worth Area, Southlake Carroll, Cedar Hill and Arlington Bowie are other teams to watch.
Overall outlook: For as impressive as Allen was a year ago, it could potentially be even better this fall. Last year, Allen was superb, but it also seemed to catch the metaphorical ball bounce its way. To repeat as the state champion, it will need to navigate another challenging regular season as well as the gauntlet that is the Class 5A-I playoff bracket -- a tall task for any team.
Coach quote: "What we do is not talk about trying to defend anything. That group is gone. We're trying to go out and win one."
- Head coach Tom Westerberg
