Stamford doesn't plan to let disheartening loss carry over
By BILL HART / Senior Staff Writer
STAMFORD - One of the beauties of making the playoffs is the extended season that football players get. And when a team reaches the Class 2A quarterfinals as Stamford did last year, it's like gaining half a season.
The unranked Bulldogs proved the pollsters wrong by reaching the final eight before losing a heartbreaking 14-13 game to eventual state champion Iraan in the waning minutes when Stamford didn't recover an Iraan fumble in the Bulldogs' end zone.
Coach Jerry Taylor said that is the hardest loss he's ever had. But he and the Bulldogs have put all of that in the past and now will try to live up to their No. 8 preseason ranking for this season.
There are 15 lettermen returning to bolster those hopes, but only quarterback Eric Alvarez, center Joey Reed and tackles Jeremy Stinnett and John Diers started. Running back Clarence Whitfield played enough to be considered a starter and despite part-time, he gained more yardage than most backs do in starting roles.
Alvarez didn't have a great pass completion ratio (81 of 167), but he threw for 1,180 yards, while Whitfield rushed for 1,041 yards, helping Stamford compile a 10-4 record.
The Bulldogs dominated District 7-2A with a 5-0 record. Only one game, a 24-14 win over Albany, was close as the Bulldogs scored 174 points and allowed 53. They opened the season by losing to Clyde and Colorado City, but those teams made the Class 3A playoffs.
"The offensive and defensive line play will be the key to our success," Taylor said. "We must improve our work habits and with school starting so early, they needed to report in good physical condition and they did."
Ends Elbert Warden, Aaron Nauret, Lonnie Applin and J.T. Clark, tackles Rusty Henager and Danny Pritchard lettered and Eastland transfer Hector Gonzales (240) could figure into the plans, some on offense and others on defense.
Linebacking should be strong with the return of Blake Bolin, Todd Richardson and Ruben Gonzales, while Whitfield and Cole Wilson started in the secondary. Whitfield may be used strictly on offense, but Stinnett may also play defense.
"Alvarez, Whitfield, Reed and Stinnett need to have another exceptional year and our linebackers must improve and make more tackles," Taylor said. "And receivers like Clark, Nauret, Wilson, (Jeff) Scifres, (Derick) Haterius and (Dillon) Cobb need to step forward."
- School colors: Blue and White.
- Head coach: Jerry Taylor. Head coaching record: 124-74. Record at school: 18-7 (this time).
- Assistants: Eddie Richardson, Lee Brockman, Don Flippin, Casey Pearce, Greg Baucom.
- Last year's record: 10-4 (5-0).
- Last district championship: 1996.
- Last playoff appearance: 1996.
- Returning starters: Offense - Eric Alvarez, 6-1, 180, QB, Sr.; John Diers, 6-0, 220, T, Sr.; Joey Reed, 5-11, 240, T, Sr.; Jeremy Stinnett, 6-2, 275, T, Sr. Defense - Blake Bolin, 5-9, 165, LB, Sr.; Clarence Whitfield, 5-8, 170, S, Sr.; Cole Wilson, 6-0, 170, CB, Sr.; Ruben Gonzales, 5-6, 175, LB, Jr.; Todd Richardson, 5-10, 185, LB, Jr.
- Lettermen not returning: none listed.
- Top new players: J.J. Guzman, 5-8, 160, TB, Jr.; Derick Haterius, 5-8, 145, WR, Jr.
- Transfers: Hector Gonzales, 5-10, 240, T, Jr., from Eastland.
- Returning all-district players: Alvarez, Whitfield, Reed, Stinnett, R. Gonzales.
- Returning all-area players: none.
- Returning all-state players: none.
- Team strength: 16 seniors, experience from 1996 season.
- Team weaknesses: lack of depth and speed.
- Position changes: none listed.