pack0808
08-09-2005, 10:08 AM
Lufkin not ready to rebuild
By JOSH HAVARD
Sunday, August 07, 2005
For almost any team, the loss of almost an entire offensive unit as well as several Division I players would mean the team would be getting ready for a rebuilding season. Not for Lufkin.
Despite those losses and the bull's eye that comes with being a perennial powerhouse, the Panthers are as optimistic as ever entering the 2005 campaign.
They will begin their final preparations for the upcoming season on Monday when they hit the practice field for the beginning of summer workouts.
And as usual, the Panthers' sights aren't just set on another district title, but also on another state title.
"The expectations here have greatly increased over the last seven years," Lufkin Head Coach John Outlaw said. "There isn't any pressure on the kids or the coaches, but everyone here takes a great deal of pride in going out there and doing everything we can to keep that winning tradition going."
If Lufkin is going to continue its winning tradition, it will have to do so in a different way. The Panthers lose all-state running back Jorvorskie Lane to the Aggies, meaning several players will have to step up on the offensive side in order for Lufkin to once again have an explosive offense.
Outlaw says he is anxious to see how the team will deal with that loss.
"It's going to be a very interesting year for us," Outlaw said. "We don't have the Reggie McNeal, the Terrance Parks or the Jorvorskie Lane out there for us.
"What we do have is a group of extremely talented receivers that can make things happen. Those guys are going to have to step up for us early."
That group of receivers is led by E.J. Shankle and Rafael Thomas, two players that started most of the games last season.
Another strong threat is Dez Bryant, who may have the most potential of any of the receivers. Bryant, who spent most of the season on the JV, made two touchdown catches in a game against Cedar Park.
Marcus Raines and Thaddeus Gordon are two more threats for first-year starting quarterback Jeremy Claybon.
Lufkin will also have to come up with five new offensive linemen. Clifton Kibble, who saw limited time at running back last season, is likely to be the starter for the Panthers.
The Panthers should be able to make up for any offensive defeciencies with a defense that Outlaw says has the potential to be as good as any that he has coached.
They have that capability despite losing three players to Division I schools. Defensive linemen Rashad Hunt and McKinner Dixon are headed to Texas Tech, while safety Alton Dixon is headed to Texas A&M.
However, Lufkin does have seven starters returning, including experienced players at almost every position.
"Our defense might have to carry us until our offense can come together a little bit," Outlaw said. "I've had bigger defenses before, but this might be the quickest one that I've had."
If the Panthers don't have the one standout player on the offensive side of the ball, they do have that on the defense with cornerback Leonard Hewitt, who set a Lufkin school record with 11 interceptions last season despite missing some time with an injured knee.
He was a first-team all-state player, and he also garnered a few votes for the state's defensive player of the year. Jeremy Patton and Danquon Landry are two others Lufkin will rely on at defensive back.
Last year's leading tackler Mandela Roberts will be joined by Stewart Willis, Jeff Kelly, Joe Jackson and Eric Taylor at linebacker. All those players saw significant playing time last year.
Robert Taylor, A.J. Penson, Roger Hurts and Randall Murphy should make the defensive lines one of the best around.
"Just about everywhere you look, we have speed on our defense, and that's something you can't teach," Outlaw said. "You can't tackle what you can't catch, and our speed should be tough to match up with.
The Panthers will practice without pads until Thursday before finally putting on the equipment on Friday.
Lufkin will have two tough scrimmages before opening the season at home against Aldine Eisenhower on Sept. 2. The Panthers will travel to Longview to scrimmage on Aug. 20 and to Humble for another scrimmage on Aug. 27.
The Panthers were outscored against both those teams in scrimmages last season before winning their first 14 games.
"Different coaches have different approaches for scrimmages," Outlaw said. "I never have put much stock into it.
"We got beat in both scrimmages last year, and ended up in the state semifinals. Neither Longview nor Humble made it that far, so those scrimmages really don't mean much."
The Panthers' varsity and junior varsity will practice each day from 2-4 p.m. at the Lufkin High School practice field. Practices are open to the public.
By JOSH HAVARD
Sunday, August 07, 2005
For almost any team, the loss of almost an entire offensive unit as well as several Division I players would mean the team would be getting ready for a rebuilding season. Not for Lufkin.
Despite those losses and the bull's eye that comes with being a perennial powerhouse, the Panthers are as optimistic as ever entering the 2005 campaign.
They will begin their final preparations for the upcoming season on Monday when they hit the practice field for the beginning of summer workouts.
And as usual, the Panthers' sights aren't just set on another district title, but also on another state title.
"The expectations here have greatly increased over the last seven years," Lufkin Head Coach John Outlaw said. "There isn't any pressure on the kids or the coaches, but everyone here takes a great deal of pride in going out there and doing everything we can to keep that winning tradition going."
If Lufkin is going to continue its winning tradition, it will have to do so in a different way. The Panthers lose all-state running back Jorvorskie Lane to the Aggies, meaning several players will have to step up on the offensive side in order for Lufkin to once again have an explosive offense.
Outlaw says he is anxious to see how the team will deal with that loss.
"It's going to be a very interesting year for us," Outlaw said. "We don't have the Reggie McNeal, the Terrance Parks or the Jorvorskie Lane out there for us.
"What we do have is a group of extremely talented receivers that can make things happen. Those guys are going to have to step up for us early."
That group of receivers is led by E.J. Shankle and Rafael Thomas, two players that started most of the games last season.
Another strong threat is Dez Bryant, who may have the most potential of any of the receivers. Bryant, who spent most of the season on the JV, made two touchdown catches in a game against Cedar Park.
Marcus Raines and Thaddeus Gordon are two more threats for first-year starting quarterback Jeremy Claybon.
Lufkin will also have to come up with five new offensive linemen. Clifton Kibble, who saw limited time at running back last season, is likely to be the starter for the Panthers.
The Panthers should be able to make up for any offensive defeciencies with a defense that Outlaw says has the potential to be as good as any that he has coached.
They have that capability despite losing three players to Division I schools. Defensive linemen Rashad Hunt and McKinner Dixon are headed to Texas Tech, while safety Alton Dixon is headed to Texas A&M.
However, Lufkin does have seven starters returning, including experienced players at almost every position.
"Our defense might have to carry us until our offense can come together a little bit," Outlaw said. "I've had bigger defenses before, but this might be the quickest one that I've had."
If the Panthers don't have the one standout player on the offensive side of the ball, they do have that on the defense with cornerback Leonard Hewitt, who set a Lufkin school record with 11 interceptions last season despite missing some time with an injured knee.
He was a first-team all-state player, and he also garnered a few votes for the state's defensive player of the year. Jeremy Patton and Danquon Landry are two others Lufkin will rely on at defensive back.
Last year's leading tackler Mandela Roberts will be joined by Stewart Willis, Jeff Kelly, Joe Jackson and Eric Taylor at linebacker. All those players saw significant playing time last year.
Robert Taylor, A.J. Penson, Roger Hurts and Randall Murphy should make the defensive lines one of the best around.
"Just about everywhere you look, we have speed on our defense, and that's something you can't teach," Outlaw said. "You can't tackle what you can't catch, and our speed should be tough to match up with.
The Panthers will practice without pads until Thursday before finally putting on the equipment on Friday.
Lufkin will have two tough scrimmages before opening the season at home against Aldine Eisenhower on Sept. 2. The Panthers will travel to Longview to scrimmage on Aug. 20 and to Humble for another scrimmage on Aug. 27.
The Panthers were outscored against both those teams in scrimmages last season before winning their first 14 games.
"Different coaches have different approaches for scrimmages," Outlaw said. "I never have put much stock into it.
"We got beat in both scrimmages last year, and ended up in the state semifinals. Neither Longview nor Humble made it that far, so those scrimmages really don't mean much."
The Panthers' varsity and junior varsity will practice each day from 2-4 p.m. at the Lufkin High School practice field. Practices are open to the public.