From The Citizen, September 3, 2003

FOOTBALL 2003 PREVIEW: Clear Lake

By: CHUCK HLAVA, Citizen Staff

Falcons to rely more on ground game this season

Clear Lake is primed and ready to go dancing again, after barely failing to make the football playoffs last season.  In 2002 Clear Lake lost close District 24-5A decisions to Alvin and Galveston Ball, each by six points. The Falcons finished the six-team league 2-3 and 5-5 overall. This year they're determined to hold that line and be the team that gets that post-season berth.  Head coach Troy Aduddell doesn't want lightning to strike twice in two seasons.  "We missed the playoffs last year by one game. We lost one game with 31 seconds left and a tipped ball," he said.  It's the offense that is basically getting a little facelift following the graduation of quarterback Michael Fritz.

Bolstering the Falcons' chances for holding the opponents and thus insuring a good year are seven returning starters from the defensive unit. All told, nine lettermen are back from the defense. Top defenders lost to graduation include Mark Nolwinski from the secondary, end John Dunway and linebacker Chris Davison.  Returning are defensive stalwarts such as end Michael Plumlee, defensive backs Russell Schoeber and William McMullen and tackle Jonathan Kirby, among others.  Defensive coordinator Dwayne Lane is taking steps to plug any gaping holes and the Falcons are responding to his efforts.  "The kids are taking his coaching very well and I have full confidence in Dwayne," Aduddell said.  Last year Clear Lake scored about as much as it was scored upon. The Falcons averaged 19.1 points per game, while opponents scored 19.8 on the Falcons. The defense allowed an average of 244 yards per game, while churning out 266. Most of that offense came through the air (167 yards).

With Fritz gone, the signal calling duties are going to go to junior Scott Oswald, with Jeff Geisinger, another junior, playing backup. In playing Oswald at quarterback, Aduddell is giving up a top receiver from last season. Taking snaps, Oswald shouldn't have any trouble going to receivers, including Chris Hunter, who was No. 1 in catches in 24-5A last season. Hunter, a senior, snared 36 passes for 525 yards and seven touchdowns. He averaged nearly 15 yards per catch. Oswald himself caught 31 passes last season as a receiver, for the No. 2 spot in district. Also, watch running back Elrick Jones get some workouts in catching aerials from Oswald or Geisinger. Other wide receivers are seniors Kyle English, Curtis Foster, Alonso Quintanilla and Wesley Furgerson. Last year Lake had the No. 1 passing game in district, but it's running game was last (99 yards per game). The focus of Lake's running game will fall on Jones, Chris Sprott and Devin Williams.

Clear Lake has the makings of being an all-around team and hopes to break that three-year vacancy in the playoffs. The Falcons are very confident and Aduddell says their preparations have been on the mark, for the most part. "If our defense can keep us in the game, we're going to be okay," he said. "We want to win those close games we lost last year. We want to be in the playoffs. The kids are practicing to be there. That's what's driving them-to get us there."