TexasHSFootball.com - Preview Guide 2008: Itasca Wampus Cats

21-1A

ITASCA WAMPUS CATS

By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor

After a first round exit in the Class 2A Division II playoffs, plus a 9-2 record overall, the Itasca Wampus Cats turned their attention to the 2008 season where the expectations and the level of competition has risen. With that note, the Wampus Cats return eight offensively and nine defensively off last year's squad including star quarterback Mikey Marshall. And after the dust from the realignment cloud dissolved, Itasca finds itself dropping down from Class 2A to Class 1A. Joining the Wampus Cats in their newly created 21-1A are Italy, Hubbard, Axtell, Dawson, Wortham and Frost.

With the retuurn of quarterback Mikey Marshall, the Wampus Cat offense should have no shortage of a leader and a playmaker. Marshall will be rejoined in the backfield by junior running backs Desmond Guy and Greg Mason and senior De'Veon Mayberry. Mason, Mayberry and Guy are two backs with solid speed and have the potential to break a game open. If the three rushers are determined enough, there could be more than just a wining season and a playoff appearance in the works for the trio. Along with the Mason and Guy, Marshall will have three main targets out of the wideout slots to throw at. Jacob Boyd, a six foot-six, 205 pound senior, is a returning starter and will likely be the main target fo Marshall. Also returning is letterman junior Chad Johnson, who hopes to see increased production and could very well be a diamond in the rough for the Wampus Cats in terms of production. Coming in as a transfer to Itasca and hoping to make a big splash as a senior is Markell Campbell, who stands in at six feet-one and runs a 4.5 forty.

If there will be a major strength of the Itasca squad for 2008, the signs of that strength will be felt in the offensive trenches. The Wampus Cats bring back four starters from last year's squad. At the guard slots, senior Cris Pacheco and junior Eddie Coronado will hold down the fort on the inside positions of the trenches. Angel Turrubiartez an Adam Harvey are expected to return to their respective slots in the tackle slot. At center, look for junior Chad Rutherford and sophomore B.J. Jackson to split the duties with Rutherford getting possibly the majority of the snaps.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Wampus Cats return all but two starters from last year's squad. Returning to the defensive side of the trenches, junior Ryan Crouch makes his return as the experienced tackle. Adam Handy, will be competing with Crouch for the starting job or for significant playing time. Cris Pacheco returns as the starter in the nose guard slot, but like Crouch, he is will have good back up as well at his own position with senior letterman J.J. Perez. Finishing off the front lines, look for Zeck O'Rarden and Jacob Shelton to man the ends and seek significant improvement in production.

Looking through the line backers and defensive backs, like that of their front lines, the Wampus Cats should see significant improvement over last season's 9-2 squad. Mayberry and Frank Sanchez both return as starters at the middle linebacker position. Look for transfer Markell Campbell to be a big contributor at the position as well. The defensive backs have plenty of youth and experience as all four stepping in the corners and safety slots are juniors. Chad Johnson and Issac Perez are expected to man the corners and should be very dangerous in the clutch. Perez, could potentially be the best defensive player on the roster, but expect this defense to act as a unit carrying the load for each other. Like their prescence in the offensive backfield, Desmond Guy and Greg Mason will be looking to have a similar impact in the defensive backfield as the returning safeties.

On special teams, receiver Jacob Boyd will be handling the punting duties for the Wampus Cats just as he did in 2007. But there will be a new kicker making his rounds at Itasca and it is a kicker that has already a lot of promise and potential. Expect the kicking duties to b mastered rather quickly by freshman Jaciel Gutierrez.

Overall, this year's Itasca Wampus Cats could be one of the biggest sleepers in the state with hopes of a very deep run in the playoffs. They could very easily be considered as one of the top ten teams in the state at the Class 1A level and will be getting high marks early.

Four Downs, Four Keys
1st Down >> Experience and drop in class = high expectations and more
2nd Down >> Mikey Marshall's ability to lead and spread the ball around
3rd Down >> Keeping the defense hungry and fresh for a deep playoff run
4th Down >> Confiidence and motivation are key to Itasca's season

Team Information
2007 Records
Varsity	9-2
Junior Varsity	4-6
Sophomore	NA
Freshman A	NA
Freshman B	NA
Offensive Information
Randy Lee
Two Back Gun
Defensive Information
Craig Horn
Multiple 4-3
By The Numbers
Returning Starters
Offense	8
Defense	9
Lettermen
Returning	21
Lost	7

KEY STARTERS & PLAYERS

OFFENSE
Pos	Name	HT	WT	40	YR	School
QB	Mikey Marshall	6'0	190	4.7	Sr	----
RB	Desmond Guy	5'11	180	4.5	Jr	----
RB	De'Veon Mayberry	5'9	225	4.8	Sr	----
RB	Greg Mason	6'0	180	4.5	Jr	----
WR	Jacob Boyd	6'6	205	4.8	Sr	----
WR	Markell Campbell	6'1	195	4.5	Sr	----
WR	Chad Johnson	5'10	165	4.7	Jr	----
OT	Adam Handy	6'0	180	4.8	Sr	----
OT	Angel Turrubiartez	5'10	205	5.1	Sr	----
OG	Cris Pacheco	6'0	225	5.2	Sr	----
OG	Eddie Coronado	5'10	210	5.0	Jr	----
C	Chad Rutherford	5'10	200	5.1	Jr	----
C	B.J. Jackson	5'10	195	5.2	So	----
K	Jaciel Gutierrez	5'9	145	4.9	Fr	----
DEFENSE
Pos	Name	HT	WT	40	YR	School
NG	J.J. Perez	5'9	180	4.7	Sr	----
NG	Cris Pacheco	6'0	225	5.2	Sr	----
DT	Adam Handy	6'0	180	4.8	Sr	----
DT	Ryan Crouch	6'1	180	5.0	Jr	----
DE	Jacob Shelton	6'1	10	4.8	Sr	----
DE	Zeck O'Rarden	6'0	185	4.8	Sr	----
ILB	De'Veon Mayberry	5'9	225	4.8	Sr	----
ILB	Frank Sanchez	5'9	185	4.7	Sr	----
OLB	Markell Campbell	6'1	195	4.5	Sr	----
CB	Chad Johnson	5'10	165	4.7	Jr	----
CB	Issac Perez	5'11	160	4.7	Jr	----
S	Desmond Guy	5'11	180	4.5	Jr	----
S	Greg Mason	6'0	180	4.5	Jr	----
P	Jacob Boyd	6'6	205	4.8	Sr	----