Snyder hopes lack of speed doesn’t derail title defense

DISTRICT 3-3A

By Brandon McAuliffe
Special to the Reporter-News
August 24, 2003

The Snyder Tigers will have a giant bull’s-eye on their back, despite losing 18 seniors to graduation.

The Tigers are defending champions of District 3-3A.

A major strength for Snyder is the return of 24 lettermen, including six offensive and four defensive starters.

Third-year head coach Chad Rogers’ team, which was dropped from Class 4A to Class 3A with the University Interscholastic League’s bi-annual realignment following the 2001 season, is coming off of a 6-5 season.

The Tigers, who lost a 7-6 nail-biter to Monahans in the bi-district round of last year’s playoffs, will have two returning all-state players in seniors Marcus Villarreal, a defensive back, and Isidro Guiterrez, an offensive lineman.

Both Villarreal and Guiterrez were honorable mention selections.

The Tigers have several weaknesses that could hamper their ability to repeat as district champions. One is their lack of speed on both sides of the ball.
Another weakness: Coach Rogers has to fill several key positions on offense and defense. The voids were left due to players who graduated.

One void has been filled, but another one has been created in its wake. Last year’s leading rusher, senior Boicy Martinez, has been moved to quarterback to replace the departed T.J. Jones.

Fullback Chad Brown and offensive lineman Zack Garcia, both juniors, could become big players in the Tigers’ running attack.

Returning all-Big Country linebacker Isaac Ramon, a senior, will be the Tigers only player this season who has three years of varsity experience.

The 2003 campaign marks his third as a starter.

The eventual district champion this year might emerge Oct. 10 when the Tigers take on Sweetwater.

The two teams competed in a thrilling game last year when Snyder claimed a 26-20 win in double-overtime on a 4-yard run by former running back Juan Montoya.

SCHEDULE

August
29 at Frenship 7:30 p.m.
September
5 Abilene Wylie 7:30 p.m.
19 Greenwood 7:30 p.m.
26 at Fort Stockton 7:30 p.m.
October
3 Levelland 7:30 p.m.
10 at Sweetwater* 7:30 p.m.
17 Merkel* 7:30 p.m.
24 at Seminole* 7:30 p.m.
31 at Lamesa* 7:30 p.m.
November
7 Denver City* 7:30 p.m.

* District games

Snyder Tigers

• School colors: black and gold
• District: 3-3A
• Last year’s record: 6-5 (4-1, first place)
• Last playoff appearance: 2002
• Last district championship: 2002
• Head coach: Chad Rogers
• Career record: 12-9
• Years at current school: third
• Assistant coaches: Armando Martinez, Roger White, Kyle Freeman, Joe Anaya, Charles Bollinger, Zack Williams, Bud Birks, Tommy Doyle, Matt Glenn, Derek Price, Paul Hayes, Reagan Key, Cody Cox, Brock Rumfield
  n Returning and/or probable starters: Rec.-CB Zach Cain, 5-10, 175, Sr.; Rec.-CB Marcus Villarreal, 5-10, 153, Sr.; Rec.-CB Garrett Pinson, 5-10, 155, So.; RB-SS Malcome Wells, 5-11, 180, Sr.; QB-DE Cade Owen, 6-0, 180, Jr.; RB-SS Eric Martinez, 6-0, 165, So.; Rec.-C Israel Sosa, 5-10, 140, Sr.; RB-FB Mario Rivera, 5-8, 170, Sr.; Rec.-CB Justin Boyd, 6-1, 140, Sr.; RB-SS Urbano Hernandez, 5-8, 165, Jr.; RB-DE Phil Rice, 5-10, 160, Jr.; RB-LB Isaac Ramon, 5-7, 175, Sr.; RB-SS Jonathan Gonzales, 5-7, 145, Jr.; RB-FS Brad English, 5-11, 160, Sr.; RB-SS Jeff Bruton, 5-10, 160 Sr.; QB-SS Boicy Martinez, 5-7 Sr., 150; RB-LB Andrew Bane, 5-9, 170, Sr.; RB-CB Jacob Rodriquez, 5-7, 165, Sr.; OL-LB Clayton Floyd, 6-0, 185, Sr.; FB-LB Israel Torrez, 5-8, 170, Jr.; RB-CB Tony Pena, 5-6, 125, Jr.; FB-LB Chad Brown, 5-10, 210, Jr.; RB-SS Leon Triggs, 5-8, 145, Jr.; RB-SS Cody Wall, 5-10, 180, Sr.; OL-NG Ricky McNatt, 6-2, 260, Jr.; OL-DT Hunter Shipp, 5-11, 225, Sr.; OL-DL Robert Garza, 5-8, 180, Sr.; OL-DT Nathanial Clarady, 5-10, 205, Jr.; OL-DT Eric Gonzales, 5-7, 185, Sr.; OL-DT Brock Tyrell, 6-1, 205, Sr.; OL-DT Isidrio Gutierrez, 5-11, 220, Sr.; OL-DT Josh Kemp, 6-0, 190, Sr.; OL-DT Matthew Vasquez, 5-11, 225, Sr.; OL-DT Zach Garcia, 6-3, 265, Jr.; DT-OL Ricky Early, 6-3 340, Jr.; OL-DT Kendall Tidwell, 5-11, 200, Sr.; OL-DL Jake Guzman, 5-9, 210, Jr.; OL-DL Justin Rios, 6-0, 205, Jr.; OL-DL Ruben Deloria, 5-10, 220, Sr.; Rec.-CB Justin Guynes, 5-9, 120, Sr.; Rec.-CB Patrick Jones, 5-9, 145, Sr.; Rec.-LB Barrett Munson, 5-9, 142, Sr.; OL-DT Demetrius Brandon, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Rec.-SS Lico Castillo, 5-10, 175, Jr.; Rec.-FS Jon Thomas, 6-0, 150, Sr.; TE-DE Cody Smith, 6-1, 180, Jr.
• Position changes: OG-NG McNutt
• Returning all-district players: OL McNutt (second team), DB Villarreal (first team), OL Gutierrez (first team), LB Ramon (second team)
• Returning All-Big Country players: DB Villerreal, OL Gutierrez, LB Ramon
• Returning all-state players: DB Villerreal (honorable mention), OL Gutierrez (honorable mention)
• Top new players: Brown; Garcia
• Transfers: none
• Team strengths: many returning offensive players
• Team weaknesses: speed, lack of returning defensive players