With a state football title under their belts, Allen players and coaches are now focused on defending their crown.
Little has changed at Allen since the school won the Class 5A Division I state football championship last December. But what has changed for the Eagles, as well as for other teams that win state titles, are perceptions and expectations. What Allen is experiencing, area powers Southlake Carroll, Euless Trinity and Cedar Hill already know. Area Class 5A predictions Football preview More football Blog: High schools
Allen quarterback Matt Brown, who has committed to Arizona, is back after a shoulder injury ended his season prematurely last year.
Allen will start the 2009 football season where it finished last year: on top. The Eagles, the defending Class 5A Division I state champions, begin 2009 as the No. 1 team in SportsDay's preseason Class 5A area rankings. Check out the Eagles and the rest of the top 20. Football preview More football Blog: High schools
Four to watch in 4A (left to right): Lake Dallas' James Franklin, McKinney's Zach Lee, Highland Park's Luke Woodley and Denton Ryan's Scotty Young.
College recruiters have kept an eye on a quartet of area Class 4A quarterbacks for a while now. James Franklin of Lake Dallas, Zach Lee of McKinney, Luke Woodley of Highland Park and Scotty Young of Denton Ryan have all committed to major colleges, but they're still being watched closely ... by one of their own. Matt Wixon's predictions Football preview More football Blog: High schools
Denton Guyer opponents will have to contend with 280-pound defensive tackle Taylor Bible (right), one of eight returning starters on defense.
Denton Guyer was a Cinderella story in 2008, advancing to the Class 4A Division I state semifinals in just its third season of varsity football. This year, Guyer enters the season ranked No. 1 in SportsDay's preseason Class 4A area rankings. Check out Guyer and the rest of the Top 20. Football preview More football Blog: High schools
Skyline football players (clockwise from center front) Javia Hall, Domonique Patterson, Rodney Williams, Mike Davis, Adrian James, Joe Powell, Graylin Hawkins and Tony Drake have already committed to NCAA Bowl Subdivision schools, as has Corey Nelson (not pictured).
The crowd outside Skyline football coach Reginald Samples' office the last six months has resembled a scene from a doctor's office visit or a trip to the Department of Public Safety office to renew a driver's license. The line was so backed up – this one with notable college football coaches – you needed to take a number. Why all the fuss? Skyline is bursting at the seams with talent. Blog: High Schools Team page: Skyline
