District 12 5A D2

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.”

By Jake Herman Among the most improbable playoff teams in the area last season, Travis overcame a tumultuous start to break up their 8-year postseason drought. Suffering from early-season injuries and a demanding schedule, the Rebels lost their first three games by a combined score of 175-8. But in October, they reeled off three consecutive wins which proved to be enough for a playoff berth. “If you would have told me in June that we’d make the playoffs, I would have said you were crazy,” 9th year head coach Joe Frank Martinez told IHSFAN. “To see success for the kids after the start that we had was great… and the way these kids handled that success showed their resiliency and fight.” The Rebels will be one of the youngest teams in the area next season and will need several underclassmen to take full advantage of opportunities to contribute. Jr. OLB/RB Alex Cardosa is the lone all-district returner who will assume a leadership role on defense and tote the rock on early downs.

Fittingly, Travis will have a young signal-caller in 2022 as well. So. QB Jonah Mang took the majority of snaps for the freshman team last season, but the athletic So. QB Jordan Davis is also vying for the job. Both will be instrumental to the offense’s success. “We’re trying to find leaders in spring ball,” coach Martinez told IHSFAN. “We’re investing time in their character development, but we’re also here to compete.”

LASA

By Jake Herman 2022 will mark the LASA Raptors’ district debut after splitting from LBJ and breaking in their new campus. Head coach Bryan Crews’ squad tallied a 3-7 record last season, notching wins over future district opponents Eastside and Navarro. “It’s very exciting to be starting a new athletic program, it’s sort of a dream that a lot of coaches have,” coach Crews told IHSFAN. “Watching these kids become football players and teaching from the ground up is a big challenge.”

The Raptors will rely heavily on the passing game this season led by Jr. QB Roman Edwards. He’ll have a pair of reliable targets in Sr. Andy Wang (team-high 7 TD last season) and Sr. Logan Abounader, who will also lead the defense from the inside linebacker position. Sr. Jack Woytek is a unique two-way player at both offensive tackle and outside linebacker. He should excel in both pass protection and pass rush, helping LASA meet the challenge of comparatively low numbers. Jr. DB Tate Smith and Sr. DB Josh Jaimes will be leaned on in the secondary. Having endured COVID-related obstacles when starting their program, the Raptors are using the offseason to make up for lost time in strength and conditioning. “Our kids play tough, they play together, and they’re very coachable,” coach Crews said. We’ve been able to do some things scheme-wise despite a lack of experience that are more advanced.”

By Jake Herman Back at the 5A level in 2022, the LBJ Jaguars will continue to compete with the best in the state. The Jags went 15-0 en route to the state title game last season, falling short at the hands of Stephenville. “To go and play in a state championship game for the first time in 48 years for an AISD school, I just think it’s remarkable,” IHSFAN Coach of the Year Jahmal Fenner said. “Last year’s team and the season they had should be remembered as the best team LBJ has ever had.” LBJ will only return a total of 9 starters, but several other returners logged quality reps in the playoffs, giving coach Fenner confidence that they have the core group to make another deep run. IHSFAN Top Ten RB Sedrick Alexander will carry the offense, looking to follow up on a 2200-yard, 30 touchdown season. With Thomas Contreras returning to lead the o-line, Alexander will have plenty of room.

As has become standard at LBJ, the Jags will be extremely talented at the skill positions, featuring some of the best two-way athletes in Texas. Jr. 2nd team all-district WR/DB Fatu Mukuba made significant strides last season, as did all-district linebackers Tre McCutchin and Therion Gary. Keep an eye on young Hunter Howard, who coach Fenner said has earned more opportunities at outside linebacker this season. Fans who tuned in to the state championship game will also remember the monster performance of Sr. all-district DB Noah Baker, who was injured last offseason but enters this spring as a vocal leader. Tall wideout Ja’Quan McGee is an x-factor who flashed his game-changing ability early last season before suffering an injury. Gharion Hawthorne is the heir apparent at quarterback who filled in admirably when Oscar Gordon’s shoulder held him out of the Lampasas game last season.

CROCKETT

By Jake Herman In year three of the Darrick Norton era at Crockett, the Cougars are determined to break up a 25-year drought since their last golden ball. Among the youngest teams in the area last season, Crockett finished 2-8 overall but were a win over Travis away from making the playoffs. This season, they’ll be deeper and more experienced. “I have a team of unsung heroes who play for each other and play with heart,” Coach Norton told IHSFAN. “This team doesn’t quit.” Out of 17 returning starters, two-time all-district ATH Cameron Dickey may be the most vital to the team’s chances in 2022. Taking on the duties of quarterback and free safety, he’ll be asked to make plays both in space and under center. Jr. Jacob Reed could see looks at quarterback as well, freeing Dickey to play in space. With the graduation of leading receiver Xavier Chapa, sophomore all-district wideout Jamari Wilson will see extra looks. For a team that often works out of the slot T, having the entire offensive line back will be a massive boost. Sr. all-district OL Alejandro Gallegas will lead the way, opening more lanes for fullback Ethan McLaughlin. Coach Norton hopes that a more competitive non-district slate will help his team build confidence to get rolling in 2022. Last season pitted the Cougars against playoff-caliber teams early, which resulted in growing pains for a young defense. With all-district sophomore DE Caleb Dickey and NT Aidan Lantron comprising a strong defensive line, Crockett will count on some key transfers to step up in the secondary. The margins will be tight in the playoff race behind LBJ in District 12-5A, and with defensive improvement the Cougars could be right in the mix.

By Jake Herman The McCallum Knights broke through with a playoff victory last season, needing overtime to hang on against Glenn and capture the first golden ball of head coach Thomas Gammerdinger’s four-year tenure. The Knights finished 8-4 but stumbled out of the gates, dropping two non-district games to Connally and Lehman teams that finished a combined 4-16. But a road win over Marble Falls turned the tide as district play began. After losing to Liberty Hill, the Knights would go on to win their next five in a row. Relying on a suffocating defense that allowed less than 20 points per game, the Knights advanced to the area round before falling to Alamo Heights.

No team in the realigned District 12-5A will have to replace more all-district talent than McCallum in 2022. Offensive lineman of the year Johan Holmes and defensive MVP Tino Rodriguez are graduating -- and so are 1st team all-district players at most starting positions on both sides of the ball. In total, 29 players received all-district recognition but just three will return. TE JD Jordan may be asked to take on a bigger role, as will 2nd team all-district CB David Houston. All-district honorable mention DE Anthony Hernandez is the lone returner on a starting defensive line that was one of the team’s strengths last season. Rebuilding last season’s talented roster will be a tall task in 2022, but the 2021 Knights certainly set the example for McCallum football in years to come.

EASTSIDE

By Jake Herman After playing against new programs Austin Achieve and LASA last season, Eastside (no longer Eastside Memorial) suspended their varsity football program until 2022 due to low participation. This season, the Panthers will move up to the 5A level and compete in a district with their fellow Austin ISD schools in district 12-5A D2. Head Coach Luis Becerra told IHSFAN, “Eastside is looking to be more competitive in district 12-5A D2 going up against schools with similar football numbers. Our young team has had a great offseason and we look forward to the next three seasons with our core group.”

The Panthers will take the field looking for their first win since 2017. Look for the following group of Sophomores to lead a very young squad: Soph OL/DL Keveair Tobar, Soph OL/DL Jaden Benson, Soph. DB Jamykal Jones, and Soph. LB Eric Matamoros.