Charles Williams gained 24 yards on three carries in limited action Friday night for Lehman. He is one of several players returning from injury that will be counted on to play a key role for the Lobos this season. (Photo by Judy Cooper)
by MARK CAUL
As his troops filed dejectedly into their dressing room on the heels of a disappointing 35-13 loss to St. Michael’s Academy in Friday night’s season opener, the only upside for Lehman head coach Steve Davis was that three projected starters were able to take the field after they missed much of the preseason with assorted injuries.
Charles Williams and Jaylon Hardaway, who are going to be counted on heavily in the Lehman offense this season, along with defensive captain Jon Frasier were all able to suit up and participate in Friday’s game and each had various degrees of success.
“All of these players mean a great deal to our program and it was good to see three of them on the field instead of on the sidelines watching,” Davis said. “We haven’t been blessed with a great deal of depth this year so it will be very important for those guys to get some work under their belt and to try to stay healthy.”
Williams got the starting nod at tailback but only rushed for 24 yards on three carries, scoring the Lobos’ only touchdown of the first half on a short 7-yard screen pass from Lobo quarterback Matt Anguiano to cap an impressive 80-yard drive for the Lehman offense.
Hardaway played limited minutes at both receiver and cornerback on defense while Frasier started at linebacker and finished with six tackles.
Meanwhile, sophomore Kenny Higgins, one of the anchors of the Lehman offensive line last season, watched the game in street clothes after suffering an injury in the Marble Falls/Wimberley scrimmage two weeks earlier.
Without Higgins, Anguiano was pressured most of the night by St. Michael’s Division I prospect Kyle Watson and finished only 12-for-31 passing for 149 yards and threw four interceptions.
Davis is optimistic that his bruising tackle will return to the lineup soon.
“If we want to be successful running our offense then we have to have Kenny out there,” Davis said. “A lot of the things we do is based on him being on the field. We’re hoping to have everybody back at full strength before the district schedule begins.”
