2007 Top Twelve Playoff Games

Our Txprepsfootball.com
2007 Top Twelve Playoff Games
has been released, and we start out with games from classes 2A, 4A and 5A. We'll be releasing three games per day through New Year's.

Lone Star State Signal-Callers Sprouting Up

Good article from ESPN today on the success of quarterbacks from the Lone Star State.

With the spread offense being the weapon of choice among Texas high schools, this looks like it will be a continuing trend.

Top Ranked Texas QBs
(Per Rivals)
Andrew Luck, Stratford Stanford
Tommy Dorman, Birdville Texas A&M
Seth Doege, Frenship Texas Tech
Robert Griffin, Copperas Cove Baylor
Darron Thomas, Aldine Oregon
Taylor Cook, Altair Rice Miami
Jerome Tiller, SA Lee Iowa State

Txprepsfootball.com All Texas Team Released

Our Txprepsfootball.com All Texas Team offense is littered with record breakers, including a pass catching duo from Class 4A Division II State Champion Lake Travis, and a quartet of running backs who either broke state records or moved into prominent positons on the all-time rushing lists.

On the defensive side, safeties Aaron Williams of Round Rock McNeil and Blake Gideon of Leander continue the Central Texas theme as they lead a defense capable of stopping any offense assembled.

Weslaco's Mishak Rivas is our offensive player of the year, and it is an honor well deserved. The AP left Rivas off the top two class 5A all-state teams, and there was some talk of him facing inferior competition in the Valley, but make no mistake, Rivas would excel no matter where he played. No less an authority than San Antonio Madison head coach Jim Streety said "Rivas gave us a tougher time than any back we faced all year", after he totaled 356 all-purpose yards and scored three touchdowns against the Mavericks in the playoffs; and don't forget that Madison's district included the Marcus Wright (who also made our team) led San Antonio Reagan Rattlers.

Round Rock McNeil's Aaron Williams, our defensive player of the year, is the type of player that you could put just about anywhere on the field and get excellent results. He had a mind-boggling 27 tackles in a game against Round Rock and also excelled on offense and special teams.

The team consists of the following:
6 Class 1A Players
5 Class 2A Players
7 Class 3A Players
7 Class 4A Players
12 Class 5A Players
24 seniors, 6 juniors and 1 sophomore

Celina's 8th Title Breaks Record

With their 21-14 win over China Spring, the Celina Bobcats broke a tie with Southlake Carroll, Brownwood, and Plano, and now is the sole owner for the most state championships won by a high school football program in the state of Texas.

Celina's Previous State Championships
Year Opponent Score
2007 China Spring, 21-14
2005 Omaha Prewitt, 28-12
2001 Garrison, 41-35
2000 Mart, 21-17
1999 Elysian Fields, 38-7
1998 Elysian Fields, 21-0
1995 Alto, 32-28
1974 Big Sandy 0-0*
*Co-Champions

This just in ..... these Tigers are good

They began the season ranked as the #2 class 5A team in the state by the Associated Press and #6 in the nation by PrepNation. They ended the season #1 in the state and #3 in the nation. Much was expected from the 2007 Katy Tigers, and they delivered the goods by awaking from a first half slumber to close the door on the Pflugerville Panthers, 28-7.

The 07' Katy Tigers made a strong case for being the best class 5A team this decade, and the numbers bear that out; they outscored their opponents 701-132, while averaging 43.81 points on offense and holding the opposition to 8.25 points per game.

No doubt Southlake Carroll could make a case that their recent state championship teams are as good or better than this year's Katy version, but I don't recall a Dragon team as well rounded as this year's Tiger team. Offense, defense, special teams; they had it all.

Congratulations to what is probably the best Katy team in their proud history.

HP Receiver Looks Big-Time to Me

While attending the Highland Park/Everman game at Mesquite's Memorial Stadium last week, I spent part of the time chasing my beloved UT cap around the field due to intermittent wind gusts of 30-40 mph, and salivating over the other media members winter attire (yes I was poorly prepared).

When I did find time to take in the game, one player clearly stood out to me. Highland Park wide receiver Seth Gardner looks to be one of the best at his position I have seen this season, and why the state's best football minds have not beat a path to his front door is puzzling to me.

Gardner stands 6'4, weighs 185, and runs a reported 4.4 forty. Forty times can be a deceptive tool in football, but I found out all I need to know about Gardner's speed when he caught a short pass and turned it into a 66-yard score. The Everman defender nipping at his heels was made to look as if his football shoes were instead two twenty-pound weights.

Gardner is without a doubt an excellent athlete, as he has signed a baseball scholarship with Arkansas. Maybe he prefers sacrifice bunts to sacrificing his body, as he seems to indicate in this article, but Scots' coach Randy Allen also seems to wonder why Gardner hasn't received more interest in football.

College coaches; if your looking for one of the state's top wide receivers next year, it shouldn't be hard to find him. He'll be roaming the outfield for the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Gardner's Season Stats: 69 catches for 1,431 yards and 21 touchdowns

Just When You Thought.........

Just when you thought the playoffs couldn't get anymore exciting after last week's heart-stopping games, this week brings a Euless Trinity/Plano classic that goes to two overtimes before the Trojans prevail 30-27, while cinderella story Pflugerville gets it done again with a 20-14 overtime win against Abilene.

In class 2A Farmersville captures a state title with an exciting 27-24 victory over Tatum, and Rosenberg Lamar Consolidated phenom RB Jacquizz Rodgers goes out in style as he finishes his career with all three of the Mustangs touchdowns, including a game-clinching 87 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as Consolidated wins a title with a 20-14 win over Copperas Cove.

Could Texas Prepsters top Florida's Greatest?

In conjunction with the Florida state championship games this weekend at the Citrus Bowl, the FHSAA is celebrating 100 years of Florida football, and according to one article, the Sunshine State seems to believe that no other state can match the greatness that is Florida High School Football.

The FHSAA has unveiled their ‘100 Greatest Players of First 100 Years’ list, and a 33-member All-Century
football team.

While I haven't had time to completely examine the list, here is their summary of Florida's greatest running backs:

Florida's Greatest Running Backs

Rick Casares, Jefferson (Tampa), 1950. Named 1 of only 5 players in history recruiting analysts believe could have gone directly from high school to the pros because of their physical abilities. A 2nd-team All-American in 1953 as a junior at Florida before being drafted into the military. Began 11-year NFL career after drafted in 2nd-round draft pick by the Chicago Bears in 1954, beginning an 11-year NFL career. Was Bears’ all-time leading rusher until Walter Payton broke his records in the 1980s.

Tucker Frederickson, South Broward (Hollywood), 1960. One of the best RBs in the state for his time. Led Bulldogs to a 10-1 record in 1960. Became an All-American at Auburn and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. His pro career, which included being the first overall pick in the 1964 draft by the New York Giants, was cut short due to injury.

Willie Galimore, Excelsior (St. Augustine), 1952. “He was perhaps the greatest running back I ever saw or coached against” said Earl Kitchings, former head coach of Matthew Gilbert and Raines high schools. Considered by some experts to be the best Florida high school RB prior to Emmitt Smith. Remains leading rusher in FAMU history. Killed in an automobile accident in 1964.

Emmitt Smith, Escambia (Pensacola), 1986. Still holds state rushing record with 8,804 career yards on 1,127 carries and 106 TDs. Led Escambia to state titles in sophomore and junior years (2,934 rushing yards, 32 TDs on 353 carries in 14 games), and 10-1 season as a senior in the days when only district champ made playoffs. Set a career rushing record (later broken) at the University of Florida. Played 15 NFL seasons, setting numerous records, including career marks for rushing yards (18,355) and carries (4,409) that still stand. Played in 3 Super Bowls and 8 Pro Bowls. Was the 1993 NFL MVP.

Without question these are all great backs (Cowboy fans know the greatness of Smith first hand), but give me Sugar Land's Ken Hall, Hooks' Billy Sims, John Tyler's Earl Campbell, and Palestine's Adrian Peterson over any other state's running back foursome, and that list doesn't even include current Charger great, LaDainian Tomlinson from Waco University or Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson of Sealy.

San Antonio Madison Comeback Highlights

For those that may have missed the highlights of San Antonio Madison's amazing 38-35 overtime comeback win against Smithson Valley, here they are. Video

Duplicating Dez?

Former all-state Lufkin Panther WR Dez Bryant has 34 receptions, and set the single game freshman receiving record (155 yds.) for the Oklahoma State Cowboys this season.

Bryant was an unknown quantity his sophomore year in high school though; that is until the playoffs arrived. Bryant burst on the scene during the playoffs his sophomore season, snagging several touchdown catches in high-flying style.

Now, sophomore San Antonio Madison wide receiver Nate Askew is attempting to "pull a Bryant". In the Mavericks 38-35 comeback overtime win against Smithson Vally, Askew came from nowhere to catch seven passes for 169 yards and four touchdowns, and they were all big.

With all-state running back Devin Thomas out of action, Madison was looking for someone to step up, and Askew did so in a big way.

All this coming after having only nine receptions for 123 yards to this point in the season.

The Emotion Bucket is Empty!

What a weekend for Texas High School football!

If you're a THSFF (Texas High School Football Fanatic) and took in several games, or just yelled your lungs out at your favorite team's game, then your emotion bucket has to be running on empty.

Start off in 5A with the San Antonio Madison/Smithson Valley thriller, where the Mavericks rallied from a large deficit and tied the game at 35 with 49 seconds left, then won 38-35 in overtime.

Skip to class 4A, where Lake Travis QB Garrett Gilbert threw seven TD passes and ran for another in a 57-43 shootout win over Beeville. Throw in the Everman/Wichita Falls Rider classic, in which Everman rallied to 21-19 victory, and top it off with Rosenburg Lamar Consolidated's 33-27 three overtime win over undefeated New Braunfels in which Mustang RB Jacquizz Rodgers broke the state record for career touchdowns.

In class 3A, China Spring got revenge over previously undefeated Waco La Vega when QB Dustin Eskew dove in for a late score (pictured) for a 31-28 win, and Gilmer scored with seconds remaining in a 28-21 victory over Abilene Wylie.

On to class 2A, where Canadian stopped Idalou at the one-inch line with under a minute remaining after Idalou eskewed a game-tying field goal to win 21-18 and Altair Rice Consolidated won their third consecutive one point game by holding on to defeat undefeated Refugio 7-6 after a late field miss by the Bobcats.

And finally, in class 1A, Windthorst, who came into the playoffs with a losing record, gave undefeated Munday all it could handle in another playoff rematch (Munday won by a wide margin in district play) before losing 17-16, and undefeated Bemond had to rally from an early deficit to win 21-18 over Harper.

Can it get any better in the fifth round of the playoffs? Hmmmmmm......

Fallen Teammate Inspires Altair Rice

Call it fate, call it luck, call it destiny, but the Altair Rice Consolidated Raiders will probably tell you it is the inspiration of a fallen teammate.

The Raiders have dedicated the season to Raul Esquivel, who was selected as a team captain before he was killed in an auto accident during preseason workouts.

Esquivel was surely smiling down on the Raiders as they ventured into unchartered waters by reaching the Class 2A, Division II semifinals for the first time in school history by defying long odds.

Altair Rice has won three consecutive playoff games by one point, and they beat previously undefeated Refugio 7-6 Friday night by one point when the Bobcats missed an extra point after scoring a touchdown, then withstood a missed 39 yard field goal with nine seconds left.

Yes, a fallen teammate is surely smiling down.

Consolidated's Rodgers on the Verge of a Record

When Lamar Consolidated takes the field against undefeated New Braunfels in the Class 4A Division I state semifinals at 7 p.m. in San Marcos tonight, Jacquizz Rodgers will need one touchdown to pass former Cuero running back Robert Strait and become the state's all-time leader with 129.

With 7,850 yards he currently ranks seventh on the all-time Texas High School football rushing list, having passed the legendary Billy Sims of Hooks and Bradley Stephens of McAllen Memorial, with the potential to move higher.

Expect Rodgers to get his touchdown tonight, but the Mustangs will have their work cut out for them against the undefeated Unicorns.

Big Game in Huntsville Tonight

The Alto Yellowjackets will bring the state's longest winning streak (26 games)into tonight's game against the Granger Lions, in what should be one of the state's top class 1A games this year, as well as what may be the last obstacle to another undefeated state championship season for Alto.

While Alto relies heavily on its quickness and speed, Granger features a big, strong team that will have the size advantage. If you're in the vicinity of the campus of Sam Houston State, located in Huntsville, don't miss this one!

Abilene, Hebron Looks Like a Shootout

Abilene knocked off the 300-lb. gorilla last week, now what? Expect the air to filled with footballs beginning at 1 o'clock Saturday inside Texas Stadium, as Lewisville Hebron QB Tanner Marsh has thrown for more yards than Carroll QB Riley Dodge (3,557), and that looks to be the Hawks best hope for a victory.

Abilene is the more balanced team offensively with a running back that has over 600 yards more than any Hebron ballcarrier (Keithy Flye, 1,560 yds.).

Look for this one to be high scoring, with both teams likely to score more than 30 points. We'll take Abilene in a tight one, 38-31.

Video of Abilene LB Chris Williams discussing game.

Gilmer, Roosevelt Game Marred in the End

Class 3A Dallas Roosevelt of the Dallas Independent School District had a tremendous season, led by one of the best, if not the best, dual threat quarterbacks in the state in Vincent McNeil Jr., who has Oklahoma, Texas, and Texas Tech on his recruiting list.

Roosevelt battled undefeated Gilmer to the end last week before losing 42-36. However, the game was marred by a game-ending incident in which Roosevelt swarmed the Gilmer sideline.

What follows is unedited footage from the end of Saturday's Class 3A Division I Region II playoff game between Dallas Roosevelt and Gilmer High School. A Roosevelt player can be seen throwing a punch at a Gilmer coach.

Video

Video Highlights Abilene vs. Southlake Carroll

Video Highlights Abilene vs. Southlake Carroll


Find more videos like this on Chevrolet's PrepTicket

4A Team on Fire

They started their season 1-3, and lost to a class 3A team. Doesn't sound like a class 4A team going anywhere fast does it?

Skip forward to the third round of the playoffs however, and this looks like a team that would win the "team I would least like to play right now" award.

They've won nine consecutive games, outscoring their opponents 379-37 during that time, and rolled over three playoff teams that had a combined 26-6 record before playing them by a combined 134-17 margin.

Who is this current juggernaut? They are the Dayton Broncos of district 22-4A, who look like they are dead set on galloping to a state title.

Class 4A Dayton Bronco Schedule
08/31/2007 @ West Orange-Stark (21-3A) lost: 14-22
09/07/2007 @ Nacogdoches (12-4A) won: 22-6
09/14/2007 Friendswood (23-4A) lost: 28-31
09/28/2007 @ Lumberton (22-4A) lost: 7-8
10/05/2007 Beaumont Ozen (22-4A) won: 33-0
10/12/2007 Vidor (22-4A) won: 40-0
10/19/2007 @ Little Cypress-Mauriceville (22-4A) won: 49-13
10/26/2007 Beaumont Central (22-4A) won: 20-0
11/02/2007 @ Nederland (22-4A) won: 63-0
11/09/2007 Port Neches-Groves (22-4A) won: 40-7
Playoffs
11/16/2007 Crosby (21-4A) won: 49-7
11/23/2007 Texas City (23-4A) won: 42-10
11/30/2007 Livingston (18-4A) won: 43-0

Kudos to a Champion

With Southlake Carroll's 22-21 loss to Abilene, it is assured their will no repeat state champions in class 5A.

In watching the Dragon's since their move to class 5A it has been apparent that they have great community support, excellent coaching staffs, and talented, hard-working players. They've also been fortunate in that they have had relatively few key injuries since moving to 5A in 2002.

The injury bug finally ventured into Southlake this year however, as several players missed time during the course of the season, and starting QB Riley Dodge went down early in the 2nd quarter with a separated shoulder against Abilene in the Dragon's 22-21 loss.

The Dragons will not use this as excuse for today's loss, and Abilene is certainly deserving of their due, but any team that loses their starting QB is bound to feel a little sputter in the engine.

This is the first time Carroll has not reached the class 5A finals since entering the division, and their two losses in 5A are by a scant two points (one point to Katy and one point to Abilene).

Injury is least of Dodge's pains

Photo by: Star-Telegram/Sharon M. Steinman