Spring combine brings out fast-rising recruits
Cypress Woods jumped out with a surprising Class 5A playoff run in its first year but it looks like things are just getting started for Coach David Jones. Junior receiver Johnathan Cross showed there is plenty of talent returning for the Wildcats with an MVP performance at theoldcoach.com invitation only Ultimate Combine in spring on Saturday.
With more than 150 participants, the combine served as a coming out party for 2012 MVP Trent Jackson of Cuero, who showed potential to be among the statewide Top 10 in his class. Jackson is cousins with former Cuero stars Robert Strait and Trooper Taylor.
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Pearland and Lake Travis also had several talented players to keep expectations high for two perennially strong programs.
Lake Travis offensive line coach Kyle Spano has to like his returnees. Junior Ian Kelso was the combine MVP at offensive line but teammate Taylor Doyle also performed well. Lake Travis, coming off back-to-back Class 4A state title, loses two OL starters including Paden Kelley, but, with Kelso and Doyle as returners to protect projected starting quarterback Michael Brewer, the Cavs will again be a strong championship contender.
Cy Woods is hoping to build its tradition quickly in District5 15-5A. Cy Woods had a notable first season by advancing to the third round of the state playoffs and had a 70-point effort to beat neighboring rival Cy Falls.
At the Spring combine, Cross ran a hand-timed 4.37 in the 40-yard testing and a 4.14 in the shuttle. Cross is just a shade under 6-0 and weighed in at 157 pounds. Expecting to be a bigger part in Cy Woods' explosive spread offense as a senior, Cross could blossom to gain much more college attention to sign for the Class of 2010.
He was coming off a long day Friday when he ran the 200-meters and relays. Not just a speed guy, Cross showed good hands in skill drills. He was second on Cy Woods with 29 catches for 556 yards (a team-high 19-yard per catch average) with six touchdowns.
Pearland is coming of a 12-1 season and showed lots of talent for another strong playoff run. Junior defensive tackle Trevor Sealy (6-2, 195) is undersized but showed great athleticism and a huge upside if he can keep quickness while gaining weight. He might project at linebacker for a major college. He's consistently shown great explosion. He had a 10-foot broad jump and 36 ½ vertical jump.
Pearland did well with sophomores Myles Kanipes named the top wide receiver and sophomore teammate Brock Hartson standing out. Sophomore quarterback Trey Anderson was named top QB. Anderson completed 17-of-25 for 215 yards behind talented senior Sam Allen last season.
Anderson is expected to take over for the Oilers, who also return top 2010 offensive lineman Ian Gray. Ultimate Combine Director, Steve Clements, had this to say about young Anderson,"He really has great mechanics for his age. You see very few kids that has his football smarts, poise, and intangibles at that age. I was very impressed."
Ultimate Combine Awards
(April 4, Spring, Tx.)
COMBINE MVP -Jonathan Cross, Cy Woods WR, 2010
2010 MVP- Harley York, A&M Consolidated LB
2011 MVP- DeAndre Washington, FB Marshall RB
2012 MVP- Trent Jackson, Cuero, RB
POSITION AWARDS
TOP QB- Trey Anderson, Pearland, 2011
TOP RUNNING BACK - Jarrell Oliver, Dulles, 2011
TOP WIDE RECEIVER -Miles Kanipes, Pearland, 2011
TOP LINEBACKER -Roland Hannah, Spring Westfield, 2010
TOP DB - Zach McMillian, Dulles, 2010
TOP OL - Ian Kelso, Lake Travis, 2010
TOP DL- Trevor Sealy, Pearland, 2010