Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Football: Cowboys debut new offense Saturday against Longview
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
After a tumultuous season that included injuries to key players and a shakeup to the coaching staff, Coppell's football team enters its 2012 campaign as one of the more experienced teams in a new-look District 5-5A that features Lewisville, Flower Mound, Marcus, Hebron and Denton Ryan.
But early on, despite a veteran presence, the Cowboys are still transitioning from the spread attack to the power-I offense they are currently installing.
Coppell got its final steps of preparation for their opener at 7 p.m. Saturday against Longview from SMU's Ford Stadium last Friday when they scrimmaged against Midlothian.
"Defensively, we played very well."
It is on that defense where Coppell will hang its hat.
"I think we have a talented and experienced defense," McBride said. "We have the potential to be very good and our front box could be pretty special. We just have to make good decisions, play smart and stay healthy."
Leading the charge up front is Solomon Thomas, who has already received multiple Division I scholarship offers.
"He can do it all," McBride said. "He plays with great instinct and has all of the physical tools and I think that's why he is generating so much interest."
Joining Thomas up front are experienced players in William Udeh, Luis Carreno and Cole Odette.
"They've all been playing well and have great ability," McBride added.
Linebackers include John Herubin, O'Niel Imbakwe, Aaron Gonzales and Jared Calvert inside and Tanner Masters, Gio Amaya and Collins Okotcha outside.
"We have some good experience there and some guys that can really rally to the ball," McBride said.
Cornerbacks for the Cowboys include Omari Cole, Troy Parker and Colin Peterson. Jacob Logan and Chris Atkins bring experience at the safety position, while Gavin McDaniel will see the field in the secondary and at running back.
"Our secondary has done a good job and is an area where we have a good amount of depth," McBride said. "But we're also missing some guys there right now and seeing some guys stepping up."
Offensively, Bridgeport move-in Colby Mahon will handle quarterback duties as Coppell transitions to the I-formation.
"It's been totally different for him after working in a bunch of four- and five-receiver sets in the past," McBride said. "He's still learning the system. But he has a great arm and is a decent runner with the ball."
Running ability will be key to success in the offense as McBride said there will be more bootlegs and play-action passing.
He also added he has been impressed with Mahon's leadership ability thus far.
The change in systems also means more use of fullbacks and tight ends, where Eric Stevenson and Josh Self will step in, respectively.
Running backs include McDaniel and Charles West. Luke Jenner will also chip in at fullback and halfback.
"We feel good about our backs," McBride said. "Our fullbacks are there primarily for blocking. And our halfbacks are both pretty similar. They're speed guys that can hit the home run. And they can also do some things catching the ball out of the backfield."
Receivers the Cowboys will feature are returners Logan, Henry Busch, while Nick Valenta will see an expanded role this year.
"We have some guys we can rely on at receiver," McBride said. "We're looking to run more and become more balanced. But we're still going to be able to throw the ball and get big plays."
The Cowboys return just one starter on the offensive line in senior Leighton Light. The rest of the unit has been coming along well according to McBride.
"We have decent size there," he said. "They've been good at times and not so good at times. They're great kids and we have confidence in them. We just need to find more consistency and I would like to see them play more physically."
As Coppell gets healthier and continues to gain experience, McBride is confident that consistency will come.
The first step in building that consistency comes Saturday against Longview.
"We're excited to get going," McBride said. "Longview is going to be a good gauge for us. They run multiple sets on offense and have a physical power game. They're a deep and talented unit and it will be a good test.
"Our first goal is to just get better every week. If we focus on that and play well, then we want to win a district title and go on to the playoffs and win state."
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
