Fullback highlights Texas school

Well off the beaten path in Texas between The Woodlands and Montgomery High School is rural Magnolia High, which has been 1-19 over the past two seasons. Growth, infrastructure and urban flight could change the fortunes of coach Ray Kenjura in the years to come, but for now, he rides the horses in his stable.

In a district headlined by Cypress Falls and Jersey Village, Kenjura is building a foundation to compete with their district's heavy hitters. Carrying the lumber this season are all-district returners Rusty Bailey, Brandon Noland and Ross Phillips.

The brightest star is Noland (6 feet 3, 215-pounds), a fullback who rushed for 1,000 yards as a junior with a punishing style.

"Brandon is a Division I linebacker," Kenjura said. "He's physical, tough and fearless with his speed. He has knocked a few of our kids silly this past spring. Iowa State is interested in him. They do a good job of finding diamonds in the rough."

Manning the defense for Magnolia is Bailey, a second-team, all-district selection who has received interest from Air Force, Baylor and TCU this spring. The 6-0, 180-pound reminds his coach of Justin Axpel. Phillips missed a few games as a junior with injuries but has a flashy 4.3 40-yard dash time with shifty moves at running back.

According to Kenjura his next two classes will also bare fruit. The Bulldog offense will be directed by sophomore quarterback Lino Innosenzi (6-0, 180-pounds) and the protection will be provided by junior lineman David Hart (6-5, 270-pounds).

"Lino has a chance to be special," Kenjura said. "He is a tremendous athlete who doesn't make bad decisions. He just continues to improve. With David we have an athletic base to our offensive line who runs a 5.0 40-yard dash."

Kenjura's most talented cornerback he has developed was Ashton Youboty (Ohio State) when he was the headman at Klein. He has another talented defensive back in junior Randy Stewart (6-0. 180-pounds).

"Randy is another Division I prospect in two years," he said. "His brother plays at Sam Houston, but Randy will be a major DI kid as a senior."