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| Team Preview - Cuero Gobblers |
| District 29-3A |
|
By Christopher Lyke
Texas HS Football Chief Editor
The Cuero Gobblers have a rich tradition almost like no other team in the state when it comes to winning, playoffs and the community the team touches. Seeing the Gobblers play in late November and early December has been the expectation of many around Cuero and across the state. That expectation is no different whether you look at last season's performance or the signals of this upcoming season. Last season's Cuero Gobbler team hung around the state's top ranking virtually all season and went into the playoffs expecting nothing short of a state championship appearance. Although they fell short against Hutto in the state semifinals, there is plenty of optimism that the Gobblers will find their way back into the state title scene.
Looking on the offensive side of the ball, the loss of Latrael Cooper will be felt early in the season but moving into Cooper's spot will be Fabian Olguin and Quincy Whittington. At the blocking fullback poistion, Stephon Hargrave is back for his junior season. Anchoring the playbook and quarterback spot will be the return of Kyle Noack. Noack, who is a dual threat at the position should see his numbers improve not only on the ground but in the air. Without Cooper in the line up, Olguin and Noack will be much more dangerous threats on the option and in short yardage plays.
Olguin and Noack are not the only big weapons the Gobblers have on the offensive skill positions. WIde receiver Tre Gray, a solid Division I prospect, and Corey Scott make their way back into the picture. Look for Olguin and Whittington to also make a big impact in the passing game as well. But the production of the offense will be reliant upon how well the offensive line produces. The positive for the Gobblers will be the fact that Justin Freeman and Kaeron Johnson make their return. Alongside Johnson and Freeman will be key newcomer Desmond Patton, who as a sophomore is already 6'3 and 270 with excellent speed to boot.
Switching to the defensive side of the ball, the Gobblers will be running a pair of formations. One being the split defensive formation and the other a 4-2-5. Up front, the Gobblers will have Kaeron Johnson and Desmond Patton. It will be important and crucial to see the younger guys up front to guide themselves early in the season, the big test for that defensive line will come in week three against Liberty Hill and Bay City in week five. If they can get through the Panthers and Blackcats unscaved, this Gobbler defense will be in the makings to have greater potential than they already have.
The big strength of the Gobbler defense will be in the linebackers and defensive backs. The key linebacker, Dason Jackson will be back in the saddle of the defense for one more season. Jackson will help anchor potentially the best defensive backfield in Class 3A. Tre Gray, Domingo Ruiz, Ace Slone and Corey Scott will be the starters that should make the big impact plays coming out of that very backfield. The one major factor the Gobblers should and must use to their advantage will be their speed. If they play up to their potential and execute properly, the Gobblers could be in for more than a state championship appearance in 2006. |
| Team Breakdown |
| |
Lettermen |
Ret. Starters |
Formation |
| Team |
Ret. |
Lost |
Off |
Def |
Off |
Def. |
| Cuero |
20 |
20 |
8 |
6 |
Multiple I |
Split 4-2-5 |
|
| Players To Watch |
| Cuero Gobblers |
Key Offensive Players & Starters |
|
Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
|
WR |
Tre Gray |
6'0 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
|
QB |
Kyle Noack |
6'0 |
185 |
4.4 |
Sr |
|
RB |
Fabian Olguin |
5'9 |
165 |
4.5 |
Sr |
|
LT |
Justin Freeman |
6'4 |
260 |
5.0 |
Sr |
|
RG |
Kaeron Johnson |
6'2 |
255 |
4.8 |
Jr |
|
AB |
Quincy Whittington |
5'9 |
165 |
4.5 |
Jr |
|
WR |
Corey Scott |
6'2 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
|
FB |
Stephon Hargrave |
6'2 |
215 |
4.5 |
Jr |
|
OL |
Desmond Patton |
6'3 |
270 |
5.2 |
So |
|
Key Defensive Players & Starters |
|
Pos |
Name |
Ht |
Wt |
40 |
Yr |
|
LB |
Dason Jackson |
5'11 |
185 |
4.5 |
Sr |
|
CB |
Domingo Ruiz |
6'0 |
170 |
4.4 |
Sr |
|
CB |
Tre Gray |
6'0 |
160 |
4.4 |
Sr |
|
DE |
Kaeron Johnson |
6'2 |
255 |
4.8 |
Jr |
|
SS |
Ace Slone |
6'0 |
190 |
4.5 |
Sr |
|
FS |
Corey Scott |
6'2 |
170 |
4.5 |
Sr |
|
DL |
Desmond Patton |
6'3 |
270 |
5.2 |
So |
|
|
| Team Links & Coverage |
| School |
Web |
Message Board |
Newspaper |
Radio |
| Cuero |
|
THSF |
|
104.7 FM |
|
|
|
|
| 2005 Wins & Losses |
| Varsity |
13-1 |
| Junior Varsity |
9-0 |
| Sophomore |
-- |
| Freshman A |
8-0 |
| Freshman B |
-- |
|
| Team Coordinators |
|
Mark Reeve |
|
Travis Reeve |
|
Travis Fallon
Terence Fryer |
|
| 2006 Schedule |
| Opponent |
Time |
| Week 0 - 9/1
|
| @ Sinton |
7:30 |
| Week 1 - 9/8
|
| Stafford |
7:30 |
| Week 2 - 9/15
|
| @ Bandera |
7:30 |
| Week 3 - 9/22
|
| Liberty Hill |
7:30 |
| Week 4 - 9/29
|
| @ La Vernia |
7:30 |
| Week 5 - 10/6
|
| Bay City |
7:30 |
| Week 6 - 10/13
|
| Palacios |
7:30 |
| Week 7 - 10/20
|
| @ Yoakum |
7:30 |
| Week 9 - 11/3
|
| Gonzales |
7:30 |
| Week 10 - 11/10
|
| @ Goliad |
7:30 |
|
|
|
