2A Division II, District 9 Preview

ARP TIGERS
Enrollment: 288 (1)
2009 Record: 12-1 2A Div. I Quarterfinalist
The Coach: Dale Irwin
The Players: Jamie Warren (Sr., DT), Andrew Brown (Sr., WR/DB), Seth Stroupe (Sr., LB), Cody Rosenberg (Sr., DE), Dylan Stainback (Sr., OL), Zach Howard (Sr., OL), J.C. Bernhart (Sr., TE/DE), Juan Padron (Sr., DT), Delvin Bagley (Sr., WR/DB), Kyle Copeland (Jr., QB), Kasey McClendon (Jr., RB), Bryan McKnight (Jr., OL), Bryce Chilton (Jr., OL), Michael Roberson (So., WR/DB)
The Word: Coach Dale Irwin’s Arp Tigers have gone 23-2 over the last two seasons falling in the quarterfinals to Kirbyville in 2008 and 2009. The Tigers lose several impressive athletes to graduation, including Lavocheya Cooper (Oklahoma State) and Michael Wade (Sam Houston State). But, don’t feel sorry for Coach Irwin, the cupboards are far from empty in Arp. The Tigers will return several key players on both sides of the ball. The Tigers return key contributors to an offense that averaged nearly 41 points a game in 2009. It starts up front for the Tigers where tackles Dylan Stainback and Bryan McKnight are as big as they come. Stainback measures in at close to 6’5” and 350 pounds while McKnight tips the scales at 6’5” and 250 pounds. Senior Zach Howard, a two year starter, will join McKnight and Stainback on the offensive line. A couple of juniors will carry the load for the Tigers in the offensive backfield. Quarterback Kyle Copeland was the district newcomer of the year in 2009, when he threw for nearly 1900 yards and ran for 500 more. Fellow classmate Kasey McClendon made quite an impression as well, rushing for more than 600 yards and scoring double digit touchdowns. At receiver, senior Andrew Brown figures to be Copeland’s favorite target. Delvin Bagley should also see some balls thrown his way. It will be hard to improve on the defensive side of the ball, where the Tigers surrendered less than 10 points a game in 2009. But, Coach Irwin has several defensive playmakers that hope to do just that. Defensive tackle Jamie Warren (6’2” 290) is a rock in the middle of the Tiger defense. Warren has attracted the attention of college scouts with his combination of size and speed. Cody Rosenberg (6’3” 220) and J.C. Bernhart will join Warren on the defensive line. Seth Stroupe (5’9” 195) will lead the Tigers’ linebacking corps. Stroupe returns for his senior season after leading the Tigers in tackles, forced fumbles and sacks in 2009. McClendon will likely pull double duty and fill a linebacking position as well. Junior Michael Randall (6’1” 175) will also occupy an outside linebacker position for the Tigers. In the secondary, Delvin Bagley will join Bran Holloway to form a speedy cornerback tandem. Meanwhile, the safety position is one to keep an eye on as sophomore Michael Roberson will be asked to fill the big shoes left by the departure of Lavocheya Cooper. Arp is looking to get to the state championship for the first time in school history. The new split division alignment in 2A may help Arp accomplish this goal as the Tigers will not have to face much larger schools in the playoffs. Expectations are understandably high in Arp. And, with so many underclassmen playing large roles for the Tigers, Arp should be a threat to win it all for several years to come.
WEST RUSK RAIDERS
Enrollment: 216 (4)
2009 Record: 8-3 2A Div II Area Finalist
The Coach: John Frazier
The Players: Josh Medford (Sr., QB/LB), Chris Johnson (Sr., QB/RB/CB), Tony Gordon (Sr., WR), Chris Savala (Sr., LB), Dewayne Fisher (Sr., RB/LB), Santos Gonzales (Sr., RB/LB), Johnny Fauver (Sr., LB), Dillon McCoy (Sr., DT), D’Land Jones (Sr., OL/DT), Brian Sanders (Sr., OL/DL), Trent Edney (Sr., OL/DT), Sam Carter (Jr., WR/LB), Keenon Murphy (Jr., DT)
The Word: The Raiders continue to improve under Coach John Frazier. West Rusk is 23-10 in the three years under Frazier after winning only 9 games combined in the six years prior to his arrival. In 2010, the Raiders will be one of the most experienced teams in the state with a slew of seniors and a host of three year starters returning. The offense returns nearly all of their skilled players. Quarterback Josh Medford (6’1” 190), who tallied more than 1600 combined yards in 2009, is one of the area’s top athletes. However, Medford may step aside and let the speedy Chris Johnson take over the reins at quarterback so that Medford can concentrate on the defensive side of the ball where he tallied 92 tackles last year. Meanwhile, runningbacks Dewayne Fisher and Santos Gonzales combined to rush for more than 1400 yards in 2009. Wide receiver Tony Gordon (6’0” 185) is a speedster with big play ability. And, wide receiver James Jordan returns to the lineup after missing time last season due to injury. At 6’4” Jordan will give Johnson a big target down the field. On the offensive line, Trent Edney, D’land Jones and Levi Wingate each started all 11 games for the Raiders in 2009. Jose Lopez, who started seven games for the Raiders in 2009, will join Edney, Jones and Wingate. After missing the 2009 season due to injury, senior Brian Sanders will find a spot on the offensive line as well. The Raiders’ defense, which gave up only 12 points a game in 2009, returns eight starters. A pair of three year starters, Chris Savala and Johnny Fauver, will head up the linebacking corps. Inside linebackers Savala and Fauver are the heart and soul of the Raiders’ 4-4 split defense. Each tallied more than 100 tackles last season. Medford will move from safety to outside linebacker this year and make the Raiders’ defense even more formidable against the run. Gonzales and Fisher will each see time at the outside linebacker positions as well. Josh Reese, Brian Sanders, Dillon McCoy and Kennon Murphy will form the defensive line. McCoy tallied 19 tackles for loss last season. The Raiders’ secondary will feature a ton of speed with Chris Johnson and Terrance Murphy each holding down a corner spot. With all of the experience returning, the Raiders are excited about the 2010 season, and for good reason. Many believe the Raiders have a chance to knock off the Arp Tigers for the district title and make a deep run in the playoffs.
FRANKSTON INDIANS
Enrollment: 231 (3)
2009 Record: 5-5
The Coach: Sam Wells
The Players: Jamal Allen (Sr., QB/LB), Jabralon Allen (Sr., RB/LB), Braderick Fields (Sr., DT), Adam Pessink (Sr., TE/DT), Clint Saunders (Sr., OL), Jacob Stovall (Sr., DT), Damon Birch (Sr., WR/DB), Treston Coleman (Jr., RB), Michael Warren (Jr., WR/CB), Dillon Dale (Jr., OL), Caleb Williams (So., CB)
The Word: 2009 started in dramatic fashion for the Indians as they upset eventual 1A state champions Cayuga in the first game of the season. But, Coach Sam Wells’ team dropped three of their last four games and narrowly missed the playoffs for the second straight year. But, the return of brothers Jamal and Jabralon Allen have Indian fans excited about the 2010 season. Both have committed to play football next year for the SFA Lumberjacks. Quarterback Jamal Allen tallied more than 1300 yards and 11 touchdowns a season ago. While Jabralon Allen racked up 133 tackles, 24 tackles for loss, and garnered second team all-state honors. Jamal and Jabralon Allen will each play both ways for the Indians. Joining them on the offensive side of the ball will be junior runningback Treston Coleman (5’11” 210) who ran for more than 600 yards as a sophomore. Coleman looks like a player that can become a difference maker for the Indians. Receivers Michael Warren and Damon Birch will split wide for the Indians, and Adam Pessink (6’3” 225) will line up at tight end. Dustin House, Clint Saunders, Derek McNertney, Dillon Dale and Austin Pierce will form a rebuilt offensive line. Dale is huge at 6’2” and 323 pounds. Coach Wells will welcome back seven starters to man his 3-3-5 defense. Jacob Stovall, Braderick Fields and Adam Pessink will make up the defensive front. Fields, who tallied 17 tackles for loss and four sacks in 2009, has good size at 5’11” and 230. Jamison Paul (5’9” 190) will join Jamal and Jabralon Allen at inside linebacker, while Colton Delaney and Logan Smith will line up at outside linebacker. Speedsters Michael Warren and Caleb Williams will each hold down a corner position. Warren was an all-district defensive back as a sophomore. Senior Damon Birch will man the free safety position. The Indians are hoping that 2010 is the year that they can break through and capture a playoff spot. It will not be easy with Arp and West Rusk in the same district.
JOAQUIN RAMS
Enrollment: 201 (6)
2009 Record: 11-3 1A Div I Semifinalist
The Coach: Wayne Gandy
The Players: JaDerrick Norris (Sr., DB), Tyler McSwain (Sr., FB/LB), Shamorin Wilson (Sr., RB/DB), Chase Lambright (Sr., OL), Austin Underbrink (Jr., OL/DL), Austin Bloodgood (Jr., RB/LB), Kain Yates (Jr., DB), Holden Cummings (Jr., OL/LB)
The Word: The Rams went 11-3 in 2009 and advanced all the way to the 1A division 1 semifinals before being knocked out of the playoffs by eventual state champions Goldthwaite. The Rams bludgeoned teams with a powerful running game that helped the Rams’ offense average better than 34 points a game. But, Coach Wayne Gandy will have to find a way to replace runningback Jeffrey Rico who rushed for more than 2000 yards last season. Those rushing duties will likely fall to junior Austin Bloodgood who rushed for more than 500 yards as a sophomore. Seniors Tyler McSwain and Shamorin Wilson should also see considerable carries in Joaquin’s run oriented offense. McSwain ran for nearly 300 yards and five touchdowns in 2009. Offensive linemen Chase Lambright, Austin Underbrink and Holden Cummings will be asked to pave the way for the Rams offense. On defense, Cummings, McSwain and Bloodgood will form a solid linebacking corps. McSwain racked up more than 140 tackles and forced six fumbles last season. The defensive secondary will be led by JaDerrick Norris, who picked off seven passes in 2009. Joining Norris will be Shamorin Wilson and junior Kain Yates who combined for 5 interceptions last season. The Rams are coming off of the best season in school history. With the move up from 1A to 2A, Joaquin will be hard pressed to reproduce last year’s success. But, veteran coach Wayne Gandy has built the Rams into a consistent winning program. So, look for the Rams to be very competitive in their new district.
WINONA WILDCATS
Enrollment: 239 (2)
2009 Record: 2-8
The Coach: Darold Turner
The Players: Chase Ramirez (Sr., QB/SS), Ladarius Wheeler (Sr., RB/DB), Josh Timmons (Sr., RB/LB), Jaylyn Turner (Sr., OL), Antonio Wolford (Sr., WR/DB), Joseph Traylor (Sr., WR/DB), Sam Carroll (Sr., OL/DL), Kendell Moore (Sr., DB), Willie McGee (Sr., OL/DL), Damian Gordon (Jr., RB/DB), Joey Dikes (Jr., QB/LB), James Williams (Jr., OL/DL), David Ellis (Jr., OL/DL)
The Word: Wildcat fans endured a 2-8 season in 2009, and it’s been 16 years since Winona last made the playoffs. Things will not get any easier for the Wildcats as they move from one very competitive district into another. But, with 23 lettermen and 12 starters returning in 2010, the Wildcats can be cautiously optimistic about the future. The Wildcats will have to find a way to score points if they want to compete for a playoff spot. Winona averaged only 12 points a game in 2009 and topped 20 points in a game only twice all season. Senior Chase Ramirez and junior Joey Dykes could split time at the quarterback position for the Wildcats. Ladarius Wheeler will likely slide into the role of featured runningback. But, Josh Timmons and Damian Gordon will get a number of carries in the Wildcat offense as well. Big Jaylyn Turner (6’4” 310) is a stalwart on the offensive line and has attracted the attention of some college scouts. A pair of seniors, Sam Carroll and Will McGee, should also help anchor the offensive line. And, a couple of big juniors, Keenan Allen and David Ellis, could fill some holes up front as well. On defense, Sam Carroll racked up four sacks, two interceptions and a forced fumble in 2009. Defensive back Ladarius Wheeler was also a playmaker on defense, recovering three fumbles last season. Defensive back Kendell Moore gives the Wildcats another big time playmaker in the secondary. Wildcat fans hope the large number of returning lettermen will be enough to help their team improve on last season’s win total.
GLADEWATER UNION GROVE LIONS
Enrollment: 214 (5)
2009 Record: 6-4
The Coach: Marty Moore
The Players: Dillon Penn (Sr., DB), Carlos Tennison (Sr., RB/DB), Colbert Sirkel (Sr., RB/LB), Dalton Bowery (Sr., TE/DL), Taylor Mayfield (Sr., RB/LB), Tyler Sorrells (Sr., RB/LB), Beau Davis (Jr., TE/DL), Tyler Webb (Jr., OL/DL), Mark Owens (Jr., OL/DL), Partrick Ryan (Jr., OL/DL), Hunter Gibson (Jr., RB/LB)
The Word: During the 2005 and 2006 seasons Jeff Ridens rushed for more than 3400 yards for Coach Marty Moore’s Lions. During that span the Lions went 10-10. The year after Ridens graduated the Lions went 1-9. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, Richard Pittman racked up 2700 yards for the Lions. Again, the Lions went 10-10 during that two year stretch. Coach Moore hopes his team doesn’t have to endure another 1-9 season like 2007 before they find a replacement for their leading rusher. Likely candidates to replace Pittman are senior Carlos Tennison and junior Hunter Gibson. Taylor Mayfield and Tyler Sorrells may be in the mix for carries as well. Whoever ends up carrying the pigskin for the Lions, will be counting on the guys up front to give them space to maneuver. Patrick Ryan, Tyler Webb and Mark Owens figure to be the anchors of the offensive line. Owens has good size at 6’3” and 265 pounds. The Lions’ defense will be led by defensive back Dillon Penn (6’0” 170). Penn may be the best athlete on the team and will likely play a number of roles for Coach Moore this season. After winning their first four contests in 2009, the Lions dropped four of their last six games. Things will not get any easier this year for the Lions as they move into a very competitive district.