Scoop27
08-05-2014, 11:29 AM
By JOEL LUNA joel.luna@thefacts.com | 0 comments
WEST COLUMBIA — Youngsters played a big part in the success for the 2013 version of the Columbia Roughnecks.
It is those young players whose experience could carry the 2014 squad, which opened training camp Monday with 48 varsity players on board.
“From an offensive standpoint, we need to find us some offensive linemen,” Columbia Roughneck coach Randy Lynch said. “We graduated most on the offensive side and only have four returners. (Jarius) Kesee is at quarterback and the (Dakarius) Bell kid is at tailback and one lineman returning. So it is our offensive line that has many question marks and it is open. We are going to look at some seniors, obviously, and we’ve got some juniors who are going to be pretty good — maybe even some sophomores if we have to, so it is open.”
It is a similar story on the other side of the ball.
“Defensively, we return seven and it again goes back to what we talked about — a lot of experience after playing many sophomores,” he continued. “But again, every job is open. Still, defensively, we just have a few holes to fill but are hoping some kids step up and contribute.”
The third-year head coach is 12-11 overall with two playoff appearances. Columbia will play in Class 4A Division I Region III District 12 this season after the University Interscholastic realignment in February.
For Lynch, it is all about getting back to work.
“I am excited; every year brings excitment as you know,” he said. “We have quite a few kids coming back from last year’s squad, and they gained a lot of experience last year after being so young. We still got some young kids because we played a lot of sophomores last year. But the expectations are there, and the excitement is there.
“I am not sure it gets easy but mostly just a routine thing for us,” Lynch continued. “We’ve had a good summer as far as our strength and conditioning camp with a good turnout. Kids are in better shape than in the past, but from a coaching standpoint it is routine for the most part after doing it for 20 years plus.”
Besides the almost 50 players on varsity, the Roughnecks had 42 players turn out for the junior varsity. The coaching returns in its entirety.
“We did not have much turnover — we picked up some junior high coaches, and everybody else pretty much stayed on board,” Lynch said. “Varsity staff is still the same, but did pick up a freshman coach and two junior high coaches.”
Mark Durham will be the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach; Shane Minks is the quarterbacks and running backs coach; Jake Carr will handle the wide receivers; Chris Gerbich is the defensive coordinator with Greg Rayley as the defensive line coach; Mike Denbow is coaching the linebackers; and Taylor Logston will guide the secondary.
“It is comforting to know you don’t have to go out and look for coaches, especially with today’s times. There are a lot of jobs posted on the coaching website, but we feel pretty good about everyone coming back,” Lynch said. “This varsity staff has been together for the past five years, but it has been good.”
The Roughnecks will continue to practice from 5 to 8 p.m. daily until Friday, when they go in the morning. Saturday is media day starting at 8 a.m., with an intrasquad scrimmage following at 9:30 a.m. at Griggs Field.
Columbia has two scrimmages, the first at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at home against Fort Bend Willowridge, then another at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Wharton.
Halletsville will visit Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 to open the regular season at Griggs Field.
WEST COLUMBIA — Youngsters played a big part in the success for the 2013 version of the Columbia Roughnecks.
It is those young players whose experience could carry the 2014 squad, which opened training camp Monday with 48 varsity players on board.
“From an offensive standpoint, we need to find us some offensive linemen,” Columbia Roughneck coach Randy Lynch said. “We graduated most on the offensive side and only have four returners. (Jarius) Kesee is at quarterback and the (Dakarius) Bell kid is at tailback and one lineman returning. So it is our offensive line that has many question marks and it is open. We are going to look at some seniors, obviously, and we’ve got some juniors who are going to be pretty good — maybe even some sophomores if we have to, so it is open.”
It is a similar story on the other side of the ball.
“Defensively, we return seven and it again goes back to what we talked about — a lot of experience after playing many sophomores,” he continued. “But again, every job is open. Still, defensively, we just have a few holes to fill but are hoping some kids step up and contribute.”
The third-year head coach is 12-11 overall with two playoff appearances. Columbia will play in Class 4A Division I Region III District 12 this season after the University Interscholastic realignment in February.
For Lynch, it is all about getting back to work.
“I am excited; every year brings excitment as you know,” he said. “We have quite a few kids coming back from last year’s squad, and they gained a lot of experience last year after being so young. We still got some young kids because we played a lot of sophomores last year. But the expectations are there, and the excitement is there.
“I am not sure it gets easy but mostly just a routine thing for us,” Lynch continued. “We’ve had a good summer as far as our strength and conditioning camp with a good turnout. Kids are in better shape than in the past, but from a coaching standpoint it is routine for the most part after doing it for 20 years plus.”
Besides the almost 50 players on varsity, the Roughnecks had 42 players turn out for the junior varsity. The coaching returns in its entirety.
“We did not have much turnover — we picked up some junior high coaches, and everybody else pretty much stayed on board,” Lynch said. “Varsity staff is still the same, but did pick up a freshman coach and two junior high coaches.”
Mark Durham will be the offensive coordinator and offensive line coach; Shane Minks is the quarterbacks and running backs coach; Jake Carr will handle the wide receivers; Chris Gerbich is the defensive coordinator with Greg Rayley as the defensive line coach; Mike Denbow is coaching the linebackers; and Taylor Logston will guide the secondary.
“It is comforting to know you don’t have to go out and look for coaches, especially with today’s times. There are a lot of jobs posted on the coaching website, but we feel pretty good about everyone coming back,” Lynch said. “This varsity staff has been together for the past five years, but it has been good.”
The Roughnecks will continue to practice from 5 to 8 p.m. daily until Friday, when they go in the morning. Saturday is media day starting at 8 a.m., with an intrasquad scrimmage following at 9:30 a.m. at Griggs Field.
Columbia has two scrimmages, the first at 7 p.m. Aug. 15 at home against Fort Bend Willowridge, then another at 7 p.m. Aug. 22 at Wharton.
Halletsville will visit Columbia at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 29 to open the regular season at Griggs Field.