By Moses Leos III
Guiding and instructing players who are new to the varsity experience has become the norm for Hays High head football coach Neal LaHue.
Going into his fourth year, LaHue has seen a trio of large, talented graduating classes leave, with a crop of new players moving up to take their place.
Such is the case for Hays in 2016, which enters Friday’s season opener against Georgetown East View with only a handful of returning players. With a group that’s put in the work, LaHue was optimistic about his young team.
“The kids have been working for a long time. We’re playing guys without varsity experience,” LaHue said. “We graduated a big class, which we’ve done for the past three years. Guys have to step up.”
Hays’ final tune up prior to the season opener came Friday when they scrimmaged Pflugerville Hendrickson, which LaHue said was a good football team and had a strong defense.
Having to work against Hendrickson’s speed was a factor LaHue wanted the Rebels to face.
“You get better by playing good people. You don’t learn a lot by playing a team you dominate,” LaHue said.
Running “base stuff” and “not showing much” was the primary goal for Hays’ offense that worked to click and get into a rhythm. LaHue said he was pleased with the play of his offensive line, and was impressed by running backs Ty Mayberry and Dallin Roberts, who filled in for Cade Powell, who saw limited action during the scrimmages.
Penalties, along with struggles in taking care of the “little things,” kept the Rebels from moving the ball downfield at times, LaHue said.
LaHue lauded the progression of quarterbacks Gentry Brawith, Issac Castilleja and Tyler Conley, who all saw action Friday. While he has an idea of who would start Friday’s game, LaHue did not say who his first string quarterback was.
All three quarterbacks “played well at times” and put out great effort, LaHue said. Working on improving technique, which is one of three factors the quarterbacks are graded on, becomes priority. Doing too much and making a bad play worse, which occurred at times, is something he hopes they can avoid.
A trio of turnovers during the live quarters portion of the Hendrickson scrimmage was a highlight for the defense, which “played darn well,” LaHue said. The accolades extended to the defensive line, who won’t have returning starter Manny Galvan for two weeks.
Several players, such as defense backs Nathan Tovar, Will Ratliff and middle linebacker Cameron Johnson have made an impact during practices, LaHue said.
Working on integrating special teams, along with “putting it all together” on the field, will be where the spotlight shines for Hays Friday. Handling the crowd at the GISD athletic complex is also important.
“It’s a tough place to play,” LaHue said. “There’s no track, so (the fans) are right there on top of you. We’re going to have to handle that part.”
