District 9-4A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 9-4A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                        Enrollment/Bracket

1. Frisco Centennial            1,907 DI

2. Frisco Wakeland              1,643 DII

3. Prosper                           1,257 DII

4. Frisco                              1,697 DI

5. Frisco Liberty                   1,769

6. Little Elm                         1,578

7. Frisco Heritage                 1,548

8. The Colony                       1,923

FRISCO RACCOONS

Coach: Vance Gibson

2011: 10-3 DII region final

Returning Starters: 3 Off/8 Def

Returning All-District Players: RB Ben Cole, Sr; DB Drake Hardy, Sr; LB Frankie Jesse, Sr; DL Shane Roberson, Sr

Storylines: The Raccoons surprising season included a deep run in the 2012 playoffs but they will be challenged to make a return visit. The Frisco defense will be a strength, returning eight starters includes LB Jesse, DL Roberson and DBs Hardy and Dongchan Kim. The offense will rely greatly on the running ability of RB Cole.

FRISCO CENTENNIAL TITANS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 5

Coach: Mark Howard

2011: 12-1 DII region finals

Returning Starters: 4 Off/5 Def

Game Changers: QB Lamar Jordan, Sr; K Austin Shoemake, Jr; DL K.J. Smith, Sr; DB Ranthony Texada, Sr

Returning All-District Players: QB Jordan; LB Jordan Miller, Sr; DB Ian Neithercut, Jr; DL Smith, DB Texada

Storylines: Centennial is coming off its best season of late and expects more with the return of QB Jordan and five starters off last year’s very stout defense. District Off. MVP Jordan passed for more then 2,400 yards and 24 TDs in ’11. The defense applies pressure up front with DL Smith, allowing LB Miller, DBs Texada and Neithercut to make plays. K Shoemake is one of the area’s under-rated kickers.

FRISCO HERITAGE COYOTES

Coach: Che Hendrix

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: 2 Off/6 Def

Storylines: Heritage continues to build its young program with talent like junior QB/P Isaac Kay on offense. Speedy WR Abdallah Yadadi could have a greater impact this season. LB Greg Page and DB Daylon Dial are anchors on defense.

FRISCO LIBERTY REDHAWKS

Coach: Galen Zimmerman

2011: 6-5 bi-district playoffs

Returning Starters: 4 Off/5 Def

Returning All-District Players: LB Devin Maddox, Sr; OL Sefrie Royal, Jr

Storylines: Liberty must replace the graduation of 15 starter to stay in the playoff hunt in ’12. The Redhawks will be strong on defense with standouts LB Maddox, DL Ellis Reid and DB Garrett Turnbull. OLs Royal and Dalton Wilkes are back in front of playmakers RB Aaron Estes and WR Trey Johnson.

FRISCO WAKELAND WOLVERINES

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 10

Coach: Marty Secord

2011: 7-4 DI bi-district playoffs

Returning Starters: 7 Off/10 Def

Returning All-District Players: WR Turner Smiley, Sr; LB Josh Harris, Sr; DB Turner Smiley, Sr; DB K.J. Williams, Sr

Storylines: An experienced group of returning players could bring a district title back to Wakeland. WR Smiley is the team’s most dominant offensive player, but he’ll need to sync with a new QB now that All-District passer Nick West has graduated. Ten returning defensive starters, including a secondary stacked with DBs Smiley and Williams should keep the Wolverines in games until the offense jells.

LITTLE ELM LOBOS

Coach: Donald Stowers

2011: 6-5 DII bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 3 Off/5 Def

Game Changers: QB Devante Pullum, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DB Justyn Bell, Sr

Storylines: Leaders QB Pullum (1,300 yards) and DB Bell will need help from several new starters if the Lobos are to return to the playoffs in a very tough 9-4A. RB Keaun Kinner will be a workhorse after rusing for 1,100 yards and 13 TDs.

PROSPER EAGLES

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 11

Coach: Kent Scott

2011: 9-3 DI area finals

Returning Starters: 6 Off/4 Def

Game Changers: WR Darius Hunter, Sr; LB Money Hunter, Sr; WR Torii Hunter, Jr. Sr; QB Davis Webb, Sr

Returning All-District Players: OL Cole Collier, Jr; LB Marques Houston, Jr; DB Brady Peterson, Jr; OL Kevin Salas, Sr; DB Tyler Webb, Jr

Storylines: Returning talent on both sides of the ball will help one of the area’s top 3A programs adjust to its first year against 4A competition. The Hunter triplets – Torii, Jr., Darius and Money – are back with All-District honors and college recruiters on their heels. QB Webb, a transfer from Keller, is a Texas Tech commit. OLs Salas and Collier provide heft up front. Webb and Peterson are leaders in an excellent secondary.

THE COLONY COUGARS

Coach: Rudy Rangel

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: Off 5/6 Def

Game Changers: QB Troy Chandler

Returning All-District Players: DL Isaiah Hinton, Sr

Storylines: The Cougars will suffer the graduation of DI talent, but welcome some talented underclassman. Chandler will move from WR to QB after Garrett Simpson signed with UTEP. The Cougars will need a new WR to stand out now that Gerald Thomas is at Colorado. RB Bryan Hammond will run behind OL Ben Bibby. DLs Grant Blankenship and J.D. Clark will provide pressure for The Colony defense.