Published: August 20, 2008 11:11 am            

Lehman Lobos: Searching for respect

New district and a chance at a postseason berth await the young Lobos

Kyle — High school football teams generally have rosters of at least 40 players from which coaches can pick and choose. They can decide which players belong in which spot and specialize those gridders on offense or defense.

Then there's Lehman.

This season, the Lobos don't have the option of differentiating players since they only have 29. It's the lowest number of players on the varsity roster since the school began fielding a team four years ago.

“You'd like to be able to two-platoon your players, where you have your kids just going one side of the football, but we don't have that luxury yet,” Lehman head coach Steve Davis said.

Lehman enters its first season in District 17-4A, along with its cross-town rival, Hays. The Lobos were in 26-4A last season, one of the toughest districts in the state. Lehman dueled against New Braunfels, Schertz-Clemens and Cibolo-Steele.

This season, the three aforementioned teams switched districts and classes (Unicorns are now in 5A). The Lobos will now play the Rebels, Manor, Elgin, Del Valle and Lockhart. The new district gets a bit easier, as well as a better shot to make the playoffs.

Before, only three teams from each district had an opportunity to play after the last regular season game. Now, four teams will advance to the postseason after the realignment. In order to get ready for their tough district schedule, Lehman added two more non-district games.

“We had three non-district games last year, this year we have five,” Davis said. “With the two extra non-district games, that plays big as getting playing experience and getting them ready for the district schedule.”

Once the lights go on at Bob Shelton Stadium and the Lobos suit up for their first game, they're looking for one thing – respect.

Since Lehman began fielding a team, it has consistently struggled in Central Texas. The Lobos finished last in 26-4A last season, not winning a game. Lehman went 1-9 overall.

“We're trying to gain some respect in the district and play hard,” Davis said. “For us, every game is going to be a challenge and we have to be prepared and go out to play the best we can.”



Offense

Injuries hampered the Lobos last season, as both quarterback Chris Duran and running back R.J. Hardaway went down with knee injuries. Duran didn't play half the season and Hardaway couldn't play after the fifth game.

A year later, both players are healthy and ready to carry the offense. Duran is in a two-way battle to start at quarterback with Drew Phillips. Hardaway, on the other hand, will be the team's featured back.

“R.J.'s going to get a lot of touches on the ball this season,” Davis said. “He's going to play a big part in (our success), as is Chris Duran.”

John Martell will be starting at wide receiver for the Lobos, as will junior Michael Aldridge and sophomore Jaylon Hardaway. Lehman's roster lists eight receivers, so many players are bound to get touches.

Protecting either Duran or Phillips will be a young offensive line. Roger Martinez, a 250-pound senior, is going to see time at tackle, after playing last season primarily on defense. Orlando Banoa and Matthew Villegas both will try their best to make space for the run game.



Defense

Once again, Caleb Frank, a senior linebacker, is returning to anchor the Lehman defense. Frank led the Lobos with 98 tackles in 2007. Alongside Frank will be first-year starter Eldon Kahaloa and Duran.

On the defensive line, Martinez will play end and he'll be opposite Phillip Windham. Each of the offensive lineman will be expected to play two ways, as Andrew Nelson, Neil Dobson and David Garza should see time.

The Lobo secondary is the biggest question mark going into the season as they will be starting two sophomores, led by Devin Fox. Martell will start as well in the secondary as will Hardaway.

“Right now we're very young and inexperienced in the secondary, so we have a lot of work there,” Davis said. “We need them to work hard in practice, as well as we need to do a good job coaching them.”



Special Teams

Lehman has yet to name a kicker or punter. Expect them to spread the return duties around like they will the football.

        

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