Posted: Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:18 AM - 8,365 Readers
By: Evan Mohl
Killeen and Copperas Cove are among the Top 25 in their respective classes.
Dave Campbell's Texas Football Magazine, known by many as the Bible of Texas Football, ranked the Roos No. 21 in Class 4A and the Bulldawgs No. 25 in Class 5A.
Both squads went deep into the playoffs a year ago – Killeen to the Division I-4A quarterfinals and Cove all the way to the Division II-5A semifinals – and the experts expect the success to continue in 2009.
"It's good to be picked that high," Roos coach Sam Jones said. "But the game is played on the field. We still have a lot of work to do to get back to where we were a year ago."
Killeen was picked to finish second in District 25-4A behind Lake Travis. The two-time defending state champion Cavaliers defeated the Roos twice last season, including the playoffs. Pflugerville Hendrickson and Hutto follow the Roos in the district predictions, while Dripping Springs, Marble Falls and Lampasas are on the outside looking in of the playoff picture.
Lake Travis sits at No. 5 in Texas Football's rankings – Longview is No. 1 – but the Cavaliers are No. 1 in the coaches' poll. Lake Travis lost University of Texas-commitment Garrett Gilbert but returns 10 starters.
Roos quarterback Michael Cummings, a junior and last season's district newcomer of the year, was picked by the staff to win District 25-4A Offensive MVP. Cummings ranked fourth in the district in rushing last season with 767 yards (5.3 a carry) and 14 TDs. He threw for 1,257 yards and 10 touchdowns, completing 53 percent of his passes.
Killeen returns 13 starters, including seven on offense.
"Everybody expects Michael to be a lot better and even great things," Jones said. "But the chemistry has to be right. We're replacing a lot of linemen."
DCTF predicted Cove, not ranked in the top 25 in last year's edition, would win District 12-5A for the second straight season. In the 2008 edition, the staff surprised many by picking the Bulldawgs, who lost 15 starters and moved up a class.
But they were right.
"It doesn't mean a whole lot," Copperas Cove coach Jack Welch said. "The main thing is it's an honor to your program because people think highly of you. But it also puts a bull's-eye on your kids and program."
DCTF listed A&M Consolidated, which handed the Dawgs their lone regular season loss, behind Cove in the standings. The Tigers return 10 starters, including two all-district offensive linemen and stellar running backs Clinton Banks and Chris Nutall.
Consolidated travels to Cove on Oct. 30, which DCTF tabbed as the key game during district play. The contest also made the Class 5A game of the week for Week 9 in the entire state.
Temple was tabbed third, mostly on the legs of super recruit Lache Seastrunk, followed by a surprising pick of Ellison. The Eagles return an impressive 14 starters, including eight on defense, but missed the playoffs last year for the first time since 2005.
Running back David Cobb, whose brother Daniel departed for Texas Tech after rushing for 1,267 yards (7.0 a carry) and 16 TDs, was ranked among the state's top 100 juniors. Cobb averaged 7.7 yards a carry for 380 yards a year ago, and was the only player from the area besides Jameill Showers to get statewide recognition in the magazine.
DCTF predicted Belton to finish fifth and Bryan sixth. Shoemaker, which made the playoffs for the first time a year ago and returns the state's best dual-threat quarterback in Showers, was tabbed seventh ahead of Harker Heights with first-year coach Mike Mullins. DCTF did have Shoemaker dead last in 2008.
"It's not a huge surprise," Gray said. "Even I have a tough time trying to figure out who's going to win in this district. It's going to be a dogfight."
DCTF did reward Showers with the Offensive MVP. The 6-2, 210-pound Texas A&M commitment gained more than 2,500 yards of total offense in his first year as a starter last season. He threw for 1,986 yards and 19 TDs, completing 52 percent of his passes. Showers also ran for 518 yards, good enough for 10th in District 12-5A and Newcomer of the Year.
Cove's Donnell Hawkins was picked to win Defensive MVP. Hawkins, who is charged with the difficult task of replacing TCU linebacker and three-time all-stater Tanner Brock's (TCU) leadership, registered 147 tackles last season, including 18 for a loss and six sacks.
"He's the real deal," Welch said. "He has a chance to be special."
Salado was picked to finish second in District 25-2A behind Little River Academy. Florence came in last for the second straight season.
Eagles defensive tackle Caleb Little is expected to take home Defensive MVP honors.
DCTF had Gatesville finishing fourth in District 7-3A for the second straight year, just out of a playoff spot. China Spring, Glen Rose and West ranked ahead of the Hornets.
The cover features Colt McCoy and predicts that the quarterback will lead the Longhorns to the national title.
