Loboes hungry for another chance at state championship

DISTRICT 8-2A

By Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003

The Cisco Loboes experienced a drastic turnaround last season, going 15-1 overall and 5-0 in District 8-2A play, following a disappointing 2-8, 0-5 season two years ago. The Loboes’ only 2002 loss was 34-0 to Rosebud-Lott in the state championship game.

Third-year coach Brent West believes this year’s squad will have more depth, especially on the offensive line which will feature four returning starters including Charles Robinson and Jeremy Starr.

Starr was a second team all-district offensive lineman, while Robinson, a 6-2, 250-pound senior was named as a first team all-district player as a lineman both on offense and defense. Last season Robinson notched 13 solo tackles and 56 assists.

Jonathan Lambright, a 5-8, 195-pound senior, will provide leadership in his third year on the varsity team, and will be a two-way lineman for the Loboes.

Junior Art Seay is the fourth returning offensive lineman. Seay, 5-8, 190 pounds, will also be playing both ways, seeing defensive time as a starting linebacker.

Travis Rollins will also be back for Cisco. Rollins grabbed seven interceptions last season and will again be a force in the secondary, as well as at the wide receiver position.

One of the few weaknesses for Cisco will be the youth at skill positions, after graduation claimed much of the backfield.

Coach West feels, however, that the hunger for another shot at the state title will be a driving force behind the Loboes, and will compensate for some of that inexperience.

“The past years were a mental battle with out teams,” he said.

“(Now) we have gained a winning attitude, going 15-1 (last year). This group has tasted success and (we) don’t want to lose that.”

That sweet taste of success, mixed with the lingering taste of bitterness from a heartbreaking shutout in the state championship, may prove to be Cisco’s recipe for a state crown.

SCHEDULE

August
29 at Ranger 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Millsap 7:30 p.m.
12 Goldthwaite 7:30 p.m.
19 Rising Star 7:30 p.m.
26 Roby 7:30 p.m.
October
10 at Eastland* 7:30 p.m.
17 Haskell* 7:30 p.m.
24 at Stamford* 7:30 p.m.
31 at Hawley* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 Anson* 7:30 p.m.

* District games

Cisco Loboes

• School colors: black and gold
• District: 8-2A
• Last year’s record: 15-1 (5-0, first place)
• Last playoff appearance: 2002
• Last district championship: 2002
• Head coach: Brent West
• Career record: 17-9
• Years at current school: third
• Assistant coaches: Brian Hulett, James Lane, Patrick Pope, Derrick White, Jason Hutt, Kevin Hearn
• Returning and/or probable starters: RB-LB Tarrance Turner, 5-11, 175, Sr.; QB-DB Jason Ballinger, 5-10, 165, Jr.; WR-DB Travis Rollins, 5-10, 145, Jr.; RB-LB Robert Beaty, 5-8, 140, Sr.; RB-LB Jay Baker, 6-1, 190, Jr.; RB-LB Stephen Toler, 5-10, 170, Jr.; OL-DL Jonathan Lambright, 5-8, 195, Sr.; RB-LB Jesse Delgado, 5-8, 160, Sr.; OL-LB Art Seay, 5-8, 190, Jr.; OL-DL Charles Robinson, 6-2, 250, Sr.; OL-DL Jeremy Starr, 5-10, 200, Jr.; TE-DL Jake WInnett, 6-0, 175, Sr.; OL-DL Matt Sellers, 5-11, 165, Jr.; WR-DB Michael Benefield, 6-0, 150, Jr.; WR-DB Ryan Barnes, 6-0, 170, Sr.; WR-DE Race Henry, 6-3, 190, Jr.
• Position changes: none
• Returning all-district players: OL-DL Robinson (first team), OL Starr (second team)
• Returning All-Big Country players: none
• Returning all-state players: none
• Top new players: RB-LB Toler, 5-10, 170, Jr.
• Transfers: none
• Team strengths: more depth than last season, especially on offensive line
• Team weaknesses: young in skill positions, graduated a senior backfield