District 13-4A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 13-4A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                        Enrollment/Bracket

1. Wylie East                 1,612  DII

2. Sherman                   1,710 DII

3. Wylie                        1,750  DI

4. McKinney North         1,771  DI

5. Lovejoy                     1,104

6. Denison                     1,291

7. Royse City                 1,239

8. Greenville                  1,204

LOVEJOY LEOPARDS

Coach: Matt Green

2011: 8-4 3A DI region semifinals

Returning Starters:4 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: ATH Cullon Greene, Sr

Returning All-District Players: ATH Greene; LB Thomas Kotecki, Sr; RB Nick La Sane, Sr; P Matt Sims, Sr

Storylines: The Lovejoy quickly established itself as one of the state’s best 3A programs, but now moves up to 4A. The Leopards also welcome a new head coach. Coach Green. RB La Sane will carry much of the rushing workload. LB Kotecki is a leader on defense.

MCKINNEY NORTH BULLDOGS

Coach: Mike Fecci

2011: 6-5 DII bi-district playoffs

Returning Starters: 5 Off/8 Def

Returning All-District Players: DB Evan Jones, Sr; DL Enrique Mills, Sr; DL Preston Spears, Jr; LB James Triplett

Storylines: The Bulldogs should vie for another playoff berth with 13 returning starters and a new district. DL Spears, Def. Sophomore of the Year honors last year, and DL Mills give North a formidable front. RB Trey Smith will run behind OL Austin Horton.

ROYSE CITY BULLDOGS

Coach: Greg Strahm

2011: 3-8 DII bi-district playoffs

Returning Starters: 4 Off/4 Def

Returning All-District Players: WR Michael Webb, Sr

Storylines: The Bulldogs take on a new district lineup with experience at QB. Wes Brookshire produced 2,600 yards and 18 TDs in ’11. Brookshire will team up with another proven target in WR Webb. The offense can also depend on massive OT Alfred Haumpy. The defense will be led by LB Elijah Huntley.

WYLIE PIRATES

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 20

Coach: Bill Howard

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: 5 Off/5 Def

Game Changers: DB T’Kevian Rockwell, Jr

Storylines: The Pirates barely missed out on a playoff berth just a year after approaching a state title. Ten returning starters could push the Pirates back into the postseason. QB Kameron Kelly and WRs Alex Pina-Rohden and Alex Wesley will give the offense some firepower. OL Nijiki Laurent will anchor the line. DL Rausaw is tough up front and DB Rockwell is a playmaker in the secondary.

WYLIE EAST RAIDERS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 4

Coach: Joe Lepsis

2011: 8-3 DII bi-district playoffs

Returning Starters: 6 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: RB Jabari Anderson, Sr; WR Marcell Ateman, Sr; TE Jesse Brubaker, Sr; WR Quan Jones, Sr; QB Garrett McCain, Jr

Returning All-District Players: RB Anderson, WR Ateman, TE Brubaker, QB McCain

Storylines: The Raiders will field one of the area’s most talented offenses in the school’s third varsity season. QB McCain has three D-I college committed targets in TE Brubaker and WRs Ateman and Jones. RB Anderson racked up more than 2,100 rushing yards and 28 TDs in ’11. The defense will rely on LBs Chase Eckles and Henry Dues.