Finish It, Part II?

Celina won't be the only defending state champion from Collin County playing in Class 3A this season. Farmersville won the Class 2A state title before moving up a classification in 2008. The Farmers may have a tough time repeating their championship ways this season, but don't be surprised if Celina adds another title to its record eight state championships. In Class 2A, the Melissa Cardinals aren't shedding any tears now that the rival Farmers are playing bigger schools. The Cardinals are expected to make a run at the District 11-2A title. Class 3A Celina Bobcats District 9-3A Coach: Butch Ford 2007 record: 16-0, DII state champions Returning Lettermen: 12 Returning Starters: 4 Off./4 Def. Players to watch: RB Charley Waldrep, RB/QB Troy McCartney, DB/QB Cody Worrell, RB/QB Jose Romero, OL Nathan Bidelman, DB/SE Austin Carey, LB Caleb Lavey, DB/TE Josh Lavey, C Andy Rose Outlook: It says something about the strength of a football program when it loses 14 starters from a championship team - and still finds itself ranked among the state's top teams in preseason polls. The Bobcats are coming off a perfect season having graduated its starting quarterback and key losses to the offensive and defensive lines, but they should still challenge for a state title. Ford's will choose a new quarterback from among McCartney (5-11, 170, 4.5), a senior who played running back last season, junior Worrell (5-10, 165, 4.5) and sophomore Romero (5-9, 150, 4.6). Ford has not been afraid to use dual QBs in the past. Prosper Eagles District 9-3A Coach: Kent Scott 2007 Record: 8-4, DII area finalist Returning Lettermen: 15 Returning Starters: 6 Off./6 Def. Players to watch: QB Hunter Nix, RB Bryan Monroe, OL Cole Dafft, RB Juan Williams, RB Bryan Monroe, RB Colin Padilla, WR/DB Rusty Neely, LB Drew Bristol, DB Brett Thompson, LB Rock Ortega, LB Emir Zarate, OL Ryan Carroll, DB Dillon Hood, LB Drew Miller, LB Jason Bolen, WR Chase Petersen Outlook: An experienced quarterback and proven offensive skill players have the Eagles hoping to build on its 2007 playoff run. The multi-skilled Nix (6-1, 205, 4.8) passed for more than 2,100 yards and 18 TDs, while also rushing for 625 yards and 12 TDs. Williams (591 yards, four TDs), Monroe (239 yards, four TDs) and Padilla (two TDs) return to the backfield. Neely (5-9, 168, 4.8) and Petersen will run routes for Nix. (prediction box) VYPE Predicts 9-3A 1. Celina 2. Prosper 3. Arygle 4. Whitesboro 5. Gainesville 6. Sanger Anna Coyotes District 10-3A Coach: Chris Dodd 2007 Record: 2-8 Returning Lettermen: 19 Returning Starters: 7 Off./8 Def. Players to watch: LB Adam Moreno, RB E.J. Dixon, QB Ian Reutelhuber, RB Emilio Diaz, RB Zach Sensat, WR J.C. Rios, WR Jonathan Davis, TE Chris Cunningham, TE Darian Gipson-Jackson, DE Henry Medina, OG Zakk Perez, OG Nick Cain, C Russell Reed, LB Ryan Hayes, LB Blake Hand, LB Ben Butterworth Outlook: The Coyotes expect another year of experience will help their cause in 2008. Dixon (5-8, 190, 4.7) rushed for more than 700 yards and scored four TDs and Reutelhuber (5.9, 165, 4.6) saw action in 2007. Diaz (5-10, 170, 4.6) and Sensat should also get carries. Reutelhuber will look for Rios, Davis, Cunningham and Gipson-Jackson. Moreno (5-11, 200, 4.7) returns as the Coyotes' defensive leader. (prediction box) VYPE Predicts 10-3A 1. Paris 2. Paris North Lamar 3. Commerce 4. Van Alstyne 5. Anna 6. Bonham Nevada Community Braves District 13-3A Coach: Davy DuBose 2007 Record: 5-5 Returning Lettermen: 22 Returning Starters: 7 Off./8 Def. Players to watch: QB B.J. Dale, C Caleb Montgomery, OT Jake Hooks, WR Tanner Marshall, RB Tim Underwood, OT William Kaake, WR Collin Strahan, WR Chance Rosetti, DT Sam Powell, DT Charles White, LB Keondre Jermany, LB Troy Graves, LB Cory Navors, DB Phillip McEntyre, RB Randall Barber, DB Clint Tidow, DB James Zahnow Outlook: A large number of returning lettermen and starters have the Braves expecting a playoff berth in 2008. DuBose will see what Dale (6-3, 230, 4.8) can do with a full season of snaps after the QB missed six weeks due to injury last year. Dale, Underwood (6-1, 190, 4.5) and Barber will look to run behind a good-sized O-line anchored by Montgomery (6-3, 260, 5.3), Hooks (6-3, 265, 5.3) and Kaake 6-3, 250, 5.2). Farmersville Farmers District 13-3A Coach: Ross Dodson 2007 Record: 13-2, Class 2A DI state champs Returning Lettermen: 10 Returning Starters: 6 Off./ 2 Def. Players to watch: QB Austin Brooks, FB Nickevian Taylor, C Michael Thompson, CB/RB Chase Wiggins, OT Payton Adams, OT Danny Laastad Outlook: The Farmers lost some offensive firepower from their state championship team, but they remain a favorite to make another playoff run. Tajh Redwine and Quincy Roberts have graduated leaving more responsibility and opportunities for Brooks (5-9, 190, 4.6). Brooks passed for 1,300 yards and passed for 11 TDs, while rushing for another 10 TDs as a sophomore. Taylor should find running room behind Thompson (6-3, 285, 5.2), Adams and Laastad. Lovejoy Leopards District 13-3A Coach: Jim Bob Puckett 2007 Record: first varsity year Returning Lettermen: N/A Returning Starters: N/A Players to watch: QB Austin Crisler, RB Blake Martin, LB Nate Krumrei, LB Matt Kotecki, WR Hunter Jarvis, OL Armon Habibi, OL Drew Carson, RB Josh Jacobs, WR Mike Wilson, TE Clark Pitts, DB Tyler Provence, K Dalton McFarling Outlook: The Leopards enter their first year of varsity competition with a roster without seniors, but loaded with junior prospects. Crisler (6-3, 195, 5.0) and Martin (5-10, 175, 4.6) will lead the Lovejoy offense. Krumrei (6-0, 200, 4.8), Kotecki and Provence will anchor the defense. Princeton Panthers District 13-3A Coach: Stacey Dillard 2007 Record: 2-8 Returning Lettermen: 21 Returning Starters: 6 Off./6 Def. Players to watch: QB Chris Hollingsworth, QB Jesse Sims, QB Justin Love, DB Lance Larsen, TE Derek Fort, WR Tim Clark, OT/DT Zach Rice Princeton hopes to build off a large number of returning lettermen if the Panthers are to make a move up the standings. Hollingsworth is leading a QB battle that includes Sims and Love. Larsen (5-11, 160, 4.8) will lead the defense that should receive a boost from massive Rice (6-5, 280, 5.5). (prediction box) VYPE Predicts 13-3A 1. Farmersville 2. Community 3. Emory Rains 4. Lovejoy 5. Princeton 6. Quinlan Ford Class 2A Melissa Cardinals District 11-2A Coach: Ronny Williams 2007 Record: 9-4, DII region semifinalist Returning Lettermen: 17 Returning Starters: 5 Off./5 Def. Players to watch: QB Zach Williams, OG Jacob Petersen, WR James Cervantes, WR Alonso Wise, LB Jacob Self Outlook: The Cardinals are looking to make a name for themselves among the state's best 2A teams after playing for the region championship last season. Williams (5-11, 205, 4.7) returns to run the offense after passing for more than 2,300 yards and rushed for another 900 yards in 2007. Cervantes (5-9, 150, 4.7) and Wise (5-9, 150, 4.7) will handle the receiving chores. Petersen has good size (6-2, 250, 5.5) at guard. Self (6-0, 180, 4.8) will anchor the Cardinals' defense. (prediction box) VYPE Predicts 11-2A 1. Melissa 2. Gunter 3. Whitewright 4. Honey Grove 5. Leonard 6. Tom Bean 7. Bells 8. Howe Class 1A Blue Ridge Tigers District 13-1A Coach: Joe Watson 2007 Record: 0-10 Returning Lettermen: 9 Returning Starters: 4 Off./5 Def. Players to watch: RB/LB Michael Ladner, QB Shane Williams, RB Tyler Barwick, OL Cameron White, RB Brennan Smith, LB Zach Gidnay, Daniel Stanley, C Lane Foster, LB Zach Rainwater, LB Montana Baker, DB Justin Rushing Outlook: With only nine returning lettermen, the Tigers hope that the drop down from Class 2A will help their chances in 2008. Ladner (6-0, 220, 4.9) is a two-way star who rushed for 492 yards and five TDs and leading the team in tackles.