Dec. 25, 2004, 9:02PM

COACH OF THE YEAR

Delivering on high expectations

Aduddell takes Clear Lake to 5A semifinals

By NIKI HERBERT
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Clear Lake coach Troy Aduddell made no secrets about his expectations for his 2004 Falcons.

"I think at the beginning he was very clear about what he expected," Pearland coach Tony Heath said. "He wanted them to go farther than any other Clear Lake team had gone."

Mission accomplished.

The Falcons shared the District 24-5A title with Pearland before advancing to the Class 5A Division II semifinals.

Along the way, they outlasted Lamar, Memorial and defending state champion Katy in high-scoring games.

Did the team meet Aduddell's expectations?

"And then some," said Aduddell, the Chronicle's area football Coach of the Year. "You look at us on paper, and no one really expected us to be in the state semifinals. It says a lot about our team.

"And that's something the coaching staff helped with. If you don't have a good supporting staff, then it doesn't happen for you."

Heath, whose Oilers were one touchdown shy of beating the Falcons in the 24-5A opener, said Aduddell assembled the perfect team.

"They played as a team throughout the season," Heath said. "They were more known for their offense. But Troy made sure the defense never felt slighted. He put together a tremendous coaching staff. He put together a complete team."

The Falcons' offense, led by quarterback Scott Oswald, garnered a lot of attention through offensive coordinator Paul Lanier's spread option, but the defense played big when challenged.

In the double-overtime win against Katy, defensive end Jeff Wheeler blocked a field goal, and safety Cary Chiampi intercepted a pass in the end zone to seal the win.

"Our defense knew who they were and what they meant to the team," Aduddell said. "We were a true team. Most people say that comes from the top down. Maybe it does. But it's the kids and my coaching staff that made this year possible."

But Aduddell brought it all together.