5A Texas High School Football - Region I Analysis

Analysis provided by 5A Texas Football

Allen produced Region 1?s fifth straight season with a state championship after last year?s 21-14 title game triumph over Fort Bend Hightower. More state champions come from this part of the playoff bracket than any other. Region 1 hasn?t been shut out of a state championship since 2003 when Region 3?s Katy and North Shore took home both trophies.

There are multiple teams capable of contending in 2009. The Cedar Hill Longhorns start as the top ranked regional team after last season?s state quarterfinals run. The Longhorns return several playmakers on both sides of the ball, and look sure to make another big impact this season. Cedar Hill is a Division 2 lock with the sixth ranked enrollment in a seven team district (7-5A).

Defending Division 1 state champion Allen has the talent to make another run. The Eagles return two proven quarterbacks and a stout offensive line. The Eagles must successfully reload on defense, particularly the line and secondary, in order to defend their title. Programs go one of two ways after breaking through like Allen did last year. Will the Eagles use the success as a new program standard for building lasting tradition, or will they struggle with increased expectations and fall short in future attempts?

Recently, Southlake Carroll has struggled to regain the ruthless efficiency that helped them lift four state trophies from 2002 through 2006. The Dragons enter this season with one of the most experienced rosters in the state, but must find a way to execute consistently and also stay healthy.

Trinity returns to flying under the radar this season after saddling a number one ranking for much of last season. However, it shouldn?t take opponents long to realize that the word ?rebuild? doesn?t exist in Euless vocabulary. Trinity?s stable of running talent rivals any in the state. Speaking of flying under the radar, Wylie defined the phrase for most of 2008. The Pirates weren?t seen as a serious regional threat until they beat Hebron the second time and followed that up with a big win over Bowie. Wylie has to replace big time contributors, but they didn?t lose everything, as they return key players on both sides of the ball.

Surprises occur every season and one of last year?s biggest came from Mansfield. The Tigers knocked off Abilene and EP Montwood before falling in a 41-35 thriller to Cedar Hill. Mansfield returns five first and second team all-district players. Arlington, Hurst Bell and FM Marcus are others who could play the role of spoiler this season. Arlington returns six first team all-district players from last year?s 8-4 team.

Abilene and Permian, as they have for the last few seasons now, present the best non-DFW cases in the region. Abilene tore through most of the regular season last year and a significant injury hit seemed to take the air out of their sails just before the upset playoff loss to Mansfield. Abilene must avoid the complacency bug if the regular season comes just as easily as it did last year, and be sure they are making improvements from week to week in preparation for elevated playoff competition. Permian has a new coach, but he (Gary Gaines) is one who is very familiar with the workings of both Mojo and the state playoffs. Midland and Odessa can?t be ignored. Odessa High fields one of the state?s top backfields with senior quarterback Derrick Teegarden and junior tailback Bradley Marquez.

Of the top five ranked teams in the region, only Allen and Wylie have a chance of being in either Division 1 or Division 2. The rest are locks for their respective bracket. Cedar Hill and Southlake Carroll will go Division 2 as two of the smaller schools in their districts. Trinity is a Division 1 lock. The only way Allen can?t go Division 1 is if both Plano and Plano East make the playoffs. Wylie will be Division 2 unless both McKinney Boyd and Dallas Jesuit make the playoffs.

For more information on Region I, click here.

Date of Article: Fri Jul 31, 2009 12:46 am