| DISTRICT 21-3A FOOTBALL PREVIEW |
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Posted: Friday, November 13, 2009 1:14 pm
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It seems almost a shame that Silsbee and West Orange-Stark are scheduled to play one another in the first game of the District 21-3A schedule.
On Oct. 9 at Tigers Stadium, the championship of 21-3A will hang in the balance.
It will be one stud against another. One playoff contender battling to prove it is better than the one across the line of scrimmage.
And it will come down to who makes the fewest mistakes.
The Tigers have grown more mature and its quarterback has developed into a much sought-after athlete. He has already committed verbally to West Virginia University.
But on the other side of the ball, defensive end Steven Cook of West Orange-Stark will give Johnson and the Tigers a real run for their money.
If the Tigers play their game, stay focused and take advantage of the home field advantage, Silsbee will come out as the favorite to win district after just the first week of league play.
The Tigers are solid in the backfield with Johnson and Chris Barnes but the offensive line is something of a question. With a non-district schedule that features teams that all made the playoffs last year, the O-line will have to grow up quick or get slaughtered.
Picked second in this poll, West Orange-Stark went undefeated last season right up until the Division II regional semifinals where they lost to Gilmer 35-23.
That close of a game that ends in loss is a tough pill to swallow for a bunch of kids who aren’tused to losing.
And when they walk into Tigers Stadium on Oct. 9, they won’t roll over and play dead.
The Mustangs have a solid offense returning with wide receiver Trey Franks leading the way. He caught 31 balls for 600 yards.
More than that, on defense he had five interceptions and returned three punt returns for touchdowns on special teams.
When does that guy rest?
James Haynes had 20 carries for 225 yards and three touchdowns, which is more than 10 yards a carry every time he touches the ball.
Cook, the stud at defensive end, had 80 tackles and eight sacks in 2008. No doubt he is drooling over the chance to take a shot at Johnson.
The Hardin-Jefferson Hawks are returing nine offensive and six defensive starters from last season and for that reason more than any other, H-J gets the nod to make a repeat run at the playoffs over a tough Bridge City squad.
The Hawks are loaded in the backfield with good, strong, talented players who know how to move the ball forward.
Running back Jacoby Turner had 136 carries for 745 yards and nine touchdowns a year ago while quarterback Blake Venable provided the aerial assault with 41 completions for 630 yards and four TDs. He also hoofed it for 203 yards on 93 carries.
Linebacker Luke Walters had 81 tackles last year and looks to improve his numbers in 2009.
The Cardinals of Bridge City finished their year at .500 with a 4-4 overall and 3-3 district record. The Cards played just eight games after dealing with the reality of Hurricane Ike and its near-total devastation of the community.
Running back Matt Menard led the Cardinals in 2008 with 89 carries for 541 yards and four touchdowns, earning the Newcomer of the Year award once all-district honors were announced.
All-District quarterback Josh Lemoine had a strong year with 72 completions for 1,094 and eight touchdowns.
Pacing the defense is cornerback Zach Heinz who had four interceptions in 2008.
It’s tough to come back with enthusiasm after managing just one win in eight tries, but the Orangefield Bobcats will do their best to have a change of fortune this season.
Orangefield, winless in District 21-3A play, returns nine offensive and six defensive starters.
Among those is running back Chase Parker who had 314 yards and two touchdowns on 58 rushing attempts.
The heart of this team, though, lies with defensive back Derrick Evans.
The senior defender had four interceptions last season and caught 15 balls for 68 yards as a receiver. He’s also the team’s kicker, hitting 3 of 5 field goals and 9 of 11 extra points.
Linebacker Logan Moss had 38 tackles last year.
Hamshire-Fannett struggled last year, winning just one district game and finishing the season 3-6. With just three starters returning on offense and three on defense, the 2009 season could turn out to be a long one for the Longhorns.
Austin Simmons, a tailback, started in just three games last year, but he came away with 300 yards rushing for his efforts. He’ll make an impact this year.
Jake Minaldi returns at quarterback after posting 97 yards and five touchdowns rushing and 637 yards and eight touchdowns passing.
On the defensive side of the ball, linbackers Myles Johnson and Travis Briggs will lead the way. Johnson had 12 tackles and Briggs 31 a year ago.
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