Lehman secondary coach Brian Hempel closely observes a spring workout session after school last week. The Lobos are quickly learning new head football coach Tood Raymond’s up-tempo style. (photo by Judy Cooper)
By WES FERGUSON
New Lehman Lobos head coach Todd Raymond knows how to ratchet up the intensity at a spring football practice: Full pads, full speed, nonstop.
After the first week of full-contact practice, Raymond’s players say they are responding to their coach’s pace and his expectations as the team’s spring game approaches May 22 at Lobo Field.
“That’s exactly what we needed, someone to get onto us and fire us up,” said junior Kyron Morisette, who leads a secondary that looks to be a strength of next year’s 4-3 defense. “We’ve all been waiting for this. As soon as we heard we were doing spring football, we got real excited.”
The Lobos are participating in spring football for the first time in school history, and the coaches have installed video cameras around the field to fine-tune technique and strategy in the film room, rather than stopping the action during practice for even a minute.
“As you can tell I don’t stand still much at practice,” Raymond said last week after the hour-long drills, his voice hoarse from barking out offensive plays and instructions. “I’m kind of all over the place. I’m all about tempo. I just want to go.”
Some new faces are getting major reps in the backfield alongside returning letterman Paul Brown, who steps into the starting running back position for departing senior Levi Medley.
Former cornerback Bradley Braxton has moved to the offensive side of the ball as well, filling a hybrid running back-receiver position in Raymond’s spread offensive scheme, though he is also expected to platoon some at safety on defense. Sophomore Trace Gonzales has moved from quarterback to running back behind Brown, and sophomores Josh Guerrero – a recent move-in from Lockhart – and Paul Matthews are trading snaps at the starting quarterback spot.
The two likely starting quarterback candidates, Guerrero and Matthews, have different physiques and styles of play, both bringing strengths and weaknesses to the gridiron, according to Raymond.
“Josh is your prototype passer,” he said. “He’s more of a standup, tall passer, whereas Paul does a better job of getting out in space. He can run a little bit better and make things happen with his feet.”
The offensive line, which is giving up some size, has also been learning a new system under Raymond. Rather than simply pounding straight ahead to grind out yards, linemen will be called upon to stay under control and read more defensive structures.
“I think our offensive line is going to be one of the strengths of our team once they figure out how to play in the scheme,” Raymond said. “There’s a more cerebral aspect that takes some time to get.”
The line is also playing without returning starter Kenny Higgins, who injured his knee and does not expect to return until September. Even though he has not been able to participate in spring drills, he said he has gotten a good feel from Raymond, who was hired in February after putting together a 22-12 record in three seasons at Austin McCallum.
“He’s pretty cool,” Higgins said. “I think he’s going to take us far. Everything looks good right now.”
Wide receiver Brandon Hamilton said players are rising to meet their coach’s demands, and they’re slowly but surely learning the new spread offense.
“It feels great. The plays are working really well,” Hamilton said. “The new coach is real aggressive with his play calling. He’s real fast, he wants a lot of up-tempo and speed, and you’ve just got to have a lot of stamina to keep up with his offense.”
Lehman will continue to have practice sessions after school until the spring game on May 22.
