By Daniel Green

For the past two years, the Grandview Zebras have been the class of the District 11-2A football scene.

But 2007 could bring about a change as several teams are looking to dethrone the Zebras.

According to Carl Padilla of Dave Campbell’s 2007 Texas Football Magazine, the Zebras are still the team to beat, with Itasca, Hico and Rio Vista breathing down their necks.

Grandview, which reached the Class 2A, Division I regional semifinals in 2006, is coming off an 8-4 campaign, which saw the Zebras run through District 11-2A play without a blemish.

And with six starters back on offense, along with five on the defensive side of the ball, Grandview could very well run the table again in conference play.

The Zebras, which run out of the wing-T set, return most of its backfield punch, including brothers Cameron and Jerod Cochran, along with Michael Pugh and quarterback Reid Golson.

Jerod Cochran, the District 11-2A Most Valuable Player and the Johnson County Defensive Player of the Year, accounted for 1,099 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, while also making over 80 tackles from his linebacker spot.

Brother Cameron rushed for 884 yards and 10 touchdowns and will be a starter at defensive back in 2007.

Pugh is the leader of the Zebra defense, having been an all-district and all-county selection for the past two years, and will also see time on offense as a fullback.

Golson, who took over as the starter early last year, threw for 771 yards and nine touchdowns in 2006.

One area where the Zebras will have to find some stability is on the offensive line. Tight end Jace Lantroop, center Brett Grier and guard Roddy Looper will have to lead the way.

Defensively, the Zebras have a strong pair of ends in Corey Watson and Cesar Doskocil, while Jerod Cochran and Pugh lead the way at linebacker.

Cameron Cochran will be the leader in a very young secondary.

The Itasca Wampus Cats, who finished 9-3 last year, return 17 starters from a team that reached the Division II area finals.

The biggest weapon the Wampus Cats offer is junior quarterback Mikey Marshall.

Marshall was a double threat for the Cats a year ago, rushing for a team-high 1,104 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also completing 140-of-230 passes for 2,228 yards and 21 touchdowns with 12 interceptions.

Tight end Clayton Weinecke, senior receiver Tralyn Harden and De’veon Mayberry will likely be Marshall’s main targets.

Defensively, junior linebacker Frank Sanchez, who made 154 tackles a year ago, will be the leader.

Hico and Rio Vista could battle it out for the third and final playoff spot in the district.

The Hico Tigers (4-7 in 2006) return six starters on both sides of the ball, led by quarterback Westin Williams and linebacker Andrew Wise.

As for Rio Vista (4-6 in ‘06), the Eagles have 10 starters back on offense and 10 starters back on defense.

But the Eagles will have to find a new quarterback as Bart Martin was one of nine players lost to graduation.

Leading receiver Preston Ray could be the new starter, while running backs Kasey Russell and Dustin Harris could shoulder the load.

Maypearl did not win a district game last year after sharing the league title in 2005 with Grandview.

But the Panthers could see a return to glory as eight starters return on both sides of the ball.

The Dublin Lions are picked to finish last in the league, returning 10 starters, five each on offense and defense.

Daniel Green can be reached at 817-645-2441, ext. 2334, or sports@trcle.com