This is the second of The Athlete's Connection 30 football previews in 30 days leading up to the season-opening games beginning Thursday, Aug. 28. Today, Athlete's Connection sportswriter Chad Washington takes a look at District 14-5A.

CONROE
Nickname: Tigers
Colors: Black and Gold
Enrollment: 2,951
2007 record: 8-3 (Division I Region II bi-district finalists, lost to Klein 19-13), 3-2 in district
Coach: Roger Holkamp
Returning lettermen: 19

Conroe could be on the cusp of being a strong football team. But being in a district with tough teams like Lufkin, The Woodlands and College Park, the Tigers haven’t had their breakout season yet. A strong running game and a solid defense could help Conroe to do that this year, but need a lot of help.

The offense will be led by the 1-2 punch of running backs Lou Greenwood and D.D. Johnson. They combined for 1,312 yards and 19 touchdowns as backups last season. The offensive line should be decent with junior Kyle Brown returning and junior tight end Brandon Thornton, while Mario McArthur is the Tigers’ leading returning receiver.

The defense is loaded with linebackers, like returning senior Blake Cavil, who had 114 tackles last year. Other LBs are Hunter Hamm and Willie Tolbert. The defensive line is not big, but should be solid with Thornton and senior Jordan Wilson.

Conroe’s non-district season will be tough, with games against Klein Collins, Westside and Cinco Ranch. The good news for the Tigers is they host Lufkin and New Caney, meaning that they will not leave Montgomery County after the first week of October.

COLLEGE PARK
Nickname: Cavaliers
Colors: Green and Blue
Enrollment: 2,556
2007 record: 9-2 (Division II Region II bi-district finalists, lost to Klein Oak 59-42), 4-1
Coach: Richard Carson
Returning lettermen: 15

College Park turned a lot of heads by going 9-1 in the regular season last year in only its second year of playing varsity football. But with 41 players gone, the Cavaliers will have to do a bit of rebuilding in 2008. That still doesn’t mean that they can contend for a playoff spot, especially with a good group of players on defense.

The offense will be run by senior quarterback Taylor Parsons, who led the junior varsity team to an undefeated season last year, and threw four touchdowns in relief against Klein Oak. The offensive line will be led by junior tackle Eli Dickerson and guard Michael Manwaring.

The defense will be young, but the linebackers and secondary should be strong. Senior safety Eddie Porter is a ball-hawking type of player, while senior cornerback Jesson Gill had 42 tackles last year to garner all-district honors. Linebacker Colin Weingrad looks to have an injury-free season, while defensive end Taner Ash will be the main guy on the line.

The Cavaliers will play their first game at Woodforest against Kingwood, but will face a good non-district test at Cinco Ranch on Sept. 19 The district opener against rival The Woodlands on Oct. 10 and the Halloween game against Oak Ridge could determine if College Park can make the playoffs three years in a row.

LUFKIN
Nickname: Panthers
Colors: Purple and Gold
Enrollment: 2,303
2007 record: 9-2 (Division II Region II bi-district finalists, lost to Klein Forest 23-16), 5-0
Coach: John Outlaw
Returning lettermen: 32

It is one of the more successful programs in the state for the last few years (including a state title in 2001), but Lufkin has been unable to transfer its regular season success into the playoffs. Nothing less than a district title will be acceptable for the Panthers this season, and the same goes for a strong run in the postseason. A veteran defense and an explosive offense allows Lufkin to do both this year.

Although only three players return from last year on offense, the Panthers have a handful of playmakers to work with. Senior quarterback Jeffery Claybon was the district’s offensive most valuable player in 2007 after passing for over 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Senior running back Tre’von Lewis returns after running for over 700 yards and six scores. But the only receiver with playing experience returning to Lufkin’s spread offense is junior Kasey Jones, although there are some young receivers that can contribute. The main concern is the offensive line, which only has one returning player in senior Drew Alexander.

While the offense adjusts to new players, the defense is loaded with returning players and with talent. The top player is senior defensive lineman Jamarcus McFarland, who is arguably the state’s top DL prospect. Also, senior Germad Reed is the Panthers’ leading returning tackler (77) and senior Shaquille Teal was an all-district selection last year. The secondary will be led by junior all-district selection Carrington Byndom and senior Demarquez Freeman. Ka’Landus Phillips leads the linebackers after making all-district last year.

Lufkin will be tested in early non-district games against Tyler Lee and Longview, who beat the Panthers by a touchdown last season. The Nov. 1 game at The Woodlands could be determine the district title race.

NEW CANEY

Nickname: Eagles
Colors: Blue and Gray
Enrollment: 2,123
2007 record: 2-8, 2-5 (in 4A)
Coach: Russell Roberts
Returning lettermen: 21

New Caney makes the move up from 4A to 5A for the first time, but is greeted by a very competitive district. The Eagles haven’t made the playoffs since 2003, and will go through some growing pains this year. But if the run-oriented offense can move the ball consistently and the defense stays strong, New Caney could compete this year.

Only five starters return on offense, and running backs Joey Sullivan and Chad Jackson will carry the brunt of the offense, with junior wideout Joey Hibner as the main target in the passing game. The quarterback will be either Christian Perez or Buddy Rios. The offensive line will be led by Daniel Mena.

On defense, the team captain will be linebacker Zac Barfield, who had 114 tackles last year. The line will have young talent like Ryan McCants, Jonothan Ray and Tyler Estes. The secondary will be led by Chase Ferguson, Josh Agulair and D.J. Glass.

The Eagles will ease into 5A play against Spring Woods, Chavez and Baytown Sterling while facing 4A teams Magnoila and Willis. New Caney opens district play Oct. 10 at Lufkin.

OAK RIDGE
Nickname: War Eagles
Colors: Red and Blue
Enrollment: 2,373
2007 record: 4-6, 0-5
Coach: Bob Barrett
Returning lettermen: 16

It was a roller-coaster ride for Oak Ridge in 2007. After starting the season with four straight wins, the Eagles stumbled to a last-place finish in district. But Barrett believes that his team will bounce back from its half-season slide and become a playoff contender in 14-5A.

Barrett has to hope juniors Freddie Dotson and Ryan Cyr can carry the load offensively. Running back Dotson ran for 602 yards and scored eight touchdowns last season, while Cyr takes over as quarterback, throwing to young wideouts like Trent Langley and Charles Agugua. The offensive line has three seniors returning in guards Garrett Langthorp, Taylor Tackett and tackle Phillip Wood.

The defense should be solid with eight lettermen returning, led by tall senior lineman Tevin Henderson and senior linebacker Jay Buchanan, who not only had 120 tackles last year, but also returned three kickoffs for touchdowns. The secondary will be young and inexperienced, but sophomore defensive back Demarcus Fitch could develop into a really good player.

After opening the season against rival Caney Creek and Tomball, Oak Ridge will be tested by teams like Cypress Creek and Atascocita. The War Eagles will enjoy rivalry games against Caney Creek, The Woodlands and College Park in the new Woodforest Stadium, but will have to travel to Lufkin and New Caney.

THE WOODLANDS
Nickname: Highlanders
Colors: Green and Red
Enrollment: 3,622
2007 record: 3-8 (Division I Region II bi-district finalists, lost to Westfield 55-28), 2-3
Coach: Mark Schmid
Returning lettermen: 26

Don’t let the 3-8 record fool you. The Woodlands has been a strong team in the Houston area for the last 10 years, including a state championship berth back in 2003. But last year, the Highlanders faced a tough non-district schedule against powerhouses like Smithson Valley, Katy and North Shore. This year, coach Schmid expects his team to be improved defensively and record-wise.

Six starters return on offense, including a duo of wideouts. Seniors Alex Tweedy and Ryan Eastman are good downfield receivers, and with quarterback Andy McCloud’s strong arm, the passing game should be real effective. Add in the speedy running of sophomore Daniel Lasco – who did well in the playoff game against Westfield – and the offense is potent. The only concern is on the line, but with 6-foo-4, 305-pound senior Chad Lindsay returning, the concern is not too bad.

The strength of the team may be its defense, who returns almost all of its starters from 2007. The linebackers with seniors Clay Latimer and Colin Renton are good run-stoppers, while Logan Rowe leads the secondary with four interceptions in 2007. Loren Baker and John Michael Cochran are the anchors on the defensive line.

It will be another tough slate for The Woodlands to start the season, but now, Highlander Nation will not have to make a long drive for most of its games. The brand-new Woodforest Stadium will open Aug. 29 as the Highlanders face off against Cy-Fair, then host Katy the week after. Tough road games include Clear Lake and Kingwood. In district play, The Woodlands will play at their new stadium almost every game except the last week of the season at New Caney.

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