5A Texas Football Preseason Predictions
District 24-5A
District Rating: 14th
Defending District Champion:Clear Lake
2003 Overall Record: 46-30 (.605)
2003 Playoff Record: 2-4
Projected 2004 Playoff Teams:
Pearland,
Clear
Lake, Galveston Ball
The Breakdown:
For the most part, this district remained mostly unchanged after the realignment, but did add one key team to the group. The Pearland Oilers join 24-5A after finishing behind North Shore in district 23 last fall. Pearland finished 10-2 last year after bowing out to Port Arthur Memorial in the second round of the Division II playoffs. Pearland’s addition will make this a better district from top to bottom. All three playoff teams from 24-5A last year are still here as well. Clear Lake, Galveston Ball and Brazoswood will challenge the district newcomer Pearland.
Overall, this district returns key players from last year on each team. However, Clear Lake returns more key players than anyone else. The Falcons are headlined by QB Scott Oswald. Oswald was the district offense MVP in 2003. Senior runner Elrick Jones (5’9 172) also made big contributions last year, and is back for more. The top returner on defense is LB Jamie McMurchy. Kyle Chism is one of the best kickers in the state. Clear Lake should definitely contend for the district title again this year.
As mentioned before, Pearland joins this district and they return a solid nucleus of experience from last year’s successful team. Defensive player of the year, DB Quinton Moore (5’11 180 4.4), returns and gives the Oilers a lock down presence on defense as well as a dangerous kick returner. QB Brandon Bucker had a good year for Pearland last year as a first time starter, and should really benefit from all of the experience he gained last year. His favorite target, WR Brandon Boone, gives him a legit threat on the perimeter.
“Woe to those who confront the Tornado” has been a rallying cry for Galveston Ball over the years, and the “Monsters of the Causeway” will need to reload on defense if they want to contend for the district title. Ball is known for having hard hitting and fast defenses. QB Dwayne Brown will have the offense in good hands along with RB Dante Austin (5’11 230) and WR Darnell Jones. The Tornadoes also need people to step up on the offensive line after losing guys like Walter Thomas and Justin Stephens.
Brazoswood took Pearland to the brink of defeat in last year’s bi-district playoff game at Rhodes Stadium in Katy, and the Buccaneers could be good enough to reach the post-season again this year. DT Reed Elkins and DE James Moore are the best players on defense. OL Codey Schieffen is the best back on offense, but the Bucs need skill players to rise up. On defense, the Bucs return a good core of experience to build around.
Clear Brook has a chance to make the playoffs this year after missing out in 2003 because they return key people in key spots. QB Corey Sonnier and RB Carlos Frank should have the Wolverine offense in high gear. DL Rodrick Jenkins is the best player on defense. Brook will need to play better against the top of the district this year if they want to get into the playoffs. Last year, Brook was outscored 118-48 by the top three teams in the district.
Alvin was somewhat of a dissapointment last year finishing 1-4 in district after returning great experience from a playoff team the year before. This time, the Yellowjackets will likely be more focused since not many are going to pick them as a pre-season favorite like last year. OL Hunter Schmidt is one of the best linemen in the district. RB Roderick Peterson has a chance to put up big numbers this year. Also, watch for junior LB Tyler Zaruba (6’0 205 4.7). Clear Creek will simply look to rebound from a nightmare year in 2003 after doing so well in 2002. RB T.J. Swan is a returning all district selection. Creek needs to find defensive help in order to move back up in this district.
Overall, Pearland really improves this district. Pearland and Clear Lake are the pre-season favorites here. Ball could rise up quickly if they can reload on defense and on the offensive line. Brook and Brazoswood will likely finish on the outside looking in. Alvin and Clear Creek simply look to get out of the basement after finishing at the top of the district in 2002.
24-5A Offensive MVP
QB
Scott
Oswald
Clear Lake
24-5A Defensive MVP
DB Quinton
Moore
Pearland
Predicted Order of Finish
(enrollment rank in parentheses)
1. Pearland (1)
2. Clear Lake (2)
3. Galveston Ball (7)
4. Clear Brook (6)
5. Brazoswood (5)
6. Alvin (4)
7. Clear Creek (3)
2003 Team Results
Alvin (5-5)
Brazoswood (8-3)
Clear Brook (8-3)
Galveston Ball (7-5)
Houston Clear Lake (9-2)
Clear Creek (3-7)
Pearland (10-2)
Top Players to Watch
Lake: QB, Scott Oswald, Sr.; LB, Jamie McMurchy, Sr.: RB, Elrick Jones, Sr.
Pearland: DB, Quinton Moore, Sr.; LB, Chris Jones, Sr.; QB, Brandon Buckner, Sr.; WR, Brandon Boone, Sr.
Clear Creek: OL, Josh Littlejohn, Sr.; RB, T.J. Swan, Sr.
Alvin: DL, Jeff Smith, Sr.; TE, Joe Savoie, Sr.; RB, Roderick Peterson, Sr.;
Brazoswood: DE, James Moore, Sr.; DL, Reed Elkins, Sr.; LB, Max Sencherey, Jr.
Brook: DL, Rodrick Jenkins, Sr.; RB, Carlos Frank, Jr.; QB, Corey Sonnier, Sr.
Galveston Ball: QB, Dwayne Brown, Sr.; RB, Dante Austin, Sr.; WR, Darnell Jones, Sr.