District 25-4A: Without Gilbert, Cavaliers look to reload

Dripping Springs Tigers

Coach: Bob Schultz

Returning starters: 5 off., 3 def.

Preview

One year after shocking Central Texas by going undefeated before falling to Lake Travis and then Kerrville Tivy in the playoffs, the Tigers are looking like a team to underestimate again. Junior Jeff Tuck (51-95-609 passing, 430 rushing) and senior Jacob Moore (47-98-726-4, 6 TDs form one of the best one-two QB punches in Central Texas. But gone is an extremely talented and experienced linebacker corps, as well eight total starters on defense. It was that defense that helped the Tigers win six games by 10 points or less in 2008.

Did you know?

Tuck was once a student in the Lake Travis school disrict, and Tiger assistant coach Ben Reid is Lake Travis’ leading all-time rusher.

Hendrickson Hawks

Coach: Chip Killian

Returning starters: 4 off., 4 def.

Preview

The Hawks are coming off the best season in school history, one that took them to the DII regional finals. Impact RB Kenny Williams (1,651 yards, 15 TDs) returns for his junior season, and senior LB Juan Asencio (148 tackles, 18 for losses) will again terrorize opposing offenses. Killian lost 14 total starters from that 2008 squad.

Did you know?

Before last year’s impressive playoff run, the Hawks had made just one playoff appearance since the school was opened in 2003.

Hutto Hippos

Coach: Lee Penland

Returning starters: 6 off., 6 def.

Preview

Hutto was the sexy pick to challenge for a district title in 2008, but the Hippos were marred by inconsistency, particularly on defense, and missed the playoffs. The Hippos return arguably the most talented player in the district in senior TE/DE and Texas A&M commit Nehemiah Hicks. The Hippos will rely on an experienced defense and hope the new skill players on offense learn quickly. WR Trevor Hays and Hicks will give Hutto options downfield, but it’s an option-based offense.

Did you know?

Hutto moved up from 3A to 4A with last year’s realignment, just three years after losing the 3A DII title game to Tatum, 38-34.

Killeen Kangaroos

Coach: Sam Jones

Returning starters: 7 off., 6 def.

Preview

The 2008 ’Roos went 3-3 in district play, crept their way into the playoffs and then made it all the way to the DI region final before losing 71-9 to Lake Travis. To say they weren’t always the same team is understating the season’s ups and downs. But there’s a lot to be excited about in Killeen this year, particularly with multitalented junior QB Michael Cummings (1,042 yards rushing, 18 TDs). Receiver Ja’Corie Baker (34-423, 3 TDs), LB Marcellus Lee (83 tackles) and RB Jaquail Haskins (135-942, 8 TDs) also return.

Did you know?

Killeen outscored all opponents not named Cavaliers last season, 349-258, but against Lake Travis, the Kangaroos were outscored 121-18.

Lake Travis Cavaliers

Coach: Chad Morris

Returning starters: 6 off., 4 def.

Preview

The Cavs lost plenty of ammo but appear to be reloading. The biggest question mark will be incoming QB Michael Brewer, who takes over for all-everything QB and current Longhorn Garrett Gilbert. The Cavaliers bring back three starting lineman from last year’s state championship squad and welcome back senior slotback Andy Erickson (1,214 total yards, 12 TDs) and junior receiver Conner Floyd (41-735, 8 TDs). All-state senior LB Quinton Crow (194 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 sacks) also returns as a major cog that should keep the Lake Travis machine rolling.

Did you know?

Lake Travis hasn’t lost in the Alamodome in San Antonio in the past three years, going 6-0 dating back to the 2006 season. This is the first season since then that the Cavaliers won’t be playing there during the regular season.

Lampasas Badgers

Coach: Joey McQueen

Returning starters: 6 off., 6 def.

Preview

Lampasas hasn’t won a varsity football game since the 2006 season, but if there’s any hope for the Badgers, they can find it in district rival Lake Travis, which was mired in mediocrity five years ago and has quickly turned things around. New head coach McQueen brings a 102-96-4 record as a testament to his abilities, and he’ll get a boost from plenty of returning starters, including most of his skill positions. The most notable of the group is three-year starting QB Vann Millican (500 yards, 3 TDs), who has endured the beatings for two years and deserves a turnaround.

Did you know?

The Badgers last win came on Nov. 10, 2006, in a 34-14 result over Dripping Springs on the road.

Marble Falls Mustangs

Coach: Cord Woerner

Returning starters: 6 off., 5 def.

Preview

The Mustangs lost one-man wrecking crew Thor Woerner (a starter at both QB and LB), but 11 returning starters will try to pick up the slack in a brand new football stadium. Junior RB Austin Sparks (133-758, 8 TDs) will be an offensive threat for the Mustangs. One wonders if the Woerner family legacy will continue with Zed possibly taking the QB torch from his older brother.

Did you know?

Marble Falls narrowly missed out on a playoff berth in 2008, losing three district contests by a touchdown or less, including a 27-26 loss to district runner-up Dripping Springs.