Experience gained year ago makes Rebels 3-5A favorite

3-5A PREVIEW

By Andrea Wall
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003

Talking to him, you wouldn’t think Midland Lee coach John Parchman is aware of his team’s preseason accolades. Dave Campbell’s Texas Football has tabbed his Rebels to win the District 3-5A crown.

While fellow district coaches know Midland Lee could be the team’s to beat, Parchman doesn’t see much difference between his Rebels and the other six teams in his district.

“There used to be a couple of weaker teams you could count on getting a win against,” Parchman said. “But, they’ve picked it up a notch. There’s a lot of parity in the district, and there’s probably only going to be a touchdown difference between the top and bottom teams.”

Part of Parchman’s humbleness comes from an uncertainty that lies with starting and playing young, unproven players. Last season, the Rebels started 11 sophomores off and on throughout the season.

This year, his offense is most likely to take shape around two sophomore running backs. Although both are seemingly very talented, the proof is yet to come.

“He’s returning most of his team and I hear he’s got some great sophomores as well,” said Cooper coach Randy Quisenberry of Parchman and the Rebels. “They are going to be really, really tough this year.”

Odessa Permian

Taking over the reigns at Permian this year is Scott Smith. Despite only winning a single district game last season, the Panthers are still being favored to make the playoffs this year.

Permian will be relying heavily on a veteran defense, which will be returning nine starters. Notable defensive returnees include all-district defensive tackle Cederick Thomas, middle linebacker Colby Williams and all-district defensive back Jermain Harris.
Having the offense mature quickly, however, will be crucial if the Panthers hope to make it to the postseason. Permian has five starters returning offensively, which should help anchor the younger players.

Shea Smith, a junior transfer from Rowena, will be taking the helms at quarterback this year. Helping him out will be returning lettermen Jamaal Johnson, Adam Podzemny and Decodian Williams, all receivers. Also expected to give the offense a boost will be tight end Nick Oliver and running back Chad Thompson.

Midland High

The Bulldogs lost a staggering 50 seniors off last year’s squad and have only 17 lettermen returning this season. Probably more important is that Midland High is only returning two offensive starters and not a single defensive starter.

Returning to the playoffs again this year will be tough for the Bulldogs, but if they want any hope at a postseason, the defense will have to mature in a big hurry. Tailback Mike Smith will be anchoring the offense. Smith averaged 7 yards per rush and more than 10 per carry last season.

Coach Craig Yenzer is also hoping to see some leadership from two returning all-district guards, Buck Wallace and Victor Jordan. Nobody has won the starting spot at quarterback yet, but the heated battle is down to senior Eric Paulson and junior Jordan Melugian. Both are similar-type players who have strong arms and can run well. The decision will come down to who can provide the most leadership to an inexperienced team.

“We still have a lot to prove,” Yenzer said. “One year doesn’t make a program. Last year’s successes aren’t necessarily going to translate to Friday night victories this year.”

Midland Lee

Despite just a 2-3 district finish last season, most are predicting a district title from this year’s Rebels. Lee’s team was predominately a young one last year, with 11 sophomores that started off and on, and a healthy amount of junior starters. With the majority of the Rebels returning, Parchman and many others are expecting a matured, more experienced team.

The Rebels’ glaring strength is their offense, with nearly 15 players returning who started on the offensive end at one time or another. Quarterback Cameron Phillips is returning for a third year as a starter and will be the key to the Rebels’ offense this season.

Phillips threw for 750 yards, scored nine touchdowns and completed 51 of 121 passes as a sophomore last year. What could possibly make or break Lee’s offense this year, however, are two sophomore running backs. Trent Hines and Leslie Ray will begin the 2003 season amidst lots of buzz about their ability. Hines broke former Rebel — now University of Texas standout — running back Cedric Benson’s freshman rushing records.

At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Hines is the smaller of the two backs, with Ray weighing in at 230 pounds and standing an inch taller. If the sophomore duo is as good as the district coaches seem to think, the Rebels will have a high-powered, hard-to-stop offense this year.

Odessa High

Scott Phillips is hoping that his style of football will catch on during his second year as Odessa High’s head coach. Phillips’ preferred offense is an option-heavy one, which takes more than just one season to correctly teach, he said.

Phillips felt that the Bronchos’ high turnover total in 2002 was due to running the option so often. The Bronchos turned the ball over 14 times in their first three games last season.

Two of those three games were lost by a touchdown or less, giving Odessa High hope that if it can reduce the turnovers, it most definitely can improve on last year’s winless district season.

Anchoring the Bronchos’ offense this season will be 6-foot-2, 240-pound tight end Bill Terry. The senior is not only a great blocker but also has excellent hands. Adding to the offense is junior running back Trent Golden, who averaged more than 7 yards per carry last season. Senior Ryan Sherman, who saw some playing time last year, will take the starting quarterback spot.

The Bronchos are hoping if they can run the option more successfully and grow up quickly, they can break their five-year playoff drought.

“It’s a very tough district,” Phillips said. “It’s just so balanced, that it will really come down to depth and endurance.”

3-5A SCHEDULE