Roundtable: Which high school teams' rough starts should we not be worried about?

[caption id="attachment_23924" align="alignright" width="350"]katyvswoodlandsfb2015_019 Katy's Corey Bethley (Photo by Diana Porter)[/caption] It’s time for another roundtable, and we need to talk people off the ledge. A few teams in the high school ranks are off to surprisingly bad starts. We need you to make a case for why there’s no reason to panic and all is well. Good luck, we’re all counting on you. Participants: Max Thompson Greg Tepper Matt Stepp Mike CravenThompson: I’ll start with Katy. I know, I know – the most vocal Katy supporters are already grabbing on to the underdog and “everyone counted us out” cards, as if any of us would be shocked if Gary Joseph got his team playing great football by mid-November. I understand the concern from the skeptics, I’m one of them. We don’t know how good or bad the 3-point loss to Westlake was, as we haven’t seen full strength Westlake since. Klein Collins is a great team, and Coach Svoboda’s bunch definitely knows how to score. The Woodlands has been gunning for the Tigers for years, and finally got their shot and took it. Then the Tigers beat Cinco Ranch 45-7. They only beat them 24-0 with that vaunted powerhouse last year. First, we’re comparing Katy to an impossible standard, which the Tigers have set for themselves. They are the victims of their own success. Second, last year’s team had a distinct identity, style and group of leaders. That’s a lot to change, even in a place known for its relative year-to-year continuity. Here’s the thing: Katy’s going to roll through this district, and even if they somehow drop a game, they’ll probably still win it. And while we all feel that 6A DI is loaded with teams that could win it all, part of that comes from our collective belief that each contender is clearly flawed in one way or another. So why not Katy? They have been there and done that more than just about anyone in the field, their region will have a few teams that have looked better so far this season, but sometimes all it takes is a couple turnovers to swing an upset. Yeah, it’s not the typical Katy start. But I could easily see the Tigers improving, and then grinding out tight playoff results en route to a semifinal or heck, even state berth. [caption id="attachment_24316" align="alignleft" width="350"]SR1_0724 Colleyville Heritage's Cam Roane (Photo by John Hamilton)[/caption] Tepper: For me, it’s Colleyville Heritage. The Panthers are 1-2 right now, but those two losses are as follows: -A 5-point loss to Aledo, which may be the favorite to win the 5A Division II title -A 6-point loss to Euless Trinity, a 6A team that is — at worst — a Top 20 team Now, after a week off, District 8-5A play begins, and Heritage remains at worst a co-favorite to win the district title with archrival Grapevine — which shouldn’t matter for playoff seeding (Heritage will go DI, Grapevine should go DII). And from there, the projected playoff run looks manageable: they’ll have potential landmines like Denton and Lubbock Monterey, but their first titanic matchup likely wouldn’t come until a regional final against Denton Ryan. They’ve still got QB Cam Roane, and they’ve still got WR Ke’Von Ahmad. That’s pretty good. That’s not to say it’s all sunshine and daffodils for Joe Willis’ bunch — I’ve got my concerns about the defense — but any Heritage fans who are running for the lifeboats should probably take a breath. Stepp: I think Silsbee fans should hold off on pushing the panic button, they may well start 1-3 after this week's game with West Orange-Stark but the resume is still solid.  They opened with back-to-back losses to Port Neches-Groves and Newton and then beat Jasper. It's a tough non-district slate and then you throw in the fact the Tigers are adjusting on the fly under new HC Randy Smith. Even if Silsbee starts 1-3, there's no reason to press the panic button because – as with Navasota's early struggles – I'd still rate the Tigers as the clear favorite in their district and among the favorites in Region III in 4A Division I. [caption id="attachment_25619" align="alignright" width="350"]Photo by Russell Peables Eastland's Parker Roberts (Photo by Russell Peables)[/caption] Craven: Give me Temple. The Wildcats jumped out to a 2-0 start and looked every bit a state contender in a season-opening win over an emerging Belton team. It was followed up with a convincing win over Round Rock. But since then, Temple has dropped two straight. The loss to Waco Midway is more concerning than the loss to Cedar Ridge last week. Cedar Ridge is an emerging contender in Class 6A. The district season begins for Temple this week in a winnable game against Waco University. If the offense can get back on track, the Wildcats are still a team to watch once the playoffs begin. Thompson: I’m adding Eastland to the mix. The Mavericks are 2-2, but I still think they may be a Top 5 team in 3A DII. The losses came from a 20-15 result against Brady and a 28-14 clash with Wall. Those are very good 3A DI programs, especially Wall. In their two wins, the Mavericks have scored over 50 points, and I think that kind of firepower will serve them well, especially with teams like Coleman, Tolar and Cisco still on the schedule. The reality is that Eastland could even take some lumps during that stretch and make a playoff run, but I also wouldn’t be surprised if they snapped off wins in each of those showdowns. Tepper: What do we make of Spring Westfield? The Mustangs are 0-3, but the losses are at Houston Lamar, a one-point loss to Euless Trinity, and at Galena Park North Shore. And look at District 16-6A: only one team — Spring, at 2-1 (and, consequently, Westfield’s opponent this week) — is above .500; Dekaney, Aldine Nimitz, Aldine and Aldine Eisenhower are all winless as well. From my seat, Westfield’s still a force as long as they run the table in district play; drop one of those, and things get messy. [caption id="attachment_25620" align="alignleft" width="350"]Photo by Samuel De Leon Westfield's Keondre Coburn (Photo by Samuel De Leon)[/caption] Craven: Are we writing off Mason after two losses in non-district? The Punchers are 2-2 with losses to Goldthwaite and Iraan, but it is hard to imagine a playoff scenario where Mason doesn't factor in the picture. Head coach Kade Burns always has his team playing sound, physical football by the end of the season and the Punchers scream potential as the younger players gain experience through the schedule. District play should allow Mason to build momentum and few teams would welcome the Punchers with open arms once the playoffs begin. Tepper: I’m still riding the Puncher Train. That’s a really good Iraan team and a really good Goldthwaite team. Is Mason the unstoppable defensive force they’ve been in past years? Probably not, but they’re going to be in the mix come crunch time, because they do too many things too well. Stepp: I'm still bullish on Harlingen, dismiss a Manny Gomez coached team at your own risk, folks! The Cardinals are 1-2, but they typically start to turn things on mid-season as they peak towards a playoff run. Leo Tienda has had a full week to get healthy and there's no doubt a focus during the bye week has been on ball security. Harlingen has a big chance Friday to right the ship in the annual "Bird Bowl" grudge match with unbeaten Harlingen South. And don't discount Falls City, the Beavers are off to a 1-3 start but they have played a brutal early slate. I can easily see Coach Hart's squad getting hot in district play and carrying that momentum into the playoffs.