HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW DISTRICT 27-5A

Five storylines to watch

Realignment reunion: Port Lavaca, Victoria West and Victoria East were in the same district before the previous realignment separated the rivals, forcing Calhoun to go through Victoria to play Lamar Consolidated ISD. Now they’re all in 27-5A, making for interesting road trips.

A new regional route: The district grouping is relocating from Region III, where Angleton was a Division II finalist and Foster a Division I semifinalist, to Region IV, forcing them out of familiar, Houston-area territory and into a region with teams from Brownsville and Corpus Christi to San Antonio and Austin.

Fostering expectations: Foster reached the regional semis in coach Shaun McDowell’s second year, and expectations are soaring with prolific quarterback Alex Ramart and receivers Cedarian Lamb and Chandler Speights returning. But the Falcons will have to get past Angleton’s defense to win the title vacated by George Ranch, which moved to 6A.

Two-way Terry: Veteran coach Tim Teykl is gearing up for the long grind by redoubling his efforts to deploy players at two, or even three, positions, including Vonte Davis and Jacob Chavez, who could both play quarterback and/or defensive back. How well they adapt will help determine how far the Rangers go.

Finding Lamar: The Mustangs are far removed from their glory days, which include the 2007 4A Division I state championship. They haven’t won a district game since beating Bay City in 2013. But they have reason for optimism, beginning with QB Will Brown.

Players to watch

FS B.J. Foster, Angleton: The 6-2, 188-pounder is the top-ranked junior safety in the nation, with multiple offers, including TCU, Texas and Texas A&M. QB Alex Ramart, Foster: The 6-3, 210-pound senior has offers from Texas Southern, Houston Baptist and Louisiana-Monroe after throwing for 2,596 yards and 32 touchdowns last year. WR Jaylon Jones, Lamar Consolidated: The 5-10, 165-pound senior is the top returning target for QB Will Brown, with 33 catches for 769 yards and six TDs. DB Vonte Davis, Terry: The athletic 6-0, 168-pound allpurpose senior is a key playmaker wherever he lines up, including corner, running back and quarterback.

Must-see games

Angleton vs. El Campo, Sept. 2, Ricebird Stadium: The Wildcats test their non-district progress with a matchup against a returning 4A regional semifinalist. Foster vs. A&M Consolidated, Sept. 2, Tiger Stadium: The Falcons’ big district tuneup is a showdown with the Tigers, a 5A regional semifinalist last year. Foster vs. Angleton, Oct. 28, Wildcat Stadium: The district title favorites, who could meet again deep in the postseason, collide in a matchup of offense vs. defense. Terry vs. Lamar Consolidated, Sept. 30, Traylor Stadium: The longstanding Rosenberg rivalry renews, with the Rangers coming off last year’s 39-7 victory.

District predictions

1. Angleton (Division I); 2. Foster (Division I); 3. Victoria East (Division II); 4. Port Lavaca (Division II); 5. Victoria West; 6. Terry; 7. Lamar Consolidated.