Broncos 'off' season just a term, not a fact

[dayton]

From the Liberty Vindicator:

Broncos 'off' season just a term, not a fact

by Roy Besch, Sports Editor

For many schools the final football game of the season generally signals the end of gridiron work for a few months. But at Dayton High School, home of the 2008 state finalists Broncos and district champions for 9 of the past 13 seasons, nothing could be farther from the truth.

A visit to the high school campus on any given weekday will find the coaching staff busily going about their duties in preparation for the next campaign. Only difference is that the next game is not until August or September.

Dayton head coach Jerry Stewart and his staff are in the process of reviewing films, studying charts and generally going about the task of getting the Broncos ready for yet another successful season. During their physical education segment the Broncos offseason program is in full swing with running, weight lifting and agility work. In addition depending upon a player’s position they are learning various phases of offensive and defensive schemes trying to gain as much knowledge on their field assignments so that when the bell sounds in August they’ll be miles ahead of their opponents.

Minus their football uniforms and toiling in gym clothes, the Broncos are in hot pursuit of what they hope will be another successful run into the state football playoffs.

Since Stewart walked on the DHS campus in 1996, the Broncos have been transformed from a district also-ran into one of the most respected football programs on any level in the state of Texas.

“We have been very fortunate to have had as many winning seasons as we’ve had,†said Stewart, the author of 112 victories as head coach at Dayton.

“Over the years we’ve had more successes than setbacks but it didn’t come easy and you can’t rest on your laurels if you want to stay on top in this business.â€

Commenting upon the Broncos most recent success story, the 2008 ball club that won its third consecutive district championship and advanced all the way to the Class 4A Division II state finals,

The Dayton leader said, “We had some great seniors on this team and they will be hard to replace but we have every intention of trying to get back to that same level next season.â€

There will be some personnel changes on the field with the departure of 21 seniors but perhaps none more noticeable than at quarterback where the Broncos will be fielding its third new field general in as many seasons.

Two years ago, then-junior QB Cody Green suffered a season-ending ankle injury in pre-district and his spot was eventually filled by Gregory Charles. Charles, who had moved to Dayton because of a hurricane-related incident in Louisiana the year before, guided the Broncos to the state semifinals.

In the just completed football season, Green recovered from injury and was instrumental, along with wide receiver A.J. Dugat and a cast of hard-working Broncos to go all the way to the state championship game while compiling a brilliant 13-2 record.

But the Broncos are starting over at quarterback and the early indication is that Payton Ploch will be the new man-under come next Fall.

“He’s never played the position but we think he’ll do just fine,â€said Stewart in giving his endorsement.â€We just have to get him familiar with everything and give him time to learn all that will be thrown at him. He’s a good athlete and works hard. He did a great job for us this past year and we expect he’ll give us his best next year.â€

Another new fulltime candidate in the backfield will be Jakari Delasbour, who made his varsity debut as a freshman prior to the district season in 2008.

“He is only going to get better, “ commented Stewart on his young stallion running back. “He has the capability of becoming a workhorse.â€

Both Evan Brown and Xavier Baldwin are expected to handle the football as either ballcarriers or pass receivers.In the offensive line look for contributions from Aaron Ripkowski, C.J. Burks, N.L. Hines,Darrian Wright, Chance McCormack,Juan Torres and Robert Edwards, among others.

Due to the new faces intact, Stewart stated that Dayton will probably resort to staying on the ground more in 2009, but opponents better be wary as the season progresses.

“I think we’ll be better defensively,â€said the Bronco coach.â€We were young this year and with a year of experience behind us we should be just as strong.â€

Among the returnees on defense will be noseguard Tony Hill, linebacker Jordan Baxter, secondary members Brown and Baldwin along with linemen Aaron Jenkins and Allan St. Julian.

Stewart is cautious in his approach to the coming season.

“We have a lot of work ahead of us and I fully expect that it will take us both scrimmages and our two pre-district games before we will be where we want to be. It is an ongoing process getting ready to go and overlooking us might be a mistake.â€

[rollinac]

Better get 'em early...they'll be tough to beat by midseason. 

[PURPLE 4EVER]

Next years defense for the Broncos should be downright AWEsome!

Next years team will be loaded with speed, but losing Cody and AJ on offense sure will be hard to replace.

Can't wait till August.

ps....

TONIGHT THE MASS PRODUCTION OF THE FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHT DVD'S BEGIN!

If you are going to be at the meet the poster dinner (which now might be in Dayton), let me know if you want a copy.