“Total Domination – Plano Wildcats”
6/27/2008 - MEGAN SEALS
For the Plano Wildcats football team, “total domination” is known in every aspect of their game with each new season. With another season starting soon, the Plano Wildcats are expected to dominate the 5A Class. With rivals such as Hebron, Plano East, Plano West, and many more, it’s a fresh beginning for the Wildcats to dominate under the leadership of the new head coach, Jaydon McCullough.
The Plano Wildcats are known by having won more playoff wins than any other team in Texas since 1960 with making approximately 36 appearances. The Wildcats also finished strong the 2007 season having (13-2) streak and being a Division 1-5A State Semi –Finalist. With the new season under way, McCullough and his boys recognize the talent and will not let it slip from them. McCullough and the ‘Cats have a total of 11 returning starters, 4 on Defense, 6 on Offense, and 1 kicker . When it comes to his team this year, McCullough defines their weaknesses as, “Inexperienced players. The team graduated a very talented group of Senior’s last year.” As for their strength, it is quite clear the ‘Cats offense has 6 returning players from last year’s team.
Some of the returning starters making up the Offense Live for the Wildcats will be Carson Meger QB, Hanur Kim OL, Jordan Talley OL, Kriss Lott WR, Justin Boyde OL, and Rex Burkhead RB/WR/DB/PUNTER. Rex Burkhead had 17688 yards rushing in the 2007 season with a total of 33 touchdowns. Burkhead also received the record for 523 yards last season with 3 touchdowns. Also, finishing behind him was Kriss Lott for 1263 yards and 11 touchdowns as the ‘Cats WR. With Carson Meger as QB last season, he finished with 3352 yards passing, 24 touchdowns with a completion of 63%, and 1 touchdown record. As for the returning starts on the defensive line will be, Justin Collins DB and Laron Kelly DB. Collins finished up the 2007 season with 68 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 3 interceptions, and 3 pass break ups. Also on the Defensive side is Laron Kelly ending the last season with 53 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 16 pass break ups.
With the new season coming ahead, the Plano Wildcats have the possibility of a State win right in the palm of their hand. And as Coach McCullough begins his first year as the Head Coach at Plano High School, let the domination begin.
“Process Vs. Product”
6/19/2008 - MEGAN SEALS
As Brian Stewart, Head Football Coach of Jackson Christian School, says about his upcoming team for the 2008 season he states to, “Worry about the process not the product”. With this statement, Coach Stewart is concerned about not only developing a successful football team for the 2008 year but is also working to better the players as a person. With a new start and a new year, Stewart does not want to jump ahead to the future games; however wants to focus on one game and how the team will play that game to their best ability. And with the talent forming on their team, the process could result in a successful product.
With the new season starting, JCS is composed new and young players. The leadership from the Seniors will be made up by Will Johnson RB, Nathan Gibbons Center, Ethan Cooper LB, Heath Thompson Safety/ Receiver, and Blake Carden DE. Upcoming Senior Ethan Cooper finished third on the team in tackles last year as LB and expected to deliver the same this year. One junior expecting significant playing time will be Cody Johnson as the new QB following behind the footsteps of last year’s QB Matt Hudson. Johnson played as kicker last year with 9 field goals converted, one which was a game- winner and another which forced overtime in a game. Johnson was also a Mr. Football finalist for the 2007 Season. Another Junior seen on the field will be John David Johnson as Receiver. After losing many key players such as Matt Hudson, Tanner Perkins, Isaac Grizzell, the 2008 team for JCS is young, healthy, and ready for the upcoming campaign.
Every one has their own goals in life they would like to achieve. As for Coach Stewart and his football team, their goals are simply defined as, “To be the very best off and on the field. Every year our goal is to win a State Championship.” As for his goals as a Coach, Stewart says he hopes to be patient with his team. Stewart elaborates, “We have only three returning on offense and five on defense. We must focus extremely hard on being able to put our kids in a role where they can be successful.” For the upcoming season, the greatest challenge that comes with a young team is staying healthy. Stewart says that developing these young players quickly will help establish the depth they need to compete week in and week out. This new year the JCS Football team consists of “loud free spirited boys that are there to get the job done”, states Stewart. So starting at the Football Jamboree in August, we can expect lots of energy and enthusiasm shown from the Jackson Christian Eagles.
With a team full of new life and enthusiasm, the 2008 season for JCS will be a fresh start. As Coach Stewart illustrates, it’s about the process. We will see whether this process can develop the young Jackson Christian Eagles into a top caliber team.
