Thursday, July 31, 2008

PrepNation 101 Preseason FB Countdown: No. 34 West Monroe

34. West Monroe (La.)
Last season’s record: 10-1, lost in second round of Class 5A playoffs
Coach: Don Shows
Key players: QB D.J. Banks (5-10, 175, Sr.), RB Ladarius Adams (5-9, 190, Sr.), OG David Hurd (6-6, 290, Sr.), LB Barkevious Mingo (6-5, 215, Sr.), DT Allen Jordan (6-5, 250, Jr.)
Biggest strength: Team speed
Question mark: Pass defense
Outlook: After an uncharacteristically early exit from the playoffs, the Rebels reload for the ’08 season with seven returning starters on each side of the ball. Banks will make quarterback his permanent position after also seeing time at running back and receiver as a junior. He has outstanding quickness and open-field moves. The Rebels’ running game will be strong with Adams, who ran for over 800 yards and averaged 8 yards per carry while sharing duty last season. Mingo returns to lead a fast and athletic defense. As a junior, he had 97 tackles and eight sacks on the football field while running a 48.5 400-meters time on the track. Jordan, a very talented junior, will anchor the Rebels’ front four. Shows has led West Monroe to six state championships in 19 seasons, the most recent coming in 2005.
Toughest games: Sept. 26 at Ouachita, Oct. 24 vs. Ruston

2 comments:

lhsa said...

west monroe is not deserving of that ranking. they have lost in the 2nd round for 2 straight years. they play a terrible schedule every year. they lost some key people on a team that was already not very good. they are not even considered a top 3 or 5 team in the whole state of louisiana anymore.

Anonymous said...

ihsa needs to re-think his decision. I was part of the 2000 NATIONAL championship team. 6 state titles, already awesome, also how many district titles does west monroe have? people usually focus on district, but for a team like west monroe its when are they going to win state again? Terrible schedule...hmm so byrd is considered terrible? if you make it to the playoffs your a good team, if you think that a team is bad just because they dont make state check urself. GEUX REBS!!!

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