Posted 12:59 am Sunday, August 10, 2008
John Tyler Lions Have Tools To Greatly Improve
By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer
Down. Set. Hut!
Following a down season, the John Tyler football team set its sights on building a stronger hut, so to speak.
Staff Writer
Down. Set. Hut!
Following a down season, the John Tyler football team set its sights on building a stronger hut, so to speak.
The reconstruction effort starts Monday, the first day schools that participated in spring football practice can conduct two-a-day drills.
Second-year JT head coach Dereck Rusk is hopeful of seeing 200 bodies in attendance -- 130 from the varsity/junior varsity ranks and another 70-plus freshmen.
Wanting to capitalize on cooler temperatures, Rush scheduled the first session from 8-10 a.m., and following an hour break, a final workout from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. JT plans to keep the same routine the first four days while in T-shirts and shorts, and on Friday when players are allowed to put on pads for the first time.
After back-to-back playoff trips, JT missed the postseason a year ago during a forgettable season that featured four non-district losses by a combined 134 points.
"We're very anxious -- the kids, the coaches -- to kind of erase last year's season and get it out of our minds and hopefully build from (that) this season," Rush said. "What I want to see (the first week) is effort, and hustling and competing."
JT finished 1-9 in 2007, tying the tradition-rich program's worst record ever, while also matching the school mark for futility with an eighth straight loss to end the season.
The Lions open the 2008 campaign with notably more experience -- 13 returning starters, including eight on offense. A year ago, JT returned only one starter on offense.
Key contributors figure to be a quartet with all-district credentials -- senior offensive linemen Craig Jones (first team) and Reginald Carroll (second team), and junior defensive tackle Ashton Dorsey (second team) and senior defensive back Correy Wilson.
"That's a tremendous difference," Rush said. "You can't substitute experience. Just by having a lot back on offense and defense is going to help us out."
Rush and Co. also gained experience with its coaching staff, which added two area head coaches.
Returning coaches include Barry Anderson (defensive coordinator, linebackers), Duke Atterberry (head freshman coach), Ricklan Holmes (defensive backs), Michael Johnson (outside wide receivers), Phillip LaFontaine (inside wide receivers, freshmen), Jayme Moore (defensive backs), Sam Padgitt (running backs) and Steve Standefer (freshmen).
New coaches, including their assignment and previous job title and location, include: Michael Bickham (offensive line coach/assistant head coach, Palestine), Buddy Blair (defensive tackles/head coach, Union Hill), Paul Frye (defensive ends/head coach, Alba-Golden), Lloyd Langston (tight ends/offensive line, Eustace) and Sam Parker (offensive coordinator/receivers, Ennis).
LIONS' TALES:
The JT freshmen are slated to practice from 4-5:45 p.m. the first week. Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, the freshmen will practice from 7-8 a.m., and the varsity from 4-9 p.m., with a one-hour break in between.
The JT freshmen are slated to practice from 4-5:45 p.m. the first week. Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, the freshmen will practice from 7-8 a.m., and the varsity from 4-9 p.m., with a one-hour break in between.
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John Tyler 2008 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Time
John Tyler 2008 Football Schedule
Date Opponent Time
Aug. 23 at Longview# 11 a.m.
Aug. 30 Texas High$ 8 p.m.
Aug. 30 Texas High$ 8 p.m.
Sept. 5 at Lufkin 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Arlington Lamar 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Arlington Lamar 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 Wichita Falls Rider 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Lewisville Farmers 7:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Lewisville Farmers 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 Mesquite Horn* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 10 Mesquite Horn* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 17 Mesquite* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at North Mesquite* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 24 at North Mesquite* 7:30 p.m.
Oct. 31 vs. Robert E. Lee* 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 at DeSoto* 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7 at DeSoto* 7:30 p.m.
# --
scrimmage
$ --
Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic
scrimmage
$ --
Trinity Mother Frances Football Classic
* --
District 11-5A game
District 11-5A game
