High School Sports

By HAROLD WILSON
Staff Writer

John Tyler took it on the chin nearly all of the 2007 football season, finishing with just one win.

Back to show it no longer stands on shaky feet, JT embraces the challenge of responding to the eight-count and avoiding a repeat.

With a school record eight-game losing streak staring them in the face; and a lethal schedule waiting around the corner, JT prepares to enter what it plans on being a lengthy battle on Saturday.

A district-high 13 starters return as the Lions look to make amends for the worst season in the history of a program rich in tradition. Struggles aside, JT missed making the playoffs by just one touchdown, and starts off seemingly more polished than last year's edition.

"I'm very optimistic about having success in preseason and trying to make the playoffs," said second-year head coach Dereck Rush. "The kids are hungry to get last year's season out of our minds and moving forward."

If last year's season caused a black eye and loss of confidence, the JT players show little evidence.

"The overall feel of this team is positive," Rush said. "When you look back at last year, we had very little experience, playing probably the toughest schedule in Texas," Rush said. "We improved; we just didn't finish games at the end. The last game we had a chance to win and a lot of the kids starting this year played in that game. Hopefully we can get over the hump of finishing games."

For JT to improve, the offense needs to simply score more.

In 2007, JT averaged just 16.6 points per game.

With eight starters back on offense, JT expects a change for the better.

The most experience rests with the guys up front, where four starters return - senior left tackle Reginald Carroll, senior left guard Craig Jones, senior center Azael Arispe and junior right tackle Gerron Anthony. Fred Green, a junior, steps in at right guard after missing last season due to complications from a heat stroke that summer.

Jones made first-team all-district last year while Carroll constituted a spot on the second team. Anthony logged several starts before falling seriously ill, but comes back bigger and stronger

"The biggest thing I like about this unit is their experience," said Rush, who called Green "a person small in stature but with a big heart." "They fought through it last season and didn't quit. When you build a house if you don't build a good foundation it's going to fall down when a (strong) wind comes through. They're the foundation."

Behind the line stands a group that goes three-deep, with the starting duties on the shoulders of junior Jeremy Johnson. The 5-11, 160-pounder nearly led JT into the playoffs last year after coming off the bench to lead four TD drives in the season finale.

In JT's lone scrimmage, Johnson completed 23 of 32 passes for 209 yards.

"The thing that caught my eye was last year's last game against North Mesquite," Rush recalled. "He came in and was poised and put (28) points on the board as just a sophomore. Jeremy's got the knack of being a leader on the field."

Two versatile backups wait in the wings, promising sophomore David Bush, and last year's QB starter for all 10 games, senior athlete Billy Thompkins. Both give JT options at other positions. Thompkins, who produced a total of 790 yards and eight TDs last year, factors into the secondary and receiver equation.

Bush boosts JT's receiving corps, catching four passes for 60 yards in a scrimmage against Longview as evidence.

JT's starting running back, 5-8, 185-pound junior Ky'Ordric Black, brings back valuable experience. Black, whom Rush calls the workhorse, produced nearly 400 yards of offense and finished second on the team with four TDs a year ago.

Others in the backfield mix include running back/fullback Kedric Chancellor, who put up big numbers in last year's Blue-White game and last week's scrimmage; as well as senior speedster Dominic Ward, who broke a 30-yard run and scored once in the Lions' tune-up.

When JT goes to the air, the intended targets consist of inside receivers Bush and senior veteran De'Trich Morgan, and outside receivers and two varsity newcomers - fellow juniors Tarrington Joiner and Courtland Nickelberry. Rush called Joiner and Nickelberry the most improved players on that side of the ball.

If JT decides to line up with a tight end, Darrien Jones slides into the mix on the edge, followed by fellow junior Shaquille Wheeler.

Other receiver threats include Demetris Curtis, Ricky Collins, Jonathan Edwards and Timothy Lampkin.

Too often last year JT hurt its own cause, fumbling away the ball 19 times in 10 games and averaging eight penalties for 64 yards per game.

"We need to focus on fundamentals, taking care of the football," Rush said. "If we eliminate the mental mistakes we had at the end of last year we'll be OK."

The defense proved a sore spot, and a soft one a year ago.

Unlike typical JT teams of past, the Lions played a lenient brand of ball, allowing opponents more than 307 yards and 34 points per game.

The defense lost key pieces off its line and two-thirds of its linebacker corps, but boasts experience in the secondary.

The defensive backfield gained an offensive starter in Thompkins, who begins the year at free safety. He joins all-district strong safety Correy Wilson to give JT an athletic backline of defense. Darrien Starling backs up both safety positions.

"(Billy's) definitely an athlete and he will probably play that position in college," Rush said of Thompkins. "Correy, he's leading them back there."

A pair of seasoned returnees, seniors LaKendrick Wilkerson and Jeremy Biggs, man the cornerback positions, with juniors Javolis Heard and Tarik Spencer backing them up. Other defensive backs include juniors Robert Spencer, KeAndre Goss and Darius Jenkins.

Wilkerson notched one of just four interceptions for JT last season, and sometimes stands out for his tackling abilities.

"He's small in stature but has a big heart and loves to hit," Rush said of Wilkerson. "He's probably the emotional leader on that side."

The linebackers represented arguably JT's 'stronghold' on defense last year, but one of the biggest question marks at the present.

The leading returning tackler, big-hitting junior Alvin Arps, comes back to bolster the unit after starting as a sophomore. Arps lines up on the weakside, opposite another junior and varsity returnee Joe Bayonne on the strong side.

Cliff Caldwell, a junior, and Antjuan Lee, one of only two sophomores listed on the varsity roster, figure to share time at the middle linebacker spot.

If needed, Dale Bowser stands capable of backing up both the weak and strong side positions.

As for the starting defensive front, the entire group lettered last year and logged at least one start somewhere.

Senior end Ricky Marshall makes his return to the starting lineup after breaking his leg in the district opener in 2007.

Alijah Williams will line up on the other edge at the bandit position for his senior season.

Another senior, Sydney Terrell, who assisted on the offensive line last year, opens up the season starting at the three-shade spot of tackle.

A familiar name, junior Ashton Dorsey, moves down one slot from the three-shade to nose guard, where he "is better suited," according to Rush.

Dorsey, the younger brother of Texas A&M signee Adren Dorsey, headlines what could be a big JT signing class in 2010.

Others in the defensive line mix include junior tackle Damion Allen and senior nose guard Jar'Cobby Sigler.

Collectively, JT's stop unit understands the importance of living up to its name if it wants to win games, Rush believes.

"We have to stop people, fly to the ball and not make mental mistakes," Rush said. "We have to do the fundamental things - getting off blocks and tackles - in order for us to be successful."

The kicking game features new and old names as JT looks to gain an edge in one of the three facets.

Morgan assumes his deep snapping chores another season, and shares punt return duties with Thompkins.

Wilkerson warrants attention in the kicking game after averaging 28.0 yards on four returns last year. Thompkins joins him back deep, and is one of two holders along with Joiner.

The kicking and punting duties fall to junior Jesse Diaz and Spencer, respectively.

Another daunting schedule, featuring five squads who averaged eight wins, should let JT know where it stands early.

"It's vitally important," said Rush, "we gain an early win and get some confidence."

Seeing last year's close call, coupled with the number of returning starters, Rusk likes the chances of extending the season.

"This team understands the challenge we're going to be facing," Rush said. "But they're up for the challenge ... we've got new coaches on the offensive and defensive side - they trust our kids and our kids trust them. I'm very optimistic about making the playoffs."

FRONTMEN: Members of John Tyler starting offensive line (from left) are Craig Jones, Darrien Jones, Reginald Carroll, Gerron Anthony, Azael Arispe and Fred Green.
(Staff Photo By Jaime R. Carrero)