IP Hawk preview

[Odis]

Doing my part to get some football posts up here:

Iowa Park Preview 2006
By Andy Newberry/Times Record News
August 22, 2006

The Iowa Park Hawks have been able to rely on size, teamwork and determination to become a playoff regular over the last decade.

The Hawks hope those latter two qualities are on display once again, because a lot of the size and experience departed with Tyler Duggins and friends.







"This will be the smallest, weight-wise, Iowa Park team in 12 years that I’ve dealt with," Iowa Park coach Chris Ellis said. "Maybe we’ll have a chance to be quicker and faster."

The Hawks return three starters on each side, but are looking for a new quarterback and the competition between juniors Caleb West and Clayton Price could carry on into the first few games.

"We’ll split time with them early and both of them were used (on JV) last year," Ellis said. "Caleb is a real good athlete, but has only played one year of quarterback. Clayton is a real competitive kid."

One familiar feel to the team will be a backfield committee. Kirk Morton and J.C. Pleva are fullbacks, while Jaret Lytle, Bryson Whitaker, Derrick Robertson and Troy Williams will all handle the ball, too.

"We’re as deep in the backfield as we’ve ever been, the problem is that they haven’t played much varsity football," Ellis said.

Not that Ellis is conceding anything because of the inexperience. The Hawks showed their ability to fight a year ago when they shook off a 1-5 start to make the third round of the playoffs.

"The junior class is real strong, while this senior class is not that big," Ellis said. "Friday nights will be a different deal early, but they can come along quick with that schedule."

Ryan McLaughlin (5-11, 245) is the top returner on the offensive line. "If they can get better pretty quick, we have a chance."

The quickness the Hawks have should lead to an aggressive and risk-taking 3-5-3 defensive unit.

"Defense is going to have to carry us and keep us in some ball games," Ellis said. "We’re not as big up front, but we’ve got lots of linebacker-types."

Junior Dusty Ross (6-3, 200) has some experience and returns at linebacker. Cody Hicks (6-2, 200, senior) will also start. Stephen McGuire (6-2, 175) will play safety.

"Our defense gives us a lot of possibilities with stunts and blitzes, giving us a chance for a lot of big plays," Ellis added.

And he feels the Hawks found some alignments to work against power teams that try to run over their defense.

"We’ll get in goal line if we have to, we think we’ve learned from that," he said.

One more weapon in close games will be junior kicker Nathan Gilbert, tabbed by Ellis as the best specialist he’s had at Iowa Park.

Ellis expects another tight district race that could end in yet another tie, like last year when Iowa Park and Breckenridge split the crown.

"Ties are inevitable unless someone runs the table," Ellis said. "You need to win those home games and hopefully steal one on the road."

[Macarthur]

The report I get is could be a bumpy start to the season, but they've got some ability so if the young guys gel they could do some damage in district.

[GreenMonster]

Originally posted by Macarthur
The report I get is could be a bumpy start to the season, but they've got some ability so if the young guys gel they could do some damage in district.

I think you hit the nail on the head there Mac. With the schedule they face it's sink or swim. I think they will learn to swim pretty quickly. I've heard a lot of Burkburnett talk, they'll have to figure out how to not fall apart down the stretch if they plan to make any real noise. Graham on the other hand has been flying under the radar. I think the Steers will be the class of this district with IP, Vernon, and Burk fighting for the other two spots. Also, expect Hirschi to be better. They have a chance to get a little confidence in pre-district action.

[Macarthur]

I think Hirschi wins a district game this year. God, I hope it's not against IP.

[Adidas410s]

Originally posted by GreenMonster
They have a chance to get a little confidence in pre-district action.

Did they schedule any 1A teams??? Or how about Merkel???

[DaHop72]

We need the Rickadamus to chime in on this.

[fury900]

District 6-3A Region: 1
Iowa Park
Class: 3A
2006 Iowa Park Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 AT ARGYLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 ABILENE WYLIE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT CHILDRESS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 AT GAINESVILLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 BRIDGEPORT NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 COMANCHE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 AT BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 27, 2006 AT GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 VERNON YES 7:30 PM


Burkburnett District 6-3A Region: 1
2006 Burkburnett Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 DECATUR NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 GAINESVILLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT SPRINGTOWN NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIGH NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT ADDISON TRINITY NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 AT VERNON YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 AT GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM


Wichita Falls Hirschi
District 6-3A
Region: 1
2006 Wichita Falls Hirschi Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 FORT WORTH DIAMOND-HILL JARVIS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 9, 2006 AT TULSA CENTRAL (OK) NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT RIVER OAKS CASTLEBERRY NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 AT BRECKENRIDGE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 30, 2006 FORT WORTH EASTERN HILLS NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 AT SAN ANGELO LAKEVIEW NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 AT IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 26, 2006 VERNON YES 7:00 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 AT BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM



Graham 2006 Schedule
District 6-3A Region: 1
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 MIDLAND GREENWOOD NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT ABILENE WYLIE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 GLEN ROSE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT MONAHANS NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 AT DALLAS BISHOP LYNCH NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 AT WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 27, 2006 IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 AT VERNON YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM



Vernon




District 6-3A Region: 1
2006 Vernon Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME
Sep. 1, 2006 ALTUS, OK NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 AT MIDLAND CHRISTIAN NO 7:30
Sep. 15, 2006 AT MINERAL WELLS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 DECATUR NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 BRECKENRIDGE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 26, 2006 AT W F HIRSCHI YES 7:00 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 AT IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM

[hawkfan]

Originally posted by fury900
District 6-3A Region: 1
Iowa Park
Class: 3A
2006 Iowa Park Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 AT ARGYLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 ABILENE WYLIE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT CHILDRESS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 AT GAINESVILLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 BRIDGEPORT NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 COMANCHE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 AT BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 27, 2006 AT GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 VERNON YES 7:30 PM


Burkburnett District 6-3A Region: 1
2006 Burkburnett Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 DECATUR NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 GAINESVILLE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT SPRINGTOWN NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIGH NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT ADDISON TRINITY NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 AT VERNON YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 AT GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM


Wichita Falls Hirschi
District 6-3A
Region: 1
2006 Wichita Falls Hirschi Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 FORT WORTH DIAMOND-HILL JARVIS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 9, 2006 AT TULSA CENTRAL (OK) NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT RIVER OAKS CASTLEBERRY NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 AT BRECKENRIDGE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 30, 2006 FORT WORTH EASTERN HILLS NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 AT SAN ANGELO LAKEVIEW NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 AT IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 26, 2006 VERNON YES 7:00 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 AT BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM



Graham 2006 Schedule
District 6-3A Region: 1
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME RESULT
Sep. 1, 2006 MIDLAND GREENWOOD NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 15, 2006 AT ABILENE WYLIE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 GLEN ROSE NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT MONAHANS NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 AT DALLAS BISHOP LYNCH NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 13, 2006 AT WICHITA FALLS HIRSCHI YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 27, 2006 IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 AT VERNON YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM



Vernon




District 6-3A Region: 1
2006 Vernon Schedule
DATE SCHEDULE LEAGUE GAME
Sep. 1, 2006 ALTUS, OK NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 8, 2006 AT MIDLAND CHRISTIAN NO 7:30
Sep. 15, 2006 AT MINERAL WELLS NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 22, 2006 DECATUR NO 7:30 PM
Sep. 29, 2006 AT CLYDE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 6, 2006 BRECKENRIDGE NO 7:30 PM
Oct. 20, 2006 BURKBURNETT YES 7:30 PM
Oct. 26, 2006 AT W F HIRSCHI YES 7:00 PM
Nov. 3, 2006 GRAHAM YES 7:30 PM
Nov. 10, 2006 AT IOWA PARK YES 7:30 PM

Talk about some long road trips here. Did y'all see Hirschi going to play a team from Tulsa?

[VWG]

Originally posted by hawkfan
Talk about some long road trips here. Did y'all see Hirschi going to play a team from Tulsa?

They are playing somewhere in OKC.. so the Huskies don't have to travel all the way to Tulsa.

[hawkfan]

Originally posted by VWG
They are playing somewhere in OKC.. so the Huskies don't have to travel all the way to Tulsa.

OKC is still pretty far.

[VWG]

Originally posted by GreenMonster
I think you hit the nail on the head there Mac. With the schedule they face it's sink or swim. I think they will learn to swim pretty quickly. I've heard a lot of Burkburnett talk, they'll have to figure out how to not fall apart down the stretch if they plan to make any real noise. Graham on the other hand has been flying under the radar. I think the Steers will be the class of this district with IP, Vernon, and Burk fighting for the other two spots. Also, expect Hirschi to be better. They have a chance to get a little confidence in pre-district action.

I think Vernon could take the district title... but you might be right about the Steers flying under the radar. You said last year that Graham was the best team staying home for the playoffs. Lost at home to Vernon after 3 turnovers inside their own 30 yd. line, and lost to IP at Iowa Park 14-9. Both Vernon and Graham were young last year. Graham has the talent, but they have got to be consistent with the offense for things to work. That could be said about any team but I think it's easier with a wing-T, split veer, I-formation to be consistent. Like Darryl Royal said.. "When you throw the ball there are three things that can happen and two of them are bad." Keep your eyes out for the freshman Case McCoy to QB the Steers this year. That kid is the real deal.... and he was part of Graham's 7 on 7 state tournament qualifying team.
Vernon has a hoss at Whiteside being the focus of the running game. Miller is a decent QB, nothing that college coaches are going to drool over but he should be consistent at what he needs to do. Meaning... throw the short passes for completions when he needs to, direct the offense, and if the long TD is open get it to the receiver. The tight end dragging across the middle is usually always open for Vernon. Miller has to hit those type of passes and not make mistakes.
These two teams will make it interesting along with Burk and IP.
IP lost a ton of good kids. Fulfer, Raines, Duggins, Rusk, etc...... you can't replace those athletes. They were a really good bunch of athletes. Where Graham and Vernon had the majority of soph. and juniors playing, IP was a senior dominated team. They are going to have to have a good learning session in pre-dist. games to be ready for district. Iowa Park will be tough, but unproven. The proving ground starts next week at Argyle.
I kinda agree with Z-motion on Burk. Burk should be a contender in this district race. They have the best running back in the district who has started at the 4A level since he was a soph., believe his name is Nate Brown. Anyway... like Z-motion says... Burk has got to come together for a full season and show me something. On paper they might have an advantage over some other teams but until they do it on the field I will not anoint them district champs like DCTF magazine did.
Should be an interesting race to watch come October, and Vernon and Burk are the first big game on Oct. 20th. Anything can happen until then, injuries, grades, etc.... but it should be a good district race.

[injuredinmelee]

Rickadamus says this.....


Ip will make the playoffs along with Vernon and Graham. Burk hits the hardcourt week 11. (basketball).

I have spoken

[injuredinmelee]

Hirschi vs. Lakeview... wow theres two programs that have underachieved the last few years. Lakeview is always loaded with talent and tanks because of lack of discipline.

[Macarthur]

With IP's schedule, if they can hit district 3-3, I think they make the playoffs. YOu just never know because IP had a really strong team last year, but really struggled in pre-district. Still baffled by that one, but by the time IP hit the playoffs they were playing as well if not better than anyone in the region.

[injuredinmelee]

Originally posted by Macarthur
With IP's schedule, if they can hit district 3-3, I think they make the playoffs. YOu just never know because IP had a really strong team last year, but really struggled in pre-district. Still baffled by that one, but by the time IP hit the playoffs they were playing as well if not better than anyone in the region.

they def should have won the playoff game they lost.

[Odis]

Oh, crap, your in trouble now!!!

[RMAC]

About IP, last year, when they had a close game w/ the district bicycle (Hirshi) I was sure that we'd beat them, but 2 weeks later I turned out to be wrong. You just never know about IP.