High school football: Lookahead at major storylines for 2016

The 2015 football season in the Bi-City was one of the best in recent memory. And it wasn't because the teams were all elite -- no team was still playing football in December.

What made this season great was the parity. The fact that many teams around the area were pretty close to each other in skill level. There were surprises, and we saw teams that haven't had success in decades rise into the playoff discussion.

With that behind us, though, it is time to turn our attention to next year. How will 2016 measure up to the intriguing storylines of 2015, and what new stories will emerge?

Here's a look at five things we are looking forward to seeing next year.

The new coaches

Next year, a handful of the area's teams will be led by new faces on the sidelines. Smiths Station will replace Jason Dukes, Hardaway has hired Michael Woolridge to replace Jeff Battles, Jordan will replace Jim Brown and Carver will replace Joe Kegler. Other jobs could come open in the next few weeks.

One of the top storylines in each new football season is how programs

will change under their new guidance, and whether the team's next chapter will be a good one or not.

The top recruits

The year, it was players like Carver's Jawon Pass and Central's John Broussard that led the way for the 2016 Bi-City recruiting class. Both fared well and will have a chance to succeed at the next level.

Next year will provide yet another season with elite talent around the area, and it will be extremely intriguing to see how they perform.

Central features a handful such as four-star linebacker Markail Benton or wide receiver Justyn Ross of the Class of 2018.

Others will emerge, and it is always interesting to see which players become the latest in a long line of talent to come out of the area.

How will '15 surprises fare?

There were a number of surprises this season. Columbus earned a playoff berth, Northside nearly won a region title, and Spencer recorded its first winning season since 1977 and made it to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.

Next year, we will learn whether those seasons were flashes in the pan, or whether some of those teams are here to stay.

Each of those teams, and others, lose a number of seniors, but also bring a lot of talent back.

Another strong season could set the foundation for years to come.

Who will be the '16 surprises?

Just like this season, next year is sure to offer a number of surprises of its own.

Which teams will follow Spencer's and Columbus' lead in putting together big turnarounds? Which players will emerge from obscurity to become some of the area's best?

If we could answer those questions already, they wouldn't be much of a surprise. But it is inevitable that those will come.

One potential candidate is Jordan, which has shown great improvement over the past four seasons.

This year, quarterback Romello Kimbrough emerged as one of the area's best dual threat players, and having him under center for his senior season could set up a lot of success on that side of the ball.

Harris County, after a 2-8 year, is another candidate. The Tigers were young this year and lost a number of close games.

A big turnaround is certainly within the realm of possibility for them.

Can Central get over hump?

One of 2015's storylines will remain one of the big ones again next season. Can Central get over the hump and win a state championship?

This year, the Red Devils did get over the hump to a certain degree.

They advanced to the state semifinals, but lost to eventual state champion McGill-Toolen.

Next year, despite some losses due to graduation, Central will have the talent necessary to make another run at a title.

Quarterback Zion Webb will return as a senior. Wide receiver Ross will be an elite junior.

Running back Jaxton Carson, who came on as a reliable every-down back this season, will also be in his final year with the team.

There will be no guarantees -- there never are -- but Central certainly looks like a team that could once again make a run.

David Mitchell, Follow David on Twitter @leprepsports

This story was originally published December 12, 2015 at 4:43 PM with the headline "High school football: Lookahead at major storylines for 2016 ."