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District 10-5A Football Predictions

Photo courtesy of NeilFonville.com

By Kevin Hageland, Andrew Snyder and Matt Welch, Staff Writers

Published: Wednesday, October 10, 2012 2:28 PM CDT

1. Allen

Allen has won its district six years in a row.

Look for this to be No. 7.

They key for the Eagles thus far has been dominance on the line of scrimmage. Paced by Northwestern-commit Brad North on the offensive front and Baylor-commit Byron Bonds in the defensive trenches, Allen�s ability to cycle in several players on both lines has been the key to a punishing running attack and constant pressure on the quarterback.

Variety is a theme for the skill players as well.

Allen�s rushing attack is averaging 289 yards per game with senior running backs Jeff Harris and Marcus Ward, senior quarterback Oliver Pierce and sophomore quarterback Kyler Murray all contributing greatly to that mark.

Allen needs to be more effective passing, something that could have Murray taking more snaps under center and Pierce lining up more in the slot as district progresses, but that alone is not enough to deter another Allen district title.

2. Plano West

While Plano West�s primary objective is to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason the past two years in 8-5A, there have been whispers around campus since the spring that the Wolves might be able to win their first district title since 2004.

To do so West will need to limit turnovers and establish a vertical passing game.

The Wolves� defense, with big-hitting senior linebacker Jake Wodka and playmaking senior defensive back Davis Roeschke, has shown massive improvement in tackling since the start of the year but isn�t good enough yet to continually overcome short fields.

On offense, West has an established leader in Travis Korry. The senior quarterback, junior running back Auston Anderson and sophomore running back Sotonya Jamabo give the team a stout rushing attack that could be buoyed if Korry can stretch the field with senior wideouts Zac Gideo, Connor Doyle and Austin Copeland.

That�s a lot to ask, which is why West might not be ready to overthrow Allen.

3. Plano East

The Plano East offense has turned no shortage of heads in emerging as one of the area�s most productive during non-district play.

In doing so, the Panthers haven�t met a ton of resistance in their run to 4-0, with seniors Mario Smalls, Ricky Ilodianya and Collin Shaw battering all comers thus far. Senior Jackson Garrey said it�s taken a while for the defense to keep pace, but that the unit took plenty away from its performance in a 38-17 victory over Flower Mound Marcus.

The question will be how East responds to its consecutive bye weeks heading into district, which is a long time to be away from action for a team with such momentum.

That, coupled with health issues, might make the start to district a bit of a trial by fire for the Panthers, but will still be enough to assure a postseason spot for the third time in four years.

4. McKinney Boyd

The Broncos spent their formative years as a Class 5A program, 2008-09, playing in a district with most of the teams they'll soon face again.

While McKinney Boyd won just one district game during that two-year stretch, it should fare better this time around and can make the playoffs for a third consecutive year.

Whether it plays out like that or not is largely in the hands, or feet, of senior running back Bryan Driskell. As the centerpiece of the Boyd offense, he has rushed for 915 yards and scored 12 touchdowns this season, nine of which came in his last three games.

Complimenting Boyd's rushing attack is a defense that has performed well throughout 2012 and even better as district has drawn closer. In their last two games, the Broncos held both Rockwall and Lewisville to around 300 yards of offense and created nine turnovers in respective 44-7 and 42-14 wins.

5. Plano Senior

The start to the Wildcats� 2012 season has been a markedly different one than 2011, where Plano coasted to a 3-0 non-district record, only to win one of the ensuing seven 8-5A ballgames.

This year, Plano has been tasked with persevering through a number of close games, with all but one up in the air in the fourth quarter. The Wildcats are 3-2 thus far, led by a running attack that has accounted for 70 percent of the team�s offensive snaps. While his attempts are down from last year, senior quarterback Richard Lagow�s deep ball remains a potent weapon, with the signal caller averaging nearly 24 yards per completion.

Junior David Griffith headlines a defense that has taken time to adjust in games and that isn�t a trend Plano can continue with in 10-5A play.

Much of the opponents� success has come on the ground and in a district laden in run-heavy offenses, the Wildcats find themselves on the outside looking in this year.

6. McKinney

The Lions should struggle against much larger, more seasoned opponents in the transition to Class 5A, but their potent offense keeps the threat of an upset looming large.

The six-team format of the district puts a premium on each game and McKinney could serve as a spoiler to one of 10-5A's more established teams.

The Lions rank second in the area, behind East, in total offense with 508 yards per game and are averaging an equally impressive 42 points. In his third year under center, senior quarterback Robert Somborn has thrown for 1,332 yards and 19 touchdowns. The bulk of those yards went to senior receivers Connor Fuentes, Jonathan Shannon and junior receiver TV Williams. Shannon also plays running back and corner back, leading the team in rushing yards (554) and scoring (12 touchdowns).

McKinney (4-1) benefited from weak competition early, but last week's 35-28 loss to Denton Ryan proved the Lions can keep pace when faced with a higher level of play.

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