ILS1
08-08-2007, 07:06 PM
By SCOTT JOINER
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 7:14 AM CDT
Just days before they were to begin football practice Monday, two varsity players were seriously injured in a car accident on FM 1660.
Tyler Sliwa and Stephen Paige were both taken to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin by helicopter after a wreck Friday night.
“Unfortunately, right now Paige is still in ICU and struggling and Sliwa broke both legs, both ankles, his arm and his thumb and had about a six hour surgery,” coach Lee Penland said. “So we lost two varsity football players the Friday before two-a-days started and that kind of put a cramp in us. We're worried about those kids and their health.”
Both players were expected to have an impact on the team this season, so the loss adds pressure to a coaching staff that is already dealing with other holes on the roster.
The most glaring absence is four-year-starting quarterback Jeremy Kerley, who will suit up for TCU this season. Howard Limuel and Shiloh Wampler are two other big contributors from last season who will need to be replaced if the Hippos are to remain a power in District 18-3A.
“The big one obviously that everyone talks about is Jeremy (Kerley). He's just such an explosive kid, so quick and explosive, he's going to be hard to replace,” Penland said. “Everybody graduates at some time and goes on to do something. We've had other good players here before. We've got some guys that are excited about the challenge and want to step up.
“Right now, Garrett Carey is our No. 1 quarterback with Ryan Naivar backing him up with Spencer Ross, so those three kids are fighting it out for the quarterback spot. We lost some linemen and some different people so we just have to rebuild a little bit and step up and play. We have a long way to go after a couple of days, just like everyone else in the state.”
The Hippos will work without pads this week and suit up for the first time Saturday for an intersquad scrimmage. The coaching staff will focus on conditioning and the basic scheme before things get serious next week.
“It's a hectic time. We've been through three practices, just getting everybody going and getting started up again,” Penland said.
This time of year the coaches can see who has the most commitment and who worked hardest over the summer.
“We had strength and conditioning camp and we've got some guys struggling because they didn't show up and we've got some guys that are going through it pretty well right now.”
Story Link (www.thehuttonews.com/articles/2007/08/08/sports/news01.txt)
Wednesday, August 8, 2007 7:14 AM CDT
Just days before they were to begin football practice Monday, two varsity players were seriously injured in a car accident on FM 1660.
Tyler Sliwa and Stephen Paige were both taken to Brackenridge Hospital in Austin by helicopter after a wreck Friday night.
“Unfortunately, right now Paige is still in ICU and struggling and Sliwa broke both legs, both ankles, his arm and his thumb and had about a six hour surgery,” coach Lee Penland said. “So we lost two varsity football players the Friday before two-a-days started and that kind of put a cramp in us. We're worried about those kids and their health.”
Both players were expected to have an impact on the team this season, so the loss adds pressure to a coaching staff that is already dealing with other holes on the roster.
The most glaring absence is four-year-starting quarterback Jeremy Kerley, who will suit up for TCU this season. Howard Limuel and Shiloh Wampler are two other big contributors from last season who will need to be replaced if the Hippos are to remain a power in District 18-3A.
“The big one obviously that everyone talks about is Jeremy (Kerley). He's just such an explosive kid, so quick and explosive, he's going to be hard to replace,” Penland said. “Everybody graduates at some time and goes on to do something. We've had other good players here before. We've got some guys that are excited about the challenge and want to step up.
“Right now, Garrett Carey is our No. 1 quarterback with Ryan Naivar backing him up with Spencer Ross, so those three kids are fighting it out for the quarterback spot. We lost some linemen and some different people so we just have to rebuild a little bit and step up and play. We have a long way to go after a couple of days, just like everyone else in the state.”
The Hippos will work without pads this week and suit up for the first time Saturday for an intersquad scrimmage. The coaching staff will focus on conditioning and the basic scheme before things get serious next week.
“It's a hectic time. We've been through three practices, just getting everybody going and getting started up again,” Penland said.
This time of year the coaches can see who has the most commitment and who worked hardest over the summer.
“We had strength and conditioning camp and we've got some guys struggling because they didn't show up and we've got some guys that are going through it pretty well right now.”
Story Link (www.thehuttonews.com/articles/2007/08/08/sports/news01.txt)