VYPE's Preview--District 20-4A
July 13, 2012
VYPE MAGAZINE - Southeast TexasNederland
Port Neches-Groves
Vidor
Livingston
Central
Little Cypress-Mauriceville
Lumberton
Ozen
THE GAMERS
Chevoski Collins, Livingston, Athlete
Chevoski Collins had Division I recruiters staked out all over the small town
of Livingston, vying for his future services. While he's the best player in
district at quarterback, he will move positions at the collegiate level to use
his athleticism.
Carson Raines, Nederland, QB
The Bulldogs are back and primed for a deep playoff run in 2012. Having
their quarterback returning is a big reason why Nederland and the district
favorite. He has weapons at his disposal and his football IQ is off the
charts.
Montana Quirante, Vidor, QB
Can the Pirates get back to the playoffs in 2012? If their returning signal-
caller has a big year, then the Pirates are a lock. Montana Quirante has a
great name and he even sounds like a Pirate. Argh.
THE INTEL
When was the last time District 20-4A was a predictable, run-of-the-
mill group of eight teams who were not a factor come playoff time? This
season will not be any different at least from the looks of things coming out
of spring practice.
Last year, the champs were from Nederland where the Bulldogs finished
7-0 in district and went on to an 11-2 finish. Larry Neumann's club once
again is stacked and is a favorite to win it again. Neuman's group gained
big-time experience after playing into a 13th week and a core of talent is
back including QB Carson Raines, who will have some targets in WR
Michael Shaw and speedy Colton Kimler.
Defensively, Nederland is nasty and will shut down opposing offenses.
Look out for returning all-district DE Koby Couron and partner Brock
Pryor, while the Bulldogs will look to a bunch of playmakers in their
linebacking corps.
Port Neches-Groves made some noise, finishing 5-2 in district and 7-4
overall in coach Brandon Faircloth's second season on The Reservation
in 2011. The Indians' offense will hand the keys to new signal-caller A.J.
Smith, who will step in to lead the unit and will partner up with young
receiver Logan Chipman to settle in running the offense.
Vidor had a breakout 2011, finishing 10-3 with Jeff Mathews’ Pirates
advancing all the way to the regional semis. Vidor has holes to fill on
offense but return six starters, while nine are back on the defensive side.
Vidor will go as far as quarterback Montana Quirante will take them. He's
a 6-foot-2, 215-pound tank, who also shines on defense. Mathews is high
on his defensive talent especially in the secondary where he will rely on
safety Bryce Cooper to make plays and lead the unit.
Livingston coach Randy Rowe has his Lions ready for a playoff push
after a 7-3 campaign in 2011 that included a 4-3 finish in 20-4A. Rowe
needs another big season from his veteran QB Chevoski Collins who
combined for over 1,600 yards of total offense last season. Collins is
dangerous and so are the Lions' backfield tandem of Chris Pierson and
Damion Collins.
Little Cypress-Mauriceville, Beaumont Central and Lumberton will all
face challenges in 2012. Combined, they were 3-18 in 20-4A last season
and the rebuilding projects at all three schools will continue.
Central finished 2-8 in 2011 and returns just three starters on offense,
but QB Robert Mitchell is in that group and is a dangerous threat. The
Jaguars defense will be tested, but has difference-makers ready to make
plays. Central missed the playoffs last season which hadn't occurred since
the 2006-2007 season.
LC-M may have the most upside as coach Randy Crouch brings back 13
starters from last year's 4-6 team. Battlin' Bears' RB Alex Sezer will need
to top his 2011 totals that included nearly 600 yards and nine touchdowns.
Crouch's defense has playmakers particularly in the linebacker corps and
secondary.
Lumberton has the smallest enrollment in the district and their numbers
show why. Coach Alvin Credeur's club finished 1-9 last season but return
seven starters on both sides of the ball. Depth is a problem for the Raiders
as many will play both sides.
Beaumont Ozen joins Livingston as a team that has potential to pull off
some upsets and sneak into playoff contention and coach Jeff Nelson
believes the Panthers can pull it off as he welcomes back 10 starters from
Ozen's 7-6 team. Lots of talent graduated but coach Nelson has new guys
ready to step up like QB Joran Ozen and a big weapon at RB Jakobi
Jones, who had 18 scores last season.