Friday nights in Texas…need I say more?  The off-season has flown by and high school football players all across the state are gearing up for the 2005 football season.  Seniors have graduated, underclassmen have worked out to improve their athleticism, coaches have tweaked their game plans, and the Friday Night Fever guys have gotten another year older, gained more weight and lost more hair.  But hey, I’m not complaining.

            Who can complain?  The Class 2A Division I State Champion Boyd Yellow Jackets are out to defend their title.  The Decatur Eagles are looking to prove that there is life after “Dane to Christian”.  The Springtown Porcupines are looking for redemption and a trip to the playoffs, and on and on and on.  Every team has something to play for this year and we’re giving you the scoop on the upcoming season for the area teams.  Be sure to keep reading beyond the previews for an update on the 2005 Friday Night Fever Radio Show.  Enjoy!

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Class 4A Teams

Northwest Texans

By Paul Barnett

If last year was any indication of things to come, then Northwest ought to be playoff bound this year.  The Texans will open the brand new 18 million dollar Northwest ISD stadium in September.  However, they will have to contend in one of the most competitive districts anywhere in Class 4A.  Northwest Head Coach Leonard McAngus continues to right the Texan’s ship from 1-9 in 2003 to 7-3 in 2004.  The Texans will look to build on this momentum and turn in another solid season. 

            This year the Texans will return 5 starters on offense.  Among those returning on offense is Junior WR Bryant Maxwell who proved to be a serious offensive threat in his sophomore year, catching 17 passes for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns.  One of the big holes is at the running back position, as the Texans will try to fill the position held last year by the elusive and speedy Lesley Gibbs.  Blake, a third year starter, will contribute to the ground attack with his great speed and good vision.  Collier, who will probably split time at running back with Blake Jones, will be running behind Zach Bramer and Cameron Vester, listed at 275 and 250 pounds respectively.  They should be able to open up holes and give Collier and Jones plenty of running room.  Vying for the starting job at quarterback will be Preston Merritt and Will McAngus.  Also vying for various positions on offense are WR Zach Palmer, WR Cody Goetz, TE Michael Copenhauer, WR Stephen McMillen, OL Cody Yenter, and WR Shane Hardy. 

            Defensively the Texans expect to be stronger than last year thanks to a solid junior varsity squad and some transfers from around the area.  The Texans will return 4 starters on defense including Cameron Vester who played both ways last year.  Also returning on the defensive side of the ball are linebacker Cody Goetz, linebacker Adam Brown, and cornerback Abel Ramirez.

            Just like last year the Texans will have to fight through one of the most competitive districts in Class 4A.  District 9-4A includes Lewisville Hebron, McKinney, McKinney North, Frisco, Frisco Centennial, Lake Dallas, and Keller Central.  The teams that will most likely be competing for playoff positions include Northwest, Hebron, McKinney, Lake Dallas, and McKinney North.  The Texans will have to get through Lake Dallas, Frisco and both of the McKinney schools in order to make the playoffs.  The game that most of the Texans have circled this year would have to be against the Lewisville Hebron Hawks, who beat the Texans 20-19 and took away any shot the Texans had for the playoffs.  This year the Texans will be playoff contenders again and this year there should be some vindication for the Northwest Texans.

Springtown Porcupines

By Scott Hiler

The Springtown Porcupines will be coming into the 2005 football season looking for redemption and fighting for the trip to the playoffs that they barely missed in 2004.  The Porcupines finished the 2004 season strong, going 5-2 in district 7-4A, finishing with a 6-4 overall record.  The 5-2-district record was good enough for a tie for third place.  Unfortunately the tie for third place was with Arlington Seguin, who defeated Springtown early in district play, and therefore edged out the Porcupines for the final spot in the playoffs from 7-4A

            Returning from the 2004 squad will be the nucleus of a strong offensive unit that averaged 26 points per game last year.  Quarterback Peyton Logan and running back Dudley Wier headline the offensive attack that should produce good results again behind a solid offensive line anchored by Justin Roper and Dustin Lowary.

            Springtown will return only three starters on the defensive side of the football from a unit that only gave up 16 points per game in 2004.  While consisting of many new faces, the defensive unit should be strong in 2005 and should come together by the time district play starts up.  Defensive backs Kody Nielson and Chad Seybert have good athleticism.  Defensive lineman Vaughn Talbert is the backbone of the defensive unit, with good pass rushing skills and strong play against the run.

            The 2005 season hinges on back-to-back-to-back match-ups against three of the district favorites.  September 30^th, the Porcupines will travel to Azle for a big rivalry game and a game that could hold the key to a 2005 playoff appearance.  The following week, Springtown will host Arlington Seguin.  There’s no doubt that Head Coach Matt Elliot will have his team looking for some revenge in this game.  The last of these three keys games will have North Richland Hills Birdville coming to Springtown.  The Porcupines will have to escape this string of games with at least two victories to ensure a trip to the playoffs in 2005.