KTJ
08-22-2004, 02:32 PM
By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News
With Celina's move back to Class 2A, talk has surfaced about the school returning to its state-title winning ways.
Celina had won four straight Class 2A state championships before it was aligned in 3A beginning in 2002. The team performed well, going 21-3 in two seasons, but it had its state-record 68-game winning streak snapped.
Now that Celina has returned to 2A, many of its faithful expect the team to pick up where it left off. Coach Butch Ford says it won't be easy with a class of only 10 seniors.
"When we were freshmen and sophomores, we looked up to all the seniors," senior running back Brad Carey said. "We knew it was going to be a big job when we became seniors."
The class includes quarterback John Clark, the team's lone third-year starter. Clark totaled 1,877 yards and 29 touchdowns rushing and passing in 2003. The transfer of senior Jake San Miguel from Prosper (1,114 yards rushing, 13 TDs) bolsters a backfield that returns Carey (1,041 yards, nine TDs).
E-mail dhinojosa@dallasnews.com
FAST FACTS
Nickname: Bobcats
District: 13-2A
Coach: Butch Ford
Last year: 10-2, 4-1 District 9-3A. Lost to Gilmer, 45-22, in the Class 3A Division II area playoffs.
THE SKINNY
STRENGTH
Offensive backfield: QB John Clark, RBs Brad Carey and Jake San Miguel (a Prosper transfer) accounted for 4,032 yards and 51 touchdowns in 2003.
WEAKNESS
Offensive and defensive lines: Inexperienced as graduation took a toll on both fronts.
BIGGEST GAME
At Pilot Point, Sept. 10: No district implications this season, but it won't take anything away from one of the state's best rivalries.
DID YOU KNOW?
Celina hasn't lost to a sub-Class 3A team since 1998.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB John Clark, 6-2, 200, Sr.: Totaled 29 touchdowns running and passing last season
RB/DB Brad Carey, 5-10, 160, Sr.: First-team All-District 9-3A at running back last season.
RB Jake San Miguel, 5-10, 190, Sr.: Transfer from Prosper was District 12-2A Offensive Player of the Year in 2003
LB Zach Babb, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Team's sole returning first-team all-district player out of five
RETURNING LEADERS
RUSHING
Name Att. Yds TDs
Brad Carey 159 1,041 9
PASSING
Name C-A-I Yds TDs
John Clark 61-126-7 1,102 15
RECEIVING
Name No. Yds TDs
Zach Babb 5 105 2
TACKLES
Name No.
Zach Babb 74
INTERCEPTIONS
Name No.
Chase Hall 3
With Celina's move back to Class 2A, talk has surfaced about the school returning to its state-title winning ways.
Celina had won four straight Class 2A state championships before it was aligned in 3A beginning in 2002. The team performed well, going 21-3 in two seasons, but it had its state-record 68-game winning streak snapped.
Now that Celina has returned to 2A, many of its faithful expect the team to pick up where it left off. Coach Butch Ford says it won't be easy with a class of only 10 seniors.
"When we were freshmen and sophomores, we looked up to all the seniors," senior running back Brad Carey said. "We knew it was going to be a big job when we became seniors."
The class includes quarterback John Clark, the team's lone third-year starter. Clark totaled 1,877 yards and 29 touchdowns rushing and passing in 2003. The transfer of senior Jake San Miguel from Prosper (1,114 yards rushing, 13 TDs) bolsters a backfield that returns Carey (1,041 yards, nine TDs).
E-mail dhinojosa@dallasnews.com
FAST FACTS
Nickname: Bobcats
District: 13-2A
Coach: Butch Ford
Last year: 10-2, 4-1 District 9-3A. Lost to Gilmer, 45-22, in the Class 3A Division II area playoffs.
THE SKINNY
STRENGTH
Offensive backfield: QB John Clark, RBs Brad Carey and Jake San Miguel (a Prosper transfer) accounted for 4,032 yards and 51 touchdowns in 2003.
WEAKNESS
Offensive and defensive lines: Inexperienced as graduation took a toll on both fronts.
BIGGEST GAME
At Pilot Point, Sept. 10: No district implications this season, but it won't take anything away from one of the state's best rivalries.
DID YOU KNOW?
Celina hasn't lost to a sub-Class 3A team since 1998.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
QB John Clark, 6-2, 200, Sr.: Totaled 29 touchdowns running and passing last season
RB/DB Brad Carey, 5-10, 160, Sr.: First-team All-District 9-3A at running back last season.
RB Jake San Miguel, 5-10, 190, Sr.: Transfer from Prosper was District 12-2A Offensive Player of the Year in 2003
LB Zach Babb, 6-0, 185, Sr.: Team's sole returning first-team all-district player out of five
RETURNING LEADERS
RUSHING
Name Att. Yds TDs
Brad Carey 159 1,041 9
PASSING
Name C-A-I Yds TDs
John Clark 61-126-7 1,102 15
RECEIVING
Name No. Yds TDs
Zach Babb 5 105 2
TACKLES
Name No.
Zach Babb 74
INTERCEPTIONS
Name No.
Chase Hall 3