This is the seventh of The Athlete’s Connection’s 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 the Houston-area 4A teams.

The Houston-area landscape for 4A football has undergone a few big changes. Three new schools (Kingwood Park, Pearland Dawson and Manvel) start varsity play this year, two schools merged (Forest Brook and Smiley combined to form North Forest), and instead of La Marque celebrating a state title, Lamar Consolidated has the trophy.

Dayton also came close to bringing home a title, but fell to eventual Division II champion Lake Travis in the state semifinals. Along with Lamar Consolidated and La Marque, the Broncos are highly ranked in the state this year, and should contend for a title.

Lamar Consolidated head coach Lydell Wilson has nine returning starters, 20 returning lettermen, and a state championship trophy in the trophy case. But if there’s one determining factor that’s on everyone’s mind when it comes to the Mustangs’ chances to repeat is the fact that Lamar does not have Jacquizz Rodgers anymore.

Rodgers shattered school and state records last year in helping the Mustangs win the 4A Division I state championship in 2007 and being named Mr. Texas Football. But he is gone to start his college career at Oregon State, and Lamar Consolidated will have to find a player or players that can come close to equaling his offensive output.

A bulk of that will belong to senior quarterback D.J. Smallwood, who passed for 1,900 yards and ran for 601 yards last year. With Rodgers gone, Smallwood becomes the main offensive weapon.

“He’s the guy who has been the best athlete on the field, but the last couple of years, he didn’t have to be,” Wilson said. “I think you’ll see him take a new role. When you look at him, he’s 26-3 as a starter and 8-1 in the playoffs. So he’s the guy who has a lot of experience and he’s done very well for us.”

Lamar Consolidated also returns starters on the offensive line and free safety Stephen Fleming, who led the team and the area with 10 interceptions last season.

La Marque looked like a team that was on its way to another state title, but the Cougars got tripped up by Lumberton in the area round, and then got a new coach in Darrell Jordan, who comes from Dallas Kimball. La Marque brings back 19 lettermen and 12 starters, including defensive tackle Brian Ritell and linebacker Jonathan Wev.

Dayton brings back 12 starters, including the quarterback-receiver duo of Nebraska commit Cody Green and A.J. Dugat. Dugat caught 72 passes for 1,028 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2007, so expect the Bulldogs to continue to air it out.

Here’s a brief overview of the 4A districts with Houston-area teams:

District 18-4A

Brenham looks to be the team to beat in this one with its strong defense and speedy backfield. Waller will try to compete with new coach Jason Morley leading a young team after making it to the regional finals last year.

District 19-4A

While Dayton is the odds-on favorite to win district again, Crosby expects to be in the hunt with speedy running back Chase Casey. And keep an eye for North Forest, who should have plenty of talent with the combination of former Forest Brook and Smiley players.

District 21-4A

Yates continues to be the class of this district, with defensive leaders in linebacker Daniel Jordan and defensive tackle Darryl Jackson. Sharpstown came out of nowhere to earn a playoff spot last year, and the Apollos look to build upon that with junior quarterback Sam Carter returning after passing for more than 2,000 yards in 2007.

District 22-4A

All eyes will be on Washington in this district. The War Eagles have a back in Dominique Adams who can chew up yards and can catch the ball downfield. Furr looks to continue its rise from doormat to contender with the skills of quarterback Quentin Russell.

District 23-4A

While Lamar Consolidated is favored to win district, it should be a four-team rush to fill the three other playoff spots. A beefed-up offensive line should help Foster’s offensive attack, while Terry brings back its offensive battery of quarterback Ray Cervenka and running back DeMarcus Buford, as well as a veteran defensive line.

District 24-4A

Texas City, with a speedy defense led by defensive end Josh Cortez, should contend with La Marque for the district title. Friendswood will also be in the mix with honorable mention all-state quarterback Jacob Karam, a verbal commit to Texas Tech. Meanwhile, Pearland Dawson and Manvel will look to hold their own.

Subscribe to this comment's feed