Post by acatfan on Apr 30, 2013 12:25:55 GMT -6
Wildcats looking for new starters as spring football kicks off
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 2:00 am
ANGLETON — One day into the spring football season, there will be a lot learned about the Angleton Wildcats.
With only three offensive starters and four defensive players returning, the Wildcats have many fresh faces.
“Looking at our skill positions, we graduated a lot, but we feel good about the kids coming in,” Angleton football coach Ryan Roark said. “We preach that word called ‘program’ here, so we are not relying on individual talent. We feel good about our offseason program because many of these kids have gotten stronger and quicker. We might be starting a bunch of sophomores and juniors.”
Compared to the past five seasons, all playoff seasons and four district titles — this could be the start of a new era.
“We are going to get better on what we are doing,” Roark said. “Offensively we will work against six or seven defenses that we are projected to see next year. That will give our kids a lot to see. We will get in some different looks offensively for the defense, so we will analyze and look at who’s gotten better. But I am really excited about what we have done in the weight room this offseason.”
Senior Thomas Josey takes over at quarterback for the Wildcats. He is coming off knee surgery.
“He is our quarterback with a good work ethic, and easily, head-and-shoulders, production-and-experience-wise above everyone else. He has been cleared and his rehab has gone well. T.J. is more explosive and is a pure runner, so we are going to rely on him more. I feel like he is a game-breaker and we will turn him loose a bit more.”
Last season, seniors Richard Cooper and Joshawa West gained more than 3,000 yards, but now comes an open competition with Dayshawn Franklin, Jaquel Lewis, K’Vonte Jackson, Kydron Butler, Brad Randolph and a few others.
“Jaquel was our leading rusher with 290 yards coming back and he is fast and strong,” Roark said. “K’Vonte played some quarterback on JV and got some work in the playoffs, so we are stockpiling for that position and it might be by committee.”
At 6 foot and 253 pounds, center Wilson Campbell will anchor the offensive line. A three-year starter, Campbell missed five games due to a broken foot last year. Tyler Falks (6 foot, 238), Justin Bell (5-foot-11, 270), who can bench press 400 pounds; Aaron Cosme (5-foot-10, 224), Lake Smith (6 foot, 273) and Zachary Breazeale (6-foot-4, 288) are others in the mix.
“I really believe our offensive line is the strength of our team,” Roark said. “We are not looking for flashy or prettiness, just worried about moving the chains”
Jacob Lidgett (6-foot-2, 181) will be one of several tight ends.
“He has a ton of experience and is kind of an H-back, so we will utilize his strength in different ways,” Roark said.
The wide receiver position will be the most inexperienced area on the team, according to Roark. So far, this upcoming season’s crew will range from 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-6 in height opposed to last season’s taller than 6-foot range.
Switching to defense, Bell will joine Josh Landtrip (5-foot-11, 274), Jashaud Harris (5-foot-11, 297), Mark Barnaba (5-foot-10, 215), Antwoin Crews (6-foot-1, 220), Cole Collins (6-foot, 205) and Justin Waddy (6-foot, 212) on the line.
“Justin will be one of the few kids to work both sides of the ball,” Roark said. “Jashuad can bench press 375 and will be hard to move at nose tackle. Again, we are stockpiling here and we have a move in from Shertz Clemens, Jose Castillo who I can’t wait to see what he can do. This and the offensive line are our deepest on the team.”
Robert Garcia (5-foot-11, 198) is the most talented linebacker returning, according to Roark, but Garcia is only 80 to 85 percent healthy as he is recovering from a broken fibula and tibia he injured in practice last season. Randolph, Carson Rybak (6-foot, 209) and Kyle Dill (5-foot-8, 192) are a few also fighting for a position at linebacker.
“This is an open competition and Robert will be 100 percent by the fall,” Roark said. “Kyle got a lot of snaps and played during the playoffs. Carson is big and physical and has all of the tools except the game time experience.”
Another position that will be inexperienced is the secondary. Some of the incumbents are Jaret Tolbert (5-foot-9, 142), Darius Mucker (5-foot-11, 187), Ty Martinez (5-foot-10, 163), Butler and Charles Briggs (5-foot-9, 153).
“Jaret played a bunch for us, and against Montgomery we had him matched up against their best receiver after Gerard went down, and he allowed just one catch to him,” Roark said. “Darius is a good physical player who can cover a lot of ground and Charles had a good offseason. The Martinez kid is versatile with natural instinct and I like what he brings.”
The Purple and White game is slated for 6 p.m. May 30 at Wildcat Stadium.
“We could be starting several juniors and sophomores next season,” Roark said. “I don’t call it a rebuilding year, we are just reloading.”
Training camp opens Aug. 13.
Joel Luna is the sports editor for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0160
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | Posted: Tuesday, April 30, 2013 2:00 am
ANGLETON — One day into the spring football season, there will be a lot learned about the Angleton Wildcats.
With only three offensive starters and four defensive players returning, the Wildcats have many fresh faces.
“Looking at our skill positions, we graduated a lot, but we feel good about the kids coming in,” Angleton football coach Ryan Roark said. “We preach that word called ‘program’ here, so we are not relying on individual talent. We feel good about our offseason program because many of these kids have gotten stronger and quicker. We might be starting a bunch of sophomores and juniors.”
Compared to the past five seasons, all playoff seasons and four district titles — this could be the start of a new era.
“We are going to get better on what we are doing,” Roark said. “Offensively we will work against six or seven defenses that we are projected to see next year. That will give our kids a lot to see. We will get in some different looks offensively for the defense, so we will analyze and look at who’s gotten better. But I am really excited about what we have done in the weight room this offseason.”
Senior Thomas Josey takes over at quarterback for the Wildcats. He is coming off knee surgery.
“He is our quarterback with a good work ethic, and easily, head-and-shoulders, production-and-experience-wise above everyone else. He has been cleared and his rehab has gone well. T.J. is more explosive and is a pure runner, so we are going to rely on him more. I feel like he is a game-breaker and we will turn him loose a bit more.”
Last season, seniors Richard Cooper and Joshawa West gained more than 3,000 yards, but now comes an open competition with Dayshawn Franklin, Jaquel Lewis, K’Vonte Jackson, Kydron Butler, Brad Randolph and a few others.
“Jaquel was our leading rusher with 290 yards coming back and he is fast and strong,” Roark said. “K’Vonte played some quarterback on JV and got some work in the playoffs, so we are stockpiling for that position and it might be by committee.”
At 6 foot and 253 pounds, center Wilson Campbell will anchor the offensive line. A three-year starter, Campbell missed five games due to a broken foot last year. Tyler Falks (6 foot, 238), Justin Bell (5-foot-11, 270), who can bench press 400 pounds; Aaron Cosme (5-foot-10, 224), Lake Smith (6 foot, 273) and Zachary Breazeale (6-foot-4, 288) are others in the mix.
“I really believe our offensive line is the strength of our team,” Roark said. “We are not looking for flashy or prettiness, just worried about moving the chains”
Jacob Lidgett (6-foot-2, 181) will be one of several tight ends.
“He has a ton of experience and is kind of an H-back, so we will utilize his strength in different ways,” Roark said.
The wide receiver position will be the most inexperienced area on the team, according to Roark. So far, this upcoming season’s crew will range from 5-foot-4 to 5-foot-6 in height opposed to last season’s taller than 6-foot range.
Switching to defense, Bell will joine Josh Landtrip (5-foot-11, 274), Jashaud Harris (5-foot-11, 297), Mark Barnaba (5-foot-10, 215), Antwoin Crews (6-foot-1, 220), Cole Collins (6-foot, 205) and Justin Waddy (6-foot, 212) on the line.
“Justin will be one of the few kids to work both sides of the ball,” Roark said. “Jashuad can bench press 375 and will be hard to move at nose tackle. Again, we are stockpiling here and we have a move in from Shertz Clemens, Jose Castillo who I can’t wait to see what he can do. This and the offensive line are our deepest on the team.”
Robert Garcia (5-foot-11, 198) is the most talented linebacker returning, according to Roark, but Garcia is only 80 to 85 percent healthy as he is recovering from a broken fibula and tibia he injured in practice last season. Randolph, Carson Rybak (6-foot, 209) and Kyle Dill (5-foot-8, 192) are a few also fighting for a position at linebacker.
“This is an open competition and Robert will be 100 percent by the fall,” Roark said. “Kyle got a lot of snaps and played during the playoffs. Carson is big and physical and has all of the tools except the game time experience.”
Another position that will be inexperienced is the secondary. Some of the incumbents are Jaret Tolbert (5-foot-9, 142), Darius Mucker (5-foot-11, 187), Ty Martinez (5-foot-10, 163), Butler and Charles Briggs (5-foot-9, 153).
“Jaret played a bunch for us, and against Montgomery we had him matched up against their best receiver after Gerard went down, and he allowed just one catch to him,” Roark said. “Darius is a good physical player who can cover a lot of ground and Charles had a good offseason. The Martinez kid is versatile with natural instinct and I like what he brings.”
The Purple and White game is slated for 6 p.m. May 30 at Wildcat Stadium.
“We could be starting several juniors and sophomores next season,” Roark said. “I don’t call it a rebuilding year, we are just reloading.”
Training camp opens Aug. 13.
Joel Luna is the sports editor for The Facts. Contact him at 979-237-0160