High school football opening week mega preview

[caption id="attachment_21668" align="alignright" width="350"]northshorevswestlakeFB2015_063 Galena Park North Shore head coach Jon Kay (Photo by Diana Porter)[/caption] So much has happened since Katy defeated Lake Travis 34-7 in the 6A DII state championship to close out a memorable title weekend at NRG Stadium in Houston. If you need a quick primer to get ready for the beginning of the season, we're here to help. Your Defending State Champions 6A Division 1 - Galena Park North Shore 6A Division 2 - Katy 5A Division 1 - Richmond George Ranch 5A Division 2 - Cedar Park 4A Division 1 - Waco La Vega 4A Division 2 - West Orange Stark 3A Division 1 - Brock 3A Division 2 - Waskom 2A Division 1 - Canadian 2A Division 2 - Bremond 1A Six-Man Division 1 - Abbott 1A Six-Man Division 2 - Richland SpringsWant to re-live the 2015 state championship weekend?Here's our complete recap page.Ready for this season? 2016 Region-by-Region 11-Man Outlooks6A:6A Region I / 6A Region II / 6A Region III / 6A Region IV5A:5A Region I / 5A Region II / 5A Region III / 5A Region IV4A DI:4A DI Region I / 4A DI Region II / 4A DI Region III / 4A DI Region IV4A DII:4A DII Region I / 4A DII Region II / 4A DII Region III / 4A DII Region IV3A DI:3A DI Region I / 3A DI Region II / 3A DI Region III / 3A DI Region IV3A DII: 3A DII Region I / 3A DII Region II / 3A DII Region III / 3A DII Region IV2A DI:2A DI Region I / 2A DI Region II / 2A DI Region III / 2A DI Region IV2A DII:2A DII Region I / 2A DII Region II / 2A DII Region III / 2A DII Region IVOur Preseason Rankings can be found here.Matt Stepp's "Hipster" Picks: Hop on the bandwagon now and you'll be able to tell everyone you knew about that breakout team before they were cool.

Primetime Players in Every Class These are some of the biggest stars across the state. Must-see viewing, not just because of the show they put on, but also because they're expected to lead very good teams to new (or expected) heights. Class 6A:  [caption id="attachment_24265" align="alignright" width="350"]northshorevswestlakeFB2015_027 Westlake QB Sam Ehlinger (Photo by Diana Porter)[/caption] Westlake QB Sam Ehlinger The Texas commit and the Chaps came up short in the 6A DI title game last year at the hands of Galena Park North Shore, but there's a chance for redemption, and few players and teams are better positioned than Ehlinger and his cohorts. Galena Park North Shore DE K'Lavon Chaisson One of the state's dominant defensive forces, he's ready to guide the Mustangs to a repeat. Cedar Hill QB Avery Davis At the controls of a high-powered Longhorns attack, the dual-threat dynamo is cool under pressure. Cibolo Steele QB Xavier Martin The Alamo City's most exciting signal-caller could push the Knights to a title. Mansfield RB Kennedy Brooks After a 3,500-yard, 42-touchdown junior season, what does the amazing Brooks do for an encore? Class 5A: Wylie East RB Eno Benjamin Ran for 2,652 yards and 41 touchdowns last season, and has plenty left in the tank. Frisco Lone Star QB Jason Shelley He led the Rangers to the cusp of their first title as a junior, and has dreams of more. Temple DE TaQuon Graham Simply put: there may be no more feared pass rusher in the state than this Wildcat. Richmond Foster WR Cederian Lamb One of the finest wide receivers in Texas, he's a mismatch to any team he goes up against. Crosby ATH Mannie Netherly Whether it's as a wide receiver or on special teams, he's dangerous everywhere he goes. Class 4A:  [caption id="attachment_24343" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Brian Thompson La Grange RB J.K. Dobbins (Photo by Brian Thompson)[/caption] La Grange RB J.K. Dobbins The state's best running back may play at the 4A level, accumulating 5,215 yards and 74 touchdowns rushing in his career. Kennedale LB Baron Browning One of the best defenders in the nation gives his team a chance to reach the title game. Celina QB Conner Pingleton The Bobcats' trigger man was robbed of glory by a title game injury. The revenge tour begins. Liberty-Eylau DE Lagaryonn Carson A combination of size and power you won't often find at the 4A level. West Orange-Stark QB Jack Dallas State champion. Title game MVP. A+ football name. All that's left is to do it one more time. Class 3A: Brock LB Zane Young The reigning TSWA 3A Co-Defensive Player of the Year is a wrecking ball in the middle of the field. Mineola QB Jeremiah Crawford 1,400 yards passing. 2,600 yards rushing. 46 touchdowns. Buckle up. Canadian WR Cameron Copley The biggest star remaining from the 2A DI champs is a two-way dynamo. Cameron Yoe QB Jacob Smitherman Traion Smith was outstanding, but he overshadowed a nearly 3,000-yard passer. Yoakum's Joshua and Jordan Moore The best brother combination in the state still has two seasons to take 3A by storm. Class 2A:  [caption id="attachment_24393" align="alignright" width="350"]Shiner's Dadrian Taylor (Photo by J.D. Bryant) Shiner's Dadrian Taylor (Photo by J.D. Bryant)[/caption] Bremond QB Roshauud Paul The single-most dominant offensive player at any level, he's chasing immortality this year. Refugio QB Jaylon Mascorro You'll find him all over the field for the high-flying Bobcats. Groveton QB Glenn Thornton If you love a good air show, check out the kid who threw for 4,191 yards and 35 TDs last year. Memphis RB David Dickson Ran for 2,299 yards and 14 TDs, which is prolific at any level in the state. Shiner RB Dadrian Taylor Played in 2A's best defense while also rushing for 1,702 yards and 32 scores. Class 1A: Calvert QB Jaquan Thompson He's got every honor except the one he wants: State Champion. Mount Calm WR Melvion Plimpton The two-time all-state selection is one of the toughest matchups at any level. Jonesboro ATH Robert Robuck A true multi-threat, he can change the game running the ball or playing on defense. Buena Vista QB Ethen Evans Helped lead his team to its best year ever; what does he do for an encore? Guthrie RB Landon Roberts A 2,200-yard rusher who also made 181 tackles? Roberts is a six-man superstar. Names you may not know right now, but should by midseason A few special players will float under the radar with 1,400+ high schools in Texas playing football. This is true at the biggest and smallest 11-man classifications around the state. So here's a look at a player in each region of each classification who deserves a little more attention: Class 6A / Class 5A / Class 4A / Class 3A / Class 2AOur Predictions [caption id="attachment_23924" align="alignright" width="350"]katyvswoodlandsfb2015_019 Katy DL Corey Bethley (Photo by Diana Porter)[/caption] Class 6A Division I Region I: Allen over Euless Trinity Region II: Spring Westfield over Coppell Region III: Katy over Houston Lamar Region IV: Lake Travis over Westlake State Championship: Lake Travis over Allen Class 6A Division II Region I: Cedar Hill over DeSoto Region II: Longview over Lufkin Region III: George Ranch over Friendswood Region IV: Cibolo Steele over Smithson Valley State Championship: Cedar Hill over Cibolo Steele Class 5A Division I Region I: Denton Ryan over Colleyville Heritage Region II: Highland Park over Mansfield Lake Ridge Region III: Cedar Park over Temple Region IV: Richmond Foster over Angleton State Championship: Denton Ryan over Cedar Park Class 5A Division II Region I: Aledo over Lubbock Cooper Region II: Lancaster over Frisco Lone Star Region III: Crosby over College Station Region IV: C.C. Calallen over Kerrville Tivy State Championship: Aledo over Calallen [caption id="attachment_22321" align="alignright" width="350"]Liberty-Eylau RB Kameron Levingston (Photo by Gary Sanderson) Liberty-Eylau RB Kameron Levingston (Photo by Gary Sanderson)[/caption] Class 4A Division I Region I: Argyle over Brownwood Region II: Liberty-Eylau over Kennedale Region III: Navasota over Kilgore Region IV: Waco La Vega over Liberty Hill State Championship: Argyle over Navasota Class 4A Division II Region I: Sweetwater over Krum Region II: Gilmer over Celina Region III: West Orange-Stark over La Grange Region IV: Cuero over Wharton State Championship: West Orange-Stark over Gilmer Class 3A Division I Region I: Brock over Wall Region II: Mineola over Sunnyvale Region III: Cameron Yoe over Franklin Region IV: Yoakum over Halletsville State Championship: Mineola over Cameron Yoe Class 3A Division II Region I: Canadian over Cisco Region II: Daingerfield over Hooks Region III: Newton over Crockett Region IV: East Bernard over Boling State Championship: Newton over Canadian [caption id="attachment_24592" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Artie Guerrero Bremond QB Roshauud Paul (Photo by Artie Guerrero)[/caption] Class 2A Division I Region I: Stratford over Post Region II: Mart over Bosqueville Region III: Alto over Shelbyville Region IV: Refugio over Shiner State Championship: Refugio over Stratford Class 2A Division II Region I: Wellington over Seagraves Region II: Iraan over Muenster Region III: Bremond over Teneha Region IV: Falls City over Flatonia State Championship: Bremond over Iraan The Biggest Coaching Changes of the Offseason Tom Westerburg left Allen for Barbers Hill. Terry Gambill left Waco Midway for Allen. Jeff Hulme left Mansfield for Waco Midway. Daniel Maberry was promoted to Mansfield head coach. Lee Fedora resigned at Navasota, and Patrick Goodman took over. Rick Rhoades left Cameron Yoe for Gregory Portland. Tommy Brashear was promoted to head coach. WATCH:Eight must-see district games in 6A next seasonEight must-see district games in 5A next seasonEight must-see 4A district games for the 2016 seasonEight must-see district games in 3A for the 2016 campaignEight must-see district games in 2A for the 2016 seasonH.S. teams with a lot of returning starters to keep an eye on in 2016One off-the-radar team for every 11-man classification in 2016Which H.S. teams moving up in classification will be successful?And Check Out the Mr. Texas Football Watch List. [caption id="attachment_21493" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by John Hamilton Jett Duffey (Photo by John Hamilton)[/caption] Past winners of the award: 2015: QB Jett Duffey, Mansfield Lake Ridge 2014: QB Kyler Murray, Allen 2013: QB Kyler Murray, Allen 2012: RB Dontre Wilson, DeSoto 2011: RB Johnathan Gray, Aledo 2010: QB Johnny Manziel, Kerrville Tivy 2009: QB Darian “Stump” Godfrey, Gilmer 2008: QB Garrett Gilbert, Lake Travis 2007: RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Lamar Consolidated