Football Preview - Wise County Messenger

TMWISE COUNTY MESSENGER, Decatur, Texas, Thursday, August 28, 2008 23DISTRICT 9-2A OPPONENTSRebuilding Jacksboro and Millsap will have trouble with Wise guysBy Robert MorganDistrict 9-2A will be reunitedafter a brief two-yearhiatus in which it was dividedhundreds of miles apart. Thissix-team football district wassplit by the University InterscholasticLeague two yearsago and sent Chico and Alvordhigh schools up northto face schools such as Hollidayand Henrietta, whileBoyd and Paradise were sentsouthwest of Wise Countyagainst distant foes such asEastland and Cisco.Now the four Wise Countyschools are back in familiarsurroundings with Jacksboroand Millsap. Boyd, which hasplayed in the Division II playoffsthe last two years becauseCisco had the largestenrollment, is once again thebig school in the district.Most preseason polls haveParadise pegged as the teamto beat, while Boyd and Alvordboth believe they have what ittakes to get to the playoffs.However, Jacksboro andMillsap expect to be in thethick of the playoff race aswell with several returningstarters. Here is a look atwhat the Wise County boyscan expect to see from thecompetition.Jacksboro TigersSecond-year head coachBrendon Brown has the experienceto fi nally give theTigers a legitimate shot at theplayoffs. It’s been five yearssince the Jack County teamhas been to the postseasonand this could be the year thedrought ends.Jacksboro brings backseven starters on each sideof the ball from a team thatfi nished 4-6 last season. OnlyChico (15) has more startersback compared to the rest ofthe teams in 9-2A.Most of the talent is on offensewhere the Tigers havemost of the skilled-positionplayers back. The leader ofthe pack is quarterback KoleWeldon (6-3, 200).The junior signal caller isn’tthe fastest player on the teambut has a dangerous arm thatcan burn a lot of defenses. Inpart-time duties last year hecompleted 48 of 101 passesfor 610 yards and fi ve touchdowns.His prime target downfield will also be one of thefeatured tailbacks – LoganGunter. The senior speedsterran for 750 yards and fivetouchdowns and had another137 yards receiving with twoscores. Newcomer Kyle Wellswill primarily run the ball.The Tigers will be inexperiencedat receiver but willhave some talent and sizeon the front lines. Tackle TylerBerry (6-1, 245) and centerDakato Laake (6-0, 240) willlead the way.Defensively, Jacksboro hasmost of the group back from2007 but will still need to improvein order to survive thedistrict race. Safety KaneElenburg (5-11, 275)) is thetop returning statistical leaderafter racking up 55 tacklesand three interceptions as ajunior.The defensive front willfeature Justin Martinez andDusty Welborn.Millsap BulldogsThe Bulldogs have wononly one district game in thelast four years. If experienceis to make a difference, thisyear could be a turning pointin getting back to their winningsdays of the late 1990s.Millsap has 16 returning lettermenback from a team thatwent 2-8 overall a year ago.Head coach Kyle Coker hasplenty to be happy about ondefense where eight startersare back.The top athlete is standoutlinebacker Matt Varnado (5-6,170). The undersized defensivestar played a big role ondefense in 2007 as he had 77tackles.Lineman Robert Martinez(6-1, 230) was second intackles at the line of scrimmagewhere he dropped theball carrier 45 times. BradyFluitt will line up next to Martinezto give the Bulldogs aformidable defensive front.Lupito Ramirez has impressedcoaches through theearly part of the preseasonand is expected to give MHSsome much-needed helpat linebacker. Depth on thesquad will be the downfall forthe Bulldogs.Offensively, Millsap hasfi ve starters back from asquad that struggled to scorethrough the 2007 campaign.Running back Jacob Young(6-3, 175) is the biggest threaton offense as he has big-playability. The senior also startsat linebacker.The offensive line was depletedby graduation and willlikely be the weakness of thegroup through the non-districtschedule.Submit YOURlocal news...Decatur TireOur TeamWill ScoreBIG with You!We Proudly SupportWise County Football1201 N. Hwy. 81/287Decatur940-627-3657www.wcmessenger.com/submitsrrOpen Mon.-Fri.,7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.Sat., 7:30 a.m. - NoonLike Wise CountyFootball, Pro-Cutsgives you the best valuefor your money.Follow your favoriteteam for sportsentertainment this fall andcome to Pro-Cuts for...Quality HaircutsatAffordable PricesPlaza Shopping Center, Decatur • 940-627-1135FREE ShampooWith Reg. HaircutOffer good with coupon through November 1, 2008Plaza Shopping Center, Decatur940-627-1135Mon. - Fri., 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.Saturday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.No appointment necessaryPlaza Shopping Center, Decatur • 940-627-1135$1 OffReg. HaircutOffer good with coupon through November 1, 2008