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08/31/2005 |
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FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Clear Lake |
| By:
CHUCK HLAVA , Citizen Staff |
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Geno Blow, here
heading down the field against Tomball last week, is expected to
be Clear Lake's top rusher this season. -- Citizen photo by Kar
Hlava |
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A whole new ball game
It's no secret that Clear Lake's 2004 football team is going to be a
tough act to follow for the Falcons.
A real tough act.
Last year's Falcons emptied the Clear Lake community on a regular
basis as the fans followed the team during its playoff tour, which
ended at the Alamodome in San Antonio in the state semifinal game.
During their winning spree, the Falcons never flinched in the playoffs
defeating the likes of La Porte, Houston Lamar, and then in several
overtimes, Memorial and defending state champ Katy, to reach the state
semifinals. At the Alamodome Clear Lake lost to state finals veteran
Smithson Valley 18-10.
Overall, the Falcons finished a CCISD best ever 13-2.
Okay, now for the sobering news.
Clear Lake lost to graduation nine starters on offense and nine
starters on defense.
Gone is Player of the Year Scott Oswald, as are Elrick Jones, John
Nemec, Ben Volk, all first team in District 24-5A. That's just on
offense. Defensively gone are Jeff Wheeler, Ryan Johnson, Jamie
McMurchy, Ryan Nisbet, Bobby Hamilton and other key players
responsible for the banner season.
On paper, Clear Lake doesn't look anywhere as imposing as it did last
year. As a matter of fact, the Falcons, on paper, may not make the
playoffs. But what's on paper often turns into playmakers.
Thus, instead of lamenting what personnel are gone, the Falcon
coaching staff is concentrating on the personnel in place on both
sides of the ball.
"When you lose as many seniors as we did, people say that is something
we can not overcome. But we scored a lot of points last year and won
some games easily and we played a lot of kids and had a great look at
them," Lake head coach Troy Aduddell said.
"There is talent there."
By the time spring practice rolled around the coaches had a good idea
of filling in the blanks.
Top offensive returnee is Geno Blow, a 5'11" 195-lb. senior fullback,
who is very adept at finding the holes in the opposing lines. Blow
gained 943 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, which may have paled
to the 2,000-plus yards of former quarterback Oswald and 1,000-plus
yards of running back Jones but Lake's option last year averaged 35
points a game.
"Geno is our returning yardage man. He knows how to get those yards on
a crucial down. He wants the ball," Aduddell said.
Blow, who should be the top rusher for the Falcons this season, will
be spelled by junior halfbacks Ronnie Feaster, who saw considerable
duty last season, and Joe Clark, who has been promoted from the junior
varsity.
But Blow doesn't feel that there is any extra burden on his shoulders.
"I don't really feel pressure that I have to gain a lot of yards each
game," Blow said. "We have a great line and they give me the creases
to slip through."
The fullback loves carrying the ball, but no matter how many times he
takes it in his hands, he feels like it will be positive yardage. Not
only that, Blow said, it will be a positive year.
"We're going to keep our heads high and work hard and listed to the
coaches," Blow added. "As long as I get a few carries and our backs
can run outside and our line makes good holes we will be all right.
Our team is ready for the challenge."
One problem that can plague the Falcons is turnovers. The option is
prone to fumbles, as it was last year. But this season it can be more
devastating.
At quarterback will be Jonathon Gilmer. The 6'3" 190-pound junior
looked sound in handling the option portion of the wishbone. And, he
can pass pretty well, also.
No surprise that Lake once again will be a predominantly rushing team.
Rush inside and rush outside, but the pass looms in the background to
keep defenses honest and off-key.
"A lot of it will be predicated on their (opponents) defense,"
Aduddell said. "If they're not stopping us, we'll keep running the
football. If it's there, we'll take the pass."
Linemen such as Brad Paul and Patrick Snow will be making holes for
the option runners.
Opposing teams should again find the Clear Lake defense very
challenging to score against.
Falcon defensive end Blake Sledge, a senior who had 69 tackles and a
couple of sacks last season, returns to lead the defense.
"We're hoping he evolves into a very physical player this year,"
Aduddell said of the 6-ft. 235-pound senior.
Linebacker Jeremy McKinney and defensive back Anthony Zamora, both
seniors, are expected to play key roles for the Falcons according to
Aduddell.
The lineup on offense and defense is generally fixed, with a few
exceptions. Lots of new faces on both sides of the ball.
"It's a whole new team and it's up to them to create their own
identify and go as far as they can," Aduddell said.
The Falcons are eager and working hard, according to Aduddell.
"We're real pleased with their work and dedication. Our ability to run
to the football is real good.
"We will be a ball-control team, but we're going to be an explosive
ball-control team. We still have to work on our technique, but we've
got three more games to get ready (for district play)," Aduddell
added.
With teams like district-favorite Pearland along with Galveston Ball
and Clear Brook out to keep the Falcons from post-season, Aduddell
feels Clear Lake will be more than a challenge for anyone once in
sync.
"We have three games to mature and come together as a team before
district. When district starts we hope to be firing on all cylinders,"
he said. |
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