KFDM COOP Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 Ranger linemen lead the way to postseason By Dave Rogers Published November 14, 2008 - Updated 32 minutes ago Consistency and continuity are two things the Sterling coaches have preached to their football players throughout the program’s winningest season this decade. Finally, three months into the 2008 season, the 6-3 Rangers have developed consistency on the offensive line. When they line up to play sixth-ranked Pearland in a Class 5A Division I bidistrict game at 7 p.m. today at Deer Park’s Abshier Stadium, they will start the same five players up front for the third week in a row. “We’ve had different guys nicked up and we’ve juggled our lineup all year long,†Sterling offensive coordinator Rich Lucero said. “But we’ve gotten by; we’ve still won.†The shuffling ceased three games ago when the Ranger coaches moved Todd Sylvester from tight end to left tackle and left tackle Ian Irby to center. “We’ve got it steady now,†said right tackle Michael Gibson, the only player to start all season in the same position. “It’s the same people back we had last week and the week before that.†Right guard Hayden Jones and left guard Fitiseula “Miki†Partsch complete the all-senior starting five after each missed about half the season with preseason foot injuries. Curtis Jenkins, Reece Parrish, Trent Padgett, McCall Lucas, Brok Boyd, William Spears and Clive Aldonza are the others who have played for offensive line coach Mike Washburn. “I’m really excited with the job coach Washburn has done with the offensive line,†Ranger head coach Herb Minyard said. “Throughout a lot of injuries and illness, he’s always managed to come to the table with a team we can win with.†Sterling, the District 21-5A third-place team, finished third in district in total offense, averaging just a tick below 300 yards per game (294.9). That was split between 203 yards per game passing and 92 rushing. The Rangers linemen all play both offense and defense, a fact of life necessitated by the loss of players to Baytown’s new high school, Goose Creek Memorial. They also cross-train at their offensive positions. “We all know what each other is doing,†Gibson said, explaining how the blockers can often switch positions without a drop in efficiency. Lucero said the players’ selflessness has been a key to the Rangers’ success, citing the recent example set by Sylvester. “Todd started the season at linebacker and he was playing tight end for us, when we told him two weeks ago that he needed to be the starting left tackle,†recalled the offensive coordinator. “He said ‘Yes sir,’ didn’t bat an eye, and that’s the way it’s been for all these guys. They’ve been a joy to work with.†Amen, Minyard said. “It’s not about ‘me,’ it’s about ‘us,’†he said. “That’s the difference. That offensive line is giving (quarterback) Keagan Kogut time to distribute the football.†Kogut is 21-5A’s No. 1 passer, having thrown for 16 touchdowns and 1,687 yards this season, adding 230 yards and seven scores on the ground. Chance Nelson (26 catches, 364 yards, three TDs), Daniel Rougely (21-295-1) and Lesroy Clarke (19-227-1) rank fourth, sixth and seventh in the district in receiving. Clarke finished fourth in rushing, with 403 yards and six TDs. Perfect-record Pearland (9-0), the 22-5A champion, has a 16-TD passer in quarterback Sam Allen (1,266 aerial yards), a 14-TD scorer (receiver Kevin Miller, whose 47 catches were good for 858 yards), and Kasey Carrier, who has rushed for 1,374 yards and 23 touchdowns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sahen Posted November 13, 2008 Report Share Posted November 13, 2008 nice...5 OL taht are senoirs dont sound good for next year though :-\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teufelhund Posted November 14, 2008 Report Share Posted November 14, 2008 Sterling has gone through eleven starters on the offensive line this year, only three are juniors. Miki returned in the second half of the Lee game, then missed the PAM game. I think Hayden didn't start until the Lee game but did play in the New Caney game. The O-line struggled in the PAM game because both Hayden and Miki were out and Clive got hurt during the first drive, leaving only two starters in the game, Ian and Michael at the tackles. Over the last couple of weeks the line has played well, giving Keagan time to pass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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