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Thursday, November 1, 2007
Mid-Season Review
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Every season, there are surprising teams, amazing games and compelling stories. This season is no different. While we couldn’t possibly cover them all, here are just a few notable storylines that caught the attention of HSSTM.
Arlington Bowie:
Answering expectations
With 14 starters returning this season, expectations were high for Bowie. The team announced its arrival as a major player when it upset defending state champion Cedar Hill in a classic battle that ended 57-45. The Volunteers followed that up with an impressive win against Lamar that catapulted the team into the state top 10. Versatile QB Christian Matthews leads this talented team, and if the defense can shore up a few areas, Bowie might be playing into December.
Burleson:
Four (or more) yards and a cloud of dust
In an age when offenses are opening up and taking to the air, the Elks still prefer to grind it out – and do so with impressive success. Two Elks rushers have consistently been in the top five rushers in District 4-5A this season, with Jourdan Freelan and Brandon Young racking up the carries. Freelan tends to be the workhorse, while Young averaged almost 10 yards per carry mid-way through the season. Quarterback Will Grimes doesn’t take to the air often, averaging only six attempts per game. However, when the Elks do attack through the air, it proves effective. Receiver Courte Gilbert averaged a whopping 20 yards per reception through the first half of the season.
Mansfield:
History in the making?
After winning only three games last season, head coach Kirk Thor shifted running back Donovan Roberts to quarterback and opened up the offense. Combined with the explosiveness of RB Stepfan Taylor, the Tigers became the most explosive offense in District 4-5A and surpassed last year’s win total in just four weeks. Not to be outdone, the defense was the district’s stingiest through the first half of the season. Add it all up, and the Tigers could be on the verge of notching their first-ever playoff win.
Southlake Carroll:
Starting over
It’s hard to put into context how many consecutive wins 49 is. The Dragons repeatedly shot themselves in the collective foot in a nationally televised loss to Miami Northwestern in mid-September, ending Carroll’s record win streak. The sting of the loss apparently carried over, as the Dragons had to dig deep to hold off Rockwall less than a week later. By week six, Carroll had righted the ship and seemed to be clicking on all cylinders again, including a statement-making 42-14 victory over Colleyville Heritage.
Euless Trinity:
Bouncing back
As one of the premier programs in the state, Trinity was sent reeling in a 30-3 nationally televised loss to Odessa Permian on the same day Southlake Carroll was beaten by Miami Northwestern. The Trojans rebounded quickly, doing so behind a swarming defense that a week later held Waco, one of the top 4A teams in the state, to just seven points. The defense is big and intimidating and will provide the team’s foundation as new offensive skill players come into their own.
Arlington Martin:
On the warpath
The Warriors advanced to the playoffs last year despite a 4-6 record. Martin ensured that would not be the case this season by jumping out to a 5-0 start. Second year coach Bob Wager’s approach is pretty straight-forward: pound your opponent into submission. Running back Jeremi Mathis is Wager’s weapon of choice. One of the area’s top rushers, Mathis is also among the elite in the Metroplex in scoring. One of Wager’s goals was to get his school fired up about football again. Mission accomplished.
Saginaw Boswell:
Plug and play
With only five returning starters, there were plenty of doubts about whether the Pioneers could recreate their magical 8-3 season of 2006. Daniel Harrist took over at quarterback and has not disappointed. He is among the top passers in the area in 4A, and has two dangerous targets in Paul Jacobs Jr. and Cameron Mavroulis. Though Boswell may not reach eight wins again this season, the Pioneers avoided the drop-off many had predicted.
Keller Central:
Getting offensive
You might be asking yourself how a team at the bottom of its district belongs in this discussion. Well, the answer is simple: offense. Central ranks dead last in the district in defense, but its offense deserves recognition. Quarterback Dustin Stenta is one of the top passers in the area and has helped his team compete in ball games the Chargers otherwise wouldn’t be in. Jacob Drinkard and Jarrod Darden offer solid targets for Stenta’s aerial attack.
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