Pigskin Preview 2009 Issue

One memorable comment from a John Tyler Lions fans may have summed up the
2008 season perfectly. The Lions played tough teams tough and suffered some
tough losses.
A 5-6 team, three of the Lions six losses were by a margin of three points or less,
including a 13-12 loss to 5A powerhouse Lufkin. From September 12th-October 17th
of 2008, John Tyler went on a five game winning streak. The Lions were contenders
for a share of the district title on the final regular season game. The Lions were
defeated by DeSoto 21-17 that night but would still see the postseason.
Of those narrow defeats, the most heartbreaking was a one-point loss to Lake
Highlands in the area playoffs. The Lions came up short 28-27 in the final minutes
of the game.
“That was one of the things we talked about in the offseason was finishing,” Coach
Dereck Rush said. “That was actually our motto last year, ‘Finishing Games.’ “This
year it is going to be ‘One Day at a Time.’ We want to focus on doing the small things
right. Hopefully, doing that in those games that are close in the fourth quarter will
turn into a win. We need to just focus on our assignments.”
Despite a stellar five game win streak, the Lions also went on a four game losing skid
to end their season. Coach Rush says he is also preaching focus to his players.
“If they can focus on that one game, just take it one game at a time, then hopefully
they will be looking up at the end of the season as champions,” Rush said.
After being called a young team for the past two years, the Lions now have veteran
experience. There are seven returning starters on offense for the Lions this season
and five returning starters on defense.
“The bulk of our coaching staff is back as well and anytime you’ve got that
experience with the players and the coaches, it helps you to be successful,” Rush
said. “We’ve got a group of seniors coming in that played last year and made it two
rounds deep in the playoffs. “
“Our experience will be our strength on offense or defense. Defensively we lost four
great guys to graduation. We’ve had some young guys that stepped up, guys that
Players to Watch
Jesse Diaz Senior K 5’11” 195
David Bush Junior WR 5’8” 165
Joe Bayonne Senior LB 5’11” 200
Antjuan Lee Junior LB 5’11” 215
Mascot:
Lions
Student Enrollment: 2,100
Superintendent: Dr. Randy Reid
Head Coach: Dereck Rush (3rd Year)
Returning Starters on Offense: 7
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
District 11-5A District 11-5A
“One Day At A Time” New Motto For John Tyler’s 2009 Campaign
Maya Golden - Former KLTV Sports Director
Schedule
8/28 Texas High Away 7:30
9/4 Lufkin Home 7:30
9/11 Arlington Lamar Home 7:30
9/18 Wichita Falls Rider Away 7:30
9/25 Lewisville Home 7:30
10/2 OPEN
10/9 Mesquite Horn* Away 7:30
10/16 Mesquite* Away 7:30
10/23 North Mesquite* Home 7:30
10/30 Tyler Lee* Home 7:30
11/6 DeSoto* Home 7:30
*district games
played backup roles last year. Those guys had a great spring and hopefully that can
carry over to fall practice.”
Returning for the Lions are first team all-district running backs Ky’ordric Black and
Kendrick Chancellor, first team all-district defensive lineman Gerron Anthony, and
first team all-district defensive tackle Ashton Dorsey and defensive lineman Antjuan
Lee.
The college recruiters have also set their sights on several of the Lions’ players.
Wide receiver and safety Tarik Spencer worked out for scouts from New Mexico,
and Rush says linebackers Cliff Caldwell and Alvin Arps are among several grabbing
collegiate looks.
Defensive tackle Ashton Dorsey made a verbal commitment to play football for
the University of Texas after receiving offers from Texas, Oklahoma, Texas A&M,
Tulsa and UCLA. Wide receiver Ricky Collins verbally committed to play college
ball at Southern Methodist University. He will be joined at SMU by teammate
and quarterback Jeremy Johnson who also made a verbal commitment to the
university.
“With attention being placed on those guys after having strong seasons last year,
that could give them another boost on the playing field this year,” Coach Rush
said.
In his third season as the Lions head coach, Coach Rush says he has seen a
transformation in the way his players carry themselves on and off the field.
“I think they’ve got a little more swagger and confidence,” Rush said. “Another
key to this season will be our playing together as a team. If they can do that and
practice, not be selfish, our program can only continue to grow.”
As for the coaches observations on how his team looks heading into the 2009
season, Rush likes what he has seen so far.
“Only time will tell this season,” he said, “but we had a pretty good off season and a
pretty good spring. Now let’s have a good fall.”
Scan the practice field and instantly two things stand out about the 2009 Lee Red
Raiders: They are big and they are fast. Glancing at the “Players to Watch” list, fans
and opponents will notice just about every player is six foot or taller and no less
than 180 pounds. That’s a good indicator of the Red Raiders roster and the type of
athletes competitors can expect to face this season.
However, Coach Mike Owens says looks can be deceiving when it comes to height
and weight and he’s picked only the best athletes to step onto the field.
“In high school you can have a 5’8” guy that is as good, and then a 6’3” guy that
can’t play as well,” Owens said. “Everyone would like to have a 6’3” cornerback, but
if they can’t play it doesn’t matter. We are going to put the best players on the team,
tall or short, big or skinny.”
The Red Raiders are coming off their co-district championship win in 2008 after
going 7-5 overall, 4-1 in district. The Red Raiders season came to an end in the
area playoffs last year against the Garland Owls in a close 13-10 defeat.
“I think we played pretty well towards the end of the year,” Owens said. “Those kids
accomplished a lot last year. We’ve got a lot of returning starters on defense. Our
kids were as good as they have ever been on defense last year. We were able to get
to the second round (of the playoffs). Hopefully this year we can do a little better.”
Owens expects the defense to be the strength of the Red Raiders team again this
season with five starters returning.
The defense features some big time college recruits. Linebacker Blake Roberts and
safety Chris Dinkins both verbally committed to play at TCU.
During the spring, linebacker Austin Wilson had offers from schools including
Kansas, Kansas State, the University of Houston, and Northwestern in Chicago.
Senior defensive end Patrick Howard was also being recruited by the University of
Houston and Stephen F. Austin State University.
“We probably have six to eight guys that will be college football players and most
of them are on the defensive side of the ball,” Owens said. “We have some other
players that if they play well this year they will get some offers as well. “
Owens was quick to stress that despite all of the collegiate attention his players
have garnered, that was by no means an indicator of the level of success his team
could enjoy this season.
Players to Watch
Luke Wagner Senior QB 6’2” 190
Thomas Lacy Senior OT 6’3” 300
Derrick Dunn Senior OT 6’3” 285
Greg Holsten Senior OL 6’2” 260
Marquise Mosley Junior WR 6’4” 190
Dennis Edwards Junior WR 6’2” 180
Da Da Brown Senior TB 5’8” 170
Blake Roberts Senior LB 6’3” 217
Austin Wilson Senior LB 6’0” 208
Patrick Howard Senior DE 6’2” 260
Chris Dinkins Senior S/QB 6’2” 202
Ben George Senior CB 6’0” 180
Cordero Blaylock Senior DE 6’3” 190
Josh Williams Senior DE 6’3” 200
A “Big and Fast” Robert E. Lee Is Ready For a
Deep Run in The Playoffs
Maya Golden - Former KLTV Sports Director
Mascot:
Red Raiders
Student Enrollment: 2658
Superintendent: Dr. Randy Reid
Head Coach: Mike Owens (15th Year)
Returning Starters on Offense: 6
Returning Starters on Defense: 5
Schedule
8/28 Lufkin Away 7:30
9/5 Longview Home 7:30
9/11 Dallas Kimball Away 7:30
9/18 Abilene Home 7:30
9/25 Marcus Away 7:30
10/2 OPEN
“Just because you have some big recruits doesn’t mean you are going to
automatically get in the playoffs,” he said. “We are reminding the kids they’ve got
to put in the work.”
Owens believes offensively the Red Raiders will be a better team in 2009.
“I think our offensive line will be better than it was last year,” he explained. “We
have three returning starters out of the five. Thomas Lacy, Derrick Dunn, and Greg
Holsten are all experienced. They played in 12 games last year.”
At the skill positions, the Red Raiders get another big boost from returning running
back Da Da Brown. Brown finished 2008 with 1,236 yards rushing and averages
6.3 yards a carry. At 5’8”, Brown is not the biggest player on the field, but he can
certainly be the most explosive.
“He’s not very big but he makes big plays,” Owens said. “He’s being looked at by
SFA.”
The role of quarterback will be split throughout the season by Chris Dinkins and
returning starter Luke Wagner.
“Chris will play some of what we call j-back and inside receiver as well. Luke started
20 games for us and will be good at the position.”
“We have a lot of speed and there are some things we’ve got to work on with our
passing game,” Owens said. “But we’re in good shape.”
For another season, the Red Raiders start their schedule against some of the best
in the state of Texas. Lee opens against Lufkin. Then the Red Raiders face Class
4A Division I state finalist Longview, a former district mate before realignment. The
challenging non-district schedule continues with games against Kimball, Abilene
and Marcus.”
“My philosophy is that we have to play people that are similar to the people we are
going to have to play in the district. DeSoto is one of the most athletic and talented
schools in any sport and we must match that type of speed and that ability in our
non-district opponents,” Owens explained.
“It would be great to play a weaker team and be 5-0 going into district. But we have
to let our kids know how it is. It helps them. I don’t think there’s anything that can
replace playing quality competition.”
“It’s never going to be easy, never has been.”
10/9 *Mesquite Home 7:30
10/16 *DeSoto Home 7:30
10/23 *Mesquite Horn Away 7:30
10/30 *John Tyler Away 7:30
11/6 *North Mesquite Away 7:30
*district games
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