Hawley seeks to improve, earn its first
playoff berth
DISTRICT 8-2A
By
Troy Shockley
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003
Hawley inched one game closer to its
continuing goal of postseason play last year, improving to 6-4
following a .500 finish in 2001.
The team also finished in fourth place in District 8-2A, tying
the 2001 finish as the highest ever.
The Bearcats return 12 lettermen from that 2002 squad, many
on the offensive and defensive line who are looking to improve
again this season.
Hawley, which has never reached the playoffs, will be led by
first-year coach Jeff Butts, replacing Steve Gunter. Butts, previously
an assistant under Gunter, knows the system and believes that
this team has the potential to break tradition and play past the
second week of November — if it believes in itself.
“Our team needs to develop composure and confidence,”
Butts said. “We need to believe we can become consistent
winners.”
Cody Chapman is one player who should give the ’Cats some
level of consistency during the 2003 campaign. Chapman, a senior,
has been on the varsity squad since his freshman year and will
be a potential starter at quarterback, as he is the top returning
passer to the team.
Joining him as a fellow fourth-year varsity player is defensive
end Josh Caffey.
The Bearcats, after losing 14 seniors last May, will not have
a rusher returning. Another spot left empty by graduation was
kicker.
Defensively, senior linemen Anthony Morton and Beau Myric will
return.
Newcomers who hope to contribute are junior James Mooney at
running back, sophomore Stetson Gartman at defensive back and
Josh Winegeart, a sophomore defensive back.
Hawley is in just its second season in District 8-2A following
the University Interscholastic League realignment after the 2001
season. Previously the ’Cats played in District 9-2A, along
with fellow 8-2A sophomore Cisco.
SCHEDULE
August
29 Roby 7:30 p.m.
September
5 at Colo. City 7:30 p.m.
12 at Cross Plains 7:30 p.m.
19 Baird 7:30 p.m.
26 Coleman 7:30 p.m.
October
10 at Anson* 7:30 p.m.
17 Stamford* 7:30 p.m.
24 at Eastland* 7:30 p.m.
31 Cisco* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 at Haskell* 7:30 p.m.
* District games
Hawley Bearcats
- School colors: maroon and white
- District: 8-2A
- Last year’s record: 6-4 (2-3, fourth place)
- Last playoff appearance: none
- Last district championship: none
- Head coach: Jeff Butts
- Career record: 7-3
- Years at current school: first
- Assistant coaches: Terry Spray, Wes Gorman, Dwight Rice,
Brad Schoonmaker, Boe Smith, Jimmy Doyle, Gary Womack
- Returning and/or probable starters: QB-Y Cody Chapman; QB-Y
Michael Sparr; FB Stetson Gartman; FB Nick Lassiter; HB James
Mooney; HB Josh Winegeart; Z Taylor Griffith; X Josh Caffey;
Z Chance Whitehead; Y Blake Goss; Z Josh Martinez; Z Justin Bounds;
X Robert Thorne; Y Tyler Ross; QT Beau Myrick; QG Steven Romero;
C Ruben Ortiz; SG Anthony Morton; ST Mark Washburn; ST Adam May;
SG Caleb Manuel; C Evan Tarpley; QG James Copeland
- Position changes: none
- Returning all-district players: none
- Returning All-Big Country players: none
- Returning all-state players: none
- Top new players: RB Mooney, 6-1, 180, Jr.; DB Gartman, 5-10,
170, So.; DB Winegeart, 6-0, 160, So.
- Transfers: none
- Team strengths: offensive and defensive lines
- Team weaknesses: depth, inexperienced kicker, confidence
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