Coach: Jeff Jordan (54-28 in seven seasons, all at Garland)
Last playoff appearance: 2006, 5A Div. II state semifinals
Returning starters: 9 offense, 7 defense
10-5A coaches poll: 4th
Players to watch
| Player | Pos. | Ht. | Wt. | Cl. | | Comment: Steven Barker | S | 5-11 | 190 | Sr. | | Comment: All-district as sophomore LB, injured last season | | Keith Blanton | WR | 6-0 | 190 | Sr. | | Comment: Made big plays as receiver and returning kicks | | Chad Brown | DE | 6-2 | 250 | Sr. | | Comment: Physical, quick and technically sound | | Michael Giddings | RB | 5-9 | 185 | Sr. | | Comment: Physical runner with breakaway speed | | Lavar Hart | LB | 5-10 | 210 | Sr. | | Comment: Led team with 62 tackles last season | |
Bottom line
Garland was a young team last season but now has experience with 16 returning starters. Size is an issue, but speed is not. Garland is going to the spread, and changing the offense for the first time in 15 years could revitalize the Owls.
