2A Division II, District 7 Preview

OMAHA PEWITT BRAHMAS
Enrollment: 293 (1)
2009 Record: 9-3 2A Div. 2 Area Finalist
The Coach: Reggie Kumrow
The Players: Jordan Nix (Sr., OL/DL), J.B. Betts (Sr., OL/LB), Donavan Jarvis (Sr., RB/DB), Ryan Neal (Sr., FB/CB), Caleb Tinsley (Sr., OL/DL), Kade Cox (Sr., SE/DE), Bam Finley, (Jr., FB/LB), Tyren Evans (Jr., OL), Justin Goforth (Jr., LB), Tanner Wright (Jr., LB), Sedrick Johnson (Jr., RB/DB)
The Word: The Brahmas began the 2009 season ranked in the top ten by many media outlets. However, the Bulls’ season got off to a rather inauspicious start. First, the Brahmas lost their all-state fullback, D.J. Burleson, to injury during the off-season. Then, the Bulls were crushed by Arp and Daingerfield the first two weeks of the season by a combined score of 97-7. The Brahmas regrouped, however, and won their next nine ball games en route to a district championship and a first round playoff win before being bounced in the second round by a rejuvenated Aubrey team. After the loss of Burleson, the Brahmas needed someone to step up at the fullback position. Bam Finley was that guy. Finley was expected to contribute mainly on defense in 2009, but was forced into the fullback role. Finley ran for more than 1000 yards in 2009 despite battling injuries throughout the season. The offensive line will be important for the Brahmas’ ground attack. Senior Jordan Nix will be asked to anchor the line. Others who may contribute on the offensive line include J.B. Betts, Caleb Tinsley, and Tyren Evans. Donavan Jarvis may get the first shot at the quarterback position. Although the Brahmas don’t go to the air often, when they do they will have a reliable target in tight end Kade Cox. Also look for junior Sedrick Johnson to be more involved in the offense in 2010. Defensively, the Brahmas will lean on their linebacking corpse which will include Justin Goforth and Tanner Wright along with Betts and Finley. Omaha Pewitt is the only playoff team from a year ago in this new district, and the Brahmas are the best bet to win the district title in 2010.
COOPER BULLDOGS
Enrollment: 255 (4)
2009 Record: 5-5
The Coach: Ronnie Green
The Players: Ty Huie (Sr., QB), Zach Harrison (Sr., RB/DE), Keyon Walker (Sr., WR/DB), Roy Pierce (Sr., LB), Landon Rackley (Sr., OL/DL), Lucas Lehman (Sr., OL/LB), Dan Beeler (Sr., WR), Montrel Roberts (Jr., RB/DB)
The Word: The Bulldogs improved greatly in 2009, nearly matching their win total from the three previous years combined. But, the five wins were not enough to get the Bulldogs into the playoffs. In 2010, Coach Green is hoping to get the Bulldogs into the playoffs for the first time in five years. There is reason for optimism. Second team all-district quarterback Ty Huie is a multi-sport athlete with good quickness and athleticism. He will have a real go-to guy in backfield mate Montrel Roberts. Roberts was the district new-comer of the year after rushing for 869 yards and 10 touchdowns as a sophomore. Senior wide receiver Dan Beeler will provide Huie with a target on the outside. Up front, Lucas Lehman will lead the offensive line with help from Landon Rackley. On defense, Roy Pierce and Lucas Lehman will hold down a couple linebacker positions. Keyon Walker and Montrel Roberts will likely patrol the secondary. Senior Zach Harrison will be asked to lead the defensive line. Cooper has a chance to make the playoffs in 2010 if Coach Green can find a way to put together an offensive line that will lose four starters from last year’s team.
PARIS CHISUM MUSTANGS
Enrollment: 259 (3)
2009 Record: 6-4
The Coach: Don Hasley
The Players: T.J. Briscoe (Sr., QB/RB/LB), Brad Gann (Sr., WR/LB), Fillip Gann (Sr., WR/DB), Van Hilburn (Sr., TE/DE), Mason Justiss (Sr., RB/LB), Jesse Recendiz (Sr., TE/LB), Stephen North (Sr., OL/LB), Kyle Hasley (Sr., OL/DL), Lane McKenzie (Sr., OL/DL), Mathew Johnson (Sr., OL/DL), Donterious Record (Sr., TE/DL), Landon Smith (Sr., OL/DL), Jonothan Carroll (Jr., WR)
The Word: The Chisum Mustangs won their first four games in 2009 before dropping four of their final six to finish 6-4. Coach Hasley will have to find a way to replace quarterback and defensive back Jeremy Eddington who has moved on to play football for the Rice Owls. Senior T.J. Briscoe will be asked to carry much of the offensive load and may be asked to move under center for the Mustangs in 2010. Fellow senior Mason Justiss will see the ball come his way as well. Receivers Fillip and Brad Gann may see more balls thrown their way as last year’s top receiver Zach Millsap was lost to graduation. Seniors Kyle Hasley, Stephen North, Lane McKenzie and Landon Smith will all likely see time on the offensive line. Hasley was a second team all-district performer in 2009, and Smith has good size at 280 pounds. The defense should be led by defensive end Hasley who led the team in sacks and linebackers Stephen North, Brad Gann and Mason Justiss who each showed a knack for finding the football at times. Landon Smith is also a top performer on the defensive line as is defensive end Donterious Record. If the Mustangs can find a way to replace their star quarterback they may find themselves fighting for a playoff spot in their new district.
RIVERCREST REBELS
Enrollment: 215 (5)
2009 Record: 2-8
The Coach: Allen Cross
The Players: Brady Kennedy (Sr., QB/DB), Jordan White (Sr., RB/DB), Kyle McCuller (Sr., WR/DB), Spencer Wilson (Sr., OL/DE), John English (Sr., WR/LB), Jacob Wright (Jr., WR/DB), Luke Wright (Jr., WR/DB), Shelby Steen (Jr., LB/WR), Trevor Jessee (Jr., WR/LB), Jordan Thompson (Jr., OL/DE), Doyle Brooks (So., RB/LB), Daniel Kasal (So., LB/C)
The Word: Longtime coach and Clarksville, Texas native Allen Cross returns to East Texas to take over the head coaching job at Rivercrest. Cross spent the last two years coaching 1A Muenster where he compiled a 15-10 record and lead the Hornets to the regional semifinal round in 2009. Coach Cross takes over a Rivercrest program that is looking to get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2005. The Rebels should benefit from the new alignment as they will be competing with schools of similar size. There is reason for optimism for Coach Cross’s club. The Rebels will welcome back dual-threat quarterback Brady Kennedy and leading rusher Jordan White for their senior seasons. The Rebel offense will also benefit from the return of several top receivers in Kyle McCuller, Jacob Wright and Luke Wright. Rebuilding the offensive line will be a priority for the Rebels. Spencer Wilson and Jordan Thompson should each find time on the Rebel front line. Defensively, the Rebels will be anchored by linebackers Shelby Steen, Doyle Brooks and John English. Kennedy, McCuller and White will spend time in the secondary for the Rebels. Meanwhile, sophomore Daniel Kasal should be a contributor on offense and defense for Coach Cross. The Rebels should improve on their win total from a year ago.
DEKALB BEARS
Enrollment: 272 (2)
2009 Record: 0-10
The Coach: Ritchie Pinckard
The Players: Clay Blackburn (Sr., OL/DL), Chucky Slade (Sr., FB/LB), Chad Wherry (Sr., OL/LB), John Burkhart (Sr., TE), Christian LaToof (Sr., TE), Michael McClellan (Sr., OL), Chance Coleman (Sr., QB/DB), Garrett Bartlett (Jr., OL/DL), Tyler Bershears (Jr., LB), Chas Montgomery (Jr., DB), Clay Williams (Jr., QB/RB/DB), Roberto Peoples (Jr., LB)
The Word: The Bears suffered through a dismal season in 2009. The 0-10 finish was the worst for the Bears in over a decade. The first order of business for the Bears has to be correcting an offense that produced only 74 points all season. That job is made all the more difficult by the loss of starting quarterback Mathew Davis and and leading rusher Jermese Reid. Senior fullback Chucky Slade will be asked to shoulder much of the offensive load with Davis and Reid gone. Senior Chance Coleman may get the first shot at the starting quarterback position, but junior Clay Williams may challenge Coleman for time under center. If the Bears choose to throw the ball, tight ends Christian LaToof and John Burkhart should make good targets. Senior center Clay Blackburn is the most experienced player on the Bears’ offensive line. He will be joined up front by guards Garrett Bartlett and Chad Wherry. Blackburn and Bartlett will also anchor the defensive line for the Bears while Slade will lead the linebacking corpse. Meanwhile, Tyler Bershears, Chas Montgomery and Clay Williams will man the secondary. LaToof is a sure footed kicker and will help bolster the Bears’ special teams. While a playoff spot is probably a reach, expect a much better showing by the Bears in 2010.
COMO-PICKTON EAGLES
Enrollment: 211 (6)
2009 Record: 2-8
The Coach: Paul Tullis
The Players: Zach Carpenter (Sr., QB), Coyt Butler (Sr., OL), Mike Lageschaar (Sr., TE/DL), Julian Ramirez (Sr., LB), Angel Mercado (Sr., K), Trevor Cagle (Jr., WR), Brodie Ogle (Jr., WR), Bryce Steele (So., RB/LB)
The Word: The Eagles are looking for their first winning season since 2004. Many Eagles fans had hoped that the realignment would find them dropping to the 1A ranks. That was not to be. Although, the split division format will mean Como-Pickton will be competing with schools more their size, the Eagles will still be one of the smallest enrollments in 2A. The Eagles will have a few key pieces returning from a team that went 2-8 in 2009. Quarterback Zach Carpenter returns for his senior year to lead the Eagles’ offense. Carpenter’s favorite target also returns in the form of junior speedster Trevor Cagle. Cagle is a good athlete with great speed that will only get better with another year of experience. Junior Brodie Ogle and sophomore Bryce Steele are two additional weapons that the offense will have at its disposal. Steele was the MVP of the junior varsity team in 2009 and has good size and speed (6’0” 200, 4.7). Coyt Butler returns to anchor the offensive line while fellow senior Mike Lageschaar will solidify the Eagles’ defensive line. Linebacker Julian Ramirez led the team in tackles a year ago. Senior Angel Mercado will handle the kicking duties. The Eagles should compete for wins in their new district.