Sorry for the delay on the 4-4A breakdown. It's been a busy week on Hickory Street trying to put together the All Area baseball team (check it out in Sunday's paper).
First things first. I've never been a big believer in preseason predictions, especially at the high school level. But I think our boy Dave Campbell nailed 4-4A's predicted playoff teams.
He has the standings penciled in as follows with the top 4 teams reaching the playoff bracket.
1-Ryan
2-Rider
3-Lake Dallas
4-Little Elm
5-The Colony
6-Wichita Falls
7. Denton
Now before any of you Guyer fans get on here and say, "Everyone is lucky Guyer is not in 4A anymore," I will say this - It is what it is. Guyer is gone. Deal with it.
I do think Ryan will win the district. But it won't be because of the Raiders' offense. Ryan's defense is gearing up to be pretty solid next season led by Ty Hook, who DCTF predicts to be the district's defensive MVP.
Also returning on defense is junior linebackers Jordan Richmond and Alex De La Torre, who DCTF called the best junior linebacker tandem in the state.
The big question on offense is who will replace all-world quarterback Scotty Young?
Coach Florence hasn't told be who the starter is yet but it says here that the job is Nash Knight's to lose. But don't count out Leftwich, who some say has a whole lot of potential.
Whoever is under center will still have plenty of weapons to choose from. WR Michael Cudd and Trey Mohair return and DCTF preseason offensive MVP Kaylon Alexander returns as a dangerous threat in the backfield.
Also, Campbell predicts Ryan will make a deep run in the playoffs. He has the Raiders losing in the state final against Lake Travis. Do I agree? I really can't say. But I think it is possible with the defense Florence has and just enough weapons on offense.
The next three playoff teams (Rider, Lake Dallas and Little Elm) are pretty equal. Rider I think gets too much hype sometimes, but it does have QB Malcolm Carter and RB Deron Royster back. Plus, they return a total of 14 starters, which is tops in the district.
The player I am most looking forward to seeing is Lake Dallas' Dalyn Williams. He will replace James Franklin at QB next season. From what I hear, Williams is going to be better than Franklin. Bold statement. But we will see this fall. I do know Williams, who will be a junior, is a solid leader. He showed that during Lake Dallas' playoff run on the baseball diamond this season.
Watch out for Little Elm. The Lobos could maybe finish either second or third next season. They won four of their last six games in district and almost upset a good Ryan team last season. Defenders Justin Robinson and Sean Beard are both said to be college material. Plus, Little Elm's JV and freshman teams were almost perfect in 2009.
The Colony, Wichita Falls and Denton will have tough times reaching the playoffs this season. TC does have 13 juniors coming back and could be on the rise and WF has the fastest threat in the league in junior WR Devontay Chaffin.
As for Denton, look for the Broncos to gear towards more of a running game this season. Hunter Dozier is gone and new QB Dentton Hudspeth is more of a runner than a passer. Plus, a healthy Denzel King and James Emory in the backfield could help the Broncos score some TDs this season.
If you haven't purchased a DCTF I strongly recommend you do. Who is ready for football season? My hand is raised.
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