2012 LSG Team Preview — Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers

By Michael Wright
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Updated: July 24, 2012

2012 LSG Texas High School Football Team Preview — Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers

Team: Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers (4-5A)

Enrollment: 2,191 -- smallest in the district out of 8 schools

2012 Schedule:
Grapevine
@ Dallas Jesuit
Lewisville Hebron
@ Richland **
Justin Northwest **
@ Keller **
@ Keller Central **
Haltom **
@ Southlake Carroll **
Keller Timber Creek **

Coach: Tony Baccarini (5 years) 22-30 at Keller Fossil Ridge; 22-30 all-time coaching record

Coaches Comments: The team should be poised for another Playoff run with a 2011-12 Playoff appearance and new realigned district. Ridge has the skilled player talent to compete with any team in District 4-5A. They had to do a bit of shuffling & rebuilding on the Offensive line after losing Several Seniors, a moved student and another due to off season surgery. If the Offensive line comes together, the sky is the limit for the Panthers & a deep run in the state playoffs could result. State Champion Southlake Carroll should be as powerful as usual. Fossil Ridge should be a very strong candidate for a 2-3 seed in the District final standings barring an upset of the Dragons. In that case, I would give them legitimate 1-2 seed potential. The Northwest Texans could also benefit from the new district realignment and make a strong showing with a 3-4 seed. My dark horse and who I feel is the most underrated team is the Keller Indians. They are an unknown because of a change in coaching & absence of 2012 Spring game. However, they are returning 85% of their offensive starters including the entire O-line and many defensive players as well. They could challenge any team in the district and should not be taken lightly. The surprise will be an extreme fall from grace for the Central Chargers as they graduated half of their Varsity football team this year including at least 14 of their 22 starters. Timber Creek will push for the last playoff spot and Haltom & Richland will round out the bottom ahead of Central who I think will finish in last place in district 4-5A.

Returning Lettermen: 30

Returning Starters: Offense: 6 Defense: 5

Key Players:
* Sheldon Neuse - SR QB/WR/SFTY - Gifted athlete on both sides of the ball capable of large dual threat totals and multiple picks DIST OFF MVP 1,950 yards 18 TDs passing 693 yards rushing
* Jacob Gnacinski - JR QB/WR - Could see starting time at QB, but is a large physical threat whether he is passing or catching
* Chaylon Bowman - JR RB - Should have a huge season with 1000 yds & is also great catching the ball out of the backfield
* Cedric Johnson - SR RB/FB/WR - Big, physical player that should grind out the tough short yardage & goal line carries 1st Team All-District
* Adonis Ramos - SR WR - Had a great JR year and should be a top 5A WR with a 800-1000 yd/12-15 TD season 47 catches 758 yards receiving
* Anthony Villalobos - JR DE - BIG dominant end who made the cut for Team USA and was a standout in District 7-5A last season 46 tackles 8 sacks
* Nick Foster - JR DB - Started all 10 games last year as a Sophomore. Capable of shutting down his side of the field
* Izzy Neal - JR SFTY - Also a 10 game starter as a Sophomore. Excellent Range & Finished the season 2nd in tackles 73 tackles
* Andrew Hale - SR MLB - Will take over the MLB spot with big shoes to fill, but was the only backup last season to total more tackles than several starters
* Lee Suddeth - JR OLB - Stepping up Replace last years starter, but has an enormous amount of speed, strength & athleticism and should have no problem filling the spot
* Jonathan Moreno - SR DT - Very Strong gap player with good speed who will take over a full time starting spot after splitting time last season with Nebraska recruit Aaron Curry

Notes:
* Went 6-23 in the previous 3 seasons (2008-2010)

Mike Says: The Panthers bring back an exciting athlete in QB Neuse. After going through a rough stretch over the last fiew seaons this one should be a good one. They should finish the regular season with a 6-4 or 7-3 record and get into the playoffs.

Chris Says: Ridge is poised for a good season. 30 returning letterman is a massive amount of experience. In fact, only Southlake Carroll and Keller Central have much shot at placing ahead of them in district. They could pull off a surprise and take the whole thing.

Last Years Record: 6-5 overall 4-3 Distirct

2011 Games:
vs Mansfield Summit (10-2) (L 22-38)
vs Ennis (3-7) (W 14-13)
at Carrollton Smith (2-8) (W 51-17)
at Southlake Carroll (16-0)* (L 26-28)
vs Justin Northwest (4-6)* (W 37-14)
at Coppell (6-4)* (L 19-22)
vs Keller Central (8-3)* (W 24-16)
at Saginaw (1-9)* (W 28-9)
vs Denton Guyer (8-4)* (L 21-41)
at Keller (2-8)* (W 38-10)

Playoffs: Division II Bi-District
vs Flower Mound Marcus (10-2) (at Cowboy Stadium) (L 0-34) Bi-District

History:
* Playoff Appearances (6) 2000,2001,2005,2006,2007,2011

Championship History: No Championship Games

Last 5 year record: 22-30

Last 10 year record: 53-52

Did you play for the Keller Fossil Ridge Panthers? You are eligible for The Brotherhood of Texas High School Football. <---click to be honored