4A
1. Longview (5-1)
2. Texas High (2-2)
3. Sulphur Springs (5-1)
4. Jacksonville (4-1)
5. Marshall (3-2)
6. Henderson (3-2)
7. Nacogdoches (3-2)
8. Kilgore (2-3)
9. Hallsville (2-4)
10. Mount Pleasant (3-3)
3A
1. Gilmer (5-0)
2. Carthage (5-0)
3. Jasper (4-1)
4. Mexia (4-1)
5. Pittsburg (4-1)
6. Center (4-1)
7. Palestine (2-3)
8. Pleasant Grove (4-1)
9. Brownsboro (4-0)
10. Van (3-2)
11. Mount Vernon (5-0)
12. Wills Point (4-1)
13. Atlanta (2-3)
14. New Boston (3-1)
15. Canton (4-1)
16. Liberty-Eylau (2-3)
17. Westwood (Palestine) (3-2)
18. Paris (2-3)
19. Kaufman (2-3)
20. Tatum (2-3)
2A
T1. Daingerfield (4-1)
T1. Arp (5-0)
3. Corrigan-Camden (4-1)
4. Caddo Mills (4-1)
5. Prairiland (5-0)
6. Paul Pewitt (3-2)
7. Harmony (4-1)
8. Lone Oak (4-1)
9. West Rusk (4-0)
10. White Oak (4-1)
11. Kerens (4-1)
12. Jefferson (2-3)
13. Edgewood (4-2)
14. New Diana (3-1)
15. Frankston (3-2)
16. Garrison (4-1)
17. Chisum (Paris) (4-1)
18. Clarksville (3-2)
19. Hughes Springs (2-2)
20. Harleton (3-2)
Monday, October 5, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Northeast Texas Regional Rankings: Week 5
4A
1. Longview (4-1)
2. Sulphur Springs (5-0)
3. Texas High (2-2)
4. Jacksonville (4-1)
5. Marshall (2-2)
6. Henderson (3-2)
7. Nacogdoches (2-2)
8. Kilgore (2-3)
9. Hallsville (2-3)
10. Mount Pleasant (2-3)
3A
1. Gilmer (5-0)
2. Carthage (5-0)
3. Jasper (3-1)
4. Mexia (4-1)
5. Pittsburg (4-1)
6. Center (3-1)
7. Palestine (2-3)
8. Pleasant Grove (4-1)
9. Brownsboro (4-0)
10. Van (3-2)
11. Mount Vernon (5-0)
12. Wills Point (3-1)
13. Atlanta (2-3)
14. New Boston (3-1)
15. Canton (4-1)
16. Liberty-Eylau (2-3)
17. Westwood (Palestine) (3-2)
18. Paris (2-3)
19. Kaufman (2-2)
20. Tatum (2-3)
2A
T1. Daingerfield (4-1)
T1. Arp (5-0)
3. Corrigan-Camden (4-1)
4. Caddo Mills (3-1)
5. Paul Pewitt (2-2)
6. Prairiland (4-0)
7. Harmony (3-1)
8. White Oak (3-1)
9. Lone Oak (3-1)
10. West Rusk (4-0)
11. Edgewood (4-1)
12. Jefferson (1-3)
13. New Diana (3-0)
14. Chisum (Paris) (4-0)
15. Kerens (3-1)
16. Frankston (2-2)
17. Garrison (4-1)
18. Clarksville (2-2)
19. Hughes Springs (2-2)
20. Elysian Fields (3-1)
1. Longview (4-1)
2. Sulphur Springs (5-0)
3. Texas High (2-2)
4. Jacksonville (4-1)
5. Marshall (2-2)
6. Henderson (3-2)
7. Nacogdoches (2-2)
8. Kilgore (2-3)
9. Hallsville (2-3)
10. Mount Pleasant (2-3)
3A
1. Gilmer (5-0)
2. Carthage (5-0)
3. Jasper (3-1)
4. Mexia (4-1)
5. Pittsburg (4-1)
6. Center (3-1)
7. Palestine (2-3)
8. Pleasant Grove (4-1)
9. Brownsboro (4-0)
10. Van (3-2)
11. Mount Vernon (5-0)
12. Wills Point (3-1)
13. Atlanta (2-3)
14. New Boston (3-1)
15. Canton (4-1)
16. Liberty-Eylau (2-3)
17. Westwood (Palestine) (3-2)
18. Paris (2-3)
19. Kaufman (2-2)
20. Tatum (2-3)
2A
T1. Daingerfield (4-1)
T1. Arp (5-0)
3. Corrigan-Camden (4-1)
4. Caddo Mills (3-1)
5. Paul Pewitt (2-2)
6. Prairiland (4-0)
7. Harmony (3-1)
8. White Oak (3-1)
9. Lone Oak (3-1)
10. West Rusk (4-0)
11. Edgewood (4-1)
12. Jefferson (1-3)
13. New Diana (3-0)
14. Chisum (Paris) (4-0)
15. Kerens (3-1)
16. Frankston (2-2)
17. Garrison (4-1)
18. Clarksville (2-2)
19. Hughes Springs (2-2)
20. Elysian Fields (3-1)
Monday, September 21, 2009
Northeast Texas Regional Rankings: Week 4
4A
1. Longview (3-1)
2. Sulphur Springs (4-0)
3. Texas High (2-1)
4. Jacksonville (4-0)
5. Marshall (2-2)
6. Nacogdoches (2-2)
7. Henderson (2-2)
8. Mount Pleasant (2-2)
9. White House (0-4)
10. Kilgore (1-3)
3A
1. Gilmer (4-0)
2. Carthage (4-0)
3. Mexia (4-0)
4. Pittsburg (4-0)
5. Jasper (2-1)
6. Palestine (2-2)
7. Center (3-1)
8. Pleasant Grove (3-1)
9. Brownsboro (3-0)
10. Van (2-2)
11. Paris (2-2)
12. Atlanta (2-2)
13. Wills Point (3-1)
14. New Boston (2-1)
15. Canton (3-1)
16. Mount Vernon (4-0)
17. Tatum (2-2)
18. Liberty Eylau (1-3)
19. Westwood (Palestine) (2-2)
20. Spring Hill (1-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (4-0)
2. Arp (4-0)
3. White Oak (3-0)
4. Corrigan-Camden (3-1)
5. Caddo Mills (2-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (1-2)
7. Prairiland (3-0)
8. Harmony (2-1)
9. Lone Oak (2-1)
10. Jefferson (1-3)
11. West Rusk (3-0)
12. Edgewood (3-1)
13. Elysian Fields (3-0)
14. New Diana (2-0)
15. Kerens (2-1)
16. Chisum (Paris) (3-0)
17. Frankston (2-2)
18. Clarksville (2-1)
19. Garrison (3-1)
20. Linden-Kildare (2-2)
1. Longview (3-1)
2. Sulphur Springs (4-0)
3. Texas High (2-1)
4. Jacksonville (4-0)
5. Marshall (2-2)
6. Nacogdoches (2-2)
7. Henderson (2-2)
8. Mount Pleasant (2-2)
9. White House (0-4)
10. Kilgore (1-3)
3A
1. Gilmer (4-0)
2. Carthage (4-0)
3. Mexia (4-0)
4. Pittsburg (4-0)
5. Jasper (2-1)
6. Palestine (2-2)
7. Center (3-1)
8. Pleasant Grove (3-1)
9. Brownsboro (3-0)
10. Van (2-2)
11. Paris (2-2)
12. Atlanta (2-2)
13. Wills Point (3-1)
14. New Boston (2-1)
15. Canton (3-1)
16. Mount Vernon (4-0)
17. Tatum (2-2)
18. Liberty Eylau (1-3)
19. Westwood (Palestine) (2-2)
20. Spring Hill (1-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (4-0)
2. Arp (4-0)
3. White Oak (3-0)
4. Corrigan-Camden (3-1)
5. Caddo Mills (2-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (1-2)
7. Prairiland (3-0)
8. Harmony (2-1)
9. Lone Oak (2-1)
10. Jefferson (1-3)
11. West Rusk (3-0)
12. Edgewood (3-1)
13. Elysian Fields (3-0)
14. New Diana (2-0)
15. Kerens (2-1)
16. Chisum (Paris) (3-0)
17. Frankston (2-2)
18. Clarksville (2-1)
19. Garrison (3-1)
20. Linden-Kildare (2-2)
Monday, September 14, 2009
Northeast Texas Regional Rankings: Week 3
4A
1. Longview (3-0)
2. Sulphur Springs (3-0)
3. Texas High (2-1)
4. Jacksonville (3-0)
5. Marshall (2-1)
6. Nacogdoches (2-1)
7. Kilgore (1-2)
8. Whitehouse (0-3)
9. Hallsville (1-2)
10. Henderson (1-2)
3A
1. Gilmer (3-0)
2. Carthage (3-0)
3. Mexia (3-0)
4. Pittsburg (3-0)
5. Tatum (2-1)
6. Palestine (2-1)
7. Van (2-1)
8. New Boston (2-0)
9. Liberty-Eylau (1-2)
10. Pleasant Grove (2-1)
11. Wills Point (3-0)
12. Brownsboro (2-0)
13. Jasper (1-1)
14. Spring Hill (1-1)
15. Paris (1-2)
16. Center (2-1)
17. Canton (2-1)
18. Mount Vernon (3-0)
19. Palestine Westwood (2-1)
20. Atlanta (1-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (3-0)
2. Arp (3-0)
3. White Oak (3-0)
4. Corrigan-Camden (2-1)
5. Caddo Mills (1-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (1-2)
7. Prairiland (3-0)
8. Harmony (2-1)
9. Lone Oak (2-1)
10. Jefferson (0-3)
11. Kerens (2-0)
12. West Rusk (2-0)
13. Elysian Fields (3-0)
14. Winnsboro (0-2)
15. New Diana (2-0)
16. Frankston (2-1)
17. Edgewood (2-1)
18. Chisum (Paris) (3-0)
19. Hughes Springs (1-1)
20. Ore City (3-0)
1. Longview (3-0)
2. Sulphur Springs (3-0)
3. Texas High (2-1)
4. Jacksonville (3-0)
5. Marshall (2-1)
6. Nacogdoches (2-1)
7. Kilgore (1-2)
8. Whitehouse (0-3)
9. Hallsville (1-2)
10. Henderson (1-2)
3A
1. Gilmer (3-0)
2. Carthage (3-0)
3. Mexia (3-0)
4. Pittsburg (3-0)
5. Tatum (2-1)
6. Palestine (2-1)
7. Van (2-1)
8. New Boston (2-0)
9. Liberty-Eylau (1-2)
10. Pleasant Grove (2-1)
11. Wills Point (3-0)
12. Brownsboro (2-0)
13. Jasper (1-1)
14. Spring Hill (1-1)
15. Paris (1-2)
16. Center (2-1)
17. Canton (2-1)
18. Mount Vernon (3-0)
19. Palestine Westwood (2-1)
20. Atlanta (1-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (3-0)
2. Arp (3-0)
3. White Oak (3-0)
4. Corrigan-Camden (2-1)
5. Caddo Mills (1-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (1-2)
7. Prairiland (3-0)
8. Harmony (2-1)
9. Lone Oak (2-1)
10. Jefferson (0-3)
11. Kerens (2-0)
12. West Rusk (2-0)
13. Elysian Fields (3-0)
14. Winnsboro (0-2)
15. New Diana (2-0)
16. Frankston (2-1)
17. Edgewood (2-1)
18. Chisum (Paris) (3-0)
19. Hughes Springs (1-1)
20. Ore City (3-0)
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Northeast Texas Regional Rankings: Week 2
4A
1. Longview (2-0)
2. Texas High (1-1)
3. Sulphur Springs (2-0)
4. Jacksonville (2-0)
5. Marshall (1-1)
6. Whitehouse (0-2)
7. Kilgore (1-1)
8. Nacogodoches (2-0)
9. Hallsville (1-1)
10. Mount Pleasant (1-1)
3A
1. Gilmer (2-0)
2. Carthage (2-0)
3. Van (2-0)
4. Mexia (2-0)
5. Pleasant Grove (2-0)
6. Pittsburg (2-0)
7. Tatum (1-1)
8. Liberty Eylau (1-1)
9. New Boston (1-0)
10. Paris (1-1)
11. Palestine (1-1)
12. Brownsboro (2-0)
13. Chapel Hill (1-1)
14. Spring Hill (1-1)
15. Atlanta (1-1)
16. Center (1-1)
17. Canton (1-1)
18. Mount Vernon (2-0)
19. Palestine Westwood (1-1)
20. Crockett (0-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (2-0)
2. Arp (2-0)
3. Lone Oak (2-0)
4. White Oak (2-0)
5. Harmony (2-0)
6. Jefferson (0-2)
7. Caddo Mills (1-1)
8. Corrigan-Camden (1-1)
9. Paul Pewitt (0-2)
10. Prairiland (2-0)
11. Kerens (2-0)
12. Hearne (2-0)
13. West Rusk (2-0)
14. Winnsboro (0-2)
15. Elysian Fields (2-0)
16. New Diana (2-0)
17. Frankston (1-1)
18. Franklin (1-1)
19. Edgewood (1-1)
20. Troup (1-1)
1. Longview (2-0)
2. Texas High (1-1)
3. Sulphur Springs (2-0)
4. Jacksonville (2-0)
5. Marshall (1-1)
6. Whitehouse (0-2)
7. Kilgore (1-1)
8. Nacogodoches (2-0)
9. Hallsville (1-1)
10. Mount Pleasant (1-1)
3A
1. Gilmer (2-0)
2. Carthage (2-0)
3. Van (2-0)
4. Mexia (2-0)
5. Pleasant Grove (2-0)
6. Pittsburg (2-0)
7. Tatum (1-1)
8. Liberty Eylau (1-1)
9. New Boston (1-0)
10. Paris (1-1)
11. Palestine (1-1)
12. Brownsboro (2-0)
13. Chapel Hill (1-1)
14. Spring Hill (1-1)
15. Atlanta (1-1)
16. Center (1-1)
17. Canton (1-1)
18. Mount Vernon (2-0)
19. Palestine Westwood (1-1)
20. Crockett (0-2)
2A
1. Daingerfield (2-0)
2. Arp (2-0)
3. Lone Oak (2-0)
4. White Oak (2-0)
5. Harmony (2-0)
6. Jefferson (0-2)
7. Caddo Mills (1-1)
8. Corrigan-Camden (1-1)
9. Paul Pewitt (0-2)
10. Prairiland (2-0)
11. Kerens (2-0)
12. Hearne (2-0)
13. West Rusk (2-0)
14. Winnsboro (0-2)
15. Elysian Fields (2-0)
16. New Diana (2-0)
17. Frankston (1-1)
18. Franklin (1-1)
19. Edgewood (1-1)
20. Troup (1-1)
Monday, August 31, 2009
Northeast Texas Regional Rankings: Week 1
4A
1. Longview (1-0)
2. Texas High (0-1)
3. Sulphur Springs (1-0)
4. Whitehouse (0-1)
5. Jacksonville (1-0)
6. Marshall (0-1)
7. Kilgore (0-1)
8. Nacogdoches (1-0)
9. Hallsville (1-0)
10. Lindale (0-1)
3A
1. Gilmer (1-0)
2. Carthage (1-0)
3. Van (1-0)
4. Mexia (1-0)
5. Pleasant Grove (1-0)
6. Liberty Eylau (1-0)
7. Tatum (0-1)
8. Pittsburg (1-0)
9. New Boston (1-0)
10. Palestine (1-0)
11. Paris (0-1)
12. Tyler-Chapel Hill (1-0)
13. Spring Hill (1-0)
14. Canton (1-0)
15. Brownsboro (1-0)
16. Crockett (0-1)
17. Center (1-0)
18. Gladewater (0-1)
19. North Lamar (0-1)
20. Atlanta (0-1)
2A
1. Daingerfield (1-0)
2. Arp (1-0)
3. Lone Oak (1-0)
4. White Oak (1-0)
5. Jefferson (0-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (0-1)
7. Harmony (1-0)
8. Winnsboro (0-1)
9. Caddo Mills (0-1)
10. Corrigan-Camden (0-1)
11. Prairiland (1-0)
12. Kerens (1-0)
13. Hearne (1-0)
14. West Rusk (1-0)
15. Hughes Springs (0-0)
16. Elysian Fields (1-0)
17. Frankston (1-0)
18. New Diana (1-0)
19. Franklin (0-1)
20. Troup (0-1)
1. Longview (1-0)
2. Texas High (0-1)
3. Sulphur Springs (1-0)
4. Whitehouse (0-1)
5. Jacksonville (1-0)
6. Marshall (0-1)
7. Kilgore (0-1)
8. Nacogdoches (1-0)
9. Hallsville (1-0)
10. Lindale (0-1)
3A
1. Gilmer (1-0)
2. Carthage (1-0)
3. Van (1-0)
4. Mexia (1-0)
5. Pleasant Grove (1-0)
6. Liberty Eylau (1-0)
7. Tatum (0-1)
8. Pittsburg (1-0)
9. New Boston (1-0)
10. Palestine (1-0)
11. Paris (0-1)
12. Tyler-Chapel Hill (1-0)
13. Spring Hill (1-0)
14. Canton (1-0)
15. Brownsboro (1-0)
16. Crockett (0-1)
17. Center (1-0)
18. Gladewater (0-1)
19. North Lamar (0-1)
20. Atlanta (0-1)
2A
1. Daingerfield (1-0)
2. Arp (1-0)
3. Lone Oak (1-0)
4. White Oak (1-0)
5. Jefferson (0-1)
6. Paul Pewitt (0-1)
7. Harmony (1-0)
8. Winnsboro (0-1)
9. Caddo Mills (0-1)
10. Corrigan-Camden (0-1)
11. Prairiland (1-0)
12. Kerens (1-0)
13. Hearne (1-0)
14. West Rusk (1-0)
15. Hughes Springs (0-0)
16. Elysian Fields (1-0)
17. Frankston (1-0)
18. New Diana (1-0)
19. Franklin (0-1)
20. Troup (0-1)
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Week O: Marquee Matchups
Allen Eagles @ Longview Lobos
This game pits the #2 ranked team in 5A against the #1 ranked team in 4A. This is easily the game of the week in the entire state. The Eagles won the game last year 21-7 en route to a championship season. The Lobos went on to finish in the state finals as well. The Lobos return a ton of starters including quarterback Aaron Johnson. The Eagles are ranked by rivals.com as the #3 ranked team in the nation. Longview runninback Tyler McCray is questionable and may not play in the opener. This is one heck of a game to kick off the 2009 football season in East Texas.
Paul Pewitt Brahmas @ Arp Tigers
The #9 ranked Paul Pewitt Brahmas will be without the services of their all-state fullback D.J. Burleson due to an offseason knee injury. But quarterback Jordan McFarland still has weapons at his disposal, including multi-talented Jerome Whetstone. The Arp Tigers won the game in Pewitt last year 33-21 and come into the season ranked #2 in the state. The Tigers' Levocheya Cooper is the guy to watch on offense, defense and special teams. This should be a great 2A matchup.
Newton Eagles @ Corrigan Camden Bulldogs
Corrigan-Camden went to Newton last year and beat the Eagles 26-20 on their home field. Speedster JoCourtney Johnson looks to lead the Bulldogs to another victory over the Newton Eagles. But Newton returns a solid backfield in Halston Flanigan and La Ray Alfred. You can bet legendary Newton coach Curtis Barbay will have the Eagles ready to play.
Jefferson Bulldogs @ Pittsburg Pirates
Mitch Manley, Ted Burns and the rest of the Pirates host Destin Mosley, Clarence Lee and the Bulldogs in what should be a very entertaining matchup. Pittsburg won 7-6 in Jefferson last year. The Bulldogs have a lot of talent and are bent on revenge, but they will have to get it done in Pittsburg. This game should come down to the wire.
This game pits the #2 ranked team in 5A against the #1 ranked team in 4A. This is easily the game of the week in the entire state. The Eagles won the game last year 21-7 en route to a championship season. The Lobos went on to finish in the state finals as well. The Lobos return a ton of starters including quarterback Aaron Johnson. The Eagles are ranked by rivals.com as the #3 ranked team in the nation. Longview runninback Tyler McCray is questionable and may not play in the opener. This is one heck of a game to kick off the 2009 football season in East Texas.
Paul Pewitt Brahmas @ Arp Tigers
The #9 ranked Paul Pewitt Brahmas will be without the services of their all-state fullback D.J. Burleson due to an offseason knee injury. But quarterback Jordan McFarland still has weapons at his disposal, including multi-talented Jerome Whetstone. The Arp Tigers won the game in Pewitt last year 33-21 and come into the season ranked #2 in the state. The Tigers' Levocheya Cooper is the guy to watch on offense, defense and special teams. This should be a great 2A matchup.
Newton Eagles @ Corrigan Camden Bulldogs
Corrigan-Camden went to Newton last year and beat the Eagles 26-20 on their home field. Speedster JoCourtney Johnson looks to lead the Bulldogs to another victory over the Newton Eagles. But Newton returns a solid backfield in Halston Flanigan and La Ray Alfred. You can bet legendary Newton coach Curtis Barbay will have the Eagles ready to play.
Jefferson Bulldogs @ Pittsburg Pirates
Mitch Manley, Ted Burns and the rest of the Pirates host Destin Mosley, Clarence Lee and the Bulldogs in what should be a very entertaining matchup. Pittsburg won 7-6 in Jefferson last year. The Bulldogs have a lot of talent and are bent on revenge, but they will have to get it done in Pittsburg. This game should come down to the wire.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
White Oak Roughnecks Preview
District: 18-2A
Head Coach: Tracy Blankenship
2008 Season Record: 8-3, 6-1 (Class 2A Division I Bi-District Finalist)
The drop in classification served White Oak well in 2008 as the Roughnecks matched their win total from the previous three years combined and made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. This year the Roughnecks will have to find a way to replace 4 all-state players (OL Taylor Tarr, OL Barrett Blankenship, LB Trevor Wait and RB Orlando Humble) from their 8-3 district championship team. The Roughnecks return 5 starters on each side of the ball including a pair of 1000 yard rushers.
Opposing teams had trouble slowing down the Roughnecks’ Slot T offense last year. White Oak averaged better than 42 points a game and did their damage almost exclusively on the ground. The Roughnecks had three runners go over 1000 yards in 2008: Orlando Humble (1458 yards 24 tds); Jackson McCurdy (1150 yard 11 tds); and Junior Hamilton (1179 yards 14 tds). Humble has moved on to Navarro College but Hamilton and McCurdy return and will form a formidable backfield tandem.
The quarterback position is a little less clear as there may be a log jam at the position. Connor Sharp was named 18-2A offensive newcomer of the year even though he split time with Austin Tubbs in 2008. Sharp and Tubbs may again split time behind center and Joey Dykes might see some time as the Roughneck signal caller as well.
The Roughnecks will need to fill some holes on the offensive line left by the departure of Tarr and Blankenship. Brandon Heim (second team all-district) and Ben Adams are not a bad place to start. And newcomer Randall Bernathy should help solidify the line.
Five starters return from a defense that allowed less than 16 points a game last year. All-state linebacker Trevor Wait will be hard to replace but linebackers Adam Thompson (128 tackles) and Logan King (78 tackles) should be up to the challenge. Defensive end Skylar Barnes (73 tackles) and defensive tackle Josh Lettow (2 sacks) will help lead the defensive line. The secondary will be led by cornerback Josh Spedowski.
The Roughnecks allowed more than 21 points only once in 2008, but the defense picked a terrible time to have their worst showing of the season giving up 39 points in their playoff loss to Jefferson.
18-2A is a solid district that featured five teams with at least six wins in 2008. White Oak’s first district game against Harmony could wind up being for the district championship.
White Oak has gone a decade without a playoff win, but a solid group of returning starters and help from an undefeated JV team could help the Roughnecks get out of the first round for the first time since 1998. Region III may be the strongest region in the state so a deep playoff run will be difficult.
Head Coach: Tracy Blankenship
2008 Season Record: 8-3, 6-1 (Class 2A Division I Bi-District Finalist)
The drop in classification served White Oak well in 2008 as the Roughnecks matched their win total from the previous three years combined and made the playoffs for the first time since 2005. This year the Roughnecks will have to find a way to replace 4 all-state players (OL Taylor Tarr, OL Barrett Blankenship, LB Trevor Wait and RB Orlando Humble) from their 8-3 district championship team. The Roughnecks return 5 starters on each side of the ball including a pair of 1000 yard rushers.
Opposing teams had trouble slowing down the Roughnecks’ Slot T offense last year. White Oak averaged better than 42 points a game and did their damage almost exclusively on the ground. The Roughnecks had three runners go over 1000 yards in 2008: Orlando Humble (1458 yards 24 tds); Jackson McCurdy (1150 yard 11 tds); and Junior Hamilton (1179 yards 14 tds). Humble has moved on to Navarro College but Hamilton and McCurdy return and will form a formidable backfield tandem.
The quarterback position is a little less clear as there may be a log jam at the position. Connor Sharp was named 18-2A offensive newcomer of the year even though he split time with Austin Tubbs in 2008. Sharp and Tubbs may again split time behind center and Joey Dykes might see some time as the Roughneck signal caller as well.
The Roughnecks will need to fill some holes on the offensive line left by the departure of Tarr and Blankenship. Brandon Heim (second team all-district) and Ben Adams are not a bad place to start. And newcomer Randall Bernathy should help solidify the line.
Five starters return from a defense that allowed less than 16 points a game last year. All-state linebacker Trevor Wait will be hard to replace but linebackers Adam Thompson (128 tackles) and Logan King (78 tackles) should be up to the challenge. Defensive end Skylar Barnes (73 tackles) and defensive tackle Josh Lettow (2 sacks) will help lead the defensive line. The secondary will be led by cornerback Josh Spedowski.
The Roughnecks allowed more than 21 points only once in 2008, but the defense picked a terrible time to have their worst showing of the season giving up 39 points in their playoff loss to Jefferson.
18-2A is a solid district that featured five teams with at least six wins in 2008. White Oak’s first district game against Harmony could wind up being for the district championship.
White Oak has gone a decade without a playoff win, but a solid group of returning starters and help from an undefeated JV team could help the Roughnecks get out of the first round for the first time since 1998. Region III may be the strongest region in the state so a deep playoff run will be difficult.
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