Todd's Tales

THE WOODLANDS, Texas -- (November 5, 2009) -- For me, it is kind of a double-edged sword when the high school football season starts to wind down.

I love football. My dad was a long-time high school football coach, and I played the game in high school and college.

But, if I am honest with myself and my readers, basketball is my favorite sport.

So, really, this is the best time of year. The high school football season is about to start a six-week sojourn toward its state-championship games, and the high school basketball season tips off next week.

This week’s version of “Todd’s Tales” will be a triple-header. We will award the regular-season standouts, make our predictions for the football playoffs and give just a small taste of what should happen on the hardwood during the next three months.

As always, enjoy or destroy. Just pick a team, root with all your heart and have a good time at the games. Life is too short not to have fun.

Football’s regular-season winners:

Most Valuable Player: Daniel Lasco, The Woodlands.
This is a no-brainer. Lasco, who runs a 4.4 40-yard dash, is the most talented player in our coverage area. He is the best running back I have seen since Ben Gay (Yes, that is his name) at Spring High School. He should have a shot to play professional football. He is that good.

Lasco leads District 14-5A with 1,290 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns entering tonight’s battle with New Caney. He can make coffee quiver when he is in the open field. He is an intelligent kid. And he has a smile that simply lights up a room. Too bad he doesn’t have much going for him.

Offensive MVP: Trent Eckel, The Woodlands
This was a tougher choice. It could have gone to Torrian Oakley of Oak Ridge or Randy Knust of The Woodlands.

But Eckel proved to me that he is a warrior by tossing four touchdown passes in last week’s thrilling 31-21 district-championship victory over Lufkin.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound signal caller is not the most athletically gifted quarterback in the league -- that honor falls to DeAuntre Samuel of Lufkin. But he is so accurate with the football. He is just as capable of making the big play with his arm as Lasco is with his legs.

Eckel has passed for 1,626 yards and 16 touchdowns on the season. He had 253 yards in The Woodlands’ first-ever victory over Lufkin. The Woodlands doesn’t win that game without him. That is the definition of Offensive MVP.

Defensive MVP: Ryan Clapsaddle, The Woodlands
I know, I know. How can a defensive back win Most Valuable Player honors? Easy. Just watch Clapsaddle play.

Every time The Woodlands is pushed up against the wall, Clapsaddle comes up with the big play.

He came up with an interception in the end zone against Lufkin. And he came up with the game-clinching interception against College Park.

Clapsaddle also has blocked field goals and punts during his brilliant high school career. He is going to make some college coach very happy. He brings excitement to the defensive side of the ball.

College Park’s Keenan Cook also is a beast. The Cavs have really missed his presence during their season-ending slump.

Most Valuable Lineman: Chad Lindsay, The Woodlands
He is a big reason Lasco is the MVP. He is a big reason Eckel is the Offensive MVP. He is a huge reason why the Highlanders won the District 14-5A title. In fact, Lindsay is just downright huge.

If Alabama doesn’t win the national title this year, Lindsay could help the Tide roll to the top of the BS...err BCS, standings in 2010.

College Park’s Eli Dickerson also had an outstanding season. But it is tough to give an award to a sub-.500 team.

The Golden Toes: Ben Pruitt, The Woodlands, and Martin Gonzalez, Oak Ridge.
Pruitt might have the stronger leg, but Gonzalez is deadly accurate. Both should have a chance to kick at the next level.

Gonzalez hit the upright on a 50-yard field goal attempt earlier in the year on a kick that would have been good from 60. He could play a big role in next week’s playoff game.

Pruitt, who is a left-footed kicker, hasn’t had to make a pressure field goal this season. But if he gets the chance, he will make it. He is that good. His kickoffs routinely sail into the end zone.

Coach of the Year: Mark Schmid, The Woodlands
The coach of an undefeated team with so many blue chippers often gets overlooked. But Schmid has this team clicking on all cylinders. And all the egos seem to be in check.

The win at Lufkin showed me this team is not only ready make a run at the title for the first time since 2003, but is ready to bring home the school’s first state football championship.

Playoff predictions...
With all the turmoil in District 13-5A, we don’t know who the District 14-5A teams are going to match up with in the first round of the playoffs.

But here are three things you can take to the bank.

The Woodlands will win its first-round playoff game. The Highlanders might start slow in the game, but they will have too much for whomever they play.

The Woodlands’ run to the state title will be severely tested in the second round. For the past few years, the Highlanders have stumbled in the second round against teams from the Round Rock area. It could be state-ranked Stony Point waiting in Round Two.

Oak Ridge played the heck out of Klein Oak in the first round of the 2008 playoffs before losing 21-14. If the War Eagles play defense like they did against College Park last week, they can hang with Klein Collins in the first round of the Region II-5A Division II playoffs.

But Torrian Oakley also has to remain healthy. The War Eagles’ offense relies solely on the legs of Oakley and quarterback Ryan Cyr. Oak Ridge also is going to have to throw the ball better to have a shot to upset the undefeated Tigers.

If College Park makes the playoffs, it will be cannon fodder in the first round. The Cavs simply do not have the speed to play with any team in District 13-5A except Tomball.

I know, I know. The Cavs beat Dekaney 25-7 earlier in the year. But College Park’s ship has been sinking since the devastating 38-35 loss to Cinco Ranch in the middle of the season.

College Park has scored a total of 20 points in the last three district games -- and all 20 of them came in a 51-20 loss to Lufkin.

Girls Basketball...
It will be interesting to see if there is life after Monique Smalls for the College Park Lady Cavaliers.

College Park has not played a varsity game without Smalls on the floor until this season. She is now playing for Texas Tech.

Conroe probably will finish third, while Lufkin and Oak Ridge should battle for the league’s fourth playoff spot.

Boys Basketball...
The Woodlands has a chance to rise up and challenge College Park for the boys’ District 14-5A title this year, too.

College Park, which has won two straight district crowns, graduated a pair of top players from last year’s team in Garrett Constance (Wagner) and Eddie Porter (Blinn JC, football).

The Woodlands, meanwhile, probably has the best guard in the district in 6-foot Wesley Cole. Jordan Alpha (5-9) and Danny Manning (6-1) also are quality players on the perimeter, while the Nelson twins (Jackson and Jensen) can shoot with the best of them.

College Park will turn to 6-1 Adam Rowe to pick up the scoring for the graduated Constance. Sparkplug James Allen (6-9) probably is the team’s best all-around player, but watch out for sophomore point guard Evan Cooper (5-10), who has unbelievable ball skills, but is very raw at this point.

Sam Ryan, who is 6-9, returns for his fourth year at center. He will be joined inside by highly touted junior forward Colin Stautner (6-6) and 6-4 David Bender, who is ranked No. 1 in his class.

Like the girls’ basketball race, Oak Ridge, Lufkin and Conroe should battle for the final two playoff spots, while New Caney will struggle to get a league win.

Upset Special?
I am too upset to make an “Upset Special” prediction this week. But, for amusement purposes only, I will attempt to stop my four-game slide.

This week, take LSU over Alabama. Russell Shepherd (Cy Ridge) is playing more. And the Tigers’ defense has come alive. Plus, Alabama has almost lost two in a row. Tiger Bait.