The 2016 season marked a big step forward for Pflugerville Connally. After winning just eight games the previous three seasons, the Cougars finished 9-3 and earned their first playoff win since 2012 on a dramatic last second Hail Mary over Magnolia West.
The Cougars fell in the area round to eventual state-finalist Temple in the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
Head coach Jason Cecil enters his third year at Pflugerville Connally trying to take the Cougars back past the area round of the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Can the Cougars build off of a very successful 2016 season and advance even farther in 2017?
Key Losses
QB Robert Patterson, RB Ryan Walton, DL Edward McDonald, CB Dereon Kizzee, LB Emonte Smith
One of the big points of emphasis in the Cougars offense is balance as the team finished with nearly the same number of receiving and passing yards. Much of the offense was facilitated through their dynamic quarterback Robert Patterson. The offensive MVP of District 19-5A made plays with his arm and his legs (2,900 total yards, 40 touchdowns) and Cecil will be tasked with finding a new signal caller.
The Cougars also need to replace starting running back Ryan Walton (694 yards, 5 TD) whose versatility as a receiver and a kick returner made him invaluable. The backfield duo combined for more than 85 percent of the Cougars rushing yardage a year ago so the new faces will have a big task at hand replacing both Walton and Patterson.
Pflugerville Connally also has to deal with a number of key losses on the defensive side of the ball. Defensive lineman MVP Edward McDonald was an offensive lineman’s worst nightmare in the backfield, finishing with 20 tackles for loss and 14 sacks on the year. Linebacker Emonte Smith was also a force, finishing with 76 tackles (11 for loss) en route to a first team all-district selection.
In the secondary, Dereon Kizzee was simply all over the field. The first team all-district selection cornerback finished with 79 tackles, five interceptions and four block field goals. His athletic ability in the backfield will be tough to replace.
Key Returners
WR Ernest Musue, WR Reggie Martin, DL Dominic White, LB Kamerone Stewart, LB Rashon Sheppard, CB Jehren Anderson
Whoever starts at quarterback next season for the Cougars will be in good hands with a couple of solid targets to go to. Rising junior Ernest Musue is back and should see his numbers increase from a year ago (23 catches, 280 yards, 5 TDs). Rising senior Reggie Martin (23 catches, 368 yards, 2 TDs) is back as well and with his versatility as a kick returner adds another dimension to the offense.
Where Jason Cecil has to feel strongest in is his defense. Despite losing three top playmakers previously mentioned in the last section, the Cougars have several options behind them ready to make their mark.
Up front, first team all-district selection Dominic White (61 tackles, 13 TFL, 8 sacks) is looking to build off a strong junior year along with second team all-district selection Jeremiah Glenn. In the middle, the Cougars bring back a strong inside-outside duo in Rashon Sheppard (85 tackles, first team all-district) and Kamerone Stewart (second team all-district).
Finally, Jehren Anderson should be ready to step in no matter where he lines up in the secondary. The rising senior finished with three interceptions, six pass breakups and had two defensive touchdowns and with Kizzee graduating, Anderson could be next in line for a breakout year.
Verdict
Pflugerville Connally will have some formidable completion in district play. Hutto, Rouse, and Georgetown all should be pretty formidable competition along with a state title contender in Cedar Park. The Cougars may have to lean on their defense at the beginning of the year while they break in a new quarterback, but there is still good talent to work with on both sides of the football.
If the offense gets settled and continues to generate good balance as well as turnovers on defense, the Cougars should be a playoff team yet again in 2017 and could find themselves making a run past the second round.
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