Posted 1:53 am Sunday, August 09, 2009
Red Raiders Eyeing Another District Title
By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer
A gold ball sits in the trophy case signifying Robert E. Lee's District 11-5A football title. The Red Raiders now begin the work of defending their crown as REL starts two-a-day practices.
Staff Writer
A gold ball sits in the trophy case signifying Robert E. Lee's District 11-5A football title. The Red Raiders now begin the work of defending their crown as REL starts two-a-day practices.
An estimated 165 players are expected to be on the high school practice field at 7:30 a.m. Monday in shirts, shorts and helmets.
The first session will last until 9:30 a.m. After an hour break, players and coaches will return to the practice field for the second and final session, slated to go from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Afterward, players will head inside for meetings and/or the weight room until 1:30 p.m.
The expected high is 95 degrees, but Lee head coach Mike Owens said the morning two-a-days combat this.
"By the time we're off the field in the mornings, (we should avoid a lot of the hot temperatures)," Owens said. "Now if we went out at 3:30 in the afternoon it would be a different story. But we aren't doing that."
The spring practice sessions gave Owens a gauge on multiple returning starters on offense and defense. Even with the summer break, many Lee players competed in 7-on-7. He believes that returning experience, coupled with "in-shape" players should make the two-a-days go smoothly.
"I think there will be pretty good carry over (from the spring)," Owens said. "We will do just like we always do. (Start from the beginning) and put our offense (and defense) in again, but it should go quicker.
"I think most of them will show up in pretty good shape. We have a few that I'm sure that didn't do anything this summer. They'll be behind, but we have to make sure that we recognize that and not make them do something they can't do."
The Red Raiders return three offensive linemen, their quarterback and senior tailback Da Da Brown. Ranked one of the top multi-purpose backs in the state by rivals.com, Brown earned first-team all-district honors last season with 1,253 yards and 12 touchdowns.
"We've got pretty good experience (back) on the offensive line and that is good," Owens said. "And of course, Da Da Brown; we'll be able to get a little more out of him. This is his senior year and I expect him to have his best year ever."
Lee went 7-5 last season with senior Luke Wagner under center. He returns along with senior Chris Dinkins, who started at safety in 08, but is moving to offense and expected to share quarterbacking duties with Wagner.
"I think Dinkins will help us a whole lot at quarterback too, he's a great runner," Owens said. "(Wagner and Dinkins) will both play; it just depends on what we're doing."
Two-a-day practices will go through next week and culminate with a scrimmage on Friday, Aug. 21 against San Marcos at Waco ISD Stadium. The junior varsity will begin at 4 p.m. with the varsity starting at 5:30 p.m.
The Red Raiders open the regular season Friday, Aug. 28 against Lufkin at Abe Martin Stadium in Lufkin.
Raider Rap:
Incoming freshman players are scheduled to report for orientation at 10 a.m. Monday. Parents are invited, but every freshman must have a completed physical before they can receive equipment. The freshmen will then join in regular practice at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Incoming freshman players are scheduled to report for orientation at 10 a.m. Monday. Parents are invited, but every freshman must have a completed physical before they can receive equipment. The freshmen will then join in regular practice at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday.
