By Moses Leos III
Amid a changing social climate at Hays High, the Rebel football team readies to work with the status quo.
While “Dixie” will no longer play after touchdowns, the Rebel football team marches on as they began prepping for the 2015 season Monday.
Despite it being day one of a “long process,” Hays head coach Neal LaHue believes his team can improve on last season’s 4-6 finish. It’s bolstered by the 16 returning starters from last season that understand what it will take to win in 6A.
“We’re a year older and a year better. We’ve got a positive outlook on this season,” LaHue said. “We know our district better than last year. And we understand the level of competition that 6A provides.”
Hays returns to action after sitting out the spring football season last May. LaHue said several factors played into that decision. One of primary reasons, LaHue said, was to give his team an extra week in the summer to prepare for district play. It allowed the Rebels to focus on fundamentals and bolstering their pass game in the spring.
“I felt like four weeks instead of three [in the summer] to get ready for our first game was advantageous for this district,” LaHue said.
Offensively, Hays returns much of the core group that guided their offense.
But one of the biggest newcomers for the Hays offense extends to its coaching staff. Last month, Hays High hired former New Braunfels coach and Kerrville Tivy offensive coordinator Julius Scott. Scott will fill the role of Kevin Palmer, who left Hays High in July.
Scott, who worked with LaHue during his days at Tivy, was one of the coaches who helped groom current Cleveland Browns and former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel.
While LaHue said the Rebels will still run “our offense,” he said Scott will add a “few things.” According to LaHue, his passion and knowledge of the game will help on Fridays.
“I’ve known him since 1997. I know how he is with kids, how important it is to him,” LaHue said. “He is knowledgable to the game.”
Scott takes charge of an offense that returns eight starters from a year previous.
Senior quarterback and Texas State commitment Braeden Kent leads the way as signal caller, and senior Cody Gandy reprises his role as lead running back.
LaHue said Kent returns from a solid year last season, but saw areas of improvement during the offseason.
“I’m looking forward to him having a big year,” LaHue said. “Not to carry our offense, but to run our offense. If he will do that and not put the entire team on his back, we’ll be good”
Gandy, who LaHue described as a dual threat, returns after missing the final third of last season with a broken foot. For Gandy, stepping on to the field Monday was an odd experience, but a “good moment” after his rehabilitation in the offseason.
Joining them are returning wide receivers Brandon Hunter, Austin Maulding and Hollis Cagle. On the offensive line, the Rebels work to fill the gaps left by Mateo Mendoza and Connor Lanfear.
On defense, the Rebels also return eight starters. They include experience in the defensive front seven. That includes starting lineman Johnson Elrod and three linebackers, including Kendall Stovall. Joining them are Manny Galvan and Dale Caswell.
The Rebels return four players in the secondary who have varsity experience. Josh Saucedo returns for his senior year, with Deandre Crayton also returning.
For Gandy, the ability of upperclassmen to set the example is the key.
With a team that had experience from last year, Gandy expects the team to perform well in 2015.
“Most of the guys will come out with more physicality,” Gandy said. “They have an extra year under their belt now. They’ll play hard nosed football. We’ll get out there and tear it up.”