12-5A Mid Year Review

As the 2010 football season moves to its half-way point, the District 12-5A race is shaping up as a two team sprint for the crown and a crowded field for the other playoff spots.  One thing is certain, with the collection of offensive talent skill personnel in the district, it will be tough to pick one offensive MVP.

Contenders
A&M Consolidated and Copperas Cove look to be the class of the district again in 2010.  Both teams have an incredible collection of skill players.  A&M's Clinton Banks and Chris Nutall seem to have been playing for the last 10 years and keep getting better.  Along with Quinton White, they have Jim Slaughter's offense humming!  Cove's Thomas, Randolf, and Hamilton sounds more like a law firm that an offensive backfield and Coach Jack Welch should be happy that they are "representing" the Dawgs.  Cove's offense, which resembles a permanent "wildcat" formation, is lethal with Orlando Thomas as the trigger man.  The district race will likely come down to two factors.  (1)  Can A&M's defense stop opponents?  (2) Can Cove's one dimensional offense keep up with A&M?
BOTTOM LINE:  A&M's offense is a little better than Cove's, but give the nod to Cove because of their defensive personnel. 

On the Fringe
The final two playoff spots in 12-5A are up for grabs between Belton, Harker Heights, Ellison, and Bryan.  Bryan seemed to be the class of this group heading into the district schedule and moved out to 2-0 in the district.  Their struggle at home against Shoemaker again demonstrates the inconsistencies that have become a hallmark of Bryan's teams in the last few years.  Defensively, they look to the the cream of the crop in the district and that, along with a good running came, may be enough. Belton's big victory over Heights in week 5 seems to have given them a leg up in the race for a playoff spot.  However, their defense continues to get exposed on a weekly basis and one wonders if the offense can always answer the bell.  Ellison showed some offensive fire power against A&M, but it's hard to say how much was legitimate when the game was over at the half.  With the loss to Belton, Heights will have to likely knock off someone that they shouldn't to have a chance.
BOTTOM LINE:  Bryan and Belton will likely seize the remaining playoff spots.

Spoilers
There are probably no two nicer guys in the state than Temple's Bryce Monsen and Shoemaker's Ken Gray, but their match up later this year will likely determine who has an "o-fer" and who has a "one-fer" in 2010.  Both teams have battled this year at times and may be able to catch someone looking past them and steal an additional victory (as Shoemaker almost did in Week 5 vs. Bryan).  However, barring a complete turnaround, these two will be playing out the string. 
BOTTOM LINE:  Report to basketball practice Week 11.