Alamo Heights Mules

 

Coach: Don Byrd

Returning starters: 6 off., 6 def.

 

Preview

Gone is quarterback Drew Allen, who left a solid Heights career to work his skills at Oklahoma University. But there’s plenty of talent for Byrd to work with in this group, and another playoff appearance nearly goes without saying for the Mules each year. Cullen Mills (17-28-140, 2 TDs) takes over under center and will be surrounded by some experienced talent on offense. RB Justin Rosenthall (96-462, 8 TDs) can do a little bit of everything. Depth may be the big issue because the Mules only bring back 16 lettermen.

 

Did you know?

Former Mule Patrick Bailey won a Super Bowl with the Steelers last year and was a member of Heights’ 2004 DII state semifinalist team.

 

New Braunfels Canyon Cougars

 

Coach: Les Davis

Returning starters: 3 off., 3 def.

 

Preview

Things only get trickier for the Cougars, who return just six starters. They’ll be led by the multitalented Tyler Figol, who will play on both sides of the ball. At receiver, Figol caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown in a limited offensive air attack, and at defensive back, he racked up 75 tackles and three interceptions. Canyon has another talented receiver in Alex Lawrence, who caught 11 passes for 123 yards, but they’ll need to find a standout option at tailback.

 

Did you know?

Canyon’s last playoff appearance was in the bidistrict round in 2007, where the Cougars fell to Lake Travis 37-7.

 

Boerne Champion Chargers

 

Coach: Danny Threadgill

Returning starters: 3 off., 4 def.

 

Preview

The Chargers just missed out on a playoff spot in 2008 and lost 48 lettermen to graduation. With seven total starters returning, it’s going to be an uphill climb. Champion has plenty of skill players, including QB Taylor Davis (34-73-399, 3 TDs) and receiver James Hurd (20-360, 7 TDs), but the question mark will be if a line will emerge around center Dylan Benac.

 

Did you know?

Champion is named after former Boerne High School teacher and principal Sam Champion, who died on Jan. 8, 2007, after a long battle with brain cancer.

 

Schertz Clemens Buffaloes

 

Coach: Greg Ferrara

Returning starters: 6 off., 6 def.

 

Preview

A DII area finalist in 2008, the Buffaloes retained more than half of their starters. Clemens lost big talents in Sean Porter to Texas A&M and Charles Ross to Rice, but return Stanley Harris (65 tackles, 5 INT), a DB and RB that is the prize senior in the district. Clemens’ strength will be defense with linebackers like Eric Hunsaker and Zachary Winbush. The question will be at quarterback, where soph Brice McCoy appears the frontrunner.

 

Did you know?

If you catch a Buffaloes game in September, check out Schertz Fest, which features big name performers, food, beverages and more.

 

San Marcos Rattlers

 

Coach: Steve Van Nest

Returning starters: 6 off., 5 def.

 

Preview

The Rattlers were the only winless team in District 27-4A last season after moving down from 5A, and they now face the challenge of rebuilding the offensive and defensive lines. San Marcos’ one weapon is its Slot-T offense, which, when executed well, can steal plenty of wins. RB Tyler Walker (77-447, 6 TDs) leads the team on offense, while LB Jeremy Gonzalez (99 tackles) holds down the fort on defense. Only 15 lettermen return.

 

Did you know?

San Marcos High School was founded in 1918.

Seguin Matadors

 

Coach: Jim Carson

Returning starters: 7 off., 5 def.

 

Preview

Brig Gerlich is one of the better quarterbacks in Central Texas that most people don’t know about, and unfortunately for the Matadors, his success hasn’t always equaled wins. The 6-foot-4-inch quarterback threw for 1,928 yards and 14 touchdowns last season while rushing 56 times for 172 yards and four touchdowns. His top returning target is Dustin Read (31-427, 5 TDs). Seguin has depth with 23 returning lettermen.

 

Did you know?

Seguin is often attributed the nickname “Pecan Capital of Texas.” The city boasts of having the “World’s Largest Pecan,” a five-foot long, two-and-a-half foot wide concrete pecan located in front of the county courthouse

 

Cibolo Steele Knights

 

Coach: Mike Jinks

Returning starters: 5 off., 4 def.

 

Preview

There are no flashy gimmicks or complicated game plans at Steele, and that’s because there’s no need. The Knights do what they do very well, and it’s turned a program in its infancy into a serious district title challenger. RB Malcolm Brown is coming off the most impressive sophomore campaign in the state, rushing 134 times for 1,352 yards and 17 TDs before his season was cut short by injury. Receiver Sheldon McClain (26-487, 4 TDs) is committed to Oklahoma despite playing second fiddle in a run-based offense.

 

Did you know?

Since its first year of varsity football in 2006, Steele has posted back to back playoff seasons with records of 11-2 and 10-2 in 2007 and 2008.

 

Kerrville Tivy Antlers

 

Coach: Mark Smith

Returning starters: 3 off., 5 def.

 

Preview

Is this the year the Antlers slow down? Tivy lost 14 starters to graduation, and new QB Johnny Manziel steps in to guide a young group. Receiver Andy Kinnison (15-333, 3 TDs) will help. On defense, safety Michael McKenzie (152 tackles, 2 INT) will wreak havoc.

 

Did you know?

Former LB Kyle Prater will likely see playing time at LSU this season after redshirting in 2008, and former offensive standout Logan Vick is hanging up the pads to play baseball at Baylor.

 

ACN prediction

(with enrollment)

1. Cibolo Steele (1,869)

2. Alamo Heights (1,500)

3. Kerrville Tivy (1,430)

4. Schertz Clemens (1,350)

5. Boerne Champion (2,026)

6. Seguin (2,054)

7. New Braunfels Canyon (1,773)

8. San Marcos (1,978)

 

Offense MVP: Malcolm Brown, Steele

Brown had a stellar soph season with 1,352 yards rushing and 17 TDs in just seven games.

 

Defensive MVP: Stanley Harris, Clemens

The senior DB had 73 tackles and five INTs while earning first-team all-district honors.