Loss of seniors, lack of depth forces
Gorman to play iron-man football
DISTRICT 14-A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
The Gorman Panthers will face a season
of iron-man football in 2003. With a roster of only 14 players,
third-year coach Coby Tyson is being forced to play 11 two-way
starters this year — including a sophomore and two freshmen.
What the Panthers lack in numbers they do make up for in experience;
nine of the two-way athletes are returning lettermen.
“We’ll be small in numbers, but big in heart,”
Tyson said. “Our young men have worked hard and will give
everything they have.”
With such a shallow roster, Gorman can ill afford any injuries.
The three players who are not listed as starters are all two-way
offensive and defensive linemen — there are no backups for
any of the skill positions.
Sawyer Wright, now a four-year starter on the varsity team,
is one skill-position player the Panthers need to stay healthy.
The senior was a first-team all-district selection as both a running
back and defensive back in 2002. He is the top returning rusher
for Gorman, with 869 yards on just 100 carries — an average
of an incredible 8.69 yards per touch. On defense Wright, 6-foot,
165 pounds, grabbed four interceptions and returned two fumbles
for touchdowns.
Roberto Rodriquez, 5-7, 135 pounds, was a second-team all-district
running back, and will split time at the position with Wright
this season.
Gil Cochrane is another key returnee in Gorman. Cochrane, a
5-11, 165-pound junior, led the defense with eight sacks last
year.
Tyson is confident about his team’s work ethic and determination,
but is concerned about its size and speed in addition to the lack
of players.
The only player who weighs more than 180 pounds is offensive
and defensive lineman J.T. Whitfill; the junior tips the scales
at 260 pounds. In fact, after fellow lineman Andy Abbe (180-pounds),
the next biggest players weigh in at just 165 pounds. The average
weight of all players listed as linemen is just 170+ pounds and
the entire team averages only 160.7 pounds.
Gorman will start its marathon Sept. 5 at Santo in its season
opener.
SCHEDULE
September
5 at Santo 7:30 p.m.
12 Covington 7:30 p.m.
19 Perrin-Whitt 7:30 p.m.
26 at Evant 7:30 p.m.
October
3 at Rising Star* 7:30 p.m.
10 Cross Plains* 7:30 p.m.
17 at May* 7:30 p.m.
24 Ranger* 7:30 p.m.
31 at Tolar* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 Baird* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Gorman Panthers
- School colors: red, blue and white
- District: 14-A
- Last year’s record: 7-3 (4-2, third place)
- Last playoff appearance: 1998
- Last district championship: 1996
- Head coach: Coby Tyson
- Career record: 16-23
- Years at current school: third
- Assistant coaches: James Gerick, Troy Doyle, Randy Jones
- Returning and/or probable starters: RB-DB Sawyer Wright,
6-0, 165, Sr.; RB-DB Roberto Rodriquez, 5-7, 135, Sr.; QB-RB-LB
Trent Withers, 5-8, 150, Sr.; RB-OL-LB Lance Jones, 5-8, 165,
Sr.; QB-SE-DB Ryan Wright, 5-7, 115, Jr.; OL-DL Clint Jones,
5-11, 165, Jr.; OL-DL Gil Cochrane, 5-11, 165, Jr.; OL-DL J.T.
Whitfill, 5-8, 260, Jr.; OL-DL Andy Abbe, 5-9, 180, So.; RB-LB
Tim Guerra, 5-9, 165, So.; OL-DL Zach Bryan, 5-8, 160, So.; SE-DB
Reggie Sanchez, 5-9, 130, Fr.; OL-DL David Ibarra, 5-8, 140,
Fr.; OL-DL Pete Ramirez, 5-6, 155, Fr.
- Position changes: TBD
- Returning all-district players: RB-DB Wright (first team),
RB Rodriquez (second team)
- Returning All-Big Country players: none
- Returning all-state players: none
- Top new players: Jones; Sanchez; Ibarra; Ramirez
- Transfers: LB Jones, 5-8, 165, Sr., Coleman
- Team strengths: work ethic
- Team weaknesses: size, speed, depth
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