WOS87 Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 Click Here ---> This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up
Guest Dirk Diggler Posted July 28, 2008 Report Posted July 28, 2008 CLASS 3A's #9: West Orange-Stark 2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: 16/13 2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 11-2/DII regional semifinalist Why They're Ranked: Last year, West Orange-Stark was 12-2. They were good, and in some weeks, like the area round of the playoffs when they beat Giddings 28-19, they were very, very good. So when coach Dan Hooks, who has won more than 250 games and coached for more than 40 years, says that they'll be better in 2008, that's saying something. The Mustangs have a long tradition of producing DI talent (Kerry Franks, Deon Beasley, etc.), and QB Ortavious Hypolite could be the next in that lineage; he rushed for more than 500 yards and passed for more than 1,000 last year, so who knows what he can do with the entire offseason under his belt? The schedule is going to be an absolute party -- after opening against perennial playoff team (except for 2007) Nederland, WOS will also face former district rivals Jasper and Kirbyville before it even gets to district scheduling in Week 5. The strength of this team is truly in the senior and junior classes, so the time is now for the next great West Orange-Stark team. With Hooks and Hypolite, plus added muscle from RB Quintavious Garrett and DB Josh Gloston, this team could be challenging Brownwood, Celina and the like for a 3A state title in December. CLASS 2A's #9: Newton 2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: 6/8 2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 9-3/DI state quarterfinalist Why They're Ranked:If you want to follow Newton's evolution over the past few years, take a look at the Big 12. The Newton of old? That seems a lot like how Nebraska used to be -- powerful, strong, big and anxious to run you over and into the ground. But now? The Eagles may be turning more into Texas, a team that, while still run-oriented, isn't afraid to chuck it around a little bit. And with two stud wide receivers in Stephen Alfred and 6-5 monster Jacoby Ross, defenses are going to start having to preparing for more than just a bone-jarring running game (which, with James Burch returning, will still exist.) The other side of the ball has star-power, too -- LB Mike Jenkins, last year's Defensive MVP, and DE Malcolm Mattox are a 1-2 punch that should put the breaks on even some of the better offenses in 2A ball. Losing Nico Adams, Newton's best player last year, and gaining Kirbyville in an already tough district will make 2008 a challenge, but not one the constantly evolving Eagles can't handle. Remember -- Texas has been pretty successful as of late. Not a bad role model.
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