Second-year Coleman coach is optimistic
despite few returnees
DISTRICT 9-2A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
Head coach Ronnie Fowlkes is entering
what many would call a “rebuilding year” at Coleman
High School. The Bluecats lost 14 seniors in May, and will be
returning just four starters from the 2002 season — two each
on offense and defense.
The ’Cats finished with a 5-6 overall record and were
3-2 in District 9-2A in their last campaign, Fowlkes’ first
as head coach at Coleman.
While there will be many new faces in the lineup in 2003, Coleman
will have a few key players back to help in the quest for the
first district championship since 2000.
Chance Witt, a first-team all-district selection at defensive
end, is back for his third season on the varsity team. The 6-2,
195-pound senior will also spend time with the offense as a tight
end.
The defense will also get the services of second-team all-district
defensive back Danny Morales. Morales, 5-9, 195 pounds, was a
defensive standout last year and will need to again play a vital
role if the ’Cats are to succeed.
Eddie Galvan, pegged to be the 2002 starting quarterback until
he suffered a broken jaw, is again picked as the starting QB.
The now healthy senior will also help out in the secondary as
a starting defensive back.
Saying that this year’s squad is quicker than the group
last season, coach Fowlkes wants to improve on that quickness
as well as execution and passing. If Galvan can shake off the
rust, he should take care of several of those concerns and will
be an important part of Coleman’s potential success.
The one weakness given for this year’s team is youth,
but another may be lack of size.
There are only five players on the entire roster who weigh
more than 195 pounds; the average weight of the team is just more
than 183 pounds. Fowlkes is hoping, though, that the speed he
has seen in the preseason will keep opponents in pursuit of the
smaller, faster Bluecats.
Despite being in just his second year at the helm of Coleman,
Fowlkes knows a thing or two about coaching high school football.
He has compiled an 87-57 record over his career, with many of
those games coming on the sidelines in Bangs. Fowlkes coached
there 1966-70 and 1983-88.
SCHEDULE
August
29 at Brady 8 p.m.
September
5 Wall 8 p.m.
12 Albany 8 p.m.
19 Anson 8 p.m.
26 at Hawley 8 p.m.
October
10 San Saba* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Jim Ned* 7:30 p.m.
24 Goldthwaite* 7:30 p.m.
31 Bangs* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Winters* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Coleman Bluecats
- School colors: blue and white
- District: 9-2A
- Last year’s record: 5-6 (3-2, third place)
- Last playoff appearance: 2002
- Last district championship: 2000
- Head coach: Ronnie Fowlkes
- Career record: 87-57
- Years at current school: second
- Assistant coaches: Trey Morgan, Kevin Hill, Mike Simpson
- Returning and/or probable starters: QB-DB Eddie Galvan, 5-10,
160, Sr.; FB-C Ray Hurtado, 5-10, 170, Sr.; TB-DE Chance Witt,
6-2, 195, Sr.; B-LB Matt McMillian, 6-0, 185, Jr.; C-DE Chris
Culpepper, 5-11, 180, So.; G-LB Jessie Cantu, 5-10, 200, Jr.;
B-DB Danny Morales, 5-9, 195, Sr.; T-DT Shannon Phillips, 5-11,
230, Sr.; LB-E Will Johnson, 5-11, 160, Sr.; T-DT Tyler Mills,
5-11, 180, Jr.; T-DT Jacob Morrison, 5-11, 220, So.; E-C Zach
Sikes, 6-0, 170, Sr.; FB-LB Silas Horne, 5-10, 170, So.; G-DT
Chris Brooks, 5-9, 220, Sr.; E-C Andres Flores, 5-8, 150, Sr.;
B-DB Carlton Brown, 6-0, 180, So.; B-DB Brandon Vasquez, 5-10,
145, So.; G-DT Chris Brooks, 5-10, 220, Sr.; QB-DB Brady Hunter,
5-10, 150, So.
- Position changes: none listed
- Returning all-district players: DE Witt (first team), DB
Morales (second team)
- Returning All-Big Country players: none
- Returning all-state players: none
- Top new players: none listed
- Transfers: none listed
- Team strengths: unknown, hope to improve on quickness, execution
- Team weaknesses: youth
|
