Sports
Tigers putting final pieces together in falls expected playoff run
Monday, 04 June 2012 by David Tuma
Joe Guthrie goes up against starting left tackle Austin Farr this past Friday. Farr is the only returning offensive lineman and Guthrie is All-state. Photo by David TumaIt has been a good spring for the Tigers football team that looks to expand upon their 8-2 record during the regular season last year. The offensive line is still a work in progress and the right side positions are still up in the air. "We have the most depth on defense since I have been here. We are very solid on the inside where we can just stop you. There will probably be another defensive lineman moved to offense. The starting safety spots are wrapped up but we are still looking for that third safety. We are going to carry four cornerbacks on varsity this year and only three safeties," said Southern.
Against passing teams they are working to get four corners on the field. As it stands right now they have 10 defensive linemen, six linebackers and five corners that can flat out play at the 5A level.
"The offensive line is getting better. They had it rough those first few days of practice. Our defensive linemen are all back and it helps us at linebacker and it helps those offensive linemen get better. All three of our running backs are good and they can play. For a freshman Rhoads can play. By far this is the best spring I have seen since I have been here," said All-district linebacker Ryan Stinson.
They had some players get banged up earlier in the month but they are finally getting everybody back. The past couple of scrimmages have been good. "On defense, Chase Kern has really stepped it up. He has his weight up over 200 and he has been playing at a high level at linebacker. Brandon Rhoads has shown great vision and the ability to make that extra cut. We put those freshman with the older players right after the season ended and it has really helped. Rayshun Jones is learning a new position but he has great hands and he big and fast. Kyle Adamson is just one of those tough hard-nosed kids you can get a lot out of and he can play multiple positions from tightend to running back," said Southern.
"They know they have a chance to be really good this fall and they are working extremely hard. It is fun when good things are happening with the program."
Belton's numbers continue to increase with 133 freshman slated to play this fall and 196 still in football on the varsity and junior varsity teams. Five years ago they had 96 Southern's first year during spring football. Key thing is to find a back up to starting quarterback Peter Shelburne and work on increasing team speed during the summer months.
The passing of the bond issue was a key point for the Tigers football team. It puts off dividing the district for another 10-years and creates serious problems for the Tigers football opponents. With the addition of a ninth grade center BHS will have numbers other teams don't have. Considering how well the Tigers have done recently, when they have a huge advantage in numbers, it could very well put them on an unbeatable level.
Belton wraps up spring football with a game May 25th. Belton will move into the best athletic facility in the greater Austin area in early June. The facility is set up to handle a 3,000 enrollment high school with major participation in sports.
