ETSN.fm 2013 Preseason Class 5A/4A Poll: No. 3 Whitehouse

Never before have preseason expectations been so high for Whitehouse. The Wildcats are ranked No. 6 in Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine, which also predicts Whitehouse to reach the 4A Division II state title game.

The Wildcats had several question marks entering last season, but quickly answered most of those by winning their first nine games en route to a 10-2 finish. The only bit of uncertainly that remains is how new head coach Adam Cook will handle the burden of those great expectations.

In many ways, the 2013 Wildcats mirror district rival John Tyler from last season; a new coach taking over a program loaded with talent.

And it all starts with senior quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who committed to Texas Tech over the offseason.

In his first season at quarterback, the son of former Major League pitcher Pat Mahomes passed for 3,839 yards and 46 touchdowns. Those numbers could've been even higher had he not split time with Ryan Cheatham the first two games of the year. Patrick Mahomes will have three reliable targets -- Jake Parker, Coleman Patterson and Jaylon Dews -- who combined for 2,266 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2012.

The defense should be solid, especially at linebacker and in the secondary. Reggie Long (5-10, 205) is back at linebacker after a solid junior season, while the secondary is filled with playmakers like juniors Justin Dunning (6-4, 200), Nate Brooks (5-11, 150) and senior Chris Reese (5-10, 155).