Pigskin Preview 2009 Issue

TAPPS Division 2 District 2
Grace Community
Cougars
The Cougars took their young football program to a
new level in 2008 stepping in to the TAPPS arena for
the first time.
“I thought we competed well,” says head coach Mike
Maddox, “we would have liked to have had one more
but we got our first district win under our belt and we
learned a lot about what we have to do to compete at
this level. “
The Cougar’s strengths will flip this season. Last year
Grace featured a high octane offense that, on most
Friday nights, scored a lot of points but their defense
gave up a lot too.
This year the experience and talent will be on defense
leaving Coach Maddox to fill some big holes on the
offense. Grace loses All-State utility player Kyle
Childress as well as four out of five starters on his
offensive line.
Returning is 2nd team all district senior QB Grant
Ingram. Also back is junior QB Taylor Stanley whose
broken arm kept him on the sidelines half the season.
“I’m blessed with two guys that can make our offense
run,” say Maddox. Junior Cameron Broderhausen
returns to the backfield after filling that spot as a
sophomore last year.
Just about everyone else on offense will be starting on
varsity for the very first time.
In Maddox’s no-huddle spread whoever is the QB will
be throwing to a group of sophomores and juniors that
Parish Episcopal
Panthers
The Panthers finished third in a district that featured
the state champion and runner up. That kind of puts
the year into perspective.
Despite losing two of their running backs and their
center to injury, Parish finished the year with an
8-2 record. All three of their backs from the 2008
campaign are headed to play college ball this fall. In
fact, the Panthers graduated ten offensive starters.
Where to find an offense has been a question coach
Scott Nady has asked over and over since the end of
last season.
“I’ve got a whole bunch of names,” says Nady, “if you
ask me today I could give you a list of who might play,
tomorrow that list could change and would probably
change the day after that.”
The lone offensive returning starter though is an
impressive one. All-State lineman Ty McDonnough
will be expected to not only be a leader but an anchor
to the Panther offense.
“It won’t take a genius to scout us,” says Nady, “we’ll
be running right behind the big guy that can block.”
Nady says if he had to suit up a team today, as many
have very few varsity starts among them.
Defense may actually be the biggest asset for the
Cougars.
After starting as a sophomore in 2008 and leading
the team in tackles, Micah Clark returns with more
experience at middle linebacker.
Same is the case for defensive lineman Richie Price
and outside linebacker Bradley White. All got lots of
playing time as sophomores and will be expected to
anchor the Cougar defense as juniors.
If there is a weakness on defense, it will come in the
secondary. Three of the four starters from last season
have graduated. Leaving some big holes to fill in the
in the secondary.
Some district coaches tagged Grace as a “dark horse”
in the district race. While small in size, they all consider
the Cougars as the team that could “sneak up” on a lot
of folks this year.
“It’s nice to start getting some respect from our district
competitors,” say Maddox, “but we have a lot of work
to do to compete in this district. Last year we learned
a few things about intensity…what we have to bring to
the game, every game. “ If the Cougars have learned
those lessons you may just see this “dark horse”
surprise a lot of folks come district play this fall.
Players to Watch
Grant Ingram Senior QB/DB 5’6” 145
Taylor Stanley Junior QB/DB 5’8” 150
Cameron Broderhausen Junior RB/LB 5’11” 170
Micah Clark Junior OL/MLB 6’0” 200
as 4 to 5 freshmen would be starting on offense.
Defense is a whole different story.
Nine starters return, including All-State middle
linebacker Rob Mankins and honorable mention All-
State defensive tackle Eric Humphrey.
“Our hope lies in our defense,” says Nady, “we may
have to win every game six to nothing.”
But with so many young kids expected to step up this
year, Coach Nady says this will be a year of managing
expectations.
“We’ve got to make our kids believe in the long term,”
says coach, “many of our victories will not be on the
scoreboard. We’ve got to understand our victories will
come in doing things correctly, not being afraid and
meeting the challenges ahead of us. Those are the
kind of victories will be looking for this season.”
Players to Watch
Rob Hankins Junior ML/FB 6’2” 190
Eric Humphrey Senior DL 6’3” 260
Ty McDonnough Senior OL 5’11” 210
Mascot:
Panthers
Student Enrollment: 325
Richie Price Junior OL/DL 5’6” 155
Bradley White Junior RB/LB 6’0” 160
Steven Stanley Senior WR/DB 5’6” 140
Caleb Jones Senior OL/DL 5’9” 150
Mascot:
Cougars
Headmaster:
Jay Ferguson
Enrolment 245
Head Coach
Mike Maddox
Returning Offensive Starters 3
Returning Defensive Starters 7
Schedule
8/29 Eustace @All Saints 7:30
9/4 Grapeland Home 7:30
9/11 Malakoff Home 7:30
9/18 Plano John Paul Home 7:30
9/25 *Parish Episcopal Away 7:30
10/2 Open
10/9 *FBA Home 7:30
10/16 *Dallas Christian Away 7:30
10/23 *TK Gorman Home 7:30
10/30 *Trinity Cedar Hill Away 7:30
11/6 *Prestonwood Away 7:30
*denotes district game
Head Master:
Head Coach:
Dave Monaco
Scott Nady
Returning Offensive Starters: 1
Returning Defensive Starters: 9
Schedule
8/28 Episcopal Scl of Dallas Away 7:30
9/4 Kemp Home 7:30
9/10 Dallas Hillcrest Away 7:30
9/18 Austin Hyde Park Away 7:30
9/25 *Tyler Grace Home 7:30
10/2 *FBA Away 7:30
10/9 *Dallas Christian Home 7:30
10/16 *TKG Away 7:30
10/23 *Trinity Cedar Hill Home 7:30
10/30 *Prestonwood Away 7:30
11/6 Open
*district games
TAPPS Division 2 District 2
TK Gorman Crusaders
The TK Gorman Crusaders accomplished their first
goal of 2008. Win more games than the year before.
After a 1-9 season in 2007, the Crusaders ended ’08
at five and five and a trip to the playoffs. Though they
lost in the first round it was a big turnaround for Coach
Reggie Wilson and the TKG program.
Kevin Navetta had a breakout year running up and
down the field on almost every opponent.
But he and 15 other seniors from that playoff team
graduated, leaving Coach Wilson the job of rebuilding
an offense that put a lot of points on the board last
year.
You may see the ball in the air a lot more this season.
Wilson will be relying on senior QB Alex Fergerson to
help lead his young offense. Returning as the starting
QB, Fergerson will be throwing to some bigger than
usual wide outs this year including juniors Christian
Tucker and Jacob Becker, and sophomore Conrad
Flowers.
“You can’t replace a guy like Kevin,” says Coach
Wilson, “you just have to find someone who can do
something different.”
Defense may be the Crusaders strong side. Senior
Ricky Hand will not only pull duties in the backfield, but
will be the defensive anchor at middle linebacker.
First Baptist Academy
Saints
A new but familiar face takes over the helm at First
Baptist in 2009. Jason Lovvorn was quarterback for
the Saints five years ago. He returned to his alma
mater last year as QB coach and was promoted this
spring to head coach. He takes over a program that
has not seen a lot of success in the last couple of
years. The Saints finished the ’08 campaign with a
3-7 record
“I told them…we know we are 3-7. That means we
have to work that much harder than everyone else,”
says Lovvorn. “Talent-wise we could have been a
.500 team. A few less injuries and we could have done
better. But we will be better prepared next season.”
Lovvorn loses a bunch of offensive and defensive
leaders to graduation. QB Braden Frazier and MLB
Rodney Caffey were the senior leaders on the squad.
But Lovvorn does inherit some experience. Eight
starters return on offense and defense and the new
coach believes that gives him a starting point to turn
the FBA ship around.
Junior Zack Gregory moves from receiver to
quarterback. Lovvorn says he may be the best QB
in FBA history, including the year he was taking snaps
for the Saints.
He has some experienced folks to throw to.
Senior Caleb Lavallais returns as wide receiver. Last
season Lavallais caught 58 passes for 825 yards and
13 touchdowns.
A lot will be expected too from senior defensive end
Sam Scarborough who led the district in tackles last
season.
Coach Wilson knows to top last year’s results, a lot of
things must come together. “We must execute, step
up and make plays,” he says.
And he’s looking for that next breakout player.
“One player always breaks out of his shell.” says
Wilson, “We’re trying to figure out just who that will be.
We’ve got lots of potential.”
If that potential comes together come August, don’t be
surprised to see the Crusaders looking to take one of
those playoff spots again this year.
Players to Watch
Alex Fergerson Senior QB 6,0” 190
Ricky Hand Senior RB/MLB 5’11” 185
Jacob Becker Junior RB/DB 5’10” 160
Conrad Flowers Soph WR/TE 6’1” 195
Christian Tucker Junior WR5’11” 165
Luis Fernandez Senior WR/DB 5’9” 160
Hunter Matzke Senior WR/DB 6’0” 150
Jack Ryder Senior WR/DB 6’0” 160
At 6’6” 240 pounds, defensive end Justin Graham
will anchor the defense literally and physically. Coach
will be looking to the all district performer to lead the
charge on defense.
Most of all Lovvorn wants his team to be more physical.
He saw some of that during spring ball and he hopes
to build on that come two-a-days.
“I want us to be known as the hardest hitting team in
the district,” says Lovvorn. “We will be much more
balanced on offense but on defense I’m excited about
seeing our guys get out there and hit someone.”
With a big core group of kids back…and a new mentality
in the locker room, there is a good chance the Saints
may surprise a lot of folks come September.
Players to Watch
Zach Gregory Junior QB/DB 6’3” 175
Caleb Lavallais Senior WR/DB 6’1” 202
Jake Valdez Senior WR/DB 5’11” 175
Justin Grisham Senior OL/DE 6’6” 240
Dezmond Howard Senior OL/DE 6’3” 220
Mascot:
Saints
Student Enrollment: 240
Head Coach: Jason Lovvorn
Returning Offensive Starters: 8
Returning Defensive Starters: 8
Mascot:
Crusaders
Student Enrollment: 212
Principal:
Jim Franz
Head Coach: Reggie Wilson
Returning Offensive Starters: 4
Returning Defensive Starters: 5
Schedule
8/29 Big Sandy @All Saints 2:00
9/4 West Rusk Away 7:30
9/11 Union Grove Away 7:30
9/18 Lovelady Away 7:30
9/25 Open
10/2 *Trinity Cedar Hill Home 7:30
10/9 *Prestonwood Away 7:30
10/16 *Parish Episcopal Home 7:30
10/23 *Grace Community Away 7:30
10/30 *First Baptist Home 7:30
11/5 *Dallas Christian Away 7:30
*district games
Schedule
8/28 John Paul II Home 7:30
9/4 Colleyville Covenant Away 7:30
9/11 Nevada Community Away 7:30
9/18 Frisco Legacy Away 7:30
9/25 *Prestonwood Away 7:30
10/2 *Parish Episcopal Home 7:30
10/9 *Grace Community Away 7:30
10/16 Sunnyvale Home 7:30
10/23 *Dallas Christian Home 7:30
10/30 *TK Gorman Away 7:30
11/6 *Trinity Cedar Hill Home 7:30
*district games
TAPPS D-2 Div 2
Pre-Season
Coaches’ Poll
1. Dallas Christian
2. tie - Trinity Cedar Hill
Prestonwood
4. Grace Community
5. Parish Episcopal
6. TK Gorman
7. First Baptist Academy
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