So I have been getting quite a few emails for lists of all the Texas High School State Champions this past year.  I personally watched both Lake Travis and Aledo win their state championships this season.  For Lake Travis I believe they beat a national record for 5 straight State Championships.  For Aledo it meant Jonathan Gray breaking the national record for number of rushing touchdowns in a high school career. I never thought I would say that Jonathan Gray was a disappointment but he only had 1 touchdown (which was consequently all he needed to break the record).  Aledo, however, was not a disappointment throwing all over the Alvin Manvel secondary.  As for the others, here is a list of all the State Champions from this past season of High School football in the State of Texas.

5A Division 1 – Southlake Carroll High School
5A Division 2 – Spring DeKaney High School

4A Divsion 1 – Lake Travis High School
4A Division 2 – Aledo High School

3A Division 1 – Tyler Chapel Hill High School
3A Division 2 - Wimberley High School

2A Division 1 – Melissa High School
2A Division 2 – Refugio High School

1A Division 1 – Mason High School
1A Division 2 – Tenaha High School

6Man Division 1 – Throckmorton High School
6Man Division 2 – Richland Springs High School

Dave Brown is actually the Vice President of the Longhorn Network.  This prompted an NCAA investigation which led to them ruling that “School Networks” could not play high school games on them.  By the time the ruling came down (August 11, 2011) Texas A&M had already gone ballistic over everything because they felt that Texas was getting multiple unfair advantages by not only having their own TV network but they were going to be able to play Texas High School football games.  Once A&M overreacted to the situation and they had let it slip they had wanted to move away from Texas for a while now (August 10^th, 2011).  With A&M leaving the conference other Big 12 schools have been looking at moving out of the conference.  This is potentially dangerous for the rest of football…or really cool depending on whom you ask.  It looks like we will be headed towards super conferences light years before expected.

Lake Travis takes on Aledo High School this Friday in a clash of the titans according to yours truly.  They may have lost a close one against Stephenville (lost 48-47), but I feel as if their early rankings were worth the fuss because they just punished Weatherford like there was no tomorrow.  Aledo has won two straight 4A Division II championships while Lake Travis is looking for their fifth straight 4A title (the past three being in Division I) .  These two champions meet tomorrow night at Aledo which SidelineBlog will have people in attendance.  We will try to get as many pictures and videos as we can for you.  With both on championship runs this season, this should make for one of the most interesting games in the nation this weekend.  We could not pass up on an attempt to see two great teams grit it out. 

With Texas almost completely on fire, this will be a great release for some of the anger, sadness, and stress.  Our thoughts and prayers are obviously on the residents of Central Texas today.  Aledo’s first test was Stephenville first game of the season and while they might not have come out with a victory, they certainly came out with some experience.  Aledo’s senior quarterback was interviewed by the Dallas Star-Telegram and was quoted as saying, “We’ve been practicing all summer for this. After losing to Stephenville, I can’t wait to play them again.  I’m sure Lake Travis is feeling the same way against us.”  He is going to have his hands full with a Lake Travis team that is coming off a 43-14 win over Pflugerville Hendrickson even with 4 starters out with injuries. While some would argue that Westlake was Lake Travis’ first test this season, I would argue that Westlake is not the Westlake (Austin) of old and their program has really slipped lately.  Aledo’s Running Back Jonathan Gray comes into the game with over 550 yards of rushing and 9 touchdowns and Lake Travis’ Quarterback Matthew Bishop comes in with 142 yards on the ground and 531 yards passing with 9 touchdowns.  Watching these two players go head to head will be something to watch if you ask me.  Our prediction is that Lake Travis comes out with the win 35-28.  Hope to see you at the game!

Here are some clips of the recent rivalry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gPQaJPVyAC4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR8b3BdiXDY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPeEOmMVbq8

MaxPreps Preseason Top 25

Yes, you saw that right.  Lake Travis high school in Lakeway, Tx (my biggest rival growing up in high school) is ranked in the Top 10 in both the Xcellent 25 (sports writers poll) and the Freeman Computer Rankings.  To be completely honest with you, I have never understood how the high school rankings really worked.  Last year they we never even close to the Top 25 but because they have won 3 State Championships in a row (07′, 08′ and 09′) they are now ranked in the Top 25.  What scares me though is that I really don’t think they have what it takes this season to win another Championship.  The one time they finally skirt the Top 25, they may not even stay there but for a few weeks.  If they can make it to District play undefeated, you can pretty much sew up the rest of the regular season because the only team I see stepping in there way might be Dripping Springs.  I will be reporting all future rankings through SidelineBlog if you are interesting in seeing what the future holds for these high school teams.

Freeman Computer Rankings

This is personally my favorite league to watch because its what I group up on.  I have great respect for those who grew up in the 4A Texas football areas.  Some of the best football I have ever seen has been in the Dripping Springs-Lake Travis rivalry.  Anyways, I have posted the Pre-Season rankings below so enjoy (I will be posting week one rankings later on along with more than likely some of the week one scores):

1. Lake Travis Cavaliers

2. Longview Lobos

3. Friendswood Mustangs

4. Everman Bulldogs

5. Denison Yellow Jackets

6. Cibolo Steele Knights

7. Denton Guyer Wildcats

8. Texas High Tigers

9. Highland Park Scots

10. Corpus Christi CalAllen High School

11. San Antonio Alamo Heights Mules

12. Brenham Cubs

13. Ennis Lions

14. Dallas Carter Cowboys

15. Angleton Wildcats

16. Denton Ryan Raiders

17. Wolfforth Frenship Tigers

18. Dayton Broncos

19. Aledo Bearcats

20. Hays Consolidated Rebels

21. Crosby Cougars

22. Gregory Portland Wildcats

23. Alice Coyotes

24. Kerrville Tivy Antlers

25. Whitehouse Wildcats

1. Euless Trinity Trojans

2. San Antonio Clark

3. Katy Tigers

4. Cedar Hill Longhorns

5. Allen Eagles

6. Dallas Skyline Raiders

7. Southlake Carroll Dragons

8. Lufkin Panthers

9. GP Northshore Mustangs

10. Garland Owls

11. Round Rock Stony Point Tigers

12. San Antonio Madison Mavericks

13. Pearland Oilers

14. Midland Bulldogs

15. Odessa Permian Panthers

16. Austin Westlake Chaparrals

17. Pflugerville Panthers

18. The Woodlands Highlanders

19. Copperas Cove Bulldawgs

20. Abilene Eagles

21. Houston Chavez Lobos

22. Beaumont West Brook Bruins

23. San Antonio MacArthur

24. Converse Judson Rockets

25. Cedar Park Timberwolves

Tell me what you think!  If you have something different, by all means I am always down for debating.