From The Houston Chronicle

Aug. 21, 2004, 9:18AM

District 24-5A

Alvin

• Coach: Michael Bass.
• Coming back: 17 lettermen (9 starters) from 5-5, 1-4 team.
• Players to watch: FB Ben Lane (6-0, 195); LB Orlando Miller (6-0, 205).
• Etc.: The Yellowjackets' kicking game will be intact, as K-P Jaime Juarez returns after hitting seven of 11 field goals and 21 of 24 PATs in 2003.

Ball

• Coach: Ron Holmes.
• Coming back: 14 lettermen (6 starters) from 7-5, 4-1 team.
• Players to watch: QB Dwayne Brown (5-11, 180); FB Donte Austin (5-11, 220).
• Etc.: Despite it being a rebuilding year, the Tors have their main three cogs back on offense in Brown (905 yards passing and 800 yards rushing), Austin (825 rushing yards and 10 TDs), and wide receiver Donell Jones (25 catches for 527 yards, four TDs).

Brazoswood

• Coach: Dean DeAtley.
• Coming back: 19 lettermen (8 starters) from 8-3, 3-2 team.
• Players to watch: LB Garrett Hagemeier (6-0, 202); DT Reed Clayton (6-3, 230).
• Etc.: The Buccaneers have an inexperienced offense but will be OK with a solid defense, which includes all-district lineman Clayton.

Clear Brook

• Coach: Edward Arledge.
• Coming back: 20 lettermen (13 starters) from 4-6, 2-3 team.
• Players to watch: RB Carlos Frank (5-5, 155); LB Eddy Inyangumia (6-2, 225).
• Etc.: The offense will be young, but the Wolverines return Frank, who had over 1,200 rushing yards in 2003. The defense, led by Inyangumia (88 tackles, one INT), will be solid with nine starters back.

Clear Creek

• Coach: Aubrey Schulz.
• Coming back: 16 lettermen (9 starters) from 3-7, 0-5 team.
• Players to watch: OL Josh Littlejohn (6-4, 275); WR Austin Yancey (6-4, 165).
• Etc.: Running back T.J. Swan rushed for 788 yards and three scores in 2003.

Clear Lake

• Coach: Troy Aduddell.
• Coming back: 22 lettermen (15 starters) from 9-2, 5-0 team.
• Players to watch: QB Scott Oswald (5-10, 190); LB Jaime McMurchy (6-1, 205).
• Etc.: The Falcons have plenty of experience back from the reigning district champion. Of eight offensive starters back, five of them were all-district selections in 2003.

Pearland

• Coach: Tony Heath.
• Coming back: 18 lettermen (11 starters) from 10-2, 6-1 team.
• Players to watch: QB Brandon Buckner (5-9, 160); DB Quinton Moore (5-10, 180).
• Etc.: The Oilers have a lot of firepower in Buckner and his main target, Brandon Boone (16 catches, 145 yards). Moore, a district defensive co-MVP last year, will lead the defense.
 

THE QB QUESTION • Alvin: The Yellowjackets are still undecided on who will start.
• Ball: Dwayne Brown will have a second chance to excel in coach Ron Holmes' system.
• Brazoswood: After playing backup in 2003, J.D. Ferlet gets the nod to start.
• Clear Brook: Cory Barlow, a free safety, will start.
• Clear Creek: Junior Justin Morris moves up from junior varsity to get the starting role.
• Clear Lake: Defending district offensive MVP Scott Oswald returns.
• Pearland: Brandon Buckner is again the man.

- NIKI HERBERT