Akins Eagles

 

 

Coach: Mike Zierlein

Returning starters: 7 off., 4 def.

 

Preview

Entering the third year of Zierlein’s tenure, the perennial cellar-dwelling Eagles have yet to find an identity. A shift from a spread passing attack to the ground-based veer offense didn’t ease Akins’ struggles as the Eagles went 1-9 in ‘08 and were outscored by an average of 42-11. Returning QB Kenny Davis and talented newcomer RB Armonde Woods-Williams will lead hopes of reversing that trend. DB Knockus Sashington can lock down a receiver but has little help on defense.

 

Did you know?

Akins’ 2009 boys basketball team became the first squad in any sport to reach the playoffs in the school’s seven-year history.

 

Anderson Trojans

 

Coach: Mark Reiland

Returning starters: 6 off., 4 def.

 

Preview

Individual talent isn’t the problem for Anderson, whose lack of depth has prevented the Trojans from challenging for a 5A playoff spot. Six all-district players return, including first-teamers OG Nathan Shaw, TE Stanley Kurunwune and LB Connor Sheehan. The maturation of an all-junior backfield (QB Sam Wehmeyer and RB Andre Wheeler) could determine whether the Trojans are contenders or pretenders.

 

Did you know?

Since winning two consecutive district titles in 4A, Anderson has just 14 wins after moving up to 5A in 2004.

 

Austin High Maroons

 

Coach: Larry Don Williams

Returning starters: 5 off., 7 def.

 

Preview

Although the Maroons welcome back a dozen starters from a playoff team, 2009 could be a rebuilding year for a program that lost its most successful coach in generations and uber-athlete Emory Blake. Prototypical passer Jacob Morgan (6-4, 215) had 2,285 yards passing in ‘08 and returns to run a new offense. He welcomes speedy newcomers such as Cayleb Jones and Thomas Coffman. DE Darrell Green and DT Hunter Hale anchor the defense.

 

 

Did you know?

Austin High may not have won a playoff football game since the 1950s, but its all-time golfing team could whip most comers; Ben Crenshaw and Harvey Penick are among its alumni.

 

Bastrop Bears

 

Coach: Gerald Perry

Returning starters: 3 off., 7 def.

 

Preview

A second year in Perry’s system – and the return of district newcomer QB Josiah Monroe – key Bastrop’s darkhorse hopes. Monroe had 1,620 yards passing, 440 yards rushing and 19 TDs despite starting just half the season. Returning WR Auston Shipley offers a proven target, but the Bears must rebuild up front. Returners DT Grayson Hernandez and DB Pete Rodriguez must held the defense better its 31.2 points allowed per game.

 

Did you know?

This year likely marks the final 5A appearance for the Bears; the Bastrop school district opens a new school next year.

 

Bowie Bulldogs

 

Coach: Jeff Ables

Returning starters: 3 off., 4 def.

 

Preview

Back-to-back district titles have buoyed – pun intended – hopes at the sprawling South Austin campus. If the Bulldogs hope to continue their recent success, however, they must rebuild an offense that lost eight starters around all-district WR DeAndre Perry (59 catches, 600 yards, eight TDs in ‘08) and gifted RB Brelyn Sorrells (733 yards, nine TDs in just two starts). LBs Cory Bacon and David Kerr return for the defense.

 

Did you know?

Before its recent success, Bowie had never won a district title since opening in 1988.

 

Connally Cougars

 

Coach: Howard McMahan

Returning starters: 8 off., 5 def.

 

Preview

The Cougars’ first foray into 5A proved painful, but the quantity (25 returning lettermen) and quality of their returners bodes well for the future. Speedy DB Jaceal Davis returns after earning first-team all-district honors as a junior, along with LB Zac Aossey, LB Alex Brown and DL Karel Kearney. Connally boasts the best team speed in the district, especially at the offensive skill positions: WR Anthony Bryant won the 100 dash at the district track meet, and RB Kenny Defee boats 4.5 speed.

 

Did you know

2008 marked the first losing season in Connally’s 10-year history.

 

Pflugerville Panthers

 

Coach: George Herrmann

Returning starters: 6 off., 3 def.

 

Preview

A year after being carried to a share of the district title by its defense, the Panthers hope to reach the playoffs for an eighth time this decade behind its relentless rushing attack. Foes should expect a lot from all-district RB Stormy Woods (683 yards rushing, eight TDs) and Oklahoma OT recruit Tyrus Thompson, but the Panthers will need a lot from an unproven defense if they hope to approach last year’s average of 14.5 points allowed per game. DE Savon Thomas will lead the pass rush, while safety Alex Matlock anchors the secondary.

 

Did you know?

Pflugerville set a national record when it won 55 consecutive football games from 1958-1962.

 

Westlake Chaparrals

 

Coach: Darren Allman

Returning starters: 6 off., 2 def.

 

Preview

First-year coach Allman arrives after returning Odessa Permian to glory, and the return of several top-notch players should help keep the Chaps at that same status. DB Louie Swope, a SMU recruit, and LBs Ellis Glaw and Bryce Hager return as leaders for a young defense. Hager will also see time at RB to provide balance for Tanner Price (2,326 yards, 20 TDs passing in ‘08), a Wake Forest recruit. Newcomers RB Van Gramman and WR Colin Shaw add speed to the offense.

 

Did you know?

With his college commitment, Price became the sixth Chap QB in the past 15 years to sign a scholarship with a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision school.

 

 

ACN prediction

(with enrollment)

1. Westlake (2,449)

2. Bowie (2,763)

3. Pflugerville (2,162)

4. Connally (2,094)

5. Bastrop (2,421)

6. Austin High (2,219)

7. Anderson (2,110)

8. Akins (2,468)