2012 LSG Team Preview — Denton Ryan Raiders

By Michael Wright
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Updated: August 25, 2012

2012 LSG Texas High School Football Team Preview — Denton Ryan Raiders

Team: Denton Ryan Raiders (5-5A)

Colors: Navy/Red/White

1st varsity season: 1994

Enrollment: 2,125 -- Smallest in the district out of 6 schools

2012 Schedule:
Corsicana
Wichita Falls Rider
Wylie East
@ McKinney
Flower Mound Marcus **
Lewisville Hebron **
@ Lewisville **
Coppell **
@ Flower Mound **

Coach: Joey Florence (12 years) 136-29-0 (#1 in All Time Wins at Denton Ryan); 189-45-0 all-time coaching record

Returning Lettermen: 20

Returning Starters: Offense: 5 Defense: 2

Key Players:
* DB Craig Moore
* OL Matt Griffin 1st Team All-District
* DL JR Sekou Clark TOP JR
* DL JR J.T. Williams TOP JR
* OL Jake Hays
* OL Austin Coker
* QB JR Mitchell Bridges
* QB/WR JR Xavier Gray
* RB/WR Reynal Caldwell
* DL Desmond Oliver
* LB Marcus Holcomb

Notes:
* Are moving back to Class 5A after being in 4A for the last 6 seasons

Mike Says: The Raiders have a very good program. Even though they are moving up to Class 5A, they will be very competitive. Look for them to go 7-2 or 8-1 in the regular season and battle for the district title. Once in the playoffs, they will be a Division II team and should go 2 or 3 rounds.

Chris Says: A lot has been said about Denton Ryan moving up to Class 5A and most of it has been about how much tougher their playoff road will become. The difference between Class 4A and Class 5A is big in terms of depth, but as long as teams are healthy, we have seen time after time that this is one of the easiest transitions of any step up to a larger class. While I don't expect Denton Ryan to sweep district and put up another 12-1 record, I do expect them to win District 5-5A and be setup fine come postseason.

Last Years Record: 12-1 overall 6-0 District

2011 Games:
vs Sulphur Springs (8-4) (W 25-9)
at Carrollton Smith (2-8) (W 48-24)
at North Garland (0-10) (W 49-14)
vs Mesquite (7-6) (2OT) (W 28-22)
vs Lake Dallas (9-4)* (W 42-28)
at Wichita Falls Rider (10-4)* (W 20-17)
vs The Colony (4-6)* (W 42-20)
at Denton (1-9)* (W 45-7)
vs Wichita Falls (3-7)* (W 49-13)
at Little Elm (6-5)* (W 35-10)

Playoffs: Division I Regionals
vs Amarillo Caprock (8-3) (at WF Memorial) (W 43-21) Bi-District
vs El Paso Andress (8-4) (at Midland Grande Comm) (W 38-14) Area
vs Hewitt Midway (12-3) (at Mansfield Newsom) (L 7-19) Regionals

History:
* Ranks #20 in the 2012 LSG Team Of The Decade Rankings
* 12 CONSECUTIVE WINNING SEASONS
* 8-5 vs Wichita Falls Rider since 1994 including playoff win in 2010
* Playoff Record : 35-10
* 10-3 playoff record over last 3 seasons
* All time record: 149-76-0 66.22% 225 games
* Playoff Appearances (12) 2000,2001,2002,2003,2004,2005,2006,2007,2008,2009,2010,2011

Bi-District - 2005, 2006, 2007
Regionals - 2008, 2011
Quarterfinals - 2004, 2009
Runner Up - 2000, 2003, 2010
Champions - 2001, 2002

Championship History: (5) 2-3
2000 4A Division I - Bay City 24, Denton Ryan 2
2001 4A Division I - Denton Ryan 42, Smithson Valley 35 - OT
2002 4A Division II - Denton Ryan 38, Brenham 8
2003 4A Division II - La Marque 43, Denton Ryan 35 - OT(3)
2010 4A Division I - Austin Lake Travis 27, Denton Ryan 7

Last 5 year record: 54-13

Last 10 year record: 109-26

Did you play for the Denton Ryan Raiders? You are eligible for The Brotherhood of Texas High School Football. <---click to be honored