Clyde features rookie head coach, but
doesn’t have to change system
DISTRICT 6-3A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
Taking over a football program as the
new head coach is never easy. Tom Slagle, entering his first season
as the head coach at Clyde, says that due to the foundation laid
by Ronnie Hughes, his job will be a lot easier.
Slagle, the offensive coordinator and No. 1 assistant since
the 2001 season, takes over for Hughes who accepted a job on the
Hardin-Simmons University coaching staff over the summer.
While still unsure exactly what his team will look like in
the 2003 campaign, Slagle said his offensive line will be the
team’s biggest strength.
“The offensive line is pretty much intact coming in,”
he said. “We had late transitions but we kept all of the
coaches intact, and feel like we will be in pretty good shape.”
Among the seven offensive starters set to return to the team
this season are Garrett Carpenter and Bradley Grissom.
Carpenter, a 6-5, 230-pound senior, was selected as a second-team
all-district player in the 2002 season for his efforts on the
offensive line and will be back this year. Grissom, 5-11, 185
pounds, was also a second-team all-district selection, and will
return at center for the Bulldogs.
Nick Rose will make his presence known on defense again this
season. Rose, 6-1, 200 pounds, was named a first-team all-district
linebacker.
Slagle said the team’s success would be built around the
veteran offensive line, and the only concern is the defensive
line. After graduation, there were just four defensive starters
left on the Bulldogs’ roster. In order to fill those empty
spots, Slagle will move some players into new positions and possibly
promote several junior varsity cornerbacks to play in the secondary.
Despite the shuffling of the defense, the coach feels the team
is solid, and his predecessor left him in a very good position.
He gives Hughes much credit for the work he did while with Clyde.
“We’re going to continue the things he started and
I think we will be as good as anyone in district,” said Slagle.
“Coach Hughes laid some good groundwork and any success we
have will be a direct effect of his hard work.”
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Dublin 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Merkel 7:30 p.m.
12 at Stamford 7:30 p.m.
19 Jim Ned 7:30 p.m.
26 Eastland 7:30 p.m.
October
10 Wylie* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Ballinger* 7:30 p.m.
24 Brady* 7:30 p.m.
31 Early* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Comanche* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Clyde Bulldogs
- School colors: black and gold
- District: 6-3A
- Last year’s record: 5-5 (2-3, fourth place)
- Last playoff appearance: 1996
- Last district championship: 1989
- Head coach: Tom Slagle
- Career record: 0-0
- Years at current school: first
- Assistant coaches: David Ritchey, Clint Easley, Mike Ferguson,
Bobby Williams, Greg Biehl, David Watkins, Danny Kent, Gregg
Wilson, Jack Abendshan
- Returning and/or probable starters: none listed
- Position changes: none listed
- Returning all-district players: LB Rose (first team), OL
Carpenter (second team), C Grissom
- Returning All-Big Country players: none listed
- Returning all-state players: none listed
- Top new players: none listed
- Transfers: none listed
- Team strengths: experience on offensive line, team unity,
attitude
- Team weaknesses: none listed
|
