CY-FAIR
Nickname: Bobcats.
Colors: Maroon and white.
Enrollment: 3,270.
2007 record: 8-5 (Division I regional semifinalists) overall, 4-3 district.
Coach: Ed Pustejovsky.

Including phenomenal RB Sam McGuffie, the Bobcats lost 19 starters from a team that started well without the Michigan commit, struggled against the high-power team in its district and held its own with powerhouse North Shore until late in a third-round playoff loss. All four returning starters earned all-district honors in 2007.

Judging from their performance at the state 7-on-7 tournament, the Bobcats have tremendous young talent. In addition to WR Tevin Champagne, FB Morrice Lane put up a memorable all-around effort, blocking well and catching several touchdown passes. Champagne, somewhat wiry at 5-foot-11, 175, is working to increase his speed and become a big –play threat.

The Bobcats may end up as a bubble team fighting Langham Creek, Cypress Woods and maybe Jersey Village for the fourth and final playoff spot. How quickly the young talent emerges might be the key.

CYPRESS CREEK
Nickname: Cougars.
Colors: Blue and silver.
Enrollment: 3,138.
2007 record: 2-8, 0-7.
Coach: Greg McCaig.

At least five schools in the district, probably six, have a legitimate shot at contending for the postseason. Early on, Creek isn’t one of them. Most of the skill position leaders graduated, including QB Jacob Thompson, from a team that started 2-1 but was blown out in five of its seven district games.

Austin Pugliese will take Thompson’s place, and should be supported by talented WR Matt Adams, who had 32 catches for 380 yards and four touchdowns in 2007. They’ll need a breakout season from junior RB Brent Mitcham, who was a factor both as a back and receiver.

The lines should be solid, with end Evan Floyd and tackle Jeremy Williams leading the way.

Early games against Tomball and Klein Oak among others won’t provide a cushion.

CYPRESS FALLS
Nickname: Golden Eagles.
Colors: Green, gold and white.
Enrollment: 3,513.
2007 record: 9-3 (Division II area finalists), 6-1.
Coach: David Raffield.

This preseason’s theme is the same as last year’s – the Eagles have eight starters back with a bevy of relatively unknown players. That didn’t hurt Falls, though, as QB Kolby Gray and athlete Shane Turner helped guide its potent offense through high-scoring District 17-5A. They lost in the area round to Stratford, ending their run prematurely.

Gray is one of the area’s top quarterbacks after throwing for more than 3,200 yards and accounting for 40 touchdowns. As expected in the Eagles’ spread offense, he’ll have a host of talented receivers in Zac Gilmore, Eric Williams and Jordan Henry. Junior RB Christian Norris should succeed Turner in guiding the running game.

The biggest X-factor, though, might be the defense. Falls can outscore anyone, but gave up 55 points to Cy Ridge in the game that ended up deciding the district title. Linebackers Chase Parker and Derron Clebourn combined for nearly 150 tackles in 2007.

CYPRESS RIDGE
Nickname: Rams.
Colors: Navy blue, forest green and white.
Enrollment: 3,054.
2007 record: 11-2 (Division I regional semifinalists), 7-0.
Coach: Gary Thiebaud.

Who hasn’t talked about the Rams? They’re ranked high in almost every statewide poll of note, and even some national pundits are paying attention because of QB Russell Shepard and RB Hasan Lipscomb. The school has never received attention like this since its opening earlier this decade, and for that reason Thiebaud is careful to keep everyone grounded and accountable.

Even though he’s a Minnesota commit, Lipscomb is often overlooked simply because Shepard is next to him. His 20 touchdowns and 1,200 yards rushing, though, prevent him from being marginalized. If wide receivers Kevin Johnson and Arick Jones can make noise, defenses will run themselves ragged.

The lines are the big question – the offensive line lost four starters and the defensive line two – but favorites emerged early in two-a-days. Look for another standout season from LB Princeton Jackson, who had 90 tackles in 2007.

CYPRESS SPRINGS
Nickname: Panthers.
Colors: Red and blue.
Enrollment: 3,932.
2007 record: 2-8, 1-6.
Coach: Roland Gonzalez.

Gonzalez comes to Springs from Corpus Christi Ray, succeeding now-Cypress Lakes coach Robert Blackshear. Gonzalez is confronted with the task of changing the Panthers’ tradition; they’ve had only two winning seasons (1999 and 2003) in the history of the school and are 7-33 since 2003, when they advanced two rounds deep in the playoffs.

Twelve starters return, giving Gonzalez some encouragement.

Senior QB Darius Wilson has the chance to shine; he ran for 800 yards and seven touchdowns and threw for another 500 yards and three scores. He might as well be listed as an athlete; he may move out to running back or receiver if needed.

Defensive ends Aubrey Alexis and Evan Newland will be counted on heavily to anchor a unit that gave up an average of five touchdowns in its district games. Alexis, a barrel of a lineman at 5-11, 205, had 53 tackles, including seven sacks, in 2007.

CYPRESS WOODS
Nickname: Wildcats.
Colors: Maroon and white.
Enrollment: 4,256.
2007 record: First-year varsity program; 8-0 at junior varsity level in 2007.
Coach: David Jones.

The Wildcats shouldn’t be anyone’s doormat this year; they defeated three varsity teams last year as a junior varsity squad and have 72 seniors to lead them into uncharted territory. Quarterback Lucas DeVilliers, WR Tyler Williamson and RB Chris Walker spearhead an offense ready to post points quickly to compete; they nearly qualified for state 7-on-7 in May but didn’t come close again.

The defense has size, led by 6-2, 225-pound LB Patrick West and 6-2, 265-pound DE Justin Washington.

A strong start would be especially impressive given the schedule. Woods opens with playoff qualifiers A&M Consolidated, Klein Oak and Stratford before beginning district play against consensus favorites Cypress Ridge and Cypress Falls. Late games against Langham Creek and Cy-Fair could clear what likely will be a crowded playoff picture.

JERSEY VILLAGE
Nickname: Falcons.
Colors: Purple and gold.
Enrollment: 3,125.
2007 record: 2-8, 2-5.
Coach: David Snokhous.

There are a few reasons Snokhous believes this has to be better than last year. For starters, no pun intended, the Falcons lost seven starters to moves, injuries or other factors before the end of the first game last year. Consequently, their 2-8 record was their worst since 1989.

Snokhous also thinks his team is faster. Two of the top defensive players – LB Trey Briggs and DB Steven Campbell – run 4.5 40s and incoming junior QB Adam Llamas combines good speed with a precise arm. The skill positions are relatively untested; the top returning rusher didn’t get to 200 yards last season. They might get a cushion from the defense; Briggs and Campbell combined for 110 tackles.

Deer Park, Memorial and Humble dot the preseason schedule; all are expected to win or challenge for their respective district titles.

LANGHAM CREEK
Nickname: Lobos.
Colors: Red and black.
Enrollment: 3,590.
2007 record: 6-4, 3-4.
Coach: Paul “Mac” Woodfin.

Any thoughts the defense might have to carry Langham Creek until its younger players progressed might have been altered once the Lobos finished fourth in the state 7-on-7 tournament. Quarterback Will Bryant, playing in place of injured/expected starter Evan Martin McKamie, paced a high-scoring output with the help of twin WRs Garrett and Mitchell Juergens. All of them will be back, with the addition of WR/DB Jesus Munrose, WR Brett Reece and RB/LB Carl Jones.

Langham Creek has finished 6-4 three consecutive years after going 0-10 in 2004. The last two games, against Cy Woods and Cy Ridge, may determines the Lobos’ postseason fortunes. They’re seeking their first postseason appearance since qualifying eight straight times between 1995 and 2002.

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