Del Valle Cardinals

 

Coach: Courtney Wash

Returning starters: 7 off., 6 def.

 

Preview

A team with 13 returning starters usually has high expectations, especially if that team barely missed the playoffs in 2008. With a new coach, however, a question always arises on how the team will respond with new leadership. Free safety Rodney Lee is the Cardinals’ playmaker on defense and leads an experienced secondary. Lee had 135 tackles and four interceptions in 2008. Offensively, quarterback Jozef Cortez and has two big WRs at his disposal.

 

Did you know?

Del Valle was one win away from making the playoffs last year.

 

Elgin Wildcats

 

Coach: Danny Lauve

Returning starters: 3 off., 2 def.

 

Preview

Elgin lost 20 seniors and 17 starters from last year’s team that went two rounds deep in the playoffs. Da’Rick Nolan will get a full year on varsity, and the junior could pick up where Derrick Falke left off on offense. Dallas Glass and Hayden Bell anchor the Wildcats’ offensive line. Falke will be missed on a secondary that included a lot of speed in Kevin Weaver, Cro Faulks and Sam Works.

 

Did you know?

Elgin was seven points away from being District 17-4A champions in 2008 after losing to Hays by six in overtime and Lockhart by one.

Hays Rebels

 

Coach: Bob Shelton

Returning starters: 4 off., 3 def.

 

Preview

Quarterback Sam Breyfogle leads an offense that relies heavily on the run. Running backs Torrance Smith and Trace Gandy, an all-district selection in 2008, have an immense offensive line to create holes and block for them. Legendary Coach Shelton is stacked on the defense that returns linebacker Godford Maxwell, who had 116 tackles last season.

 

Did you know?

Shelton is the only coach the Hays football program has had in its 42-year history.

 

Lehman Lobos

 

Coach: Steve Davis

Returning starters: 6 off., 5 def.

 

Preview

The good news for the Lobos is they return more starters than any team in the district other than Del Valle, which returns 13. The bad news is Lehman still plays in a district that is loaded with talent from top to bottom. Regardless, Lehman could place themselves on the map in 2009 with 19 seniors. The Lobos defensive line should be able to keep them in games while Coach Davis searches for a quarterback to lead the offense.

 

Did you know?

Lehman has not won a district game in school history. The Lobos are 0-19 in district play in their three-year existence.

 

Lockhart Lions

 

Coach: Robin Rapp

Returning starters: 5 off., 2 def.

 

Preview

It will be the sequel to the Dominique Hardaway show in Lockhart in 2009. One of the state’s top running backs, Hardaway returns for his senior year after roaring for 1,985 yards last year. Under new coach Rapp, that should be the plan with an offensive line that has a lot of beef on it with 275-pound Kevin Rodriguez and 300-pound Dion Turner. The Lions’ defense will be tested each week and may be the Achilles heel of the team with just two starters back.

 

Did you know?

Lockhart won its first playoff game in 36 years in 2008.

 

Manor Mustangs

 

Coach: Eric Carter

Returning starters: 2 off., 8 def.

 

Preview

The Mustangs will enter their second season under Carter and will rely on an experienced defense. The multiple spread offense will be highlighted by RB LaDarrien Williams, who had 948 yards rushing in 2008, but could take over at quarterback this fall. Defensively, the Mustangs are stacked at the LB position with Jordan Hutchings and John Keith, who combined for 63 tackles in 2008.

 

Did you know?

Opponents found no trouble scoring against Manor’s defense in 2008. The Mustangs’ “D” gave up 407 points.

– Michael Adams, Bastrop Advertiser

 ACN prediction

(with enrollment)

1. Lockhart (1,252)

2. Hays (1,850)

3. Elgin (1,060)

4. Del Valle (2,079)

5. Manor (1,096)

6. Lehman (1,615)

Offense MVP: 

Dominique Hardaway, Lockhart

One of the most dynamic senior RBs in the state, Hardaway rushed for 1,985 yards on 279 carries with 19 touchdowns and 7.1 yards per carry.

 

Defensive MVP: 

Godford Maxwell, Hays

Th senior spearheads a linebacker corps and defense that will be the best unit in the district. Maxwell had 116 tackles in 2008.