Jul 30, 2010
Mavericks labeled a dark horse in District 24-4A race
August 11, 2009
MANVEL — The 2008 football season was an exciting first year of varsity competition for the Manvel Mavericks who were playing in one of the toughest leagues in the state.
The Mavs, who begin their fourth year of existence after competing on the junior varsity level for the first two years, had high expectations to begin the 2008 football campaign. While most prognosticators had them finishing in the cellar of District 24-4A, head coach Kirk Martin saw his team competing for a playoff spot.
However, Manvel had a tough time getting started dropping the first four games to C.E. King (21-18), Clear Springs (14-0), Dawson (12-7), and Brazosport (20-17). The Mavs were in position to win all four games, but mistakes and the lack of offense placed them in a 0-4 hole overall and 0-2 in district.
And then the Mavs finally saw the light and shocked defending district champion Texas City 25-21. They beat lowly Santa Fe 20-14 for their second win of the season. The Mavs battled No. 1 area-ranked Friendswood down to the wire before a two-point conversion attempt with 1:49 left in the game came up a foot short for a 28-27 loss.
The Mavs rebounded with a 33-16 pounding over La Marque. While needing some help in the final game - the Mavs needed a win over Angleton to have a shot at the post-season, but the Wildcats were too much for the young Mavs in a 49-36 loss.
Despite the early season losses - Manvel proved they had the talent to be a playoff contender finishing in a tie for fourth place with Texas City, Dawson, and La Marque. Friendswood and Angleton shared the league crown while Brazosport finished third and Texas City won the tie-breaker for fourth place.
Manvel finished 3-6 overall and 3-4 in district.
As Martin and his coaching staff prepare for the 2009 football campaign -- he does so with a lot of positives while hoping that district teams will take his players for granted which could prove to be a big mistake.
One of Houston's elite players is junior quarterback Dexter Foreman who was named as District 24-4A "Co-Newcomer of the Year" after hitting 109-of-226 passing for 1,633 yards, 17 TDs, and 10 INTs. Foreman also had 105 carries for 452 yards rushing and three touchdowns giving him 2,085 total yards of offense and 20 TDs.
Senior wide receiver Xavier Reed was named to the All-District first-team last season after catching 22 passes for 450 yards and four scores while rushing for 323 yards on 37 carries and two TDs. Reed is a breakaway threat any time he has the ball and will look to make his senior season his very best.
Senior wide receiver Saquan Edwards was also named to the All-District first-team with a team-leading 31 catches for 530 yards and six TDs.
Reed and Edwards are regarded as two of the top receivers in the league and two of the best in the Houston area.
Senior Clint Weekley was named to the All-District second-team offensive line and will look to anchor the guys in the trenches to protect Foreman.
Senior tight end Two Willis was named to the All-District second-team and is regarded as one of the top recruits in the area.
On defense, the Mavs will return seven starters including DE Two Willis (6-3, 235, 4.5), DT Sterling Diggs (6-0, 300), DB Forrest Jones (6-0, 160, 4.5), LB Jeremy Ragland (5-10, 205, 4.4), WR/DE Mike Yarbrough, and LB Shaka Starling (5-10, 210, 4.5).
Other players to watch include: RBChris Colwell, DB Justin Luna, DL Reggie Rivera, OL Clint Weekley, LB Sammy Mendez, OL Martin Pospisil, OL Bryce Barbabosa, and LB Brian DuBose.
It looks to be another exciting season and with the two new kids on the block for their second varsity season, Manvel and Pearland Dawson, may prove to be too much to handle by the other veteran schools.
Look for Angleton, Friendswood, and Texas City to take to the top three spots while Brazosport and La Marque seek to make their presence known in the district playoff race.
Only Santa Fe, despite 19 returning starters, looks to finish at the bottom again this season unless the Indians can improve on their 1-7 season record and 0-7 mark in district in 2008.