District 10-5A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 10-5A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                            Enrollment/Bracket

1. Allen                        5,388            DI

2. Plano                        5,315            DII

3. Plano East                 6,016            DI

4. Plano West                4,945            DII

5. McK. Boyd                 2,900

6. McKinney                   2,121

ALLEN EAGLES

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 6

Coach: Tom Westerberg

2011: 11-1 DI area finals

Returning Starters: 2 Off/3 Def

Game Changers: DL Byron Bonds, Sr; RB Jeff Harris, Sr; OL Brad North, Sr; QB Oliver Pierce, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DL Bonds, LB Nick Cobb, Jr; DB Cameron Cooper, Sr; DL Stone Drulman, Sr; OL North, QB Pierce

Storylines: Allen’s amazing new stadium will be the site of one of the area’s more interesting storylines. Allen is again favored to win district despite undergoing what many are calling a rebuilding season. Pierce takes on the task of replacing QB Alec Morris (Alabama). The national champion wrestler and prolific receiver will be an elusive runner in Allen’s spread. RB Harris takes over for Jonathan Williams (Arkansas). OL North is a rock, but the Eagles will need some receivers to have breakout seasons. Allen’s defense, led by Cobb, Drulman, Bonds and Cooper, will again be one of the area’s most underrated units.

MCKINNEY LIONS

Coach: Jeff Smith

2011: 0-10

Returning Starters: 8 Off/9 Def

Returning All-District Starters: OL Austin Horton, Jr; RB/WR Jonathan Shannon, Sr; DL Troy Taylor, Sr

Storylines: Coach Smith and his staff will be challenged not only to improve on an 0-10 record, but do it after moving up to a 5A district loaded with schools with enrollments twice and almost three times more. Reasons for the Lions to be optimistic include the return of QB Robert Somborn (2,200 yards, 24 TDs) and the versatile RB/WR Shannon who had 1,100 total yards and 8 TDs.

MCKINNEY BOYD BRONCOS

Coach: Don Drake

2011: 8-3 DI bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 5 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: RB Bryan Driskell, Sr

Returning All-State Players: RB Driskell

Returning All-District Players: RB Driskell, OL Rafael Serrano, Sr

Storylines: Boyd will have its hands full shifting from a district of Garland ISD schools to compete against much larger Allen and Plano ISD schools. RB Driskell will again be the Broncos’ No. 1 option after leading area 5A rushers with more than 2,000 yards and 28 TDs. Junior QB Curtis Ladd has a year of starting under his belt. Boyd’s defense, led by senior DBs Daylon Markham and Chris Stanton will be tested.

PLANO WILDCATS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 19

Coach: Jaydon McCullough

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: 3 Off/3 Def

Game Changers: QB Richard Lagow, Sr

Returning All-District Players: LB David Griffith, Jr; QB Lagow

Storylines: Preseason predictions had the Wildcats struggling to return to the playoffs while having to replace 16 starters – until the Wildcats surprised many by winning the state 7-on-7 tournament. It could be a sign that Plano’s offense is ready to take off. UConn commit Lagow (1,646 yards, 13 TDs) is back after a solid season and could find help in WR Anthony Antwine. Juniors LB Griffith and DB Austin Connell lead a young, but up-and-coming Plano defense that could get a boost from sophomores DB Mitchell Hansen and DL Sam Tecklenburg.

PLANO EAST PANTHERS

Coach: Johnny Ringo

2011: 6-5 DI bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 3 Off/4 Def

Game Changers: DL Devion Anderson, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DL Anderson, OL Leo Cervantes, Sr; P Jackson Garray, Sr; WR Collin Shaw, Sr; TE Cody Verhulst, Sr

Storylines: The Panthers should contend for one of 10-5A’s playoff berths with an offense led by OL Cervantes, WR Shaw and TE Verhulst. One puzzle to solve is QB where Mario Smalls could fill the void left by Corey Wesley. East’s defense will be led by DL Anderson and DL Nicholas Pressley.

PLANO WEST WOLVES

Coach: Mike Hughes

2011: 6-4

Returning Starters: 5 Off/2 Def

Game Changers: LB Lance Cottrell, Sr; RB Sotonye Jamabo, So; QB Travis Korry, Sr

Returning All-District Players: TE Parker Murry, Sr; OL Stephan Randall, Sr; LB Jake Wodka, Sr

Storylines: The Wolves appear ready to compete for a playoff spot after barely missing out in ’11. QB Korry came on as a dual-threat weapon in district play, even rushing for 350 yards and 6 TDs in one game. RB Jamabo is a much-talked about prospect that could give the Wolves another big-play threat. LB Cottrell will draw comparisons to big brother and Texas LB Bryce Cottrell.