Houston's Top 25 -- No. 22 Katy Taylor

Katy Taylor High School had a breakout season in 2008 after the arrival of new coach Flint Risen, who served as an assistant at SMU before taking the Mustang job.

What a difference a coach can make. Risien completely changed the environment at Katy Taylor and the Mustangs began believing in themselves, going three rounds deep in the playoffs.

While the Mustangs lose much of their running game (Steven Sartory), leading receivers and defensive secondary to graduation, the cupboard is not bare at Katy Taylor.

Quarterback Lee Rodgers returns after throwing for 1,600 yards and 12 touchdowns last season and one of his biggest and most reliable targets in 6-foot-3 tight end Trent Guiberteau.

Risien will need several athletes to step into important roles, but he did receive a significant move-in. Defensive tackle Nico Carlson won the state wrestling meet at the heavyweight level going undefeated. The 6-foot-2, 250-pound Carlson moved from Virginia late in the season last year, but could dominate the line of scrimmage this year in the district.

“My parents were in the Armed Forces and we moved around a lot,” he said. “I’m happy to be in Texas because when you think of high school football, you think of Texas. I’m really looking forward to the season to see how I stack up.”

Carlson won’t be alone on the line. He will be joined by senior Keba Agostinho, who is also a Division I prospect if he can get his motor revved up.