District 7-4A Preview & Predictions

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DISTRICT 7-4A

PRESEASON PREDICTIONS

Team                        Enrollment/Bracket

1. Aledo                        1,544 DI

2. FW Southwest            1,476 DII

3. FW Arl. Heights          1,714 DI

4. FW Wyatt                   1,235 DII

5. Granbury                    1,887

6. FW South Hills            1,551

7. FW Western Hills         1,453

8. FW Trimble Tech          1,790

ALEDO BEARCATS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 6

Coach: Tim Buchanan

2011: 14-2 DII State Champion

Returning Starters: 2 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: LB Gunner Johnson, Sr

Returning All-District Players: ATH Pate Davis, Sr; WR Willie Gibson, Sr; LB Aaron Hinsley, Jr; LB Jared Hinsley, Sr; LB Johnson, DB Clayton Lowe, Sr; DB Shea Wood, Sr

Storylines: Legends Johnathan Gray, Matthew Bishop and 14 other starters from Aledo’s three-peat 4A state championships are gone, but the program remains one of the area’s best. Defense will be a strong point for the Bearcats with five returning All-District players. Eyes will focus on Aledo’s rebuilt offense including QB Pate Davis stepping in for Bishop and Caleb Frysinger facing the unenviable task of following Gray at RB. Keep an eye on WR Gibson’s big play abilities.

FW ARL. HEIGHTS YELLOWJACKETS

Coach: Todd Witten

2011: 9-3 DI area finals

Returning Starters: 8 Off/6 Def

Game Changers: DL A’Shawn Robinson, Sr

Returning All-District Players: TE William Anderson, Sr; RB Adrian McKenzie, Sr; DL Adam Uptegraft, Sr; RB Sammy Webb, Sr

Storylines: Coach Witten takes over a Heights team coming off an impressive postseason and one of the state’s top recruit. Texas commit Robinson will be a dominating defensive force in 7-4A play. RB Webb, who was last year’s Co-Special Teams player of the year, will likely see more carries in ’12.

FW SOUTH HILLS SCORPIONS

Coach: J.J. Resendez

2011: 5-5

Returning Starters: 8 Off/8 Def

Returning All-District Players: QB Anthony Blake, Jr; WR Don Jerry, Sr; OL Quandre Scott, Sr

Storylines: An established group of upper classmen will get a boost from talented sophomores. QB Blake returns with almost 2,000 yards and 18 TDs under his belt. Sophomore DBs Antwant Roberson and Treylon LaSalle lead a talented secondary.

FW SOUTHWEST RAIDERS

VYPE Power Ranking: No. 16

Coach: Lanny Trammell

2011: 9-2 DI bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 9 Off/7 Def

Game Changers: QB/ATH Wesley Harris, Sr; WR Robbie Rhodes, Sr

Returning All-District Players: DL DeAundrae Hartin, Sr; OL Shane Fulp, Sr; QB/ATH Harris; LB Kenneth Mayfield, Jr; WR Rhodes, Sr; WR Willie Robinson, Sr; RB Jameion Williams, Jr; OL Willie Thomas, Sr

Storylines: Record-breaking pass-catch combo QB Harris and WR Rhodes will give defensive coordinators chills, but there’s more to this year’s Raiders – as in 14 other returning starters from last year’s undefeated district champs. RB Williams will help keep defenses honest.

FW TRIMBLE TECH BULLDOGS

Coach: David Poggensee

2011: 4-6

Returning Starters: 7 Off/7 Def

Storylines: The Bulldogs will be a pleasure to watch on offense. QB Jerrick McClain (1,400 combined yards), RB Melvin Harper, WR Darian Tennon (4 TDs) and WR Elijah Pruitt. Harper will also contribute significantly on defense.

FW WESTERN HILLS COUGARS

Coach: John Naylor

2011: 3-7

Returning Starters: 5 Off/5 Def

Returning All-District Players: RB Aaron Stevenson, Sr

Storylines: The Cougars will look to improve with RB Stevenson (1,200 yards, 9 TDs) leading the offense. DLs MacKenzie Sawin and Julian Salmond will key the defense.

FW WYATT CHAPARRALS

Coach: Zachary Criss

2011: 7-4 bi-district playoff

Returning Starters: 7 Off/5 Def

Game Changers: ATH Ladell Marshall, Sr

Returning All-District Players: OL Charles Brown, Sr; WR Deon Daniels, Sr; DL Eric Edmo, Sr; LB Dequaylon Gray, Sr; OL Sam Madison, Sr; QB/ATH Ladell Marshall, Sr; LB James Persley, Sr; DB T’Kelton Rosemond, Sr