District 11 5A D1

Second-year Head Coach Brandon Krauskopf has one season in the books, and it sure seems like everyone is just moving past a successful 5-6 record that included a playoff appearance last year. “We are extremely excited to see our kids in year two of the Slot T and the jump in progression we should make.”

It seems the Grizzlies are ready to make an even bigger splash this year. With the confidence of having 15 returning starters, he adds, “We were a young team last year, and the senior leadership coming back will benefit us greatly moving into one of the toughest districts in 5A Division 1.” Of the eight returners on offense, reigning Newcomer of the Year DJ Dugar could be the focal point of the running attack while sharing the backfield with Sr. Mason Johnson. Under center, expect big things from 2nd Team All-District QB, Sky Mendez. With quality OL coming back in Jr. First Team All-District selection Cameron Morrison and Senior 2nd Team selection David Claridge, there is little mystery why Coach Krauskopf is so excited about the progress he is expecting.

Kobe Childress, a Sr. returning All-District DT, leads the seven returning defensive starters and is the key to getting the defense off the field. Having three returning senior LB’s is a luxury, and it’s even better when two of them are coming off 2nd Team All-District seasons. AD selections Jaelin Hines and Nehemiah Carter are joined by Matthew Hester to be as deep as any linebacking core in the area. Sr. Dalton Bradley is an All-District CB who, along with Sr. Devin Endel, will be expected to lead the secondary.

HENDRICKSON HAWKS

With all the success in their history, the Hawks aren’t used to having to battle back from a down year. After last year’s 4-6 campaign, Coach Chip Killian knows his guys will be up for the challenge. Because of their lower numbers in participation, he knows that several key players will need to provide help on both sides of the ball “to help us get back into playoff contention.”

Killian states, “I expect us to be much improved on offense from last year.” With seven returning starters and a sure and steady Sr. QB Joseph Rodriguez leading the way, there is plenty to be excited about for next season. Two of the more dynamic players on offense are Sr. WR’s Bryan Ray and DJ Pinkerton. They should give Rodriquez plenty opportunities for explosive plays. The RB position is in the middle of a battle between a few players for playing time. Up front, Sr. Cash Deibert leads the way after a year of starting on the OL. At 6’3” and 240 lbs., he will be expected to lead Jr. Luka Matamoros and become a dominant player for the Hawks.

On defense, ILB combo of Sr. Tony Brown and Jr. Braxton Brown will lead the way together instead of challenging one another for playing time. Jr. Safety Spencer Distefano will again roam the secondary with a passion. His stellar play leads Coach Killian to believe he may need to be one of the players needed on both sides of the ball, where he can also play WR. Bryan Ray will step over to defense when his CB skills can help in the secondary. With Sr. NG Torey Stigall handling the duties up front, Killian feels, “We should be able to fill some openings on thew defensive side.” Guys like Jr. Brayden Durocher need to really show up, whether it’s at DE or TE.

SERVING CENTRAL TEXAS FOR 113 YEARS

“District 11-5A just keeps getting better. Great players and great coaches!” That seems to be a common thought, as mentioned by Head Coach Chuck Griffin, who is coming off a 6-6 campaign in 2021. If a team has four returning starters on defense, it sure would be nice to have an All-District performer to lead each level of the squad. On the DL, Jr. Michael Valenta comes back after a 1st Team All-District campaign last year. Sr. OLB Ian Lewis will lead a LB corps after an All-District Jr. season. Speedy Jr. CB Leo Diaz will be coming off an All-District season as well, leading the back end of the defense.

Of the five offensive returners, C Broden Elliott comes back with 2021 District OL of the Year credentials. Jr. RB Andrew Petter is coming into this season with lofty expectations after an All-District sophomore season. WR spots should be loaded with talent when considering two seniors, 1st Team All-District Drayden Dickmann and do-it-all-athlete Marquis Dominguez, will be favorable targets for any QB. Losing a three-year starter like Darson Herman to graduation is a tough loss but having Sr. utility player Tucker Griffin ready to take over as signal caller gives the offense a boost of confidence to move forward.

It’s got to be an especially exciting season to start for Coach Griffin, who shares, “I can’t wait to see how this team develops.” It’s hard not to believe him when he adds, “It will be a dogfight every week.” Everyone will be excited to see just how explosive 11-5A is this year.

EAST VIEW PATRIOTS

Coming off a 4-6 record from last year, Coach Jerod Fikac looks for his “seniors to play a huge roll early as we get our younger players up to speed. Excited about the work his boys have put in during the off-season, he also thinks “we will have some young players fill some big roles.” Leading the charge for the Patriots will be two-time All-District selection, Sr. DJ Perez. He has been a dominant force the past two seasons, and he will be expected to lead the defense that has four returning starters from the 2021 season. Shoring up the back end will be Sr’s. Christian Landale and Elder Isokpunwu. Their experience will give the Patriots a boost of confidence about their secondary play.

With only three returning starters coming back, it sure is nice to have both RBs as two of the three returners. Jr’s. Jay’lin Edmonson and Assdriel Dianas-Elizalde are both capable backs who can “carry the load as our new QB gets his footing.” It will be tough to replace two-year starter Peyton Adams at QB, but Coach Fikac feels they have some great ones ready to take over. Whoever takes over at the QB spot will be happy to have talented returning Jr. wideout Grover Moore as a primary target. The two talented RBs will be happy to have three hard working linemen setting the pace for the running game. With Christopher McGravy being the only returning starter, Sr’s. Davis Jones, and Austin Cain have all had great off-seasons and will be expected to lead the way up front.

Although Coach Fikac feels a few of his underclassmen will need to step up and play vital roles for this year’s success, he makes it quite clear, “Our expectations never change, and that is give our best in everything we do and everything we can control.” ** On March 21st Coach Fikac let his team know that he would be moving to Cuero to be the new head coach of the Gobblers.

After years of Central Texas dominance, Head Coach Michael Quintero looks to continue the trend in 2022. With Spring ball beginning April 19, Quintero and his staff will continue numerous auditions they are holding for spots on this year’s two-deep roster. From QB to CB, there will be no shortage of talented players fighting to get playing time. Quintero states, “Knowing what Cedar Park kids are like, we are so excited to see what next year brings to our team.”

With five guys returning on defense, Coach recognizes, “the tradition of excellent D-Line play here.” Along with that, Sr. NG Dylan Tam leads a group of five DL who are fighting for the three spots up front. Athletic Jrs. Henry Wicker and Alex Grayson look to anchor the DE spots while Sophs Hayden Gonzales and Alex Castro will also push for playing time. Jr. Isaiah King will shine at the OLB spot, pushing Sr’s. Kasen Cave and Jackson Fortney. Jr. Reid Vines is moving inside to ILB after a stellar Soph. season. Joining him at LB will be Sr. Brady Elford. Jr. CB Cole McLaughlin leads as many as five capable corners who will be looked at as starters in the secondary.

Coming off an All-District Jr. year, Sr. RB Tyree Nicholson will lead five returning starters and again be asked to do numerous things for the Timberwolves. Jr. Ayden Arp and Sr. Aiden Long are toe-totoe, leading a handful of underclassmen into the Spring, vying to be the QB next year. Juniors Carter Woehl and David Duplantier will be the top targets for whomever gets the nod at QB. There are high expectations of these two, as Coach Quintero mentioned them both in glowing terms, “Woehl is a Welker type” and Duplantier “will also help on the other side of the ball.” Returning starter Sr. Isaac Barksdale will be expected to lead the OL. Fellow Sr. Aaron Nambo will now be working on the offensive side of the ball, while Jr. Muneer Alzer and Soph. Wyatt Valiente push their way into playing time.

LEANDER LIONS

With an extremely talented group of underclassmen and plenty returning leadership from his seniors, Head Coach Kris Price has many reasons to be excited about the upcoming season. “We’re extremely excited about our numbers coming back. Our kids knowing what to expect on Friday nights will make us much better.”

Returning six defensive starters will be a rallying point for the Lions this year. Senior FS Gavin Brzezinski will be running the show from his familiar spot as the FS, while DE tandem of Sr’s. Daniel Cedillo and Joe Vasquez come back for another year together on the DL. The middle of the 3-3 stack scheme will be led by returning stacked LBs, Sr’s. Tony Klaer and Caden Brannan. Finding a spot somewhere in the secondary will be Soph. Zane Woolridge, who will be expected to contribute on both sides of the ball.

It’s a bit easier to feel confident about the progression of your offense when you have Center and Sr. leader Brian Romero taking charge of the OL. Alongside him will be returning 1st Team All-District performer, Jr. Ryan Gambino and Sr. G Jorge Ruiz-Williams. Sr. Cameron Burkman will solidify the QB position, and returning starter Damien Stout, another Jr., will get most snaps as the RB. Junior WR Aidan Parker looks to be a valuable threat for Burkman, and do-it-all Sr. Peyton Gordon will be asked to play numerous positions from his H back slot in the lineup..

Centralized district games will no longer be the only way for the Lions, adding “a two-hour bus trip for a district game is going to be a little different for us. Two great programs were brought in, and we are excited about the challenge.”