by MARK CAUL
Lehman’s Charles Williams will be counted on to bolster the Lobo rushing attack in the fall. Lehman will return many of its starters on offense. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
Just when it appeared as though the Lehman Lobos were finally ready to take the next step and looked to be shoo-ins for a football playoff berth last fall, a disappointing season-opening 12-6 overtime loss to Manor changed everything.
After a hot start in non-district play, Lobo head Coach Steve Davis and his troops faced an uphill climb for that point forward and their postseason hopes were quickly dashed after a 1-4 district campaign.
Although the future still looks bright for a Lehman team with many of their key offensive weapons returning this fall and four starters on defense set to return as well, the Lobos now have to navigate through a loaded district that will include the likes of perennial powers Smithson Valley, New Braunfels Canyon, Alamo Heights and Schertz Clemens, in addition to arch-rival Hays.
“We will definitely have to work much harder to compete with the teams in this district,” Davis said. “Our players have to understand that they will have to play at a much higher level than they ever have. But the good thing is we do have some talent coming back to the program next fall.”
The offensive side on the ball will be the strength of next year’s Lobo squad with both quarterbacks from last fall once again competing for the starting nod in junior-to-be Matt Angiuano and senior-to-be Harvest Trammell.
Angiuano and Trammell each saw significant playing time in 2009 and will both be a part of Lehman’s 7-on-7 team that will begin play the first week of June.
“It will be important for both of those guys to put in the work over the summer in the weight room to get stronger,” Davis said. “They both have been focused during the off season and hopefully one of them will step up and distance themselves from the other.”
The running game should be equally as experienced with seniors-to-be Richard Porsche and Devin Fox and junior-to-be Charles Williams the leading candidates to see most of the action in the starting backfield.
“Williams did an excellent job running the ball and I’m expecting him to be in the mix at one of the tailback positions once two-a-days begin,” Davis said. “Porsche and Fox will also give us some more experience in the backfield.”
In addition, two members from the district champion Lobo junior varsity team are progressing in off-season workouts and should bolster the Lehman backfield depth.
The receiving corps will be probably be the strength of next fall’s Lehman team as the speedy tandem of junior-to-be Jaylon Hardaway and Matt Riojas will be on full display during the 7-on-7 passing league this summer.
Senior tight end Kevin Ibanez is also expected to play a bigger role in the Lobo offense this fall.
“Our passing attack will be another positive going into the fall with all three of our core guys coming back,” Davis said. “I think that we will be as good in that area as we’ve ever been.”
While on the defensive side of the ball, expect senior linebacker Jon Frazier and cornerback Fox to anchor a unit that was solid last season during non-district play and held its own against some of the best offenses in the district last fall.
Frazier, who transferred last summer to Lehman, has been one of the standouts during off-season workouts and according to Davis, will be the key to Lehman’s success on defense.
“Frazier is a guy who has been working hard to do what we’ve asked since he’s been here,” said Davis. “We’re looking for him to have an outstanding senior season next fall.”
Most of the remaining positions of defense will be filled by junior varsity players who will be getting their first taste of varsity experience.
Davis expects JV players Julio Besa, Branson Musselman and Matt Cardona to make solid contributions on the varsity level.
With the 7-on-7 passing league a few weeks away, Davis is hoping to get a gauge of where his team’s conditioning and continuity will be before two-a-days begin in August.
“Our kids have to get themselves ready to compete during the summer because none of these teams in this new district will be feeling sorry for us come September,” Davis said. “But it’s going to be a fun challenge for our guys. I’m looking forward to it.”
