High school football countdown: Justin Northwest

Justin Northwest

District 5-4A

Coach: Bill Patterson

Last season: 4-6

Key players: QB Draze Lawliss (6-1, 170); LB Carter James (6-3, 215); WR Dylan Stubbe (5-9, 165); DB Derrick Benson (6-1, 180); DB/RB Colton McDonald (6-0, 190); DB/WR Mason Baker (5-10, 170); OL Travis Stubblefield (6-0, 280); OL Clayton McGilvray (5-9, 220); DB/RB Reggie McDaniel (5-9, 165)

The big picture: The Texans have won four games each of the past two seasons and have not posted a winning record since 2008. This fall is the last opportunity for a core of seniors who have started together since their sophomore season to get it done. Northwest brings back 11 starters, six on offense, including quarterback Draze Lawliss (1,360 yards passing, 16 total touchdowns). Stubbe, who is also an effective ball carrier, is Lawliss' top target at receiver. Five candidates are vying to replace Michael Reed at running back. Defensive backs Benson, McDonald, Baker and McDaniel lead a 4-2-5 defensive alignment that coach Bill Patterson said is the strength of the team. Carter James (49 tackles, six sacks, two forced fumbles) is one of the Texans' top players at linebacker.

Quotable: "We are still in a very competitive league. Anytime you are facing the defending state champion [Southlake Carroll] you don't feel too good about it. You would rather them be in somebody else's district." -- Coach Bill Patterson

"Last year's experience makes a huge difference heading into this season. The game seems to come a little easier to me, it's a little slower then it was last year, and I just feel more confident and more in control of the offense. -- QB Draze Lawliss

Notable: Northwest averaged just 307 yards of total offense and 20.9 points per game in 2011.

-- Jarret Johnson

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