By Scott Hansen
MaxPreps.com
Preseason predictions are mostly a crapshoot. Sometimes the experts are right, and sometimes they are dead wrong. As we enter the 2008 season when looking at the race in Texas 2A, it becomes more of a crapshoot. We know this, there will be two new state champions in 2A this season. From there, it gets a little sketchy.
Last season’s 2A-Division I state champion Farmersville has moved on to 3A. Canadian, the 2A-II state champions, dropped to 1A.
Despite both trophies being up for grabs, it makes sense that Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has placed Cisco atop its rankings as the 2008 sneaks closer upon us.
Cisco (14-1 overall, 5-0 district, 6-2A) has compiled a 28-3 mark over the past 31 games. Last season, the Loboes started with a 14-0 record by rushing for over 415 yards per game. In the 2A-II semifinals Cisco bowed out to Canadian, 17-6.
The Loboes can count on efficient quarterback play this season to counter its smash-mouth running game. Signal caller Josh Bridges threw for 1,450 yards in 2007, along with 21 touchdowns. Bridges completed 61 percent of his passes and threw just two interceptions as a junior, earning District 10-2A Offensive MVP honors.
Running back Robert Medina is a proven option in Cisco’s running game. Medina was an All-District performer after rushing for 1,290 yards and 19 touchdowns. Joe Wells and Jacob Bridges join Medina as returning All-District honorees and anchor the offensive line.
Medina also picked up an All-District honor as a linebacker after recording 88 tackles. Bridges and junior Tanner Garcia were two other returnees that earned postseason recognition with Bridges being named preseason All-State by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
Pilot Point (6-4, 4-3, 10-2A) returns five starters on offense and seven on defense as it drops from 3A. Running back Cooper Guthrie (1,043 rushing yards, 10 TDs) and wide receiver Jarman Johnson (296 receiving yards, 2 TDs) were All-District last season, as was offensive lineman Colt Walker. Linebacker Karl Anderson (88 tackles) leads the defensive returnees.
Early (10-4, 7-0, 8-2A) looks to improve from a state semifinal appearance last season. The Longhorns were the last team to beat Cisco in the regular season when they claimed a 32-20 victory to open the 2006 season.
At the skilled positions, the Longhorns are expected to excel once again. Quarterback Nick Lyle (2,348 passing yards, 14 TDs) and running back Collin Rome (1,662 rushing yards, 15 TDs) return in the backfield. Wide receivers Cody Ballard (548 receiving yards, 5 TDs) and Seth Coolbaugh (426 receiving yards, 5 TDs) both give Lyle vertical options in the passing game. Safety Shane Morris (64 tackles, 4 INTs) and Rome (65 tackles) lead the defense.
Arp (10-4, 4-2, 19-2A) is another team loaded with an impressive arsenal on offense. Quarterback Will Allen (1,497 passing yards, 16 TDs) and junior running back Lavocheya Cooper (402 rushing yards, 12 total TDs) are the top returnees. On defense, linebacker Garrett Williams (90 tackles), defensive end Richard Bradley (67 tackles, 2 sacks), defensive end Dejuan Lee (44 tackles, 3 sacks), and Cooper (3 INTs) anchor an impressive defense.
Crane (10-2, 6-0, 4-2A) returns eight starters on offense and nine on defense. Quarterback Lloyd Chisum (1,646 passing yards, 17 TDs; 7 rushing TDs) and three running backs will be difficult to stop in 2008. Junior Cody Black (660 rushing yards, 10 TDs), Jordan Mendoza (552 rushing yards, 6 TDs), and junior Teague Esparza (552 rushing yards, 6 TDs) give the Golden Cranes three different options in the backfield. Wide receiver Justin Carrasco (755 receiving yards, 12 TDs) gives Chisum a deep threat. Chisum was the District Offensive MVP in 7-2A, while Carrasco was the Defensive MVP for his work at defensive back
Hitchcock (10-2, 5-0, 29-2A) has arguably one of the most exciting players in 2A with wide receiver Jordan Turner (618 receiving yards; 1,042 rushing yards, 11 TDs). Quarterback Morris Tuck (2,229 passing yards, 31 TDs) and junior wide receiver Devante Provost (689 receiving yards, 11 TDs) are capable of putting points on the board in a hurry. Junior running back Darius Dotson (570 rushing yards) is a potential major Division I recruit.
De Kalb (8-5, 5-1, 12-2A) is another team loaded with experience after losing four of its first five games before righting the ship. Seven starters are back on offense, led by running back Brandon Holloway and fullback Zach Jones. Jones was the Offensive MVP in District 15-2A last season, while Holloway earned first team honors. Nick LaToof was All-District as a defensive back and kicker in 2007.
Elysian Fields (14-2, 6-1, 18-2A) was leading 13-7 after the first quarter of the Division II final before Canadian exploded for 26 second quarter. Running back Joe Benefield (2,090 rushing yards, 21 TDs) is one of two starters back on offense and a pretty good one. Benefield is considered a Division I prospect. Then there’s defensive end Kyle Kriegel (128 tackles, 15 sacks), who is verbally committed to Texas. Linebackers Dustin Brown (105 tackles, 4 INTs) and Tyler Busby (113 tackles, 11 sacks) join Kriegel. If you are going to have just three starters back on defense, Kriegel, Brown, and Busby are a good start.
Newton (9-3, 5-0, 22-2A) will rely on a stingy defense this season. Linebacker Mike Jenkins (120 tackles) was the co-Defensive MVP in 23-2A as a junior. Junior defensive end Malcolm Mattox (99 tackles, 8 sacks) was an All-District performer in 2007 and is one to watch in the world of recruiting. On offense, James Burch (895 rushing yards, 12 TDs), wide receiver Stephen Alfred (380 receiving yards, 9 TDs), and 6-foot-5 receiver Jacoby Ross (189 receiving yards, 7 TDs on 12 receptions) lead six returning starters.
Altair Rice Consolidated (13-2, 6-1, 26-2A) has a top-notch running back in Zacchaeus Foster (2,643 rushing yards, 31 TDs). Foster is a legitimate 4.4 guy and averaged 8.8 yards per tote as a junior. Six-foot-five wide out Marquis Toliver (687 receiving yards, 5 TDs) will give any secondary in 2A fits. Linebacker Tanner Williams (136 tackles, 2 sacks) anchors a defense that has seven starters back from 2007.
Caddo Mills (12-1, 5-0, 13-2A) will need no extra motivation entering this season. The Foxes won 12 straight to open the campaign before falling to eventual champion Farmersville in the Division I regional final. Junior running back Nathan Jeffrey (2,239 rushing yards, 37 TDs) averaged 10.8 yards per carry last season, earning District MVP honors in 12-2A. Defensive end Ryan Calender (74 tackles, 19 for loss, 6 sacks) is a 6-foot-8 walking mismatch and is committed to Arkansas. Calender is on the preseason All-State list as a tight end.
McGregor (8-4, 4-1, 16-2A) returns 10 starters on defense and enters 2008 as one of the team’s to watch. Linebacker Hector Rodriguez leads the defense after being named Defensive MVP in District 21-2A last season. Defensive end Jared Green, linebacker Harvey Lee, and junior defensive back Cruz Chaires all earned first team honors in on the All-District team last season. Three other returning starters were named to the second team.
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football 2A Top 25
1. Cisco (14-1, 5-0)
2. Pilot Point (6-4, 4-3)
3. Early (10-4, 7-0)
4. Arp (10-4, 7-0)
5. Crane (10-2, 5-0)
6. Hitchcock (10-2, 5-0)
7. De Kalb (8-5, 5-1)
8. Elysian Fields (14-2, 6-1)
9. Newton (9-3, 5-0)
10. Altair Rice Consolidated (13-2, 6-1)
11. Caddo Mills (12-1, 5-0)
12. Blanco (11-2, 5-0)
13. Kirbyville (11-2, 6-1)
14. Clyde (7-4, 3-1)
15. McGregor (8-4, 4-1)
16. Winnsboro (10-2, 5-0)
17. Refugio (13-1, 6-0)
18. East Bernard (9-4, 4-1)
19. Idalou (13-1, 5-0)
20. Daingerfield (9-3, 7-0)
21. White Oak (1-9, 0-5)
22. Troy (9-3, 6-1)
23. Childress (10-2, 5-0)
24. Salado (13-1, 7-0)
25. Ballinger (8-4, 5-2)
Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Preseason 2A All-State
Offense
QB – Nick Lyle, Early
Lyle threw for 2,348 yards through the air and added 14 touchdowns as a junior for Longhorns. Lyle was an All-District selection in 6-2A last season as a punter. Expect him to expand on that in 2008 while leading Early in 8-2A.
RB – Kita West, Groveton
West was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) All-State second team as a junior in 1A. West, who was also the District MVP in 23-1A last season, rushed for more than 2,000 yards.
RB – Zacchaeus Foster, Rice Consolidated
Foster named as a first team All-State performer by TSWA last season. Foster rushed for 2,643 yards and 31 touchdowns and did it at a clip of 8.8 yards per carry. Foster was also a First Team All-District honoree in 28-2A as a junior.
WR – Jamie Smith, Hearne
Smith was an All-District performer for the Eagles as a junior in 20-2A. Smith grabbed 67 passes from All-District quarterback Justin Evans for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns.
WR – Randy Musgrove, Kirbyville
Musgrove was named to the All-District unit in 21-3A last season after displaying his big play ability. On 44 receptions, Musgrove piled up 1,044 yards and 12 touchdowns, an average of 23.7 yards per grab. Might want to put two defenders on Musgrove this season.
TE – Ryan Calender, Caddo Mills
At 6-foot-8, Calender has a high ceiling of potential. The Arkansas verbal was unstoppable on defense, earning a 12-2A All-District honor as a defensive end. He can have an equal impact as a blocker and in the passing game for the Foxes in 2008.
OL – Michael Brown, Lexington
(6-6, 315) Brown is not your stereotypical small-town lineman. Brown performs as big as his size and is sitting on some Division I scholarship offers heading into his senior season. Brown was named to the All-District team in 26-2A as a junior as well as his second team All-State honor by TSWA.
OL – Derek Hayes, Teague
(6-0, 225) As the quarterback of the offensive line at Teague, the center was named to the All-District first team in 22-2A. Hayes is entering his third season battling it out in the trenches as a starter for the Lions.
OL – Sammy Garcia, Idalou
(5-11, 285) Garcia earned first team All-District honors in 4-2A as a junior for the Wildcats. Garcia was pivotal in paving the path for running back Tanner Cook, who rushed for 2,249 yards and 22 touchdowns.
OL – Joe Wells, Cisco
(5-9, 180) Wells is one of four returning All-District performers heading into 2008 for the preseason No. 1 Loboes. Wells, however, was a second team All-State selection by TSWA. Running back Robert Medina found his job to be easier following Wells and rushed for 1,290 yards and 19 touchdowns last season.
OL – Gabe Garcia, Crane
(5-11, 230) Garcia was one of four Golden Crane offensive linemen to garner All-District honors in 7-2A in 2007. Garcia is one of eight returning starters on offense this season for Crane, hence the No. 5 preseason ranking by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football.
K – Bobby Dorman, Callisburg
Along with being an All-District performer as a wide receiver for the Wildcats, Dorman was named as an honorable mention All-State kicker as a sophomore and junior.
Defense
DL – Kyle Kriegel, Elysian Fields
In the world of Texas 2A football, Kriegel needs no introduction. The University of Texas verbal was a First Team All-State selection by TSWA as a junior along with being named its Defensive Player of the Year. Kriegel recorded 128 tackles to go along with 15 sacks. Another huge season is on the horizon for Kriegel.
DL – Colby Smith, Clyde
Smith sacked the quarterback 12 times as a junior for the Pirates. Smith picked up All-District honors in 7-3A last season. Smith has to love the prospect of facing 2A competition for his senior campaign.
DL – Bo Adams, Refugio
Adams was a first team All-State pick by TSWA after a huge season for Refugio. Adams logged 100 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three fumble recoveries as a junior. Adams was also a unanimous All-District choice in 31-2A.
DL – Andrew Hudson, Bushland
Hudson was a first team All-District selection in 2-2A as a junior for his performance at running back. But for this 6-foot-5, 230-pound talent, his future is more than likely as a defensive end. The Oklahoma State verbal recorded 76 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and six sacks last season for the Falcons.
LB – Lane Wood, Muleshoe
He brought the wood in 2007, earning the only unanimous selection to the 2-2A All-District defense. Wood registered 148 tackles, 12 for loss, eight sacks, and two forced fumbles as a junior for the Mules.
LB – Stanley Cole, Coleman
Cole was a second team All-District pick in 6-2A last season for the Bluecats. Cole recorded 109 tackles and picked off six passes as a junior for a team that looks to be a force in the Region I race.
LB – Hector Rodriguez, McGregor
Rodriguez was named a TSWA second team All-State honoree as a junior along with being named the Defensive Newcomer of the Year on the Waco Tribune Super Centex team. Rodriguez posted 193 tackles and eight sacks after transferring from 5A San Benito, where he played varsity football as a freshman.
DB – Victor Vasquez, Muleshoe
Vasquez joins teammate Lane Wood on the first team after an outstanding junior campaign for the Mules. Vasquez was named to the All-District unit in 2-2A after logging 83 tackles and picking off seven passes last season.
DB – Derrick Vasta, Troy
Vasta was a second team All-District selection in 25-2A for the Trojans, who qualified for the postseason in 2007. Vasta, who also excels at running back, leads eight starters that are back for Troy heading into 2008.
DB – Josh Bridges, Cisco
The question about Bridges should be what hasn’t he done? Bridges burst onto the scene as a freshman, picking off seven passes. Last season, Bridges was the Offensive MVP in 10-2A after throwing for 1,450 yards and 21 touchdowns compared to just two interceptions. To add to the list, Bridges was a second team All-State honoree by TSWA last season after intercepting six passes.
DB – Will Allen, Arp
Not only is Allen an All-State level defensive back, Allen plays quarterback and is the kicker for the Tigers. Allen was a first team All-District punter in 19-2A, a second team quarterback, and a second team kicker as a junior. Just put Allen on the field and let him figure it out from there.
P – Brixx Hawthorne, Weimar (Jr.)
Hawthorne will take over the quarterback and punting duties at Weimar this season after his father, Kent, was named head coach. Hawthorne was the 17-1A Offensive MVP last season at Cumby after throwing for over 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns, while adding 987 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Hawthrone was the All-District punter and was a second team honoree as a linebacker.
Other Returning TSWA All-State Performers
Tanner Cook, RB, Idalou
Cook dazzled District 4-2A as a junior and was named Offensive MVP. Cook rushed for 2,249 yards and added 22 touchdowns. On defense, Cook posted 68 tackles and two interceptions. Cook was second team All-State pick by TSWA after his outstanding season as a running back.
Joe Benefield, RB, Elysian Fields
Benefield was a key element in the Yellow Jackets getting to the 2A-Division II state final in 2007. Benefield rushed for 2,090 yards and 21 touchdowns, earning a place on the All-District team in 19-2A. Benefield also picked up a TSWA second team All-State honor for good measure.
Other Players to Watch in 2A
Colton Buzzard, QB, Coleman
Coleman head coach Rusty Buzzard must be awfully proud. His signal caller and son Colton had an outstanding junior season in 2007. Colton was the 6-2A Offensive MVP as a junior after compiling over 2,350 total yards and 31 touchdowns.
Lavocheya Cooper, RB/DB, Arp (Jr.)
With just 50 carries on offense, Cooper rushed for 402 yards. Cooper totaled 12 touchdowns as a sophomore for the Tigers and scored them in five different ways. Expect Arp to unleash the full brunt of Cooper’s talents in 2008, which is one of the reasons why they start the season fourth in Dave Campbell’s Texas Football Top 25.
Pat Faulk, QB, Kerens (Jr.)
Faulk could be one of the most exciting dual-threat quarterbacks in all of 2A. In just 10 games as a sophomore, Faulk threw for 1,678 yards and 22 touchdowns. With his feet, Faulk rushed for 1,458 yards and 14 more touchdowns. On defense, Faulk intercepted five passes. Faulk was a first team All-District performer in 20-2A last season after being named Newcomer of the Year as a freshman.
James Green, RB, Teague
Green is another talented back in a class filled with game-breakers. Green rushed for 1,884 yards and added 27 touchdowns for the Lions last season. Green is back along with All-State lineman Derek Hayes for a team that enters as the favorite in 20-2A this season.
Ketrich Harmon, RB/DE, Frankston
At 230-pounds, Harmon has the ability to be a battering ram between the tackles. When Harmon goes outside to look for yardage, he has the 4.4 speed to make it a foot race. Harmon rushed for 1,667 yards and 19 touchdowns last season and averaged a shade over 10 yards per carry. Harmon was the District MVP in 20-2A as a junior.
Nathan Jeffrey, RB, Caddo Mills (Jr.)
Jeffrey could have arguably been on the All-State list heading into this season. As a sophomore, Jeffrey rushed for 2,237 yards and 37 touchdowns while averaging over 10 yards per carry. In a district that included Arkansas commit and teammate Ryan Calender, it was Jeffrey that was named District MVP in 12-2A.
J.A. Perez, DB, Hebbronville
Perez was a first team All-District selection in 32-2A last season. Perez was one of the 2A leaders in interceptions as a junior with seven while roaming his safety position. The Longhorns enter the 2008 season as one of the favorites in 32-2A this season.
Sean Reagan, DL, Idalou
Reagan was named the 4-2A District Defensive MVP as a junior. With all the stat-stuffing talent on the All-State defensive line, Reagan missed out on preseason honors. Reagan also is the quarterback for the Wildcats, throwing for over 1,250 yards and 13 touchdowns. On defense, Reagan posted 113 tackles, 17 of them behind the line of scrimmage.
Braylon Williams, WR/DE, West Rusk
The Southern Methodist verbal was outstanding in 2007, a season where he was an All-Distirct selection in 19-2A. On defense, Williams recorded 83 tackles and six sacks. On offense at wide receiver, Williams caught seven passes for 239 yards and four touchdowns.
Zach Williams, QB, Melissa
Melissa is seen as the favorite in 11-2A and Williams is one of the main reasons why. Williams was the Offensive MVP in 13-2A as a junior after throwing for 2,315 yards and adding 913 yards on the ground.
Returning 2A Stat Leaders
Passing
Nick Lyle, Early, 2,348
Zach Williams, Melissa, 2,315
Morris Tuck, Hitchcock, 2,229
Justin Evans, Hearne, 2,100
Britton Dowdell, Lone Oak, 1,815
Terrance Cannon, Rivercrest, 1,789
Rushing
Zaccheaus Foster, Rice Consolidated, 2,643
Nathan Jeffrey, Caddo Mills, 2,239
Joe Benefield, Elysian Fields, 2,090
James Green, Teague, 1,884
Michael Ramirez, Childress, 1,701
Joseph Maldonado, Hebbronville, 1,697
Receiving
Jamie Smith, Hearne, 1,110
Randy Musgrove, Kirbyville, 1,026
Cody Atwood, Johnson City, 865
K.J. Finney, Honey Grove, 853
Evan Stavinoha, Tidehaven, 825
Hunter Davis, Hardin, 809
Interceptions
Blanton Craft, Buna; Victor Vasquez, Muleshoe; J.A. Perez, Hebbronville, 7
Lance Evans, Quitman; Josh Bridges, Cisco; K.J. Finney, Honey Grove; Colton Woodward, Alpine; Brian Temple, Paris Chisum; Mitch Villarnez, Hardin; Austin Woodrum, Alba-Golden; Stanley Cole, Coleman, 6.
