From The Houston Chronicle

Aug. 26, 2003, 5:00PM

24-5A at a glance

Ball's new head coach Ron Holmes looks to lead his team to the top of the district, but returning champ Clear Creek won't go down without a fight. Ball's potent offense meets Clear Creek's strong defense Oct. 31.

Ball

·Coach:Ron Holmes.

·Coming back:26 lettermen, 7-7 starters, from 7-4 team. 17 lettermen lost.

·X-men: QB Dwayne Brown (5-11, 185); WR Jamaal Simpson (6-0, 180); OT Justin Stephens (6-4, 320); OT David Bates (6-3, 280); DT Walter Thomas (6-5, 340); LB Rodrick Johnson (6-3, 230); DB Jason Wilcox (5-9, 165); G Charles Matthews (6-2, 280).

·Secret files: Brown rushed for 990 yards and passed for 1,000 last season, while Simpson was an all-district first-teamer after catching 29 balls for 633 yards. First-year coach Holmes will exploit the Brown-Simpson combination while Thomas and Wilcox lead the team's defense.

Clear Creek

·Coach:Aubrey Schulz.

·Coming back:14 lettermen, 3-5 starters, from 9-1 team. 24 lettermen lost.

·X-men:DB Jackie Rhodes (6-2, 185); DB Ashton Adekanbi (5-10, 175); LB Jerry Shock (5-10, 200); WR Jeremy Ruben (5-6, 135); DE Joe Taylor (6-3, 235); QB J.P. Padron (6-1, 210).

·Secret files:DBs Rhodes (all-Greater Houston) and Adekanbi (all-district) are the team's top returning players on defense, while Padron, who started in three games last season and was an all-district kicker, gears up for his final year.

Clear Lake

·Coach:Troy Aduddell.

·Coming back:23 lettermen, 5-7 starters, from 5-5 team. 28 lettermen lost.

·X-men:WR Chris Hunter (6-3, 160); DE Michael Pumlee (6-1, 215); FS Russell Schober (6-1, 190); WR Elrick Jones (5-9, 165); WR Scott Oswald (5-9, 165); WR Chris Sprott (6-3, 160); DL Jonathan Kirby (6-2, 210); DB Will McMullen (5-11, 170).

·Secret files: Hunter, an all-district pick, caught 36 passes for 525 yards and seven touchdowns and led the district in receptions as a junior. Sprott caught 36 passes for 525 yards and seven touchdowns. Nine of 12 returning starters already have two years of varsity experience.

Alvin

·Coach:Michael Bass.

·Coming back:21 lettermen, 6-7 starters, from 7-3 team. 24 lettermen lost.

·X-men:OL Nathan Miller (6-4, 275); OL Hunter Schmidt (6-3, 265); TE Joe Saudle (6-3, 195); LB Clay Turner (6-2, 225); WR Ritha Keo (5-11, 150); RB-WR Craig Farthing (6-0, 180); QB Noah Carrasco (5-10, 170).

·Secret files: Miller was all-Brazoria County and all-Greater Houston as an underclassman. In eight starts, Carrasco passed for 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns. With protection from Miller and Schmidt, Carrasco should have plenty of time to find Keo and lead a dangerous Yellowjackets offense.

Clear Brook

·Coach:Edward Arledge.

·Coming back:13 lettermen, 7-6 starters, from 1-9 team. 23 lettermen lost.

·X-men: DB-WR Morgan Taylor (5-11, 180); DB Robert Maxie (5-10, 165); LB Kent Etienne (6-0, 185); FB Scott Allcorn (6-0, 190); OL Joey Malone (6-6, 355); RB Dwight Goffney (5-7, 165).

·Secret files:Taylor was all-district at defensive back with four interceptions and excelled as a return specialist, averaging 15.6 yards on punt returns and 28 on kickoff returns.

Brazoswood

·Coach:Dean De Atley.

·Coming back:16 lettermen, 3-6 starters, from 4-6 team. 34 lettermen lost.

·X-men:FB Matt McDougal (5-10, 175); TE Matt Lankford (6-2, 226); QB J.D. Ritchey (5-10, 185); CB Ricky Austin (5-7, 155); LB Garrett Hagemeier (6-0, 185); LB Clyde Holloway (5-10, 230); DT Reed Elkins (5-11, 270).

·Secret files: McDougal is the team's top returning rusher, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and scoring two touchdowns last season while rushing for 307 yards. Ritchey passed for 814 yards, while WR Matt Williams caught 11 balls for 219 yards and two touchdowns.

-- EMILY DAVIS