By Moses Leos III
Progression is the name of the game for Lehman head football coach Todd Raymond.
After all, only ten seniors will return for the 2014 season.
It’s why the Lobos’ coaching staff continues to stress progress during the first three weeks of the spring schedule.
“All I care about is coming out here, working every day, and getting better,” Raymond said. “I don’t want to take steps backward. As long as we are moving forward, that’s all I can ask.”
Such mentality fuels the soon-to-be senior quarterback Jeremy Schilhab, who will lead the Lobos offense for the second straight season.
Helping Schilhab will be an experienced Lobos offensive line, led by senior Julian Silguero. Of the five starters from last year’s squad, four will return in the fall.
Additionally, the Lobos regain the services of wide receiver John Herrera and running back Brett Wagner.
But with so many new faces on offense, getting into form has taken some time. However, Schilhab says the team is now finding its “groove.”
It’s aided by a team-oriented mentality, fueled by learning from last season’s 3-7 mark.
“We are more of a team; we are united. Most of us will be seniors this year,” he said. “We want to learn from last year; to finish things.”
It’s the youth that has Raymond optimistic for the future – enough for Raymond to place big expectations on them.
Leading the charge will be running backs Manny Lindsey, Jamison Castillo and wide receivers ZaQuan Campbell and Jay Sayles.
Both Lindsey and Campbell moved to the district recently, and have already made their presence known. At 6’4”, Sayles caught the attention of the coaches last season in junior varsity.
Raymond believes Castillo, who will be a sophomore next year, will thrive in the Lobos offense.
“He’s not a flashy kid,” Raymond said. “But when you have [Schilhab] that can run like he can, it will make the tailback a little better.”
Defense is where Lehman will place its primary focus. Hiring the former Dripping Springs defensive coordinator, Ryan Ledford, is a testament to that goal.
His scheme, which is a hybrid of the 3-4 and 4-3, is different from what the Lobos are used to, so the challenge will be implementing defensive depth – only three starters return for the Lobos.
“We’re trying to find that third, fourth and fifth guy,” Raymond said.
As the spring schedule moves forward, Raymond and his staff will continue to push the team ahead. Tempo is a must for Schilhab.
“I’d like to see more effort to practice,” Schilhab said. “I’d like to see the tempo go up.”
