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District 8-5A Predictions

BY Matt Welch, Justin Thomas and Kevin Hageland

Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011 3:47 PM CDT

1. Allen

Allen is No. 1 in the state and No. 1 in the nation, so it's only logical the Eagles would be No. 1 in District 8-5A.

Allen had high expectations entering 2011 and the Eagles have managed to meet or exceed them with variety on both sides of the ball.

The offense is most effective when Alec Morris is spreading the ball to Jonathan Williams, Andrew Rodriguez, Oliver Pierce and a slew of other targets while the defense is effective because of depth created by continuously subbing in players during the course of every game.

Experience and depth gives Allen an advantage over every team in the district and possibly the state.

2. Marcus

After graduating its top runners and breaking in a new offensive line, some wondered if a Marcus offense seeking more balance could still pound the ball.

Three games and 904 rushing yards later, the answer has been a resounding yes.

The air attack has improved as expected with quarterback Cole Erwin completing 73 percent of his passes for 390 yards and five touchdowns. Coach Bryan Erwin's lofty expectations for the defense have also shown true (13.3 points and 284 yards per game). Throw in game-breaking, two-way players like Jeff Smiley and Deion Sanders Jr. and the Marauders should be able to snag a playoff spot and perhaps challenge Allen for 8-5A supremacy.

3. Plano Senior

The Wildcats may not be toting the experience they boasted last season, but thus far, Plano has adjusted well.

Helmed by quarterback Richard Lagow and multi-faceted threat Kevin Merrill, a healthy offense could potentially pack a more explosive punch than last season behind a seasoned offensive line.

Defensively, players like Marcus Davis, Sean Oliver and Cole Eckeberger have risen up to complement the duo of Dwayne Hicks and Xavier Harbert up front.

So long as Lagow continues to evolve and the defense continues to create the turnovers it did in non-district, Plano ISD's playoff streak will live on for another year.

4. Hebron

After injuries marred the Hawks' 2010 campaign, a solid returning core of 10 total starters has Hebron looking to erase the inconsistencies of years past.

With Joe Farley having established himself as the Hawks' heir under center, coupled with playmakers in rusher Dezmond Wortham and Baylor commit Kiante Griffin out wide, the Hawks survived a gauntlet-like non-district campaign at 2-1. Hebron bested Mesquite Horn and Stephenville with the outcomes of all three matchups decided by a combined margin of eight points.

That kind of mettle should pay off in District 8-5A with the battle-tested Hawks riding an experienced offense with a bend-not-break defense to the postseason.

5. Flower Mound

Many faces changed, but the results have been similar to last year for Flower Mound.

The Jaguars have displayed their explosiveness on offense, averaging 42 points and 587 yards per game. One year after Paul Millard nearly set the Texas single-season passing record, quarterback Marshall Williams has thrown for 461 yards per game with 13 touchdowns.

The defense, however, is surrendering nearly 45 points per game and will be tested often in 8-5A.

But that didn't stop the Jaguars from claiming a playoff spot last season. As a youthful team continues to gain experience, look for Flower Mound to improve as the season progresses and challenge for a postseason bid.

6. Plano East

The Panthers have undergone a bit of a philosophy shift on offense as perhaps the district's most run-heavy team not named Marcus.

Dante Taylor and Nathan Meadors have been game in pacing the Panthers 2-1 start, but lingering question marks at receiver and up front could be East's undoing in 8-5A.

The Panthers have the luxury of one of the district's most explosive special teams units behind Taylor and Corey Bassett, plus a defense that has settled in after a rough showing against Arlington and 8-5A's most home-heavy schedule.

Unfortunately, the brunt of a difficult October schedule will likely leave East on the outside of the playoff picture.

7. Plano West

Consider Plano West the bizarro Flower Mound.

The Wolves, with playmakers like Davis Roeschke, Jordan Robinson, Grant Cooper, Mike Mitchell and Bryce Cottrell, have the defense to contend for a playoff spot in 8-5A.

The offense is another story.

Quarterback Carson Smith is capable of making plays with his legs, but has struggled to make a connection with his receivers.

The West offensive line has shown improvement in pre-district, but the Wolves will be relying on a backfield consisting of a converted wide receiver (Carlos Wiggins) and a first-year varsity player (Auston Anderson). If that pairing pays off, West could cause some trouble and erase memories of last season's winless district run.

8. Lewisville

While the transfer of two-year starting quarterback DeAndre Grimes didn't help, Lewisville has continued to make strides in coach Dick Olin's spread offense.

Cory Duran has shown the ability to distribute the ball, while the physical running of Rodrick Williams and company has given the Farmers a nice balance.

Lewisville possesses playmakers at linebacker and in the secondary, but can the Farmers withstand the high-powered attacks they will face each week in 8-5A?

Hiccups displayed on special teams during non-district must be avoided as well for a Farmer team that notched just one win in district last year to challenge for a playoff position this season.

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