Editor's Note: "Inside The 25" counts down the '08 preseason top 25 rankings in all five 11-man classifications, taking a closer look at each team in the rankings, starting from No. 25 and working down to the No. 1 teams in each classification.
CLASS 5A's #18: Converse Judson
2007 Preseason Ranking/Final Ranking: NR/6
2007 Final Record/Playoff Finish: 11-5/DI state finalists
Why They're Ranked: If you don't why we ranked Judson, welcome to Texas high school football. This team knows how to win, even if it takes getting to the postseason to prove it. After all, Judson barely squeaked into the playoffs last year, representing 26-5A as the fourth place team. Five wins later, Judson was playing for its seventh state title, although Euless Trinity, for the second time in three years, would leave the field as the 5A DI champs. The defensive nucleus of last year's team returns this fall: LB/DE Chris McAllister (164 tackles, INT); CB Phillip Gaines (58 tackles, 3 FR, 2 INTs); FS Anthony Moore (156 tackles); LB William Thornton (102 tackles): and DB Erik Brown (7 INTs). Coach Jim Rackley is concerned about his offense, where just two full-time starters return. Were he returning as much on offense as defense, Judson likely would've opened this season ranked much higher than 18th.
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