kaorder1999
08-24-2006, 08:17 AM
Madison RB on fast track
02:04 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
Madison tailback Shawnbrey McNeal, a two-time Class 3A 100-meters champion, describes himself as a football player who runs track.
Coach Ronald Johnson remembers when it was the other way around. McNeal had blazing speed but lacked the toughness to take full advantage of it on the football field. Johnson specifically recalls McNeal sitting out most of a game his freshman year with a minor wrist injury.
Johnson no longer worries about McNeal's toughness. In fact, the coach is often concerned for the health of would-be tacklers when McNeal does a little skip-step and unloads on them.
"When he does that, he's coming with a wallop," Johnson said. "I look at those little corners and say, 'Kid, get down.' "
The 5-9, 185-pound McNeal, ranked as the state's No. 45 recruit by Rivals.com, has developed into a tailback with few flaws. He rushed for 1,556 yards and 22 touchdowns on 171 carries last season to help Madison to its second consecutive trip three rounds deep in the playoffs.
McNeal and Madison expect more this year. McNeal's individual goals are 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He considers those expectations reasonable with the help of four returning starters on the offensive line: Damian Allen, Corey Bradley, Allen Lee and Dominique Turner.
"If I get two seconds of blocking, I can do what I need to do to get by there," McNeal said. "Then I'm gone."
Johnson plans to make sure there is a significant increase in at least one McNeal statistic: carries. Madison's game plan is to give him the ball early and often.
"We're hoping to ride that horse for 16 games," Johnson said.
02:04 PM CDT on Wednesday, August 23, 2006
By TIM MacMAHON / The Dallas Morning News
Madison tailback Shawnbrey McNeal, a two-time Class 3A 100-meters champion, describes himself as a football player who runs track.
Coach Ronald Johnson remembers when it was the other way around. McNeal had blazing speed but lacked the toughness to take full advantage of it on the football field. Johnson specifically recalls McNeal sitting out most of a game his freshman year with a minor wrist injury.
Johnson no longer worries about McNeal's toughness. In fact, the coach is often concerned for the health of would-be tacklers when McNeal does a little skip-step and unloads on them.
"When he does that, he's coming with a wallop," Johnson said. "I look at those little corners and say, 'Kid, get down.' "
The 5-9, 185-pound McNeal, ranked as the state's No. 45 recruit by Rivals.com, has developed into a tailback with few flaws. He rushed for 1,556 yards and 22 touchdowns on 171 carries last season to help Madison to its second consecutive trip three rounds deep in the playoffs.
McNeal and Madison expect more this year. McNeal's individual goals are 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He considers those expectations reasonable with the help of four returning starters on the offensive line: Damian Allen, Corey Bradley, Allen Lee and Dominique Turner.
"If I get two seconds of blocking, I can do what I need to do to get by there," McNeal said. "Then I'm gone."
Johnson plans to make sure there is a significant increase in at least one McNeal statistic: carries. Madison's game plan is to give him the ball early and often.
"We're hoping to ride that horse for 16 games," Johnson said.