VYPE's Preseason Top 10 4A Teams-- No. 2 Humble

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Humble Wildcats

Great Expectations

2010 Overall Record - 11-2

Three Round Deep in the Playoffs

By Ahmard Vital

In 2010, the season for the Humble football team went quite well. Celebrating a district championship and playoff wins over Stratford and Beaumont Central, this Wildcat team comes into a new season with plenty of momentum.

And they intend to use it.

"There is a lot of optimism with the team right now. After going three rounds in the playoffs, we are hoping to do more this year," Humble coach Walt Beasley said.

Players echo in this same attitude as well. Beasley brings back five players on each side of the ball from the starting rotation. When looking over what this team was able to accomplish last season, it is evident where the strength lies once again this year - on defense.

With that said, many coaches believe that a solid defense begins up front in the trenches and Humble may have the best defensive line in the Greater Houston area, and arguably in the entire state. Paul Boyette and Zorell Ezell are in the interior and both have proven that they are capable of excelling in their roles. The 6-foot-4, 285-pound Boyette, who verbally committed to the University of Texas, had 51 tackles (19 for loss), five sacks and nine knockdowns last season. Ezell (6-1, 265-pounds) also holds a number of Division I offers. Combine these two with defensive end Kyndahl Hill (6-6, 210), who is flirting with the idea of just playing basketball, and the Wildcats should be tough to run the ball against.

"We should have one of the strongest defenses in the area. You know when you have a great defense, you have a great chance to win games," Beasley said.

Defense may be the strength, but Beasley and the Wildcat coaching staff want some points on the board as well. Leading the way in that mission will be newly-renovated quarterback Kyle Tucker (6-1, 180). Beasley said that Tucker, who is described as a dual-threat quarterback, brings a good skill set to the position after being converted from the wide receiver position.

Joining Tucker will be athlete Jer'Kalyn Holiday. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound Holiday will be the team's primary running back. In this case, speed is plus, as he has had plenty of success this past season in track as well.

Beasley said that he would need a few wide receivers to step up for this season. When that happens, he said that they should be "pretty good."

The Keys To 2011

Right now, the Wildcats are in a good position to repeat for the District 18-4A title, as Willis will likely be the team to push the hardest for that. Defense will be the key with three Division I guys up front where everything starts. It will be interesting to see how Tucker fares in his new role. This is a great situation for him as he will not need to carry the team because the defense will be stellar. Nothing too extraordinary needed, just efficiency.

The Schedule

9/3       Channelview

9/9       Baytown Sterling

9/16     @Pasadena Dobie

9/23     @Caney Creek

10/7     New Caney

10/14   @Huntsville

10/21   Kingwood Park

10/28   @Willis

11/4     Summer Creek