VYPE DFW Football Previews: District 4-4A

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District 4-4A

Predicted Order of Finish

1. Denton Ryan

2. Wichita Falls Rider

3. Lake Dallas

4. Little Elm

5. The Colony

6. Denton

7. Wichita Falls

DENTON BRONCOS 

ENROLLMENT: 1,612 (4)

2010 RECORD: 4-7 4A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs

COACH: Randy Patzkowski

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dentton Hudspeth (Sr., QB), Matt Perry (Sr., RB/DB), Nick Behning (Sr., OL), Henry Davis (Sr., OL/DL), Nick Carrell (Sr., LB), Denzel Hughes (Sr., OL), Monroe Huband (Jr., RB), Gage Hoadley (Jr., DL), Leon Atkinson (Jr., DB), Paul Hunter (So., DB), Dan Tinsley (Jr., DL) Carl Whitmore (Sr., DE)

OUTLOOK: The Broncos could follow up last year’s surprising playoff run with another postseason trip thanks in part to 16 returning starters. Denton’s offense will revolve around Hudspeth, a dual-threat quarterback who put up good numbers as a junior. He’ll hook up with all-district receiver Perry who will get snaps at running back this season. The offensive line returns four of five starters including Behning, Davis and Hughes. The defensive should be improved thanks to the return of leaders like Carrell at LB and a defensive line anchored by Hoadley, Tinsley and Whitmore.

DENTON RYAN RAIDERS 

ENROLLMENT: 1,870 (2) 2010 RECORD: 15-1 4A Div. I State Finalist COACH: Joey Florence

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Mario Edwards (Sr., DL), Alex De La Torre (Sr., LB), Jordan Richmond (Sr., LB), Jordan Williams (Sr., OL), Sam Johnson (Sr., WR), Trey Cook (Sr., WR), Trey Mohair (Sr., WR/DB), Dominique Banks (Sr., DL), Matt Griffin (Jr., OL), Craig Moore (Jr., WR), Jerrick Harvey (Sr., RB)  OUTLOOK: The Raiders finished just one win short of a state title in 2010, but appear primed to make another deep run for a ring. Ryan’s defense will roar again thanks to the return of a host of All-VYPE and all-state performers. Edwards, a Florida State commit, De La Torre, a Texas commit, and Texas A&M commit Richmond lead a unit deep in size and speed. Edwards is coming off an 18-sack season. The Raiders must work in a new quarterback, but should be able to run the ball effectively with Williams, a Colorado commit, making holes for Harvey.

LAKE DALLAS FALCONS 

ENROLLMENT: 1,176 (7)

2010 RECORD: 5-6 4A Div. II Bi-District Playoffs

COACH: Michael Young

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Dalyn Williams (Sr., QB), Dontonio Jordan (Sr., ATH), Brandon Charles (Sr., OL), Ferrando Joseph (Sr., DB), Daltyn Marchuk (Sr., LB), Ronnie Coleman (So., RB), Tyler Vance (Sr., WR), Michael Jurcak (Sr., WR), John Laubacher (Jr., OL), Daveon Parrish (Sr., DB), Roman Mitchell (Jr., DB)  OUTLOOK: The Falcons are loaded on offense. Williams is one of the area’s top dual-threat quarterbacks, amassing more than 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2010. Jordan, a Stanford commit, should surpass 1,000 receiving yards and might run the ball too. Coleman and Joseph could give Lake Dallas two more explosive options. Charles and Laubacher should standout out on the O-line. The season could turn on defense, where newcomers must fill holes left by the loss of seven starters. Marchuk returns as a proven leader at linebacker, along with Parrish and Joseph in the secondary.

LITTLE ELM LOBOS 

ENROLLMENT: 1,487 (5) 2010 RECORD: 5-5 COACH: Donald Stowers

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jerome Daniels (Sr., OL), Matt Marrs (Sr., RB), Devante Pullum (Jr., QB), Justin Taylor (Sr., DL), Keaun Kinner (Jr., RB), Freddie Hernandez (Sr., OL), Darius Ramirez (Sr., DL), D.J. Haynes (Sr., LB), Brandon Wade (Jr., LB), Trey Marks (So., OL) OUTLOOK: The Lobos expect to improve on last season in which they fell one-win short of the postseason. Seven returning offensive starters will be key to Little Elm’s hopes of a breakout season. Daniels is a highly recruited blocker. Daniels and Hernandez will provide space and time for a backfield composed of Pullum and Marrs. Pullum has shown great running ability, but must elevate the Lobos’ passing attack. Marrs has the potential to eclipse 1,000 yards. Taylor and Price are among five returning starters on defense.

THE COLONY COUGARS 

ENROLLMENT: 1,935 (1) 2010 RECORD: 4-6 COACH: Rudy Rangel

PLAYERS TO WATCH: Gerald Thomas (Sr., WR), Garrett Simpson (Sr., QB), Geoffrey Chan (Sr., LB), Daniel Boyd (Sr., DB), Sir Wells (Sr., LB), Damarcus Henderson (Sr., OL), Eric Mitchell (Sr., LB), Troy Chandler (Jr., WR), Ben Bibby (Jr., OL), J.D. Clark (Jr., DL), Xavier Dixon (So., DB), Phillip Albrecht (So., DB)  OUTLOOK: The return of seven offensive starters including deep talent at key skill positions should get the Cougars back to the postseason after last year’s unusual absence. The Colony offense will be led by quarterback Garrett Simpson, who passed for more than 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns as a junior. Thomas, a Colorado commit, is one of the area’s most explosive receivers, hauling in 71 catches for more than 1,200 yards in 2010. The Colony returns just four defensive starters including Chan and Mitchell. Albrecht and Dixon could make impacts as sophomores.