District 7-5A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 7-5A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                        Enrollment/Bracket

1. DeSoto                     2,833 DI

2. Cedar Hill                  2,145 DII

3. Mansfield                   2,532 DII

4. Duncanville                4,008 DI

5. Mans. Timberview       2,770

6. S. Grand Prairie          3,324

7. Midlothian                  2,356

8. Grand Prairie              2,702

CEDAR HILL

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 7

Coach: Joey McGuire

2011: 8-1 DI region finals

Game Changers: WR Quincy Adeboyejo, Sr; ATH Laquivonte Gonzalez, Sr; QB Damion Hobbs, Sr; OL Korliss Johnson, Sr

Returning Starters: 9 Off/4 Def

Returning All-District Players: ATH Gonzalez, DB Brandon Harris, Sr; QB Hobbs, OL Will Mixon, Sr; RB Jared Rayford, Sr; TE Travis Wilson, Sr

Storylines: The Longhorns have long been king of their district domain, but now face a stiff 7-5A lineup. The offense is in good hands with QB Hobbs, ATH Gonzalez, WR Adeboyejo and RB Rayford handling the ball. OL Mixon anchors the line. Look for sophomore LB Richard Moore to make an impact on an already physical defense.

DESOTO EAGLES

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 5

Coach: Claude Mathis

2011: 10-2 DI area finals

Returning Starters: 8 Off/2 Def

Game Changers: DB Taylor Lewis, Sr; OL Marcus McGarity, Sr; DB Nick Orr, Jr; OL Sergio Phillips, Sr; DB Desmon White, Jr; RB Dontre Wilson, Sr

Returning All-District Players: WR Ricky Daniels, Sr; OL Devonta Leary, Sr; DB Orr, OL Phillips, RB Wilson, LB Taylor Young, Sr

Storylines: The Eagles managed to keep their coach – Mathis spent a short time on the University of Houston staff – and will cut down on travel to East Texas, but wound up in one of the toughest districts and regions in Texas. Wilson is versatile and arguably the state’s best RB. Desmond White is back at QB behind DeSoto’s usual big and talented line. DeSoto’s defense will be the key, because the offense will score lots of points.

DUNCANVILLE PANTHERS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 14

Coach: Jeff Dicus

2011: 7-4 DII bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 2 Off/6 Def

Returning All-District Players: LB Keenon Blair, Sr; RB Jaquan Cole, Sr; DL Cornelius Henderson, Sr; DB Cordray Love, Sr; DL Fred Smith, Sr; DL Jordan Tolliver, Sr; ATH Del Washington, Sr

Storylines: Coach Dicus will be challenged to replace nine starters on offense, but Duncanville’s defense should be in good shape with four returning All-District starters. RB Cole will headline an offense that includes RB-turned QB Aaron Piper and ATH Washington.

GRAND PRAIRIE GOPHERS

Coach: Gary Bartel

2011: 0-10

Returning Starters: 5 Off/4 Def

Returning All-District Players: ATH Jaylen Falls, Sr; QB Brandon Fichter, Sr

Storylines: QB Fichter and ATH Falls should improve on all-district seasons, and DB Latrell Lewis is a playmaker on defense, but the Gophers are expected to struggle in a district that go even tougher.

MANSFIELD TIGERS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 9

Coach: Jeff Hulme

2011: 11-2 DII region finals

Returning Starters: 6 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: DB George Baltimore, Sr; RB Kenneth Burks, Sr; OL Zach Crabtree, Sr; OL Austin Davis, Sr; LB Chad Whitener, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DB Baltimore, RB Burks, OL Crabtree, OL Davis, TE Trent Gow, Sr; LB Ryan Leroy, Sr; DB J.T. Ibe, Jr; RB Bryan Shanklin, Sr; K Trevor Stutsman, Sr; LB Chad Whitener, Sr; DB Trevor Wilson, Sr

Storylines: The Tigers are prepared to pick up from a breakout ’11 season. RB Burks (1,885 yards, 23 TDs) will be the workhorse behind one of the state’s most talented offensive lines. Mansfield’s defense, headlined by DB Baltimore and LB Whitener, will be tasked with keeping the Tigers close while their running game eats up clock and yards.

MANS. TIMBERVIEW WOLVES

Coach: James Brown

2011: 12-3 Div II state semifinals

Returning Starters: 6 Off/5 Def

Game Changers: DB Brandon Simmons, Jr; DB Trevor Walker, Sr

Returning All-District Players: K Nick Cannon, Sr; DB Ed Paris, Jr; OL Armani Smith, Sr; RB Josh Smith, Sr; DB Trevor Walker, Sr

Storylines: Coach Brown assumes a program still basking in the glow of its best year and a Cinderella run deep into the postseason. The Wolves’ underrated defense returns DBs Simmons, Paris and Walker, plus DE Ugonna Nwarie. QB Avery Gilbert will be tasked with filling the void left by school legend Charles “Chuck” Taylor who’s now playing baseball at UT-Arlington.

MIDLOTHIAN PANTHERS

Coach: Lee Wiginton

2011: 3-7

Returning Starters: 3 Off/7 Def

Returning All-District Players: WR Brenden Cornell, Jr; DB Bryce Fausett, Sr; LB Dustin Martin, Sr; DB Dustin Seeton, Sr; RB Justin Seeton, Sr; WR Phillip Smith, Sr

Storylines: The Panthers are hoping they could be this year’s Cinderella team in the ultra-tough 7-5A. The Panthers return the Seeton twins. Justin will be the team’s lead weapon, but keep an eye on ATH Patrick Hernandez, and WRs Cornell and Smith to make plays.

SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE WARRIORS

Coach: Brent Whitson

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: 5 Off/6 Def

Returning All-District Players: DB Bryan Ajumobi, Sr; K Johnny Armijo, Sr; DB Cameron Corsey, Sr; WR Louis Dailey, Sr; LB Kenneth O’Neal, Sr

Storylines: The Warriors should benefit from a second off-season learning Coach Whitson’s schemes. South’s receiving corps is talented with WR Dailey (6 TDs) and WR Ajumobi (6 TDs), plus newcomer Jaelan Austin (So.). LB O’Neal is the team leader on defense.