After tearing his ACL and PCL in a playoff game vs. Spring Dekaney, Pflugerville WB Brandon Woodward is working his way back towards the playing field.
After a 4-month layoff, the junior is scheduled to run for the first time on April 7th. He's expected to join the roster in time for Zero Week 2012, or by district play. Brandon is a member of a talented Senior '13 Panthers class, featuring QB Blain Kruemcke, OL Mason Castenada and RB Adrian Dilworth.
Big congrats to Stony Point defensive coordinator Jason Cecil. He was named the new head coach at McCallum High School this week. Cecil will replace Coach Todd Raymond, who left for Lehman High School earlier this year.
Stony Point has always been known for defense, thus the Knights are getting a good one. McCallum will open the season vs. Anderson on Zero Week in the 11th annual Taco Shack Bowl.
Georgetown and Rouse are getting very familiar with each other over the next month and a half. With several friendly 7 on 7 scrimmages scheduled between the Eagles and Raiders leading up to Spring Camp, its keeping our Central Texas stars in shape.
Pictured above, Rouse WR Wesley Lewis rises above the defense to snag a TD pass. The first competitve State Qualifying 7 on 7 Tournament takes place in Round Rock on May 26th. Lake Travis follows with their own on June 3rd.
It seems like yesterday that Lake Travis QB Baker Mayfield was tearing up the freshman level of football. Last December, he won the first of what could be 2 state rings at Cowboys Stadium.
The next level of Cavaliers will get a shot to show their stuff versus Varsity on Wednesday evening. The team will hold a friendly 7 on 7 scrimmage at LT facilities - but the youngsters will be playing to win. We'll keep you posted on any highlights from their meet.
Del Valle Football is dealing with some odd circumstances. They will be without the services on ATH Aneas Henricks, who has transfered to Bastrop High School.
Aneas is first thought to be a wide receiver. He could also spell junior Alec Kana in a wildcat formation. Aneas follows in the footsteps of former Cardinal DB Antwaun Davis is crossing over to Bastrop.
We reported earlier in the month that Austin High WR Isaiah Jones was offered a scholarship from his father's old stomping grounds: East Carolina University. We've just received word that Arkansas State is vying for the returning Maroon's services.
We project "Zay" to fly up national ranks over the course of the next year. Mostly known as the son of former Dallas Cowboy Robert Jones, and little brother of future UT Longhorn Cayleb Jones - Isaiah is looking to make a name for himself. We'll keep you covered on Jones and the rest of the Maroons in style. Follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook.
Is there any question that Austin-area high school football is on the rise? Rivals came out with their "best" of the upcoming talent in Texas - with two of our Fanstand stars being the State's top two running backs.
Lake Travis sophomore Varshuan Nixon is currently ranked #7 on the 2014 list. He jettisoned for over 1500 total yards while pacing his Cavaliers to a State title. He has reportedly already been offered a scholarship to Syracuse and other schools.
Hendrickson sophomore Samaje Perine comes in at #15 on the list. Perine sprang onto the scene in 2011, nearly netting 1500 yards in his first Varsity campaing. Even more impressive, his production came with shared carries (newly UT-signed ATH Daje Johnson).
While some students are visiting Padre or some other Spring Break destination; 5 Austin-area kickers competed in friendly competiton on Tuesday morning.
Of the five kickers that participated, three of them earned first team all-district honors in 2011. All five return in 2012.
Host kicker Michael Barden was deemed 15-5A's best by area head coaches. His work with Westlake last year bodes well for a successful Fall. Barden will be joined by Lake Travis' Kevin Marcotte and Bowie's Caleb Garza next year in-district. Marcotte was 25-4A's top kicker in 2011. Some say he was the State title game MVP with 3 FGs versus Hewitt Midway. Garza won this afternoon's punting portion of the competition. The returning Bulldog averaged over 43 yards a punt, with a long of 50.
Westwood junior Colin McGuire represented Cen Tex-North and Westwood. Colin was 16-5A's Kicker of the Year in 2011. He proved his worth by making 10 of 12 attempted field goals at this afternoon's competition. McGuire also had the longest make of the evening, at 55 yards.
The lone 4A representative was LBJ's Fotis Killovakis. Fotis paced the Jaguars during their district championship run last year. With LBJ's returning high-powered offense, Killovakis could rack up some serious points in 2012.
We'll continue to track the progress of these kickers, and others across the Central Texas area. Coverage like no one else...we're Friday Night Fanstand!
Let the recruiting begin! While big brother Cayleb travels to the 40 Acres next Fall, Austin High WR Isaiah Jones has been offered a scholarship to play football for East Carolina.
Isaiah was one of the Austin-area's leading receivers in 2011 as a junior. An injury to the QB forced Zay to play behind center for several games - dipping into his receiving numbers. With several capable quarterbacks in 2012 (Mansour/Blake), we project Isaiah to play 90% at wideout. We also expect him to be among the top five in total receiving yards this Fall. We'll keep an eye on Jones and his Maroon teammates this Spring/Summer, as we countdown to Week Zero, 2012. Check out Zay's highlight video below, and follow us on Twitter!
Fanstand has just learned that Lee'Anthony Dawson (WR/DB/QB at Reagan in 2011) has transferred to LBJ this semester.
Dawson adds another skilled player to an athletic Jaguars team. Along with Randon Knotts and Andre Fresch, Dawson makes LBJ's receiving corp one of the area's deepest. With the recent announcement of Aiden Kahn's surgery (on his throwing shoulder), it gives the Jags some insurance going into next season.
We're still expecting Kahn to return as starter - but Lee'Anthony gives the team options, should they have to rest Aiden early. We'll continue to monitor the situation as the off season progresses.
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We have just confirmed that LBJ junior QB/DB Aiden Kahn received surgery on his throwing shoulder. His rehab time is an expected 6-8 weeks. His Spring camp workload may be affected, but he's expected to get some work during Summer 7 on 7.
The Jaguars won the district 26-4A championship in 2011. Senior quarterback Darius Collins will attend Cisco Junior College next Fall, leaving the QB position open for Kahn. The Jaguars also lost head coach Demo Odems (Montana State running back coach), but have replaced him with former Marlin High Coach, Keith Wills.
We'll keep you posted on Aiden's progress, and wish him a speedy recovery.
Check out the rest of our early roster projections for LBJ, here.
The Westwood Warriors are losing a great safties coach, and program friend. We just learned from Coach Will Janson that he will be taking a defensive coordinator position with the Taylor Ducks.
"Coach Pantalone has been at St Michaels running the defense for the last 4 years as St Michaels has gone 23-1 in district play, 3 state quarterfinals and 1 state semifinal appearances. This man knows the game. There are many 5A schools that would love to have his services (and have tried)".
According to sources, Coach P will remain defensive coordinator in the 2012 season.
McNeil defensive line coach Brian Rich has been promoted to defensive coordinator for the 2012 season. Congrats Coach Rich, and good luck!