VYPE District Preview -- 23-4A

July 22, 2011

By Matt Malatesta of VYPE MAGAZINE - South Houston


District 23-4A

Rankings

Angleton
El Campo
Terry
Lamar Consolidated
Brazosport
Bay City
Foster


Players to Watch – District 23-4A

Joey Hunt
DT, El Campo

The districts best defender, Joey Hunt, committed to the Horn Frogs of TCU back in January. Expect Hunt to dominate the interior again this year, as the Ricebirds look to repeat as district champs.


Derrick Griffin
WR, Terry

Just because football isn’t his first sport, doesn’t mean he isn’t completely dominant. Derrick Griffin, one of the city’s top 2013 basketball prospects, gets it done on the football field as well. Covering an athletic, 6-foot-8 receiver is not going to be easy for any team.


Ryan Jackson
ATH, Angleton

Things might seem a bit empty this year for Ryan Jackson, without his partner Quandre Diggs next to him. But Diggs plays ball for Texas now, and Jackson is ready to take over as the leader of the Wildcats.



QUICK HITS

DARKHORSES – Angleton will have a new look, feel and attitude with the start of the Ryan Roark era. He is working with 10 returning starters, many of which will see plenty of action on both sides of the ball.


“We have six returning on offense and four on defense, but there are a lot of players who will be at new positions this fall,” Roark said.


One player returning to a familiar role is running back and Houston-commit Ryan Jackson, who ran for over 1,400 yards last season. On the other side, three-year starter Webster Jones, who has recorded over 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons.


Tim Tekyl at Terry High returns 14 starters and a lot of young talent.


“Our strengths that we have exhibited thus far are work habits, energy, chemistry, mixed with good speed and athleticism,” Tekyl said. “We’re not very big, but we have good quickness and speed and this bunch loves to play the game of football.”


Defensively, Terry has linebacker Hippo Hernandez and defensive back Victor Davis leading the way. On offense, Tekyl is excited to quarterback Antoine Arbuleda and wide receiver Derrick Griffin returning, after connecting for eight touchdowns last season.


“We installed a totally different offense that fits this particular group’s ability. The youngsters really enjoy what we’re doing,” Tekyl said.


District champions El Campo suffered only one loss in 2010, at the hands of La Marque in the bi-district round of the playoffs, finishing 9-1. Coach Bob Gillis returns nine starters, but admits that he lost a lot of talent to graduation.


Where the Ricebirds are strong is on the defensive line, led by TCU-commit Joey Hunt. Along with Hunt, look for Bryan Sparks to handle business up front.



DARK HORSES – For Lamar Consolidated, many of the top players on the roster have left, but a top defender in cornerback Lonnie Gray is back for his senior campaign.


Nine starters return for coach Mark Wiatrek at Foster. Doug Webb (6-foot-4, 275-pound) will be key player for the Falcons at tight end and defensive tackle. The defense has a number of players who return with experience, including junior defensive tackle Darien James (15 sacks) and safety George Kent (116 tackles, three picks).


Bay City will look to make a few more things go right as the Black Cats finished 3-7 in 2010. On the plus side, quarterback Derek Brown is back after producing over 1,200 yards and 13 touchdowns last season. Athlete Courtney Finney is also back after catching 27 passes.


At Brazosport, coach Brian Welch is looking for brighter days as the team finished with only two wins. All-district offensive tackle Terry Teague returns, while the team’s leading tackler DJ Dunn returns at defensive end.