District 17-5A Overview
The best district in Region III has two very solid playoff veterans in Katy and Cinco Ranch. Katy Taylor will likely join the Tigers and Cougars this postseason again with Morton Ranch, Seven Lakes and Mayde Creek in hot pursuit. Despite making the playoffs in 2008, Mayde Creek will be pressed for the final playoff berth by a Sam Carter-led Morton Ranch squad and a very hungry Seven Lakes squad.
After Cinco Ranch (5-0) edged Katy (4-1) 27-21 for the 17-5A crown last year, the rivalry is alive and well between these two. Both will be aiming for a long playoff run, and the collision at Rhodes Stadium when they meet Nov. 7 will be heard in the state polls.
Katy rallied from the Cinco Ranch loss to capture the Division II state championship with a 17-3 win over Wylie. Cinco Ranch advanced three games into the postseason before dropping a Division I regional semifinal to Hightower 24-21. Katy Taylor also played three games before bowing to Pearland 35-7.
Best District 17-5A clashes to watch include: Oct. 10 – Cinco Ranch@Katy Taylor, Rhodes Stadium; Nov. 7–Cinco Ranch@Katy, Rhodes.
Predicted Order of Finish (Division I in Bold):
1. Katy
2. Cinco Ranch
3. Katy Taylor
4. Morton Ranch
5. Seven Lakes
6. Mayde Creek
Katy
2008 Finish: 13-3 (5A Division II State Champions)
Entering the 50th anniversary of its first state championship, Katy has high hopes – and why not? The Tigers have been a frontrunner in this district for 15 years now, pushing all challengers to raise their game by winning five state titles since 1997, including back-to-back crowns the last two years.
Despite a standout playoff run for the Tigers' sixth state championship, 2008 proved to be a season of contradictions for Katy. Inexperienced across the board and with six road games last fall, Katy dropped to 0-2 quickly – 6-10 loss at North Shore and a dramatic 0-47 defeat at The Woodlands – before head coach Gary Joseph and staff shifted personnel. DB Will Jeffery made a productive jump to RB, gaining 1,483 yards and 17 touchdowns as a junior.
Except for a rare district upset by Cinco Ranch, Katy played championship football from week three through week 16 when the Tigers dismantled Wylie (13-3) in a 17-3 5A-Division II state championship game. The difference between 2008 and 2009 is experience, and Katy has 4/6 returning starters to power the Tiger game plan, including a defense that allowed just 7.3 points during the six-game playoff run.
Katy's offense will be led by RB Jeffery (5-7, 160, 4.4), RB Vernon Jeffries (4.5), who combined for more than 2,100 rushing yards in 2008. The Tiger backfield also features transfer RB Donovonn Young. QB Mike Stojkovic (6-2, 200. 4.7) moves to a starting role, throwing to starters TE Zach Swanson (6-6, 235) and speedy WR/DB/KR Greg Morris (4.38) a prime target. OT Shep Klinke (6-6, 285, Texas A&M) and OG Alfredo Gonzalez (6-1, 285) will protect the line.
Also watch for sophomore QB Brooks Haack (6-1, 175, 4.7) is an able backup from a family of stellar athletes. He took snaps during the postseason and is likley the Katy quarterback of the future.
Defensively the Tigers will be dangerous led by teamwork and FS Sam Holl (6-1, 195. 4.6), DB Ryan Rose , DB Colt Atwood (5-11, 165), junior LB Grant Clifton, LB Jonathon Fisher and junior DE Nick Narcisse. Katy allowed only 12.3 points per game in 2008. Expect a similar showing as they chase a three-peat state championship this season.
Cinco Ranch
2008 Finish: 11-2 (5A Division I regional semifinalist)
Battling the Cougars in 2009 will be a monstrous struggle against a talented defensive unit led by hard-hitting LBs James Radcliffe (6-0, 206, 4.6) and Trevor Holt (5-10, 220, 4.7) and DB Zach Vellinquette. The offense returns plenty of young talent, but only two starters in OL Richard Glover (5-11, 263) and James Pierce (5-11, 270).
Still with junior RB K.C. Nlemchi (6-0, 205, 4.4) able to stretch the field, that will open the Cougar throwing game for QB Zach Myers and a host of quality WRs in Carson Sublett, Brett Pennington and junior Bobby Waid. TE Joe Norrell (6-1, 222, 4.6) will provide solid blocking and receiving skills. After impressive work at summer camps, Nlemchi knows he has big shoes to fill for Cinco Ranch. His size and speed are catching the eyes of college coaches at Nebraska and Oklahoma.
Cinco Ranch coach Don Clayton may never say it, but the fact he came from Katy's coaching staff played a factor in the Cougars' win over Katy last season. Now he is hoping to take the Cougars to the next step after playing 13 games in 2008, losing in the regional semifinal to division I state finalist Hightower. The Cougars don't want to just win the district title again in 2009. They are after a better playoff run.
Katy Taylor
2008 Finish: 8-5 (5A Division I regional semifinalist)
Behind QB Lee Rodgers (6-0, 185, 4.5), who passed for 1,633 yards, 12 TDs, the Mustangs ventured into uncharted territory with two playoff wins in 2008. With TE Tent Guiberteau (6-3, 240, 4.8) and WRs Taylor Rathbeber and Collin McWatters pulling down passes, Taylor should be solid offensively in the playoff race here.
Defensively state champion wrestler DT Nico Carlson (6-3, 265, 5.0) and teammate DT Keba Agostinho (6-3, 250, 4.8) will team with junior DE Wes Kerr (6-2, 215, 4.7) to wreak havoc on many opposing offenses. Combined with LB Max Gaurniere (6-0, 180, 4.7), this defensive unit could lead the Mustangs' playoff push for second-year coach Flint Risien.
Morton Ranch
2008 Finish: 6-4
Led by capable Sharpstown transfer QB Sam Carter (6-1, 205, 4.4), the Mavericks are hunting their first playoff spot. Carter proved to be a dual-threat last year with 2,780 total yards in 4A, and his arm will help the Mavericks spread the field with RB Wes Hudson (6-0, 185, 4.4) and WR Jordan Washington ready to catch and run.
If Carter and Hudson find solid blocking, Morton Ranch could post its first playoff season, but a playoff run similar to Cinco Ranch and Taylor experienced in 2008 may have to wait another year unless coach Scott Svendsen can bring his standout speed to the front line.
Defensively Morton Ranch returns eight starters, including S Floyd Mattison (6-0, 200, 4.4), DL Kennedy Jones (6-1, 240, 4.9), DE Stu Mouchantaf (6-4, 260) and DE Mike Mustafa (6-4, 270).
Mayde Creek
2008 Finish: 5-5 (5A Division II bidistrict finalist)
Ram coach Lance Carter returns 5/5 starters and playoff experience from 2008. QB Matt Humphries (5-11, 190, 4.7) will need to connect with WR Brady Atkinson (5-7, 175, 4.6) for the offense to be potent enough when the Rams take on playoff contenders Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes. RBs Devante Babin (5-8, 180, 4.4) and junior Graylyn Vital (5-9, 180, 4.6) are sharing time in the backfield.
Defensively Mayde Creek returns an aggressive LB corp in Tim Ward (6-0, 190, 4.6), Jordan O'Neal (6-1, 198, 4.6), Tony Pullings (6-0, 190, 4.6) and junior LB Chance Breen. If a key stop late in the game can earn the Rams another playoff berth, this unit can accomplish the mission.
Seven Lakes
2008 Finish: 3-6
Nearly a playoff team in 2008, Seven Lakes looks to rebound with good team speed and talent on both sides of the pigskin. Spartan coach Kevin O'Keefe wants his squad in the playoffs this fall, and the defensive unit has enough firepower to meet the challenge with LB Brad Snowden (6-0, 200, 4.6), NG E.K. Yancy (6-0, 240, 4.8), junior FS Blake Poncio (5-10, 175, 4.6) and sophomore DB Jarrad Crosby (6-1, 180, 4.6) onboard.
QB Christian Duda (6-2, 175, 4.6) played WR in 2008, but he will be throwing to TE Delton Friedman (6-2, 215, 4.7) and WR Kendall Stacks and TB Elix Rome (6-1, 185, 4.6) with C Collin Fissell (6-2, 260, 5.0) protecting the lanes.
Click here to talk 17-5A action