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West Texas and the Little Southwest Conference will kickoff another action packed season of smash-mouth football this week. Early favorites look to be Odessa Permian and Abilene High (last year’s champion of District 3-5A). Midland Lee and Abilene Cooper look solid to reach post-season play, as well. Permian appears to have exercised its demons of the decade playoff drought and can win its first district title since 1994. The 2007 Panthers will be led by Senior Taylor Byrd, a very field-smart scrambling quarterback with an amazingly accurate arm. With a hefty offensive line and speedy receivers, Byrd should enjoy plenty of time to hit the best target throughout the season. Thrown into the mix will be running backs Easi Sotello and Jamie Berryhill (Midland Christian’s star running back of 2006). Defensively, Mojo returns enough key players to simply build on the successes of last year’s team. Austin Shaffer (defensive end), Ross Forrest (linebacker) and Alex Lujan (linebacker) anchor a stingy bunch on the line. The defensive backfield is comprised of a tight crew of big playmakers. Andrew Amoyaw, Melvis Pride, and Cameron Phillips all received game time minutes last year and seem to have gelled together. The Panthers will open their season on the road, playing Lubbock High on Thursday, August 30 in Texas Tech’s backyard. Abilene High has had bragging rights to the district crown the last three consecutive years. The offensive tandem of quarterback Spens Lackey, running back Keithy Flye, and receivers J.J. James and Kortney McDow all return from an 8-5 season just a year ago. The Eagles have had quite a bit of offensive success running out of the spread. The Abilene coaching staff is hopeful Mark Weaver and Chris Williams (linebackers) will rise up and lead an inexperienced AHS defense. Jordan Harris (defensive back) and Andre Davis (lineman) will need to step up and play big to give the Eagles a shot at keeping the district bell another year. Abilene High will be tested right out of the gate as they host Austin Westlake on Saturday, September 1 in Shotwell Stadium. This just may be the year head coach Randy Quisenberry sees the fruits of the seeds he has planted at Midland Lee. Going into the non-district schedule, the Rebels look to be the silent power of the Permian Basin. Local forecasters are picking Lee to finish in fourth or fifth. All I can tell you is don’t beLEEve everything you read. Get used to the name Corey Petro. This multi-talented receiver/running back/kick returner will factor into the success the Rebels will enjoy this year. Petro will be joined in the backfield by quick-footed Amiuel Carr. Jason Nash is the wiry signal caller that posted 1,200 passing yards to his 2006 stats. Let this group get a couple of breaks and they could easily force the district championship to be decided in Grande Communications Stadium. I anticipate Marshall Williams (linebacker) and Kyle Logsdon (defensive back) will lead the Rebels’ defense. The Lee ‘D’ will utilize ball-hawks like Zach Starnes, Muhammed Kuzu, and Jered Groner to reinforce a suspect area of the 2006 team. The first test will come from North Crowley on August 31 in the Rebel home opener. If the Cougars can stay healthy, Abilene Cooper will be in the hunt and in the post-season bracket. Second year CHS coach Mike Spradlin has several starters returning, but will need for them to stay healthy to progress with his program. Last year, the Cougars dealt with numerous injuries to key players through most of the season. Other than working new quarterback Will Casey into the scheme of things, CHS expects a high level of performances from receivers Ricky Stevenson and Andrew Squyres, backs Joe Joe Jones and A’mon Pimpton, and linebacker Austin Driggers. Cooper begins its trek on the road August 31, where they’ll face Weatherford. The Midland Bulldogs have a lot of bugs to workout on an inexperienced offensive unit. Junior running back Darius Miller and quarterback Mason Coffman will need to step up to form the nucleus for Coach Craig Yenzer’s 2007 offense. As for the MHS defense, look out for a bunch of tough headhunters. Defensive backs Bedford Booth and Daniel Zachery are primed to be the best in the business at preventing the long ball. Linebackers Tanner Foster, Jonathan Hendrix, and Josh Roberson will make it tough for opponents to have much success up the middle of the field. Midland High gets their first big test in hosting Rockwall on September 1 in Grande Stadium. Even with a very talented David Camacho under center, the Bronchos will be competitive but may struggle to make post-season with the opponents they’ll face this time around in district. Odessa High will need J.J. Hill to contribute in their ground game to keep opponent defenses honest from keying on just Camacho. OHS will have the services of LaShon Harris at linebacker, and he’s a very good one. The best news for Broncho fans is head coach Ron King and his staff will have five non-district games to get the Red and White elevated to the level of their district foes. Unlike recent years, District 3-5A in 2007 will reclaim the title of being one of the state’s toughest districts. There are simply no slouches in this district this season. You could pick any four teams from this list and expect bi-district wins from them come November, if given the chance.
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