Haskell ready to change fortunes in
2003 campaign
DISTRICT 8-2A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
The schedule of opponents is the same,
as is the number of returning lettermen.
Third-year coach Brad Brunson and the Haskell Indians are hoping
the record will be drastically different.
While attempting to learn Brunson’s new system, the Tribe
struggled through a schedule from which seven of their 10 opponents
advanced to the playoffs.
After finishing the 2002 season without a win, coach Brunson
feels the 12 players returning have taken something positive from
that difficult season.
He said that throughout the preseason, they have shown positive
attitudes and strong character.
And, now that they have an even better understanding of the
system, the Tribe is hungry for a winning season.
One senior who went through that 0-10 season was Homero Payan.
Payan, 5-8, 175-pounds, will be returning for the Indians as a
running back and linebacker. Payan finished the 2002 season with
500 yards and was also a key player for the Indian defense.
Cameron Short was another player who will have a key role again
on the defense. Short, a 6-0, 185-pound sophomore, started last
season as a freshman and will be expected to play well again during
the 2003 campaign.
Other seniors eager to erase last season from the minds of
the Haskell faithful are Sean Jeans (running back/linebacker),
Holton Hernandez (running back/secondary), Junior Rodriquez (offensive
and defensive lineman) and Phillip Collins (wide receiver/corner).
With the loss of the 2002 all-district nominated Eddie Lloyd at
quarterback, the Indians will have to rely on one of two juniors
to fill in that leadership role.
Quarterbacking duties should fall to either Brad Blanks or
Brandon McClatchey.
Blanks, 5-10, 155 pounds, was on last year’s varsity team,
and also plays safety for Haskell.
McClatchey, 5-9, 155 pounds, is a new face on the team and
will also play in the secondary for the Indians.
SCHEDULE
September
5 Munday 7:30 p.m.
12 Jacksboro 7:30 p.m.
19 at Colorado City 7:30 p.m.
26 Hamlin 7:30 p.m.
October
3 at Albany 7:30 p.m.
10 Stamford* 7:30 p.m.
17 at Cisco* 7:30 p.m.
24 Anson* 7:30 p.m.
31 at Eastland 7:30 p.m.
November
7 Hawley* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Haskell Indians
- School colors: black and gold
- District: 8-2A
- Last year’s record: 0-10 (0-5, sixth place)
- Last playoff appearance: 1997
- Last district championship: 1997
- Head coach: Brad Brunson
- Career record: 2-18
- Years at current school: third
- Assistant coaches: Kent Colley, Toby Villa, Mark Adams, Brandon
Smith, Lolo Martinez
- Returning and/or probable starters: RB-DB Holton Hernandez,
6-0, 170, Sr.; LB-RB Sean Jeans, 5-8, 165, Sr.; RB-LB Homero
Payan, 5-8, 175, Sr.; OL-DL Junior Rodriguez, 5-10, 180, Sr.;
WR-C Phillip Collins, 5-10, 165, Sr.; QB-S Brad Blanks, 5-10,
155, Jr.; S Ronald Chapman, 5-9, 150, Jr.; OL-DL Ray Cuellar,
5-8, 150, Jr.; OL-DL John Dulaney, 6-1, 185, Jr.; QB-S Brandon
McClatchey, 5-9, 155, Jr.; OL-LB Aarron New, 5-10, 165, Jr.;
WR-L Julio Solano, 5-11, 160, Jr.; OL-DL Nate Webb, 6-0, 170,
Jr.; RB-LB Josh Barbee, 5-10, 165, So.; RB-DL Cameron Short,
6-0, 185, So.; RB-LB L.J. McCulloch, 5-11, 165, So.
- Position changes: none listed
- Returning all-district players: none
- Returning All-Big Country players: none
- Returning all-state players: none
- Top new players: QB McClatchey, 5-9, 155, Jr.; RB Barbee,
5-10, 165, So.
- Transfers: none listed
- Team strengths: attitude, work ethic
- Team weaknesses: size, tradition
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