Mullin, Zephyr expected to fight it out for crown

SIX-MAN DISTRICT 13

By Andrea Wall
Reporter-News Staff Writer
August 24, 2003

The Mullin Bulldogs were so close last year, they could taste it.

Mullin was just one game away from being District 13 champs, but instead, Zephyr narrowly took the crown.

According to district coaches and Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, the Bulldogs won’t be letting anything slip away this season — Mullin is picked to finish first in a tough Six-Man district.

The Bulldogs will be centering their offense — and defense — around first-team all-district quarterback and linebacker Patrick Blackburn. The senior (5-7, 160) threw 22 times for 220 yards and seven touchdowns last year. He also racked up 42 unassisted tackles and 40 assisted, as well as grabbing four interceptions.

Look for the Bulldogs to bank on their leadership, with nine seniors on the team. The team doesn’t have explosive speed, but their well-rounded offense and defense should be enough to sustain success.

Zephyr, the reigning district champ, is picked to finish as runner-up this year. The Bulldogs aren’t returning many starters, but the few who are back are solid.

Quarterback Brian Temple, linebacker Derek Read and running back Tanner Mayes have all returned this season to try and lead Zephyr back to the playoffs.

“(We have) unlimited potential,” said first-year coach Robert Lee. “The big question will be whether leaders step forward.”

If the Blanket Tigers hope to snag one of the two spots to playoffs, they will have to find a way to improve their defense in a hurry. The Blanket defense gave up 400 yards per game last season, making it very difficult to grab any victories.

Offensively, the Tigers will be anchored by returning all-district quarterback and linebacker Will Powers. The senior threw for 475 yards and had 126 tackles last season.

Also helping Powers out on the offensive end will be second team all-district running back Cody Day, who finished last season with an impressive 1,305 yards on 130 carries.

The Gustine Tigers will need to mature quickly if they hope to make it to the postseason.

First year coach Jack Graves will need to patch up a defense that gave up lots of scoring last season. Offensively, look for quarterbacks Dustin Keeter and Michael Jones and wide receiver Jason Hughitt to anchor an inexperienced team.

The Star Tigers are hoping the combination of quarterback Jesus Vanegas and running back Kevin Smith will be enough to jumpstart their offense. The defense will look to linebacker Billy Owens and defensive end Rusty Kincheloe for leadership.

The Sidney Eagles won’t know if they can field a team until school starts, because they are short two players. They are hoping to snag two more players once the school year begins.

Contact sports writer Andrea Wall at walla@reporternews.com or 676-6771.

Blanket Tigers

• School colors: black and gold
• Last year’s record: 3-7 (2-3, fourth place)
• Last playoff appearance: 2001
• Last district championship: 2001
• Head coach: James Ball
• Career record: 11-12
• Years at current school: third
• Assistant coaches: Greg Risse
• Returning and/or probable starters: QB-LB William Powers, 5-10, 175, Sr.; RB-Sec. Cody Day, 5-8, 165, Sr.; E T.J. Hubbard, 6-3, 185, Sr.; RB Marcus Cabrerra, 5-4, 125, So.; C-LB Edward Espinoza, 5-6, 185, Jr.; RB-Sec. Wayne Meadow, 5-8, 130, So.; OL Josh Reich, 6-0, 140, So.; LB Zack Quinn, 5-8, 175, Jr.
• Position changes: none
• Returning all-district players: LB Powers (first team), QB Powers (second team), OE Hubbard (first team), RB Day (second team)
• Returning All-Big Country players: none
• Returning all-state players: none
• Top new players: RB Cabrerra, 5-3, 120, So.
• Transfers: none
• Team strengths: more all around experience, depth
• Team weaknesses: none listed

Mullin Bulldogs

• School colors: purple and gold
• Last year’s record: 8-3 (4-1, second place)
• Last playoff appearance: 2002
• Last district championship: 1998
• Head coach: Darin Barrow
• Career record: 11-20
• Years at current school: fourth
• Assistant coaches: Shawn Rogers
• Returning and/or probable starters: RB-LB Patrick Blackburn, 5-7, 160, Sr.; RB-DL Ryan Hurst, 5-10, 180, Sr.; QB-DE Andy McCulloch, 5-9, 150, Sr.; C-DL Dustin Nemec, 6-0, 270, Sr.; TE-DL Michael Ignasiak, 6-3, 200, Sr.; SE-DB Jonathan Lavy, 6-2, 165, Jr.; E-FS Matt Gallardo, 5-8, 160, Jr.; RB-NG Ray Arrellano, 5-9, 180, Sr.; C-FS Kenneth LeCates, 5-10, 170, Sr.; C-DL Dustin Lawson, 5-8, 250, Sr.; E-LB Andrew Pugh, 6-0, 180, Sr.; RB-LB Adam Smith, 5-8, 150, Jr.; RB-LB Josh Holland, 5-10, 150, So.; E-DL Chris Bergey, 6-0, 145, So.; QB-DB Jasun Beckman, 5-7, 140, So.
• Position changes: QB-RB Blackburn, C-OE Lavy
• Returning all-district players: LB Blackburn (first team), QB Blackburn (first team), RB Hurst (first team), DL Hurst (second team), SC Lavy (first team), FS Gallardo (second team), P Ignasiak (first team), OE Ignasiak (honorable mention), McCulloch (Special Teams Player of the Year), DE McCulloch (honorable mention)
• Returning All-Big Country players: none listed
• Returning all-state players: none listed
• Top new players: RB-DB Holland, 5-10, 150, So.
• Transfers: none
• Team strengths: senior leadership
• Team weaknesses: no break-away speed on offense

Zephyr Bulldogs

• School colors: maroon and white
• Last year’s record: 9-3 (5-0, first place)
• Last playoff appearance: 2002
• Last district championship: 2002
• Head coach: Robert Lee
• Years at current school: second (following previous four-year stint at Zephyr)
• Assistant coaches: Richard Thornton
• Returning and/or probable starters: C-DL Micheal Allen, 6-0, 180, Sr.; C-DL Ashton Lynch, 6-3, 210, Sr.; F-LB Derek Read, 6-1, 190, Sr.; QB-S Bryan Temple, 6-0, 150, Sr.; RB-CB Justin Weiershausen, 5-10, 155, Sr.; E-DL Ryan Russell, 5-10, 160, Sr.; Blake Ingley, 5-10, 170, Sr.; RB-DL Tanner Mayes, 5-10, 170, Jr.; DL Scott Rains, 6-3, 190, Jr.; DL Andy King, 5-9, 180, Jr.; E Jorge Rincon, 5-9, 140, Jr.; QB Jonathon Smith, 6-0, 140, Jr.; E Aaron Lewis, 5-9, 140, So.; LB Micheal Bright, 5-9, 150, So.
• Position changes: none listed
• Returning all-district players: QB Temple; LB Read; RB Mayes
• Returning All-Big Country players: none listed
• Returning all-state players: none
• Top new players: none listed
• Transfers: none listed
• Team strengths: experience, size
• Team weaknesses: speed, quickness

Projected Finish

Six-Man Dist. 13
1. Mullin
2. Zephyr
3. Blanket
4. Gustine
5. Star
6. Sidney