c-town_balla
08-27-2006, 06:49 PM
13-1 tough to top, but Cameron Yoe is up to the challenge
Team blessed with 30 seniors ranks fourth in American-Statesman's Central Texas preseason poll.
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, August 27, 2006
By high school football standards, Cameron Yoe coach Michael Mullins is surrounded by a bunch of old geezers.
While some Class 3A teams might find it hard to field a roster of 30 players, Mullins is blessed with 30 seniors. If experience and depth mean anything, the Yoemen could be even better than last year's 13-1 team.
Mullins is the first to admit that winning 13 straight games again will be a difficult challenge. His mission, though, is to guide the Yoemen to a few more wins in the playoffs. Last year's 13-0 record was spoiled by a 35-14 loss to district rival Hutto in the state quarterfinals.
Twenty-five years after Yoe won its only state football championship, the Yoemen believe their time is now. They are the fourth-ranked team in the Austin American-Statesman's preseason poll of Central Texas teams.
"We feel like we can be as good or better (than last year's team), but it's a very long season and we're in a very tough district," senior quarterback Brian Scott said.
Scott (1,106 yards rushing, 903 passing, 36 total touchdowns in 2005) uses his 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash to ignite the offense. With a talented cast of seniors and juniors — no sophomores or freshmen are expected to make the varsity — the Yoemen are given a good shot to repeat as district champs.
In one of the most competitive 3A districts in Texas, Yoe should be in a dogfight with Hutto and Liberty Hill for the 18-3A trophy.
Mullins is cautiously optimistic.
"(Scott) is a great leader," said Mullins, whose three-year record at Cameron Yoe is 25-12. "The key for us is to stay healthy and try to develop during our non-conference games."
Joining Scott on offense is a strong cast of seniors that includes receivers Cordrick Mobley (three playoff touchdowns last season) and Jared Hauk (18 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns in 2005); and offensive linemen John Torres and Wade McCullen. Thomas Limmer, a junior, is coming on strong at wide receiver.
A Yoe defense that allowed opponents to score as many 20 points just three times in 14 games last season returns six starters. Among the seniors who will anchor the defense are linemen Luis Marquez and Charles Foster, linebacker Alex Wright and defensive back De Andre Goss. Wright recorded 102 tackles in 2005, and safety James Williams contributed three interceptions. Junior Jordan Beckhuser is a savvy linebacker.
"Everyone must understand their role," Mullins said. "Team chemistry is so important."
Williams, for example, is expected to show his versatility by also making plays at running back. He hopes to complement Scott, the team's leading returning rusher, and play occasionally on defense, too.
The hottest game ticket in the district will be for the Yoe-Hutto clash on Oct. 13 in Cameron.
Hutto spoiled Yoe's unbeaten regular season in '04, winning a 38-35 overtime thriller. Yoe returned the favor last season, beating the Hippos 17-13 at the end of the regular season.
Hutto ended Yoe's perfect season last November, and this year's rematch promises to have playoff implications for both teams.
The old guys from Cameron can hardly wait.
rcantu@statesman.com; 445-3953
Team blessed with 30 seniors ranks fourth in American-Statesman's Central Texas preseason poll.
By Rick Cantu
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, August 27, 2006
By high school football standards, Cameron Yoe coach Michael Mullins is surrounded by a bunch of old geezers.
While some Class 3A teams might find it hard to field a roster of 30 players, Mullins is blessed with 30 seniors. If experience and depth mean anything, the Yoemen could be even better than last year's 13-1 team.
Mullins is the first to admit that winning 13 straight games again will be a difficult challenge. His mission, though, is to guide the Yoemen to a few more wins in the playoffs. Last year's 13-0 record was spoiled by a 35-14 loss to district rival Hutto in the state quarterfinals.
Twenty-five years after Yoe won its only state football championship, the Yoemen believe their time is now. They are the fourth-ranked team in the Austin American-Statesman's preseason poll of Central Texas teams.
"We feel like we can be as good or better (than last year's team), but it's a very long season and we're in a very tough district," senior quarterback Brian Scott said.
Scott (1,106 yards rushing, 903 passing, 36 total touchdowns in 2005) uses his 4.4-second speed in the 40-yard dash to ignite the offense. With a talented cast of seniors and juniors — no sophomores or freshmen are expected to make the varsity — the Yoemen are given a good shot to repeat as district champs.
In one of the most competitive 3A districts in Texas, Yoe should be in a dogfight with Hutto and Liberty Hill for the 18-3A trophy.
Mullins is cautiously optimistic.
"(Scott) is a great leader," said Mullins, whose three-year record at Cameron Yoe is 25-12. "The key for us is to stay healthy and try to develop during our non-conference games."
Joining Scott on offense is a strong cast of seniors that includes receivers Cordrick Mobley (three playoff touchdowns last season) and Jared Hauk (18 catches for 312 yards and four touchdowns in 2005); and offensive linemen John Torres and Wade McCullen. Thomas Limmer, a junior, is coming on strong at wide receiver.
A Yoe defense that allowed opponents to score as many 20 points just three times in 14 games last season returns six starters. Among the seniors who will anchor the defense are linemen Luis Marquez and Charles Foster, linebacker Alex Wright and defensive back De Andre Goss. Wright recorded 102 tackles in 2005, and safety James Williams contributed three interceptions. Junior Jordan Beckhuser is a savvy linebacker.
"Everyone must understand their role," Mullins said. "Team chemistry is so important."
Williams, for example, is expected to show his versatility by also making plays at running back. He hopes to complement Scott, the team's leading returning rusher, and play occasionally on defense, too.
The hottest game ticket in the district will be for the Yoe-Hutto clash on Oct. 13 in Cameron.
Hutto spoiled Yoe's unbeaten regular season in '04, winning a 38-35 overtime thriller. Yoe returned the favor last season, beating the Hippos 17-13 at the end of the regular season.
Hutto ended Yoe's perfect season last November, and this year's rematch promises to have playoff implications for both teams.
The old guys from Cameron can hardly wait.
rcantu@statesman.com; 445-3953