The Baytown Sun from Baytown, Texas • Page 28

4-AA THE BAYTOWN SUN Thursday, September 6, 19W Defensive youth movement begins at RSS By MICHAEL KEARNS The Ross S. Sterling Rangers had what could be called one of the best defenses in District 23- 5A last season, given the fact that they allowed only 121 points in 10 games. Robert E. Lee took first-place honors in that category by allow-. ing just 119, and Pasadena Rayburn was third with 135.

But head coach Bill Bundy felt last year's defense was not up to snuff. So, with only two starters returning from that group this season, just what's in store defensively for the Rangers? If Bundy's word can be accepted as the way things will be, expect the same. Make that, expect a better performance. But don't look for miracles during the pre-district schedule. A defensive youth movement has begun at RSS, as it has on the offensive side of the ball.

Many untested juniors will line up with proven and sometimes- used seniors in defense of the district crown. It should be interesting in the early going. As it shapes up for defensive coordinator Jerry Stewart, only defensive backs Kelly Price (6- foot-1, 160 pounds) and Randy Barrios return to offer any negligible varsity combat experience. That leaves nine holes to be filled (10 really, if it's included that Barrios is coming off a freak hip dislocation sustained during spring drills). The refurbishing program headed by Stewart won't be from the ground up, though.

He'll be building with talent taken from the junior varsity and sophomore programs. With such youth, Stewart and Bundy will surely exercise some patience. "The key will be that we can't panic early," said Bundy of last year's defense. "Last year, I thought our defense was not as good as it could have been. This year, we'll be young and inexperienced, at least for the first couple of games.

But I expect them to develop into one of the better defenses in the district. "I feel we should improve ourselves with our (pre-district) schedule. That will make us play better early." The Rangers lost all four of last year's performers from the interior line. In doing so, RSS lost varsity experience, size and brute strength that will be needed this fall. But three of the four positions were tenatively filled after spring drills, making the August two-a-days a time of learning.

Crosby transfer James Simpson (6-1, 205) clamped on to the left defensive end spot, thanks to previous experience as a Cougar, his aggressiveness and pass rushing ability. At left tackle is massive Junior Barnes, fresh up from the junior varsity. Barnes, at 6-3 and 260, is a formidable obstacle for any offensive scheme. All he needs is experience and the toughness usually associated with defensive linemen. At right defensive tackle is another varsity newcomer, Ted Wiggins.

He, said Bundy, has been the most improved player on the squad. Wiggins blossomed from a so-so player in the fall of 1983 into a force last spring. He's also big, at 6-2 and 216, and exceptionally quick for his size. Wiggins was a sprinter (the 200 a freshman. The right defensive end position has hot been manhandled by anyone in particular after the spring.

In the running are Allen Wachtel (6-3, 171), David McNeely (6-2, 195) and Bucky' Babb(6-l, 185). Starting offensive tackle Jake LeBlanc fits into the defensive scheme, and could be one of maybe two two-way starters this fall. He played a bit at tackle in third down situations in 1983. As it was last season, the linebacking corps should be in youthful but able hands. Senior Jody Richardson will lead the charge.

He has good size (5-11 and 201) and the speed and quickness needed in a roving, damaging linebacker. He also has the smarts to detect trick plays, and with his exceptional speed is capable of dropping back to aid in pass coverage. Robert Fontenot should be a stalwart in the middle. He has some of Richardson's assets, such as good size and speed (6-2, 201 and 4.7), and he likes to hit. On the outside will be junior Larry Earls and senior Jerome Hayden.

Earls, 5-11 and 175, played on last season's 10-0 sophomore team. Though he is young and apt to make a few mistakes, Bundy likes his aggressiveness. Hayden has about 10 pounds on Earl and is very strong for his size. Key backups at linebacker will be running backs Tim Cowins, Steve Weaver, Lester Felder and Kendall Blalock, along with Shannon O'Toole and Greg Ellis. The Rangers are set in the secondary at just two positions.

Barrios will take the heavily trafficked right cornerback slot and Price will play centerfield as the free safety. Barrios can cover the out pattern, but his best asset is the way he stumps sweeps and off-tackle slants. He's not afraid to get into the thick of things. Price comes up to defend the run well, though his frame seems better suited to stopping the pass. Stewart has given the strong safety position to an untested, but remarkably talented sophomore, Nigel Codrington.

This 6-2, 170-pounder has, as Bundy said, "About all the speed we have on the team." Bundy also' said Codrington should mature quickly with varsity playing time and develop into a solid secondary man. At the left cornerback slot is senior Marcus Jones. just 5-6 and 155, may have earned his starting berth from the time he spent last fall practicing with the varsity. Every day he defended the likes of the graduated Greg Sims and this year's senior, Creg Istre, the Rangers' finest receivers last year. He was undoubtedly tested in practice and saw a bit of varsity action, but his stock is still in the ascending stage.

The all-important punting duties have not been awarded yet. Weaver, Blalock and place- kicker Allen Russell were battling for that right. Russell, though, will definitely handle the placement chores for the Rangers this fall. He was fourth on the team last year in. scoring, with 37 points on three field goals and 28 extra points.

Bundy feels his senior right- footed kicker is capable of making good on kicks from 40 yards out. "We are going to work our butts off on the kicking game," said Bundy, stressing that it constitutes one-third of a total game effort. "And we are going to play some mean defense." KELLY PRICE JAMES SIMPSON You'll get a kick out of our sale! Headquarters For Football Supplies Footballs Helmets Shoulder Pads Pants From From From Gym Suits Football Uniforms Footballs Basketballs Golfing Equipment Baseball Equipment Tennis Equipment Gear up for football with CHAMPS YOUR SPOUTING GOODS STOKE SAN JACINTO MALL 420-1555 Near Foley's 420-2568 RANGERS SHOOTING From Page 3-AA ling defense, but upstarts from the sophomore and junior varsity plus some varsity holdovers from 1983 should give Stewart more than a few able and willing bodies. Aside from the secondary, which should solidify with the leadership of Barrios and Price, the linebacking corps will make or break Stewart's plans. Ditto for the refurbished defensive line.

Though untested in varsity ball, those groups should, as Bundy says, "put dents in small buildings." Jody Richardson has the four S's: smarts, speed, skills and strength. Joining him 'will be Robert Fontenot, Larry Earls and Jerome Hayden, a threesome that also sports the prerequisites. "We're very young and inexperienced," Bundy said of his defense. "And we'll stay that way for the first couple of games. But I expect them to develop into one of the better defenses in the district." On the defensive line, only Crosby transfer James Simpson has any varsity experience.

And that's 4A combat duty to boot. Ted Wiggins and massive Junior Barnes should do well in clogging the middle from their defensive tackle slots. The always-important kicking game, which coaches consider one-third of a ballgame, could be resting on the foot of Allen Russell. The senior was Bundy's placement man in 1983, and he also handle the punting duties this fall. Don't call the 1984 season a rebuilding year, though many new faces will undoubtedly be -NIGEL CODRINGTON playing a major part in RSS's- success.

Bundy neither likes nor uses such terminology. about last year, forget about next year. For Bundy, his staff and his seniors, this is it. It all started Aug. 20, when fair two-a-days opened.

Bundy didn't think his team would report camp in anything but physical shape. Last year was the last year for such an oc- curance. "Last year, the team reported, to fall camp in terrjble shape," Bundy said. "We were out of shape during two-a-days, that really hurt us early. We also missed a lot of work because of; the hurricane." If the meteorlogical predictions are correct, Hurricane Alicia's sister isn't expected to hit the Gulf Coast.

So for the Ranger players, there is no excuse for a repeat of last year. Catch a The friendly people at Boytown State Bank are behind you all the way You have a friend at. BAYTOWN Bay Plaza Station Member F.D.I.C the football fever tomorrow night!.