2006 was a very uncharacteristic season for Coach George Herrmann and the Pflugerville Panthers.
With class after class of Division I talent leaving the program, last season seemed to be the year that the graduation influx finally caught up with the Panthers as Pflugerville finished with a disappointing 3-7 record.
The Panthers now appear ready to get back off of the canvas as 12 total starters from what was a young team are back for a team that enters the season as the preseason favorite in District 14-5A.
The offense, which returns six starters will lean a pair of sure-fire Division I recruits as running backs Zaviar Gooden and Greg Nwoko both earned all-District honors last season and give the Panthers one of the best backfields in the district.
Gooden, who has reached double digits in scholarship offers, will also lead the Panther defense as he and senior Justin Sorrell, a player that Pflugerville coaches list as a potential all-State candidate, make the Panthers secondary one of the best in the area. Another player to watch for is junior defensive end Alex Okafor, who looks poised for a breakout season and is one of the top prospects in the Class of 2009.