VYPE 5A -- No 16 The Bellaire Cardinals

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Bellaire Cardinals

Grade A Line; Speed to Burn

Head Coach: Trey Sissom

Overall 2011 Record: 7-4

Postseason: Fell in First Round to Cinco Ranch

By Matt Malatesta

CUTLINE: Charles Sanders, Denzell Evans and Dwayne Johnson are the heavies for Bellaire.

Bellaire High School has been considered one of the top baseball schools in America under the direction of Rocky Manuel. Then basketball stole some headlines as the Cardinals made a few playoff runs and produced some major college basketball talent. Girls basketball has had their moment in the sun and Bellaire's volleyball team has been dominant the past several years.

In 2012, VYPE is betting that the Cardinal football team will pound its chest as a sleeping giant could be awakened. Bellaire reached the playoffs last season before falling to Cinco Ranch in the first round.

Baby steps. Then coach Trey Hermann took the head job at Alvin High School. Bellaire hired internally and it's coach Trey Sissom's turn to direct the HISD school into deeper playoff waters.

"We should be very good on offense and we will shore up our defense this season," he said. "That's our game plan to get further in the playoffs."

The Cardinals are impressive up front on offense with the giant lineup of Charles Sanders, Dwayne Johnson, Devonte Jones and Marcus Lindsey paving the way. The backfield is stout with Denzell Evans (Houston-commit) and sophomore Xzavier Campbell, who can eat up time with ball-control or hit a 70-yard scamper.

The X-Factor is receiver Devin Lauderdale (Texas Tech-commit), a complete blazer who can stretch the field.

"If Devin was 6-foot-1, he'd be one of the top recruits in the nation," Sissom said. "He's a weapon with his speed and his hands."

The offense is going to have to put up some points because the defense is a bit inexperienced and thin. Andrei Didenko will try and pressure opposing quarterbacks while Gabe Byrd will anchor the secondary.

#threepointstance

Bellaire will need to decide on a trusted signal-caller to hand-off the rock to the backs and get the ball to Lauderdale. Evans must stay healthy to grind out the tough yards. Ball-controlling would be in Bellaire's best interest as their defense is suspect. Staying away from the injury bug is also imperative as the bench is short.

The 2012 Schedule

8/31 @ Alief Taylor

9/07 FB Travis

9/14 Alvin Memorial

9/21 PA Memorial

9/27 Houston

10/5 @ Madison

10/12 OPEN

10/20 Chavez

10/27 @ Westbury

11/2 Lamar

11/8 @ Westside