TRYING TO EMBRACE CHANGE
BRAZOSPORT, SEALY AND BOLING AMONG SQUADS WITH NEW COACHES AT HELM
District 10-4A, Division I
Navasota and Huffman Hargrave will go head-to-head with Bridge City and Silsbee for district supremacy. It might be Navasota who makes a little more noise even after a dismal and uncharacteristic 2-9 campaign. The Rattlers are depending on the Jeb Malek-to-Ronnie Jackson connection to produce again. Hargrave didn’t make the playoffs last year but will be paced by running back Camron McMahan. Cleveland was 4-6 last season but 0-5 in district play.
District 11-4A, Division I
It’s been an incredible run for North Forest since 2012 with three district crowns in that span. No reason that run should change in 2017. Much was made of Yates missing the playoffs in 2015 for the first time since 1976, but the proud program is back on track with coach Michael Watkins. Backto-back 1-9 seasons after five straight 0-10 campaigns for Scarborough matters for the Spartans.
District 11-4A, Division II
The burning question here is who won’t make the playoffs. With only five teams in the field, four will go and one — probably Brookshire Royal, which struggled last year and has a new coach — will stay home. Madisonville returns 19 starters, but it won only four games in the last two years combined, Shepherd returns seven starters on offense, including the athletic Trevor Moye, and Bellville’s back to defend its district title.
District 12-4A, Division I
Change at the top is the theme to start 2017, as Brazosport (Mike Ferrell), Sealy (Shane Mobley) usher in new head coaches who went a combined 21-5 last season, while Stafford’s Ken Savanah takes over after being defensive coordinator. El Campo running back Nery Enriquez is the league’s best-known offensive star. The dark horse is Bay City.
Hitchcock, La Marque and Hempstead shared the district title last year at 4-1 apiece. The one district loss under La Marque’s belt last year came from Hempstead, the lone district loss for Hempstead was to Hitchcock and the only district loss for Hitchcock came from La Marque. It might be that wild again this year. But La Marque’s strong history lends itself to high expectations even in Class 3A. The Cougars return 17 starters.
District 14-3A, Division II
East Bernard hasn’t slowed despite a coaching change last season — Wade Bosse led the Brahmas to 11 wins and returning 12 total starters should give them another one as well. That includes 1,000-yard rushers DeLeon Perkins and Locke Rowley. Boling is coming off a run to the state finals and has star Vernon Jackson in tow, but head coach Stephen Door is gone and replaced by offensive coordinator Kevin Urbanek.
SPC 4A
Episcopal and Kinkaid alternated state titles in the SPC’s largest class from 2009 to 2015, with Kinkaid claiming four and Episcopal three. Fort Worth All Saints broke through the Houston area’s large-division dominance last year, beating Episcopal 57-39 in the 4A final, but the Saints left for TAPPS play, opening the door for Episcopal or Kinkaid — probably the Knights, who return 12 starters – to return to the top.
TAPPS District 3, Division I
A lot of eyes will be on St. Pius X, who is led by star junior quarterback and Texas A&M commitment Grant Gunnell. Stephen Hill’s group is without standout receiver Bryson Jackson, who transferred to Kingwood Park. But the Panthers just nabbed a transfer themselves in Stafford wide receiver Jalen Curry. St. Thomas has a beast of an offensive line in Corey Felan, Max Banes and Chidera Umeh and Peyton Matocha’s return at quarterback is a plus.
TAPPS District 4, Division II
Second Baptist is a big favorite, as having Deion Smith makes that possible. The star running back verbally committed to Colorado in June and had a who’s who in terms of scholarship offers. Offensive tackle Victor Curne is another blue-chipper. Lutheran South returns 14 total starters, including wideout Curtis Teichman, and could push Second Baptist. Defense will lead Fort Bend Christian early, while Westbury Christian should improve thanks to 16 returning starters.
TAPPS District 6, Division III
Northland Christian enjoyed a dream season last year, outscoring opponents 798-104, with seven shutouts, en route to a perfect 14-0 mark and its first state title. Attrition hit the program hard, with many key players moving on and its coach, David Nelson, stepping down after the season, leaving new coach Brad Helm to rebuild for a title defense, with Cypress Christian and The Woodlands Christian the most likely district challengers.