Football Preview 2009 - Wise County Messenger

FootballPreview2009Wise CountyMessengerThursday, Aug. 27page 5Offense will be key to Alvord’s fight for the playoffs ...Continued from page 3be the fullback, and coacheshave been impressed withhis ability to block and runthe football.The offensive line may bea bit of a question mark forthe Bulldogs. The line is fullof seniors, but some lack experienceand size. SeniorsColton Archa and DustinStachowiak will anchorthe offensive line and havethe most experience of thegroup. Luke Haak, DaltonKing, Clay Hopkins, JustinMcMann, Elijah Gardiner,Corey Rogers and GrantBiediger will add depth andleadership to the line.“We are going to be smallerthan most across thefront, there is no questionabout that,” Deweber said.“Our guys are going to haveto be quick on their feet andknow their assignments extremelywell. If they do that,I think we will be just fine.”Luis Maldonado, the Bullogs’backup quarterback,ill play wide receiver, andeweber said he was imressedwith the way Malonadocaught the ball inractice. Tanner Bowen,eremy Brown, L.J. Phillips,Stephen Talamantes andDustin Piercy will also contributeto the wide receiverand tight end positions.Bowen and Brown, both seniors,should be the leadersat the positions.Defensively, Alvord is goingto be led by the linebackers.Junior T.J. Houston wasthe star to watch cominginto the season, but a tornAchilles tendon has him outfor the season. The threethreestack defense will allowthe Bulldogs to make2009 Alvord High Schoolvarsity football scheduleDate Opponent Site TimeAug. 15 Muesnter (scrim.) Away TBDAug. 20 Archer City (scrim.) Home TBDAug. 28 Electra Home 7:30 p.m.Sept. 4 Petrolia Home 7:30 p.m.Sept. 11 Valley View Away 7:30 p.m.Sept. 18 Windthorst Away 7:30 p.m.Sept. 25 OpenOct. 2 Sacred Heart Away 7:30 p.m.Oct. 9 Millsap Home 7:30 p.m.Oct. 16 Boyd 0Away 7:30 p.m.Oct. 23 *Chico Home 7:30 p.m.Oct. 30 Jacksboro Home 7:30 p.m.Nov. 6 Paradise Away 7:30 p.m.* Homecomingup for their lack of size.Linebackers Haak andBowen will be asked to leadthe deep group of linebackers.Talamantes, Barclayand Clay Hopkins will alsoprovide skill and experienceat the position.“The linebacker core isdefinitely our strong pointdefensively,” Deweber said.“Most of those guys have experienceat the position. Weare small, but athletic. Ourguys are going to be flyingall over the football field,running stunts and doingwhatever they can to gainthe advantage.”The secondary will bemade up of mostly seniorsas well. Phillips has beenimpressive in practice,showing skills as a covercorner and a solid tackler.Seniors Tyler Choat, JeremyBrowne and Ethan Gardinershould add age and experienceto the secondary.The defensive line will bemuch younger than the offensiveline, and the lackof size will again force theAlvord coaches to look forother ways to get to thequarterback. Seniors ColbyBurdine, Stachowiak andArcha will be the main forcesin the trenches for theBulldogs.Alvord should see a moreproductive season this year.Hartfield brings an extrayear of experience to thequarterback position, and ifsome of the wide receiverscan step up and take pressureoff the backs of Redmanand Harrison, the offenseshould move the ball well.Defensively, the linebackersare going to have to helphold the line of scrimmage.If they can do so, Alvord hasa chance to get back to theplayoffs this fall.1st Choice Truck Lube, Inc.1300 W. FM 1810 • 940-627-3223Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m. - Noonwww.1stchoicetrucklubecenter.comOur 1st Choice isWise County Football!Good luckto allparticipants!Proudly supports theALVORD BULLDOGS110 W. Franklin St. • Alvord940-427-5575www.legend-bank.comBEHINDDECATURTIREFM 1810DecaturHwy 287Hwy 380NThe only choice in truck maintenance.