Yes, it’s May, but there’s never a bad time to talk about Texas high school football.

The beginning of the month is usually the beginning of spring practices across the area, meaning almost all teams are putting on the pads and hitting the gridiron for the first time since the fall. So let’s ask some burning questions about the area teams and what to expect when the season kicks off in late August.

Our coverage kicks off today, with plenty of features and spring game coverage coming later this month.

Q: First off, will the local state champions (Katy in 5A, Lamar Consolidated in 4A) repeat?

A: First Katy …

Why not? We are talking about Katy, after all, but they may not dominate like they did last year. Few if any teams, no matter how much talent they return, can be that thoroughly dominant two consecutive years. It’s going to be fun to see who emerges to take the places of Bo Levi Mitchell, Aundre Dean, Trent Hunter, etc. Whoever does probably would have started at another school two years ago.

For now, remember the name Austin Sumrall. I’ve been hearing about this 6-foot-6, 260-pound offensive tackle practically ever since I arrived in Texas, and everyone that mentions him thinks he could be a behemoth in 2008.

As for Lamar Consolidated, what will the Mustangs do without Jacquizz Rodgers? The running back that carried the team to a state title is now at Oregon State, meaning quarterback D.J. Smallwood will have most of the load on offense. But there is enough talent to keep Lamar Consolidated as the team to beat in District 23-4A and a regional contender.

Q: Will a Katy ISD team finally topple the Tigers?

A: For our money, no. History’s on our side – it hasn’t happened since 1995. But if it’s going to happen, this could be the year. You don’t lose all the premier talent Katy lost and emerge without a scratch.

Cinco Ranch, which returns the bulk of its team from a 7-4 team last year, might have the best chance of anyone to beat Katy. That would be in the regular-season finale Nov. 8 at Rhodes Stadium. The Cougars were pretty formidable last year even without starting quarterback Shane Ros, and he’s poised to make noise his senior year whether it’s at quarterback or safety or somewhere else.

But the real question is, can a Katy ISD team besides the Tigers actually be competitive? Mayde Creek did make the playoffs, but were out by the first round. Taylor is getting its third head coach in three years, and Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes each won only one game last year.

Q: Are the Patriots next on Katy (or North Shore)’s schedule?

A: We don’t think so, but we admit we’re prepared for either Katy coach Gary Joseph or North Shore’s David Aymond to schedule Blinn or San Jacinto.

One of the unfortunate byproducts of winning – if there are any besides the tired, inevitable claims of recruiting – is it’s tough to make a schedule. Luckily for football fans across the area, Joseph and Aymond welcomed the chance for the first meeting of the two perennial powers. And then there’s Cypress Bay (Fla.), which jumped at the chance to come to Katy for what likely will be an ESPN game Oct. 4. Such a schedule should toughen Katy to the point where it could roll through 17-5A unscathed.

And guess what? Cypress Bay is coming back next year.

As for North Shore, not only do the Mustangs play Katy, but also play Eisenhower, Cy Falls, La Marque and Southlake Carroll. Texas A&M doesn’t play that many tough teams!

And 21-5A is not a gimmie either. Beaumont West Brook is good, and Port Arthur Memorial is no slouch either. The Mustangs should win enough games, but if they falter late in the season or in the playoffs, one should look at their rough non-district schedule.

Q: Is this the year for Cypress Ridge to make a deep playoff push?

A: Yes. We were shocked they didn’t last year, but for a loss to Hightower on a 50-yard field goal.

They’re going to have a fun race for the district title with high-powered Cypress Falls, which lost everyman Shane Turner but retains gunslinging Kolby Gray under center. There’s not a defense in offense-happy 15-5A that will contain fleet-of-foot quarterback Russell Shepard and running back Hasan Lipscomb, and there might not be in any other district around here, either.

Q: Which district benefited the most from realignment?

A: Off the field, probably 17-5A (all-Katy), 15-5A (all-Cy-Fair ISD) and 23-5A (all-Fort Bend) – the districts comprised entirely of one school district.

On the field, 18-5A, at least in our core coverage area. Strake Jesuit, Stratford, Memorial and Elsik came close to or made the playoffs last year and should combine for several thrilling games this year. At first glance, only one or two schools at most can be counted out of the playoffs early.

Pearland may have benefited some, as the Oilers move from 24-5A to 22-5A against the Pasadena ISD schools, Deer Park and La Porte. While it will not be super easy, Pearland could rule this district, although rising teams like Pasadena Memorial and Deer Park could give the Oilers some trouble.

Q: Will Eisenhower dominate 19-5A?

A: Yes, and maybe more. After the Eagles broke through last year and won an undefeated district championship to restore their place among the area’s elite, they’re nothing less than stocked this season. Senior defensive back/running back (and Clemson commit) Craig Loston is among the nation’s top defensive backs, quarterback Kenneth Guiton accounted for nearly 3,000 yards of offense and 29 touchdowns in 2007, and wide receivers Greg Timmons (Texas commit) and Jaz Reynolds are surefire threats.

All that’s not to mention junior Jay Guy, a 6-1, 315-pound defensive tackle who already is on everyone’s hot lists.

The team’s change at the top shouldn’t hurt. New coach Ray Evans previously was defensive coordinator under now-Fort Bend Marshall coach Darryl Phipps.

Q: Can Hightower and Clements repeat their surprising runs from last year?

A: After both Fort Bend ISD teams made it to the regional finals with some big playoff wins, both the Hurricanes and Rangers lost their head coaches to other jobs (Clements’ Jeff Hulme to Mansfield, Hightower’s Gene Johnson to Cypress Ranch). Both schools promoted an assistant to head coach (Keith Knowles at Clements, Shane Hallmark at Hightower).

But the ‘Canes still have a lot of talent to go around, including quarterback A.J. Highsmith, who has a strong arm and great running skills to boot. He will carry the offense, while the defense returns several key players. Look for Hightower to be the top team in a competitive 23-5A.

Clements did lose a lot more than just its head coach, as running back Chris Lenoir graduated and quarterback Derek Carr moved back to California. Also, the Rangers lost a lot of key players on the offensive line and on defense. Quarterback Steven Hamner, who was a strong player at Fort Bend Baptist last year, transferred to Clements and will be the starter. Clements will be in the conversation for a playoff spot, but it’s still foggy on how good the Rangers will be this coming season.

Q: What players can’t we wait to see? And what games jump out this far in advance?

Purpura: Of course the Shepards and Lostons are on my mind, but one of the players I’m excited to watch in the fall is Pasadena Memorial running back Bo Snelson. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound running back and son of head coach John Snelson helped guide the Mavericks to the deepest postseason run in the school’s history, but isn’t getting a lot of scholarship looks. Navy reportedly is as interested as anyone, with the other service academies and the University of Houston.

As far as the schedule, I’m already psyched for the Katy-North Shore tilt. I’ve also highlighted Stratford at Strake Jesuit on Nov. 7, the final Friday of the regular season.

Washington: I’m interested to see how Madison looks with senior QB Broderick Thomas, who transferred to the Marlins after two years at Elkins. He has great speed and can make Madison a really good offensive team. Also, Cristian Michel at Beaumont West Brook is a hard-nosed runner that will have a good season. He’s already verballed to play at A&M in 2009.

One game I’m looking at is on Zero Week, with Hightower facing Eisenhower. This will be an early test for both teams, and is a great game to kick off the 2008 season. I’m also curious in how North Shore handles itself against the other state power, Southlake Carroll.

Q: What will Stratford do without Andrew Luck?

A: Probably run more, at least to start. The Spartans again will have a talented backfield, but last year they had a built-in luxury because defenses never knew whether to key on the run or Luck. The Spartans’ defense will be counted on more early; the talent returning on the defensive line is first-rate. The offensive line will be led by the talented Michael Gibson.

The worst thing anyone could do when looking at Stratford’s prospects for this season is base anything on Week 10 last year, when Stratford held Luck out of most of the Memorial game and lost 21-7. Remember, the Spartans already had a clinched a playoff berth.

Q: Who might be the sleepers?

A: We’re curious to see how Morton Ranch and Seven Lakes will fare; the former won its first varsity game to close last season and the latter is playing its first 5A season after two in 4A. Morton Ranch was blown out only three times last year and hung tough with playoff qualifiers Cinco Ranch, Elsik and Mayde Creek. Same for the Spartans, who simply didn’t have the depth to hang with several teams and will have to average more than 120 rushing yards a game this year.

Some pundits are throwing Northbrook’s name around as a possible playoff team in 18-5A, even though the 34-year-old school’s never qualified. It has some returning talent at the skill positions among other places, but will have the unenviable task of wrestling a playoff spot away from four usual qualifiers.

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