The race for the 5A DI title is already shaping up to be a slugfest

5ATEAMSA three-team race for the Class 5A Division I championship is brewing. Cedar Park, the defending Class 5A state Division II champions, must fend off former 6A programs Denton Ryan and Manvel. Class 5A, formerly known as Class 4A, hasn’t been a beacon of diversity. Six programs have accounted for all 12 championships given out this decade in Class 5A, which was known as Class 4A until 2014. Of those six programs to win championships, only Aledo (4), Cedar Park (2) and Ennis (1) remain. Lake Travis (2), Denton Guyer (2) and Richmond George Ranch (1) all compete in Class 6A. Aledo won three of those state championships as a Division II team and is guaranteed to be sent that way again. Cedar Park’s lone two state championships came at DII, but it is likely Cedar Park goes Division I unless Pflugerville Connally and Leander Rouse make the playoffs. The Timberwolves also must deal with Region III this season, a tougher road than the previous Region IV. Ennis will also be Division I in 2016 coming out of District 17-5A. George Ranch isn’t there to win Division I in 2016, but Ryan and Manvel are ready to claim trophies after competing against larger schools in the previous years. Both teams are out to 2-0 starts and ranked inside our top 5. Ryan heads the list at No. 1. Colleyville Heritage has made a case for inclusion after falling just short of an upset of Aledo in Week 1. The team with the best early-season resumé, however, sits at No. 3. The Manvel Mavericks knocked off Class 5A mainstay Crosby to open the season before knocking off the defending Class 6A Division I Champions by 13 last week. That win over North Shore solidified Manvel’s place in the pecking order of Class 5A and showed a new strength – defense. The Mavericks never struggle to put up points. Head coach Kirk Martin’s team scored 781 points in a 2015 season that ended in the Region III playoffs against future champion Katy. The Mavericks allowed 29, 27 and 35 points, respectfully, in the three losses. In a win against North Shore in 2015, Manvel allowed 40 points. In a loss against Pearland, Manvel’s next opponent, the Mavericks gave up 27 points and lost by three. Aledo remains the team to beat in Division II. The old guard is under attack in Division I. Cedar Park and Ennis have tasted championships this decade. The new contenders hope to cut in line. Either way, the depth at the Class 5A level is the best it’s been this decade, and the top teams look like heavyweights ready to slug it out.

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