|
With Green gone to Blinn JC, the spotlight last
week was on Travis Landrum, who scampered for three
touchdowns to pace the Pirates.
Landrum was a threat all over the field, bolting
in from nine yards out midway through the first period
before later scoring twice from long distance. He dashed
47-yards for a TD late in the opening quarter and sprinted
77 yards for an insurance score after intermission.
In all, Landrum rushed 11 times for 182 yards,
just over half of Chilton's superb 345-yard effort on the
ground.
Jeremy Baston allowed Mildred to avoid the
shutout, scoring on a 95-yard breakaway. He finished with
101 net yards.
Landrum expects to be joined on this year's Pirate
highlight film by acrobatic receiver Corey Potts, speedy
running back Brian Childers, and veteran rusher Dennis
Brandon.
Chilton should also be strong in the trenches with
All-District returnee Victor Flores and big offensive
tackle (6-1, 260) Pete Rodriguez, among others.
Defensively, Childers is looking to build upon an
'03 season which saw him log 147 tackles. Potts, also a
two-way starter, intercepted eight passes a year ago.
Chilton's archrival last season was Bosqueville, a
club capable of putting up big offensive numbers but
surprisingly held in check Friday night in a 39-0 loss to Reicher Catholic.
The Bulldogs should still be a factor in the 25-A
race behind record-setting quarterback Tyler Minyard (6-1,
190). Minyard had a monster year in '03 as a sophomore,
throwing for 3,870 yards.
Sophomore running back J.J. Jackson returns from
an injury-marred frosh campaign that still saw him net
1,300 yards rushing in just eight games and earn District
Newcomer of the Year honors.
Jackson's hard running, in fact, was one of the
few Bosqueville bright spots in the debut loss to Reicher.
Axtell High, which overachieved at 2A, figures to
be a top 25-A entrant in '04.
The Longhorns, well schooled by mentor Mike Cadell,
are led by versatile signal caller Kevin Neal, who while
undersized is blessed with nice speed (4.6). Neal amassed
nearly 1,400 total yards last season as a sophomore.
The 'Horns gifted supporting cast includes fleet wideout Kyle Judge, also a baseball standout for AHS;
tight end Derek Pierce; and linebacker Cory Reaves.
Despite playing numerous sophomores last season,
Axtell went 5-5 overall and 3-4 in a tough District at the
2A level.
Bremond also went with youth last season, playing
a host of underclassmen. The result was a 5-5 campaign
that saw Brian Wilganowski blossom under center by
throwing for almost 1,100 yards and tossing six TD
strikes.
All-purpose performer Carl Norfleet, who saw
action at four different positions (running back, wideout,
linebacker, and free safety) should definitely be an
impact player once again. He led the Tigers in '03 with 88
solo stops.
Valley Mills, like Axtell a former 2A program,
isn't lacking for athleticism. The Eagles will use the
talents of running back and baseball prospect Mike Sadler,
who in '03 rushed for 705 yards and nine scores.
Defense likely will be a strength for the Eagles,
who return three All-District stoppers in defensive tackle
Cody Reeves, defensive end Sam Slover, and defensive back
Travis Curlee.
Rounding out the seven club 25-A loop are Riesel
and Meridian. Riesel's fortunes should hinge on the play
of quarterback Jerry Don Bennett, who also led the Tribe
defensively in 2003 with 75 tackles. Quick running back
Patrick Mayes (4.6) will be counted upon to equal or
exceed last season's fine output of 787 yards on the
ground.
Meridian appears to have the most difficult task
ahead in 25-A, returning just six starters from last
season's 4-6 finish. Two-way star Brit Van Zandt (RB & LB)
provides leadership and stability to a roster in flux. He
rushed for 332 yards and three TDs a year ago and in '04
will be needed to help take pressure off new quarterback
Jacob Shelby, making the transition from wideout. Crisp
route runner Dennis Allen should be a frequent target for
Shelby. |
