Nothing sloth-like in Baird as Bears
seek another title
DISTRICT 14-A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
Bryan Webb certainly picked a fine year
to start his head coaching career. After a strong second-place
finish in District 14-A in the 2002 season, Baird will return
more than three-fourths of its starting lineup to the field in
2003.
The Bears lost just six seniors to graduation, retaining 17
lettermen for the 2003 quest to claim their sixth district title
in the past eight years.
While a group of bears is called a sloth, the other six District
14-A opponents will find nothing sluggish about the Baird football
team. Speed was what coach Darren Hill listed as the team’s
strongest attribute last year. This year, in addition to listing
speed, the Bears’ new coach has added strength and senior
leadership. Add to that improved team unity, and Baird is built
to make a serious challenge to reclaim the district title.
Coach Webb will again have the services of Zach Harmon, one
of the biggest offensive threats for the Bears. Harmon, 6-1, 220
pounds, was a selection for both the all-district team and the
Abilene Reporter-News Class A All-Big Country teams after the
2002 season. The senior was selected to the first team on the
all-district squad for both running back and linebacker, and will
again be playing both sides of the ball. Offensively, Harmon was
a workhorse last season, contributing 1,629 yards rushing on 277
carries, scoring 13 TDs. He averaged nearly 5.9 yards per carry,
and 148 yards per game. On defense, he added 75 tackles.
Second-team all-district selection Josh Sims returns at quarterback
for Baird. Sims went 57-of-144 for 771 yards, six touchdowns and
nine interceptions in 2002. Sims will be a force again on defense,
where he tallied 71 tackles last season.
Other returning all-district players are L.J. Mendez at wide
receiver/defensive back, Jeremy Sims at defensive end and Sawyer
Smith at defensive end/offensive lineman.
Smith will move to tight end this season from the offensive
lineman position, but will remain at defensive end. Chief McAdams
is the other position change, moving from linebacker to free safety.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Miles 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Wolfe City-x 7:30 p.m.
12 Hamlin 7:30 p.m.
19 at Hawley 7:30 p.m.
26 Rising Star* 7:30 p.m.
October
3 at Cross Plains* 7:30 p.m.
10 May* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Ranger* 7:30 p.m.
24 Tolar* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Gorman* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
x Game played at Justin Northwest
Baird Bears
- School colors: red and white
- District: 14-A
- Last year’s record: 6-5 (5-1, second place)
- Last playoff appearance: 2002
- Last district championship: 2001
- Head coach: Bryan Webb
- Career record: 0-0
- Years at current school: first
- Assistant coaches: none listed
- Returning and/or probable starters: QB-FS Blan Scott, 6-0,
165, So.; WR-DB Chane Rodriquez, 5-10, 150, So.; WR-DB Casey
Burford, 5-11, 170, Sr.; WR-DB L.J. Mendez, 5-0, 165, Sr.; QB-LB
Josh Sims, 6-4, 180, Sr.; OL-DE Will Ross, 6-0, 190, Sr.; RB-DT
Zach Green, 5-7, 160, Jr.; OL-DE Jeremy Sims, 6-4, 185, Sr.;
RB-LB Zach Harmon, 6-1, 220, Sr.; WR-DB Blake Mendez, 5-5, 140,
Jr.; RB-DB Chief McAdams, 6-4, 200, Sr.; OL-LB Derric Nichols,
6-0, 195, Sr.; RB-DB Jed Womack, 5-8, 150, So.; RB-LB Ben Warren,
5-11, 160, Sr.; OL-DL R.C. Smith, 5-8, 160, Sr.; OL-DL Carter
Burford, 5-11, 175, Jr.; OL-LB Josh Rudder, 6-0, 180, Sr.; OL-DL
Kyle Dillard, 6-0, 240, Jr.; OL-DL Brad Matlock, 6-0, 210, So.;
OL-DL Paco Carrion, 5-11, 245, Sr.; OL-DL Carlos Gomez, 5-11,
245, Sr.; TE-DE Sawyer Smith, 6-5, 230, Jr.; OL-DE Matt Reynolds,
5-11, 185, Jr.
- Position changes: DL-TE Smith, LB-FS McAdams
- Returning all-district players: WR-DB Mendez (first team),
RB-LB Harmon (first team), QB-LB Sims (second team), DE Sims
(second team), DE-OL Smith (second team)
- Returning All-Big Country players: Harmon
- Returning all-state players: none listed
- Top new players: none listed
- Transfers: none listed
- Team strengths: senior leadership, speed, strength
- Team weaknesses: offensive line
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