12-5A DII REGION 3
NORTHEAST By Jake Herman
Following a 3-7 season marred by COVID-related struggles, the Northeast Raiders hope that a strong group of returners will lead them back to the playoffs in 2022. 5th year head coach AJ Mustafa told IHSFAN that this year’s team is among the physically strongest he’s ever coached. “I’m so excited about this group… we’re very team-oriented,” Mustafa said. “It may not be the most talented group I’ve ever had, but it’s the most hard-working, disciplined and unselfish.” The Raiders have reason for optimism with their group of returners on the offensive line. The unit will be led by Sr. 1st team all-district OT Ziek Roberts. With quarterback competitions still ongoing, expect the Raiders to rely heavily on junior tailbacks Amari Joyner and Nehemiah Jordan early in the season. Joyner is an all-district returner at inside linebacker as well for a defense that returns 7 starters. Linebacker Noah Flemmings is the centerpiece of an elite unit that will determine how much noise the Raiders can make this season. A two-time all-district selection, Flemmings combines elite physical tools with a knack for reading plays. Opposite him lurks Sr. 2nd team all-district OLB Isaac Mavoungou, who along with all-district DE Niguell Sylvain could cause matchup problems for opposing offenses in the new district 12-5A D2. “For us to have an all-Austin ISD district is exciting,” Coach Mustafa told IHSFAN. “We’re more familiar with each other and all deal with similar challenges. It’s an even field and I’m excited about our chances.”
NAVARRO
By Jake Herman When Larry Lumbreras took over Navarro’s football program in 2019, they finished the season with 27 players in their program. Now entering year four, participation has nearly tripled and so too has the optimism surrounding the Vikings. After a winless 2021 season, Coach Lumbreras and his staff have overhauled the team’s offseason bootcamp -- and he says his players have risen to a new standard. “We have a lot of kids that have withstood tough opponents as young guys, and now they’re sophomores and juniors,” coach Lumbreras told IHSFAN. “It’s been a process worth going through…but we’re not done.” 1st team all-district DL Jacobi Simmons is just a sophomore but already has the look of a programchanging player. With the ability to play nose tackle and defensive end, offenses are in for a long day if they can’t keep him out of the backfield. Junior QB Deamion Cervantes returns to lead the offense, hoping to grow upon the playmaking abilities he flashed last season. Sr. WR Jose Molina will emerge as one of his favorite targets, as could versatile two-way athlete Bryan Nieto. Sr. Juan Hernandez will look to follow up a breakout season in the trenches, seeing action at both offensive tackle and defensive lineman. The Vikings know that they’ve gained ground on their district foes -- but they hope it’s enough to go from last place to the playoff race. Coach Lumbreras hopes that he’s put the foundations in place for an exciting brand of football. “What we’ve got now is a stable group of guys that really pull for one another,” coach Lumbreras said. “It’s a brotherhood. We stand together in tough times.”
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