A look at the remaining six teams in District 19-5A. For more on Eisenhower, click here:

ALDINE

Nickname: Mustangs.
Colors: Blue and white.
Enrollment: 4,007.
2007 record: 4-7 overall (Division I bi-district finalists), 4-3 district.
Coach: Bob Jones.

Some talent returns at the skill positions but that won’t be enough, at least early, to totally overcome the loss of a boatload of Division I talent – namely QB Darron Thomas (Oregon) and OL Daniel Campbell (Hargrave Military Academy). It took a late surge with those players to get Aldine into the playoffs, where the Mustangs summarily were bounced by Lamar.

The cupboard is hardly bare, though. RB Dontae Williams is poised to build on a solid junior season; he should be the featured back while RB Wesley Vincent acclimates. Jones said WR Tiki Anderson might play some quarterback. Senior Mike Williams, a 5-foot-10, 170-pound senior who runs a 4.4 0, may shine in the defensive backfield. He made 64 tackles last year.

ATASCOCITA
Nickname: Eagles.
Colors: Red, white and blue.
Enrollment: 3,188.
2007 record: 3-7, 1-6.
Coach: Dean Colbert.

The Eagles return seven starters on each side and have 47 letterwinners back, which should put them squarely in the middle of the pack with several other teams. Another two-game improvement – the Eagles went 1-9 in their debut year of 2006 and 3-7 last year – is possible if not likely. Colbert is high on his experience-laden secondary, led by seniors Denzel Fontenot and Steven Otteman, junior Kent Brooks and A.J. Pouncy. The defensive line has been impressive in the preseason; that the unit allowed 28 or more points six times and 40 or more three times was somewhat the fault of an inexperienced, turnover-prone offense.

That may not be the case. The receiving corps, led by junior Quintin Parks, has the chance to be one of the most exciting in the area.

HUMBLE

Nickname: Wildcats.
Colors: Purple and white.
Enrollment: 2,338.
2007 record: 9-3 (Division I area finalists), 6-1.
Coach: Walt Beasley.

If anyone could knock Eisenhower from its anticipated perch atop 19-5A, it’s the Wildcats. Six offensive and one defensive starter return and 16 letterwinners are back, but the youth is what likely will key this team. The Wildcats’ sub-varsity teams lost only four games in 2007, and plenty of those players have chances to start on varsity as juniors or sophomores. Senior QB Keith Baker is attracting plenty of Division I attention as both as quarterback and defensive back. Junior WR Darius Tubbs should be his primary target.

The defense has the chance to be monstrous, maybe even better as the unit that allowed fewer than two touchdowns a game last year. Senior DT Lamarc Strahan, at 6-4, 300 pounds, had 54 tackles in 2007 and is attracting attention and offers from across the Big 12.

For the record, the big Humble-Eisenhower game is Oct. 10 at Turner Stadium.

KINGWOOD

Nickname: Mustangs.
Colors: White, light blue and navy blue.
Enrollment: 3,219.
2007 record: 3-8 (Division I bi-district finalists), 3-4.
Coach: Dougald McDougald.

If their plans play out, the Mustangs won’t back into the playoffs this year. They return 10 starters – seven on offense and three on defense – and 22 letterwinners, so experience is definitely on the rise and is more than last year’s team. Even so, the Mustangs have a lot of players they consider “prospects” who will have to prove themselves now or during the season.

Geoffrey Perrott returns at quarterback; he accounted for nine touchdowns split almost evenly between rushing and passing and will have, of all people, DE Robert Singletary sliding across the ball to catch some passes. Arkansas commitment Travis Swanson, at 6-5, 275, will anchor the line.

MacARTHUR
Nickname: Generals.
Colors: Silver, red and white.
Enrollment: 3,221.
2007 record: 4-7 (Division II bi-district finalists), 4-3.
Coach: Jerry Drones.

Eighteen starters graduated from last year’s team that was competitive enough to make the playoffs, and perhaps not surprisingly Drones has had his hands full trying to fill those holes. Most of the offensive and defensive lines graduated, as did the quarterback. The Generals do have some staples back, though – senior RB Jaquillan Harmason will be counted on to build on last year’s 639 yards and five touchdowns rushing, and RB Roger Nunnery will probably be counted on as a fullback type between the tackles. He played mostly reserve in 2007.

The top returner is LB Craig Graves, whose 141 tackles (13 for loss) a year ago far and away led the team.

NIMITZ
Nickname: Cougars.
Colors: Gold, blue and white.
Enrollment: 4,007.
2007 record: 6-4, 3-4.
Coach: David Suggs.

If nothing else, Nimitz will be exciting to watch. They can win games with brute strength and finesse, and are eager to end a two-year playoff drought. Those qualities alone should put them squarely in a tight pack of evenly-talented teams in the middle of 19-5A.

Senior Zerick Rollins, who completed 60 percent of his passes last year behind Stanford-bound Michael Thomas, has a plethora of targets including RBs Marion Grice (11 touchdowns in 2007, his sophomore season) and Johnny Harris, and WRs LaMarquis King, Kelvin Chatham and junior Josh Huff. Former tight end Danzale White moves full-time to defensive end; both lines were particularly impacted by the loss of 14 starters. He had 54 tackles last year; position mate Sankietrek Williams added more than 60.

The Cougars will be tested early – their non-district schedule is Elsik, Clear Brook and Port Arthur Memorial, all of which are expected to at least contend for the playoffs.

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