3afan
10-08-2004, 08:32 AM
Leap requires all hands on deck
Moving up to 4A changes everything - or so it seems
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGHStaff Writer / The Dallas Morning News
EVERMAN – Shamarcus Holloway began to realize two weeks ago why practices at Everman have been so much more demanding this season.
Stephenville's athletic and well-coached defense hounded the senior fullback and his offensive teammates all night. Everman, the 3A Division I state champion in 2001 and 2002, mustered only 95 yards rushing on 34 attempts in a 9-0 loss to its 4A opponent.
"Last year, we didn't even have to go to practice to win," Holloway said. "In 4A, you have to practice hard, watch a lot of film and know [your opponent's] key players."
Everman (3-1) is among six area schools making the jump from 3A to 4A this season after the biennial UIL realignment.
High Schools
Class 4A schools typically have more players, more coaches and more funds with which to operate than their 3A counterparts. Schools making the transition to a higher classification can sometimes be overwhelmed by the increased athleticism, depth and sophistication of their opponents.
Forney, like Everman, was basically a lock for the playoffs in 3A. But a bruising schedule and injuries have put Forney (1-4) in a precarious situation as it enters district play tonight against Terrell.
Surprisingly, Lake Dallas (4-1) is having more success in 4A than it had recently in 3A thanks to an explosive offense that is putting up 37 points per game.
Welcome back
Everman coach Dale Keeling expected his program to return to 4A and prepared for it. He increased the number of coaches on his staff during the last four years. Keeling limited his players to either offense or defense, whereas most 3A teams depend on two-way players.
So when Keeling told his players they were moving to 4A in February, his program's structure didn't really change.
"We always said as long as we're in 3A, we have to have 4A expectations," Keeling said.
Everman has 1,044 students. In 15-4A, its enrollment eclipses only Alvarado's. The other four schools have more than 1,500 students.
Small 4A schools have fewer athletes to choose from. That means fewer 270-pounders and athletes with a 4.5 time in the 40.
But there is a chance to succeed immediately in 4A with the right ingredients.
The Everman program is built on tradition. Its talent pool is deep because it has an established feeder middle school. The athletes are plentiful, especially on the Everman defense, which held Stephenville – a team that was averaging more than 40 points per game – to 200 total yards and three field goals.
"They've already [developed] the talent that is there, and they're doing really well with it continuing on," said Alvarado coach Howard Wells, whose team plays Everman tonight.
Timing is everything
Sometimes, the timing just isn't right for even the best programs to make the jump.
Forney coach Kevin Rush said his team, already suffering from the loss of an impressive senior class, has been bombarded with injuries. It doesn't help that the UIL plopped Forney in a district with Highland Park, Wylie and Terrell.
Forney's team, built on speed in 3A, is undersized and outmanned.
"Numbers aren't the issue for us," Rush said. "Not to be negative, but I think we'd be struggling in 3A."
No time like the present
Lake Dallas, unlike Forney and Everman, did struggle in 3A, enduring four straight losing seasons before making the jump to 4A.
Lake Dallas, which is only one victory from equaling last season's win total, is showing that tradition isn't a necessity to win in 4A.
Even with his team's early success, coach Randy Patzkowski knows the rebuilding job has just begun.
"We were hoping for two more years in 3A," said Patzkowski, in his second season at Lake Dallas. "We have a whole new staff and a new philosophy. We changed everything. That takes time.
"We have to put a structure in place, a system. When you have a system, it doesn't matter what class you are."
Moving up to 4A changes everything - or so it seems
By J. BRADY McCOLLOUGHStaff Writer / The Dallas Morning News
EVERMAN – Shamarcus Holloway began to realize two weeks ago why practices at Everman have been so much more demanding this season.
Stephenville's athletic and well-coached defense hounded the senior fullback and his offensive teammates all night. Everman, the 3A Division I state champion in 2001 and 2002, mustered only 95 yards rushing on 34 attempts in a 9-0 loss to its 4A opponent.
"Last year, we didn't even have to go to practice to win," Holloway said. "In 4A, you have to practice hard, watch a lot of film and know [your opponent's] key players."
Everman (3-1) is among six area schools making the jump from 3A to 4A this season after the biennial UIL realignment.
High Schools
Class 4A schools typically have more players, more coaches and more funds with which to operate than their 3A counterparts. Schools making the transition to a higher classification can sometimes be overwhelmed by the increased athleticism, depth and sophistication of their opponents.
Forney, like Everman, was basically a lock for the playoffs in 3A. But a bruising schedule and injuries have put Forney (1-4) in a precarious situation as it enters district play tonight against Terrell.
Surprisingly, Lake Dallas (4-1) is having more success in 4A than it had recently in 3A thanks to an explosive offense that is putting up 37 points per game.
Welcome back
Everman coach Dale Keeling expected his program to return to 4A and prepared for it. He increased the number of coaches on his staff during the last four years. Keeling limited his players to either offense or defense, whereas most 3A teams depend on two-way players.
So when Keeling told his players they were moving to 4A in February, his program's structure didn't really change.
"We always said as long as we're in 3A, we have to have 4A expectations," Keeling said.
Everman has 1,044 students. In 15-4A, its enrollment eclipses only Alvarado's. The other four schools have more than 1,500 students.
Small 4A schools have fewer athletes to choose from. That means fewer 270-pounders and athletes with a 4.5 time in the 40.
But there is a chance to succeed immediately in 4A with the right ingredients.
The Everman program is built on tradition. Its talent pool is deep because it has an established feeder middle school. The athletes are plentiful, especially on the Everman defense, which held Stephenville – a team that was averaging more than 40 points per game – to 200 total yards and three field goals.
"They've already [developed] the talent that is there, and they're doing really well with it continuing on," said Alvarado coach Howard Wells, whose team plays Everman tonight.
Timing is everything
Sometimes, the timing just isn't right for even the best programs to make the jump.
Forney coach Kevin Rush said his team, already suffering from the loss of an impressive senior class, has been bombarded with injuries. It doesn't help that the UIL plopped Forney in a district with Highland Park, Wylie and Terrell.
Forney's team, built on speed in 3A, is undersized and outmanned.
"Numbers aren't the issue for us," Rush said. "Not to be negative, but I think we'd be struggling in 3A."
No time like the present
Lake Dallas, unlike Forney and Everman, did struggle in 3A, enduring four straight losing seasons before making the jump to 4A.
Lake Dallas, which is only one victory from equaling last season's win total, is showing that tradition isn't a necessity to win in 4A.
Even with his team's early success, coach Randy Patzkowski knows the rebuilding job has just begun.
"We were hoping for two more years in 3A," said Patzkowski, in his second season at Lake Dallas. "We have a whole new staff and a new philosophy. We changed everything. That takes time.
"We have to put a structure in place, a system. When you have a system, it doesn't matter what class you are."