Normally, team’s returning from 3-7 seasons aren’t very high on the list of contenders the following season. But I really think Sharyland could be a surprise team. Maybe not the biggest surprise team in 30-5A (I’ll reveal that at a later time), but the Rattlers may be good enough to fend off teams for the third or fourth playoff spot from district.
Why, you ask? Well, Sharyland has about 140 to 150 players (sophomores through seniors) trying to fill the hole left by last year’s departed. And, according to coach Fred Sanchez, some of those are young and upcoming players that have the potential, and talent, to return the Rattlers back to the top. One player that has caught the eye of Sanchez is sophomore Scottie Meyer, who is competing for the starting QB job with Mike Moroles. At the least, Meyer will see time at running back. But from my visit with Sanchez during his Friday morning practice, I think Meyer will be a major part of the offense no matter where he lines up.
Sharyland only returns three starters on offense, which does make them a tricky pick as a playoff team, but considering how sporadic the offense was last season, that’s not a bad thing. But most importantly, this Shayland team, led by a veteran defensive unit recommitted to the multiple 4-3, seems like a team ready for a return to the postseason.
Wade Baker, 30, is Sports Editor of The Monitor. He graduated from Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C. in 2000 with a degree in Mass Communications and moved to the Rio Grande Valley in 2002 for a sports reporter opening at The Monitor. Baker was promoted to his current position in August of 2007 after serving as assistant sports editor for two years. 
