VYPE Preview -- Class 4A No. 7 The Tomball Cougars

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Tomball Cougars

Just the Right Fit

2011 Overall Record: 2-8

Head Coach: Danny Ramsey

Postseason: No Appearance

By Matt Malatesta

So Tomball went 2-8 last season, breaks in a new football coach, and VYPE puts them in the Top 10 in Class 4A? What gives?

The Cougars move out of District 13-5A, arguably the toughest conference in the state, where they were the smallest school, and into a much more manageable situation. Gone are the likes of Dekaney, Westfield, Klein Oak and Klein Collins where Tomball struggled to win, and insert Northbrook, Spring Woods, Tomball Memorial and Willowridge as a softer landing spot.

New coach Danny Ramsey, formerly of Waco High School, returns to Houston where he used to be an assistant at Cy Creek. He takes over a proud program in a proud community that wants to win immediately.

The Cougars will have numbers, but one eight returning starters in 2012. Running backs Xavier Powell, Percy Alford and part-timer Dimitri Scott return to tote the rock, while Ishmael Edwards could move from receiver to quarterback. The offensive line loses Connor Patterson to Rice University, but Joseph Klodginski and Damon Meroin have some varsity experience to steady the protective front.

On defense, Scott will also patrol the secondary along with Josh Stultz and Tyler King, while Tyler Hodge, Connor Ramirez and Kendall Browning will make up part of the front seven. While it's a bit of a flier, watch out for Tomball to do a little damage in the Class 4A playoffs. They have been through the grind already.

#threepointstance

Tomball will need to settle on a full-time quarterback entering the fall, but once that is in place the Cougars have a shot at a district championship or certainly a playoff spot. Watch how their confidence grows as they make their way through their district slate. They have a Class 5A preseason to deal with first. Dimitri Scott is their most active player, but giving him rest is also important.

The 2012 Schedule

8/31 Morton Ranch

9/07 Jersey Village

9/14 @ Mayde Creek

9/28 @ FB Marshall

10/05 Northbrook

10/12 Willowridge

10/18 @ Spring Woods

10/26 Ridge Point

11/3 @ Stratford

11/0 Tomball Memorial