Top 26 storylines for 2016: No. 13 – Calallen is poised for a historic campaign

[caption id="attachment_24871" align="alignright" width="350"]Calallen head coach Phil Danaher (Photo by Mary Scott McNabb) Calallen head coach Phil Danaher (Photo by Mary Scott McNabb)[/caption] Heading into the 2015 season, Calallen was overlooked by most after a disappointing end to the 2014 season. Knowing head coach Phil Danaher, that might be just the way he likes it. The Wildcats seem to be performing their best when they are counted out, and Calallen rattled off an impressive 11-3 record and a trip to the 5A Division II quarterfinals. Despite all the wins and accolades, (Danaher is nine wins away from breaking the state’s all time record for wins for a head coach), only once has Calallen advanced to the state title game and that was in 2005. In fact, since the Wildcats' magical run, no team from south of San Antonio has played for a state title in the state’s largest two classifications. The closest being Port Lavaca Calhoun in 2014 when they fell in the state semifinals. Heading into 2016, Calallen may have the right mix of experience, talent and leadership to get the job done, and potentially put a cap on Coach Danaher’s career with a state title. It starts with QB Gaige Lamb who is a true dual threat along with being the consummate leader on the field for the Wildcats. Add in versatile playmakers on both sides, like John Gaddis and Forrest Crisp and sophomore talent Alec Brown, this Calallen squad had the makeup to do some damage. UIL realignment did the Wildcats a favor, as Region IV appears a lot less daunting with the Austin area schools, who totally dominated the past two years, off to Region III. That opens the door for a veteran squad from Calallen to potentially make big noise in the Division II bracket, and with many of the true powers in Class 5A likely Division I bound, it’s quite possible this could be the year Corpus Christi Calallen becomes the first school since, well, Calallen to break through and play for a title in South Texas.

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