IHStangFan
08-30-2005, 03:05 PM
i might just have to go give these guys a look-see.
Bisbee Football 2005:Returning players are plenty as Williamson comes back for his third year
BISBEE - Loaded with depth, Bisbee has an iron-clad case for a Class 2A Conference state playoff run.
After the past two seasons under head coach Truman Williamson's direction, the Pumas have finished a combined 9-10. That includes a 6-4 record in 2004 that was Bisbee's first winning season since 1992.
After finishing winless in Region play two years ago, last season the Pumas finished third in the South Region with a 2-2 mark.
"This is the year we think we can win a lot of games," Williamson said. "They seem to understand what I'm talking about. I'd say half the kids we have never played football before."
Building on that sucess will be more of a challenge this season. Thatcher, Willcox and Morenci will combine with Bisbee, Tombstone and Benson in the newly formed East Region.
Three state playoff bids are up for grabs, with Thatcher and Tombstone the early front-runners.
"This is as good a shot as we're going to have," Williamson said. "We're probably going to have to win at least three games in Region."
The new East Region is full of teams that reached state tournaments. Tombstone is the defending South Region champion and reached the 2A state semifinals.
The Thatcher Eagles made it to the second round of the 2A playoffs. The Willcox Cowboys reached the first round of the 3A state playoffs.
Bisbee opens its season Friday at Douglas in the 137th meeting for The Pick.
As of today, Bisbee has 32 players on its varsity team and 26 more on the junior varsity squad.
"It's nice that you have a lot of guys to go to, in case someone gets hurt," said Brian Vertrees, Bisbee's starter at strong safety and right guard.
Vertrees was one of the leading tacklers in the 2A Conference last season with 123. Senior defensive end Bryce Schuller was second with 76 and senior outside linebacker Wesley Taylor had 60. Along with starting quarterback Aaron Farmer, those three are the Pumas' captains.
"We think last year and this year will be two of our stronger years," Farmer said. "We have both of our (running) backs returning. We have three of our linemen coming back, including two starters."
Farmer is also the team's free safety in a secondary that includes cornerbacks Donnie Jarvis and Moots. Jesus Dagnino, Danny Amaya and Creed Christinette are also in the corner mix. Randy Spivey, who forced quite a few turnovers in the defensive backfield, is a key loss due to graduation.
The third returning offensive lineman is center Victor Flores, with left guard Anthony Jimenez and left tackle Antonio Garcia new starters. Ramon Monchi can play every position except center, with tackles Bryan Earnest and Zach McGinnis. Flores is also the team's placekicker.
The losses include currenty University of Arizona track and field redshirt freshman Theo McConnell and Aubrey Giles to graduation.
"It's looking good right now," Schuller said. "Everyone's working hard. We should come out on a positive note."
The starting running backs are Gerard Moots and Taylor, who each ran for more than 1,000 yards.
Speed back Dominic Gunsauley and Carlos Garcia will get their share of carries, making Bisbee deep in the backfield.
Moots is the leading rusher, with Taylor the second-leading rusher. Gunsauley and Moots are considered the better receiving backs, while Garcia and Taylor are the blocking backs.
"Dominic and Gerard are the type of backs that on any given play can break a big one," Williamson said.
The Pumas are loaded at receiver and split end, with sophomore Sterling Schuller and Jarvis as the starters. Schuller is in his first varsity season, and some players said he has the best hands.
Tyler Arreola and David Gonzales are the tight ends. Receivers looking to make plays include Horacio Olivares and Chris Bedolla, with Christinette, Gunsauley, Dagnino and Amaya rotating in as receivers.
Nearly the entire varsity squad returns season. Several of them played together in one form or another over the last four seasons.
Except for allowing 37 points against a strong Tombstone offense and 22 points against Alchesay, the defense allowed no more than 18 points in a game against Douglas. Carlos Garcia is set to start at left inside linebacker, with Carlos Lopez at the right inside spot.
Gonzales is the right outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Antonio Garcia is the nose guard, with Matli securing the other defensive end spot. Bisbee was one win shy of reaching the 2A State Football Tournament for the first time since 1964. They lost 17-14 in overtime to Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, in the final Region game of the
season.
Bisbee Football 2005:Returning players are plenty as Williamson comes back for his third year
BISBEE - Loaded with depth, Bisbee has an iron-clad case for a Class 2A Conference state playoff run.
After the past two seasons under head coach Truman Williamson's direction, the Pumas have finished a combined 9-10. That includes a 6-4 record in 2004 that was Bisbee's first winning season since 1992.
After finishing winless in Region play two years ago, last season the Pumas finished third in the South Region with a 2-2 mark.
"This is the year we think we can win a lot of games," Williamson said. "They seem to understand what I'm talking about. I'd say half the kids we have never played football before."
Building on that sucess will be more of a challenge this season. Thatcher, Willcox and Morenci will combine with Bisbee, Tombstone and Benson in the newly formed East Region.
Three state playoff bids are up for grabs, with Thatcher and Tombstone the early front-runners.
"This is as good a shot as we're going to have," Williamson said. "We're probably going to have to win at least three games in Region."
The new East Region is full of teams that reached state tournaments. Tombstone is the defending South Region champion and reached the 2A state semifinals.
The Thatcher Eagles made it to the second round of the 2A playoffs. The Willcox Cowboys reached the first round of the 3A state playoffs.
Bisbee opens its season Friday at Douglas in the 137th meeting for The Pick.
As of today, Bisbee has 32 players on its varsity team and 26 more on the junior varsity squad.
"It's nice that you have a lot of guys to go to, in case someone gets hurt," said Brian Vertrees, Bisbee's starter at strong safety and right guard.
Vertrees was one of the leading tacklers in the 2A Conference last season with 123. Senior defensive end Bryce Schuller was second with 76 and senior outside linebacker Wesley Taylor had 60. Along with starting quarterback Aaron Farmer, those three are the Pumas' captains.
"We think last year and this year will be two of our stronger years," Farmer said. "We have both of our (running) backs returning. We have three of our linemen coming back, including two starters."
Farmer is also the team's free safety in a secondary that includes cornerbacks Donnie Jarvis and Moots. Jesus Dagnino, Danny Amaya and Creed Christinette are also in the corner mix. Randy Spivey, who forced quite a few turnovers in the defensive backfield, is a key loss due to graduation.
The third returning offensive lineman is center Victor Flores, with left guard Anthony Jimenez and left tackle Antonio Garcia new starters. Ramon Monchi can play every position except center, with tackles Bryan Earnest and Zach McGinnis. Flores is also the team's placekicker.
The losses include currenty University of Arizona track and field redshirt freshman Theo McConnell and Aubrey Giles to graduation.
"It's looking good right now," Schuller said. "Everyone's working hard. We should come out on a positive note."
The starting running backs are Gerard Moots and Taylor, who each ran for more than 1,000 yards.
Speed back Dominic Gunsauley and Carlos Garcia will get their share of carries, making Bisbee deep in the backfield.
Moots is the leading rusher, with Taylor the second-leading rusher. Gunsauley and Moots are considered the better receiving backs, while Garcia and Taylor are the blocking backs.
"Dominic and Gerard are the type of backs that on any given play can break a big one," Williamson said.
The Pumas are loaded at receiver and split end, with sophomore Sterling Schuller and Jarvis as the starters. Schuller is in his first varsity season, and some players said he has the best hands.
Tyler Arreola and David Gonzales are the tight ends. Receivers looking to make plays include Horacio Olivares and Chris Bedolla, with Christinette, Gunsauley, Dagnino and Amaya rotating in as receivers.
Nearly the entire varsity squad returns season. Several of them played together in one form or another over the last four seasons.
Except for allowing 37 points against a strong Tombstone offense and 22 points against Alchesay, the defense allowed no more than 18 points in a game against Douglas. Carlos Garcia is set to start at left inside linebacker, with Carlos Lopez at the right inside spot.
Gonzales is the right outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Antonio Garcia is the nose guard, with Matli securing the other defensive end spot. Bisbee was one win shy of reaching the 2A State Football Tournament for the first time since 1964. They lost 17-14 in overtime to Pusch Ridge Christian Academy, in the final Region game of the
season.