44INAROW
08-13-2009, 11:49 AM
Link to Article (http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2009/aug/12/mf_yoakumfb_081309_61479/?sports&local-sports)
Bulldogs adjust to new schemes
Yoakum makes changes under new coach
YOAKUM - Yoakum running back Trey Hights is playing for his third head coach in four years, but he's not about to complain.
Hights is determined to make his final year at Yoakum better than last season when the Bulldogs advanced to the Class 3A, Division II area playoffs.
"It makes us focus more because we don't want our senior year to go to waste," Hights said. "We work hard and go out there and listen to what he says and run his plays."
Head coach Brent Kornegay came to Yoakum from Orange Grove in the spring and brought a new offense and defense with him.
Kornegay began his coaching career on the junior high level at Yoakum in 1989 and returns to reunite with some of the same coaches, but with much improved facilities.
Kornegay is installing a double-slot offense, which is a radical change for the Bulldogs, who ran a one-back set almost exclusively last season.
"It's complicated, but we're getting it now," quarterback William Markert said. "We've got to get used to this offense and get it under us. We need to work on it play after play."
Hights rushed for 1,345 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Markert passed for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Kornegay believes with an experienced line returning, they can be more productive in the new offense.
"Right now is just getting kids to buy into what we're trying to accomplish whether it be terminology or what we're looking for as an attitude and what we believe as a staff," Kornegay said. "It's gone better than I really anticipated. We've put a lot of pressure on them as far as getting the offensive terminology and things put in. We've put in a majority already. Now, we're just going back and refining what we're doing."
The Bulldogs will be moving from a 4-3 alignment to a five-man front on defense.
"It's been difficult, but we're managing to do it," linebacker Jesse Braden said. "We want to show everybody that we really are good."
Kornegay knows Yoakum has the athletes to duplicate or surpass last year's success as they progress in the system.
"I knew coming in it was going to be a good group and they are a good group," Kornegay said. "They are very talented. It's just a matter of them understanding everything we're trying to do.
"They've done a great job so far. Depending on how much they understand things will determine how we go from there. We've come a long ways from Day 1 to where we are now."
The Bulldogs have come a long ways in the last three years and hope to go further this season.
"We'd like to leave on a good note for the guys next year," Markert said. "We want to finish off our senior year in a positive way and go as far as we can."
Scrimmages
Saturday at Wharton, 11 a.m.
Aug. 20 Shiner, 7 p.m.
Season opener
Aug. 28 at Columbus
Bulldogs adjust to new schemes
Yoakum makes changes under new coach
YOAKUM - Yoakum running back Trey Hights is playing for his third head coach in four years, but he's not about to complain.
Hights is determined to make his final year at Yoakum better than last season when the Bulldogs advanced to the Class 3A, Division II area playoffs.
"It makes us focus more because we don't want our senior year to go to waste," Hights said. "We work hard and go out there and listen to what he says and run his plays."
Head coach Brent Kornegay came to Yoakum from Orange Grove in the spring and brought a new offense and defense with him.
Kornegay began his coaching career on the junior high level at Yoakum in 1989 and returns to reunite with some of the same coaches, but with much improved facilities.
Kornegay is installing a double-slot offense, which is a radical change for the Bulldogs, who ran a one-back set almost exclusively last season.
"It's complicated, but we're getting it now," quarterback William Markert said. "We've got to get used to this offense and get it under us. We need to work on it play after play."
Hights rushed for 1,345 yards and 19 touchdowns, and Markert passed for 1,239 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Kornegay believes with an experienced line returning, they can be more productive in the new offense.
"Right now is just getting kids to buy into what we're trying to accomplish whether it be terminology or what we're looking for as an attitude and what we believe as a staff," Kornegay said. "It's gone better than I really anticipated. We've put a lot of pressure on them as far as getting the offensive terminology and things put in. We've put in a majority already. Now, we're just going back and refining what we're doing."
The Bulldogs will be moving from a 4-3 alignment to a five-man front on defense.
"It's been difficult, but we're managing to do it," linebacker Jesse Braden said. "We want to show everybody that we really are good."
Kornegay knows Yoakum has the athletes to duplicate or surpass last year's success as they progress in the system.
"I knew coming in it was going to be a good group and they are a good group," Kornegay said. "They are very talented. It's just a matter of them understanding everything we're trying to do.
"They've done a great job so far. Depending on how much they understand things will determine how we go from there. We've come a long ways from Day 1 to where we are now."
The Bulldogs have come a long ways in the last three years and hope to go further this season.
"We'd like to leave on a good note for the guys next year," Markert said. "We want to finish off our senior year in a positive way and go as far as we can."
Scrimmages
Saturday at Wharton, 11 a.m.
Aug. 20 Shiner, 7 p.m.
Season opener
Aug. 28 at Columbus