The TexasPrepInsider.com Staff takes a look at half the field of 64 in the 5A-4A 7 on 7 State Tournament. Matt Stepp, Matt Diggs, Jeff Howe, Jay Darneal and Alan Zepeda all contributed to this report.
33. Klein Oak Panthers: Yes, they did lose current Texas Longhorn DeSean Hales and Michigan Wolverine Terrence Robinson but if you slack at all against the new look Panthers they will come out on top. QB Andy Wilson will have a couple of deadly targets at his disposal on the offensive side of the football. TE Jordan Najvar really stands alone on the field almost every game as he stands at 6-6 and with great hands he’s a threat. RB Osaam Cook is a difference maker when he gets the ball in the open field. The defense has a lot of players that got important varsity experience last season and will be led by LB Brian Corcoran, DB Luke Muncie and DB Craig Palmer. Muncie is a real playmaker and they will need him to create a lot of turnovers.
34. El Paso Montwood Rams: A potentially dangerous team from El Paso is the Montwood Rams. Led by WR’s Chris Muncie and Isaac Cisneros the Rams are capable of throwing up big numbers. QB Louie Tinoco will be key to the Rams chances. Last year in their first State Tournament appearance Montwood lost by 8 points to Lake Travis.
35. Houston Chavez Lobos: The past two years Chavez has come close to qualifying for the State Tournament but they fell short, but this year the Lobos took advantage early and qualified at the Manvel SQT. TE Mike Brockers is the headliner for CHS but keep an eye on QB Andre Kelly and their pair of strong DB’s Roland Veal and Tim Gray.
36. Coppell Cowboys: The Cowboys advanced to the state championshipwith a runner-up finish at the Frisco Liberty tournament. At the Wylie based SMU tournament, they did not have as good of a showing, but CHS had a lot of JV and backup players at that SQT. The execution is there for Coppell - but will the athletes be there in College Station to make plays if anything falters within the execution realm? Keep an eye on TE Tony Trahan and RB Evans Okatcha.
37. Gregory-Portland Wildcats: The Wildcats are a traditional power in South Texas and they are making their first ever trip to state. Two players to definitely keep an eye on are tight end/linebacker LaChristian Thomas and defensive back Richard Lowrance. The Wildcats are a traditional running team but the fact that they made it this far speaks to the type of athletes that they possess.
38. Garland Naaman Forest Rangers: Naaman Forest has been a bit of an enigma this season. They have not really been able to travel a full squad - which may continue through the trip at College Station. The one time they did - they made the tournament in Mesquite, yet did not have the endurance to handle the day. The Pool Play set-up should be advantageous for them, however, I am not so sure a deep run would be in order. Oklahoma commit Jonathon Miller will be a player to watch- and Terrence Bullitt will have a lot of fanfare with his A&M connections. One 2010 player to keep an eye on is WR John Harris who has the ability to simply make defensive backs look silly. If Naaman can get good play from QB Derrick Osborne and their depth holds up they have the talent to make a deep run.
39. N. Richland Hills Richland Rebels: Making their second straight trip to the State Tournament, the Rebels have better talent than in years past and that could spell SLEEPER!! WR/DB Phillip Gonzlaes is a deep threat and is very quick and DB Isaac Umesi is a lockdown cover corner. Last year RHS fell to Coppell in the first round of bracket play.
40. Tyler John Tyler Lions: John Tyler makes their return trip to the State Tournament after missing out on the 2007 State Tournament. JT is led by their talent group of skill players DB Corey Wilson, WR De’trich Morgan WR/DB Dominic Ward and WR Charlie Jackson. JT has major speed but how they’ll do at the State Tournament will depend on the play they get at the QB slot.
41. Spring Lions: It seems like the Lions may finally break through once again and play like the old Spring teams were used to seeing. Recent Texas A&M verbal commit QB Kenric McNeal may be going to play wide receiver in college but for now he is a real leader and has a terrific arm. McNeal will have a go to target as returning starter WR Dakota Dill has really emerged as a big time player. With the focus on Dill that should open things up for RB Darel Haynes and WR Derek Williams. The Spring defense will be the key to them winning however and they will be led by LB/DE Tahere Ray, FS Josh Rowe, DB Darren Brantley and LB Cody Pflughoeft.
42. Schertz Clemens Buffaloes: Even though some of the school’s talent has migrated over to Cibolo Steele, the Buffaloes have plenty of athletes left in the program. One of their biggest guns, linebacker Sean Porter, will need to get used to the Brazos Valley because the ball-hawking defender has already committed to Texas A&M. Running back Charles Ross is a big time athlete who is being recruited by several Division I schools at a number of positions.
43. Temple Wildcats: Temple’s talent is “scary good,” if they can be consistent they have the ability to beat anyone. They look that good last fall and their two big guns are back with speed burning receiver Tevin Reese and 2010 blue chip game breaker Lache Seastrunk. The Wildcats have an equally talented defense with junior linebacker Derrick Davis and defensive back Toravian Belcher. If they can stay focused, they have as much talent as anyone in the tournament and could make a lot of noise.
44. Duncanville Panthers: Duncanville may have the best defense in the tournament. Despite getting trounced by Arlington at the Southlake Carroll tournament in the finals - they certainly did enough to earn their spot in the tournament. The defense has averaged in pool play under 20 points a game. Chayse Joubert is the two player to watch for the Panthers. If Duncanville can find an offensive rhythm, they will be dangerous and a darkhorse. On defense DB DaShaun Phillips leads the way.
45. Cypress Fairbanks Bobcats: The Bobcats are making their ninth straight trip to the State Tournament and with RB/DB Tevin Champagne headlining the way Cy Fair is once again a team not to be overlooked. However, Cy Fair has lots of youth and that could be their downfall on Saturday.
46. Abilene Cooper Cougars: Abilene Cooper is making their first trip to Texas A&M since 2004 as they placed second at the Abilene SQT. DB Will Ford is the headliner and gets most of the attention but DB’s Stephun Hazlett and Demetric Lee are also players to watch. On offense RB A’Mon Pimpton and WR Tommy Bowman are both capable of making plays.
47. South Garland Colonels: South Garland did not impress at the SMU tournament, but they were able to get into the tournament at the Rockwall qualifier as a last chance. It is a testament to the system that Coach Mickey Moss set up to have a new coach come in and still have the team - with no returning RB/QB - make the state championship. Look for CB Denzel Davis to make a huge impact along with DB Jamal White - but South Garland is not a threat to make it out of pool play and likely, if they did draw the right pool, would not make a serious run at the championship. The lack of experience at the skill positions on the offensive side of the ball and that will be a major contributing factor to South Garland’s demise.
48. Round Rock Westwood Warriors: The Warriors made a nice run in the tournament two years ago and while this team looks very different, they might be just as talented. Quarterback Tyler Grabarkewitz had some impressive showing last fall and has a big arm. Watch out for 2010 running back Princeton Collins, who could turnout to be the best college prospect Westwood has produced since O.J. McClintock in the late 1990’s, LB Chase Griesbach is another headliner for the Warriors.
49. Baytown Lee Ganders: It was a tough summer for Baytown Lee as it took the Ganders five to weeks to qualify. The past few years Baytown Lee has qualified on the first week of SQT play. This is a testament to the youth and inexperience for the Ganders. DB Thomas Bates is the top player for the youthful Ganders.
50. Pearland Oilers: Pearland made their first trip to the State Tournament in 2006, but the Oilers didn’t fare well going 0-4. Look for a better performance from Pearland this year as they have solid experience with RB Kasey Carrier, WR Kevin Miller and DB Jarrad Stewart who has committed to Utah. If there is sleeper out of Greater Houston, Pearland could be the team.
51. Katy Seven Lakes Spartans: This is one of the sleeper teams in the tournament. They have a quality quarterback in Dalton Livingston, he will be college bound next year, and a pair of standout receivers in Anthony Kendrick and Steve McCormack, plus Christian Duda is making waves so far. The defense has a few standouts including safety Lyle Beloney. Seven Lakes doesn’t get much respect, but the Spartans showed they have the ability to make some noise as they advanced to the Consolation Quarter-Finals in the 2007 State Tournament.
52. Mercedes Tigers: This fall the Tigers will return a powerful offense from a team that finished with a winning record and a playoff berth in 2007. The Tigers had to raise money to make the trip to the Waco Midway Last Chance SQT, but made the most of their trip and won the eight team tournament. Running back Alex Trevino is one of the state’s best kept secrets. Mercedes is a very unconventional team and they have the ability to put up big points.
53. Colleyville Heritage Panthers: The 2006 State Champions in 7 on 7 waited until literally the last minute winning the Arlington Bowie SQT. QB Stephen Hill leads the way on offense, but the Panthers headliners are on defense with LB Bobby Schnieder and DB Eddie Foster.
54. Laredo Alexander Bulldogs: Think this team from the Valley can’t throw the rock with the best of them? Take a second look at quarterback Jerry Lopez who had one of the finest games ever for a Texas schoolboy quarterback on a 44-for-72, 557 yard night against Corpus Christi Ray last season. Lopez is worth the price of admission alone. Alexander also has an outstanding all-around offensive threat in Esteban Cruz.
55. Houston Memorial Mustangs: Memorial is one of the surprise teams in the tournament this year. They don't have a returning quarterback but Davis Miller looks like the go to there with targets such as Daniel Neumann, DeMario Thibedoeoux and Jake Kight. The defense will look for Michael Ratterree and linebacker Michael Williams will lead the defense.
56. Wichita Falls Coyotes: Old High is making their first ever State Tournament, with QB Ben Henderson and WR Antwone Moore the Coyotes have a solid combination. WR/DB Joseph Cherry is another major playmakers for the Coyotes, but their lack of experience on this stage will be their undoing.
57. Beeville Jones Trojans: The Trojans are another first time entry into the State Tournament, QB Eric Soza during the season leads a run based offense, but his arm will be counted on if the Trojans want to make a deep push Saturday.
58. Pleasanton Eagles: The Eagles are one of the surprising teams making it to College Station for a few reasons. One, they move up from Class 3A last season and two, they lost most of their offensive firepower from that team. If the Eagles are to make a run in the tournament then they will need a monster effort from running back Phillip Pawelek, who was a 1,000 yard rusher last fall.
59. Arlington Martin Warriors: Martin is led by their big time WR Chris Omigie who at 6’5 and with blazing speed is a tough cover for most teams, at QB steady Cruz Garcia leads the way. Last year cross town rival Arlington Lamar, Garcia led the Vikings to the semi-finals so with his steady hand leading the way the Warriors could be a sleeper.
60. El Paso Del Valle Conquistadores: Del Valle made their first trip to the State Tournament in 2005 and don’t think the Conquistadores will be intimidated. Del Valle in their first ever game at the State Tournament stunned Cypress Creek. DB Danny Muro and QB Jordon Baeza lead the way.
61. Houston Stratford Spartans: Andrew Luck's 10 year stint as the quarterback here is over, okay it was just 4 but it seemed like 10. The team has some good players but the quarterback situation is a battle between Mark Benninger and Andrew Mitchell. On defense some quality db's are back with Jerry Young and Jackie Simmons covering the back. On offense look for explosive Rodney Anderson to make waves.
62. Fort Bend Elkins Knights: Dean Brantley transfers from Fort Bend Marshall with his dad and has a pair of major D1 targets to throw at in senior Nick Harwell and junio Jordan Jolly. Harwell is the possesion guy while Jolly is the gamebreaker, watch for both to bust loose on the weekend. Elkins is making their first trip to the State Tournament after qualifying at Manvel.
63. Brady Bulldogs: Prennis Williams rushed for nearly 1,200 yards as a junior and should be one of the more exciting players the Bulldogs bring with them to the Brazos Valley. After qualifying in Round Rock the Class 2A Bulldogs could find life difficult in the tournament with the big boys of 5A and 4A, this is Brady’s first State Tournament appearance since 2004.
64. Belton Tigers: The Tigers have some impressive looking young guns, led by 2010 prospects Kevin Thornton and Cole Dominguez. Belton is in the tournament after finishing third at the Lake Travis SQT, but it will be tough sledding for the Tigers in College Station because they have not looked very strong in recent tournaments. One player to watch is linebacker Kyle Voss, a two-time all-District selection who is really flying under the radar. Belton is in their first State Tournament since 2000.