Pigskin Preview 2009 Issue

TAPPS Division 2 District 2
Trinity Cedar Hill
The Tigers lost to D.C. in district then again in the
state championship game. Helmer knew a state title
was possible. He had 16 returning lettermen on that
team.
2009 he says, will be a whole new story.
Gone is All-State running back Dominque Rambo
and QB Jacobie King. Both will be playing college
basketball this fall. In all, Helmer loses 11 senior
starters from last years state runners up leaving him to
use the word “rebuild” when talking about 2009.
“I don’t know if you can replace the kind of skill level
and the kind of talent we had last year,” says Helmer,
“our JV finished 5-4 and those kids have to be ready
to step up.”
On offense Helmer says leadership may come from
the guy in the very middle. Senior center Kevin Garza
is already getting some D-1 looks. With three other
starters, the “O-Line” may be the strongest feature
of the Tigers offense. Helmer says he has no idea
yet who will take the QB job while last years fullback
Terrance Sims will be tagged to fill Rambo’s All-State
shoes.
Helmer has high hopes for junior wide receiver D’Mikel
Trotter. He played a big role as a sophomore and will
be expected to carry a bigger part of the load this
year.
The Tiger’s have a big guy to fill the big holes on
defense. 6’4” 250 pound defensive end Parker
Holloway will anchor the Tigers defense. He is
considering committing to Oklahoma State before the
season even starts.
Juniors Devin Pharms and Marco Barrentios should
make an impact in an experienced secondary.
The Tigers averaged more than 36 points a game last
season…but it may be the defense that leads this time
in 2009.
“We are going to have to figure out how to score
points,” says Coach Helmer.
If they do, no one will be surprised to see the Tigers
back in the playoffs in 2009.
Players to Watch.
D’Mikel Trotter Junior WR 5’10” 170
Terrance Sims Senior RB/LB 5’10” 215
Parker Holloway Senior TE/DE 6’4” 250
Devin Pharms Junior S 5’10” 170
Marco Barrentios Junior WR/CB 6’0” 175
Kevin Garza Senior C/DL 6’2” 250
Mascot:
Tigers
Superintendent: Dr. Cathy Watts
Enrollment: 246
Head Coach
Mike Helmer
Returning Offensive Starters: 6
Returning Defensive Starts: 6
Schedule
8/28 Bishop Dunne Away 7:30
9/4 Grace Prep Away 7:30
9/11 Open
9/18 Ferris Home 7:30
9/25 *Dallas Christian Home 7:30
10/2 *TKG Away 7:30
10/9 Waco Reicher Away 7:30
10/16 *Prestonwood Home 7:30
10/23 *Parish Episocopal Away 7:30
10/30 *Grace Community Home 7:30
11/6 *FBA Away 7:30
*district games
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Prestonwood Lions
2008 did not end the way new head coach Chris
Cunningham had hoped. The year started with
some big wins over some big names including Bishop
Lynch.
But at the halfway mark, the injury bug bit the Lions.
Quarterback Kaleb Kyser had a season ending injury
and from there as coach puts it, “we went on the
skids.”
“It wasn’t just the lost of Kaleb,” says Cunningham,
“we took our starting safety out to play quarterback
and from there the shuffle of players really cost us
more on defense than losing Kaleb on offense.
The Lions finished the year at 4-5.
The good news for Cunningham is most of his skilled
players are back. Kaleb Kyser returns for his senior
season at QB. And though the Lions like to throw the
ball a lot senior Kourtland Hite will should make some
noise in the backfield. He ran for more than 1000
yards on 156 carries last season.
Prestonwood runs a no huddle spread offense. While
All-State wide out Luke Taylor was lost to graduation,
Cunningham has several seniors ready to take his
place.
Seniors Andrew Mobely and Scott Lichty will fill the
inside slots while juniors Chris Grayson and Kris
Corley will be asked to step in as wide receivers.
But offense is the least of Coach Cunningham’s
worries.
His biggest holes to fill come on the defensive line and
line backing corp.
Senior safety Josh Caldwell will be asked to take over
the leadership job on defense.
As for his defensive line, Cunningham says spring ball
gave him a couple of hopefuls, namely junior Nathan
Lee who will take over as middle linebacker.
Seniors Tyler Klienert and Trevor Scheef show a lot of
promise on the outside.
Defensive line decisions may not come until two-adays.
“We’ve got to play better defense,” says Coach, “I
don’t worry about scoring points, no one really slowed
us down last year. The problem was playing defense.
We’ve got to stop the run. That’s what we struggle
with. That’s important for next year; we’ve got to stop
the running game.”
If that happens and the Lions stay healthy…the Lions
believe they can turn the disappointment of 2008 into
a trip to the playoffs in 2009.
Players to Watch
Kayleb Kyser Senior QB
Kourtland Hite Senior RB
Andrew Mobely Senior WR
Scott Lichty Senior WR
Chris Grayson Junior WR
Kris Corley Junior WR
Josh Caldewell Senior S
Jathan Lee Junior MLB
Tyler Klienert Senior OLB
Trevor Scheef Senior OLB
Mascot:
Lions
Student Enrollment: 430
Head of School: Larry Taylor
Head Coach: Chris Cunningham
Returning offense starters: 6
Returning defense starters: 5
Schedule
8/29 Open
9/4 Bishop Lynch Away 7:30
9/11 Episcopal School of Dallas Away 7:30
9/18 Trinity Christian Addison Home 7:30
9/25 *First Baptist Academy Home 7:30
10/2 *Dallas Christian Away 7:30
10/9 *TK Gorman Home 7:30
10/16 *Trinity Christian Cedar Hill Away 7:30
10/23 Liberty Argyle Away 7:30
10/30 *Parish Episcopal Home 7:30
11/6 *Grace Community Away 7:30
*district games
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