Predicted Order of Finish (Division I teams all CAPS)
1. Klein Oak
2. KLEIN FOREST
3. Klein
4. WESTFIELD
5. Klein Collins
6. Spring
7. Tomball
8. DeKaney
Quick 2008 recap (season finish)
Klein Oak (10-2) stole the spotlight in 2008 with a run to the Division II regional finals. The Panthers hope to repeat that performance and have generated preseason state rankings with returning talent.
Klein Oak and Klein Forest (9-2) finished 6-1 in district, advancing to the playoffs with Westfield (5-4) and Klein (4-5). Westfield fell in Division I and Klein in Division II at the bi-district level.
The Golden Eagles survived one round of Division I playoffs, leaving Klein Oak to earn its Division II honors. And the Panthers did, downing Oak Ridge, Cy Creek and Lake Highlands before falling to Copperas Cove 55-48 in the Region II-5A final.
Klein Collins (6-3) notched the only league win over Klein Oak and just missed the playoffs. Spring (4-5), Tomball (2-7) and first-year DeKaney (0-9) round out the district lineup.
Klein Oak
Having sent players on to college careers at six colleges, one might think the Panthers are down this fall. One would be wrong.
District MVP QB Andy Wilson (5-10, 215) is back after throwing for 1,504 yards and 9 TDs in 2008. OL Kyle Bottoms (6-4, 280), WR Max Stevenson (6-5, 210) and WR Tory Waites (5-10, 170) will keep the offense alive.
Defense will be a Panther strength with SS Luke Muncie (6-3, 215) leading the unit. Klein Oak coach David Smith has enough talent to win the district and make another solid playoff showing. But in this district, it’s easier said than done.
Klein Forest
A defensive unit led by DT Jamar Phillips (6-2, 260), DB Damian Payne (5-11, 190), DB Corrick Robertson (6-1, 190) and K/P Jacob Decker (5-10, 180) will keep the Golden Eagles at the front of the 13-5A pack as the offense finds its resources.
OL Zach Bolton (6-4, 270) and OL Thomas Yetter (6-2, 230) will give sophomore QB Matt Davis (6-1, 180) and QB Lewis Williams time to grow. RB Cori Idlebird, RB Kaylon Junious, WR Carlyle Roudette are all expected to contribute.
Klein
Led by all-district tandem of first-team RB Dakota Barnes (5-9, 180) and second-team RB Patrick Johnson, the Bearkats will be a constant threat on offense. QB Clayton Crum (6-0, 190) will be looking downfield to WR Cole McCall and veteran TE Kevin Kisseberth (6-3, 220). Barnes rushed for 1,055 yards and 8 TDs in 2008.
Defensively Klein will be stout with athletic DE Eric Tomlinson (6-6, 210) and DT Robert Stollworth (6-3, 240) will team with LBs Alex Muddiman, Chris Stockinger and Jeremy Zaluski to halt opposing teams.
Westfield
QB Jacoby Walker (6-2, 210) is a dual-threat weapon for the Mustangs. He threw for 2,026 yards and 20 TDs in 2008, and his 4.6 speed keeps defensive units guessing.
LB Aaron Harris (6-3, 220), WR Jordan Sampson (6-0, 175), LB Roland Hannach (5-10, 215) and LB Kenneth Dickie (5-10, 205 will help balance the Mustangs’ bid for the postseason
Klein Collins
The Tigers will get it done with a stifling defense again. They had one of the best units in Texas last year, knocking off Klein Oak in district play.
DB Sam Shaw (6-0, 200), DL Cameron Ridgeway, DB Jordan Jones will power that unit while RB Ja’Michael Rozier and sophomore RB Shane Rhodes will gain the yards for Klein Collins.
Spring
Lions coach Sonny Karas will rely on speedy RB DaRed Haynes (5-9, 180), who gained 556 yards, and WR Arthur Londy (6-0, 175) to spring the offense downfield. Londy made 7 TD catches in 2008 and will cash in with QB Paul Kopesky (6-0, 180).
Standout DT Donta Burnett (6-1, 285) will team with DB Kareen Shaw (5-9, 185) and others to keep the games close.
Tomball
With 28 returning lettermen and 8/5 returning starters, the Cougars may also play into this district race. All-state WR Jordan Leslie (6-2, 190) pulled down 1,065 reception yards and 10 TDs last year, and Tomball coach Tommy Kaiser expects more of the same.
JV RB standout Desmond Richards (5-9, 175) could also put points on the board for Tomball.
DeKaney
Seniors will help the Wildcats’ cause after an 0-9 season as the team moves toward a winning record. Having every starter back on both sides also helps.
QB Keenan Atilee (6-0, 185), TE James Jackson (6-1, 220) and Elijah Johnson (5-11, 175) will ignite the offense as the varsity program expands. Atilee threw for 736 yards and 6 TDs, and Johnson ran for 461 yards in 2008.