The Baytown Sun from Baytown, Texas • Page 29

Look for new THEBAYTOWN SUN By MICHAEL KEARNS A different look will be readily apparent in the Ross S. Sterling offense this fall. Oh, quarterback Donovan will be old No. 10 again, and he will be throwing rainbows to the likes of split end Creg Istre. And three charter members of the "Sweathogs," Sterling's offensive line fraternity, will be around to offer protection and support.

And coach Bill Bundy will still try to establish a running game to augment the passing of Forbes. But when it comes right down to it, Bundy's 1984 Rangers will be adding a few new wrinkles to the tried-and-true offense that garnered a District 23-5A championship last year. Look for more motion and movement from the 1984 Rangers. And don't be a candidate for a cardiac arrest if a one-back offense, or even the old and winged-T formations enter into the scheme as a change from the split-back formation As Bundy said, he will use whatever scheme works, given the talent he has on tap. But foremost in Bundy's mind this fall, when it comes to his offense, will a crucial fundamental evident in all successful offenses execution How well does the line get off the ball, make contact and hold a block? How many passes are caught, not thrown? And most important, how many needless mistakes can be left on the practice field? It all starts with Forbes.

A first-team All-District 23-5A quarterback in 1983, Forbes (6- foot-2 and 181 pounds) will be the focal point of the offense. He will pass and he will run. And, as he goes, so go the Rangers. Last year, Forbes had a formidable running game to fall back- on in the event that his passes were not on target. But his passing efficiency in 1983 (60- plus percent) was never suspect.

For 1984, the RSS running game will be forming under rigid on- the-job training. Youth is the byword. Michael Maxey, the power behind the 10-0 sophomore team last fall, clasped a lock on the starting running back position after spring drills. He's small, at 5-10 and 155, and doesn't possess the sprinter's speed of his predecessors, but there won't be any moss forming under his cleats. He gets the job done.

He will be battling seniors Steve Weaver (5-11, 177) and Earl Guidry (5-9, 160) for the right to Coaches pick RSS Rangers as top squad If there's one thing District 23- 5A head football coaches agree on, it's that Ross S. Sterling will win its third consecutive league championship this season. Bill Bundy's Rangers are unanimous choices to capture the 23-5A crown again, as each of the second-year head coach's colleagues casted a first-place vote in Sterling's direction. The Sun asked each of the eight district coaches to predict the order of finish, this fall, without naming his own team. Points were awarded on a basis of seven for first place, six for second place, five for third place, four for fourth place, three for fifth place, two for sixth place and one for seventh place.

Sterling totaled 49 points to get the first-place nod. Running second in the race was Pasadena Rayburn, which racked up 40 points. The Texans received one first-place vote, four for second, and. one each for third and fourth. Breathing down Rayburn's back was Pasadena Dobie, which had 39 points on the strength of four second-place votes and three third-place votes.

South Houston and Deer Park tied for fourth place with 27 points each, Robert E. Lee was fifth with 22, and North Shore and Pasadena tied for sixth with 10 each. The Ganders received one vote for third- and fourth-place finishes. REL also had three selections for fifth place and two for sixth. Last year's poll proved fairly true to form as both REL and RSS made the playoffs.

However, the coaches chose the Ganders to place first and the Rangers to finish second just the opposite of what occurred. be the flash back for Sterling. Guidry's status was up in the air entering fall practice, as he sustained a broken ankle while playing basketball during the summer. The fullback position has, tenatively, been passed down from one brother to another. Last year Eric Cowins.

This year Tim. Tim gives away about 15 pounds to his brother. But at 5-10 and 185, he's struck from the same mold: compact, tough and an effective blocker. Senior Lester Felder (5-u, 180) is also in the running for the starting job. But his chances were damaged last spring by a virus, which forced him to miss all but one practice.

Senior split end Creg Istre (60, 160) seems more suited to track and field than football, given his lithe frame. But he puts a smile on Bundy's face every time he catches a Forbes aerial with his flypaper-like hands. He'll be Sterling's starting split end. A battle for the starting wingback spot was on tap at the start of fall drills. Seniors Kendall Blalock (5-9, 175) and Chris Rhodes (5-7, 155) were dead- even in the fight.

Add Carlos Lozado, a 5 to the scene and it appears Bundy can't lose in whomever emerges as the starter. Tight end David Johnson (6-2, 185) proved one thing in the annual spring game: he can catch the football, block with consistency and he's tough. But senior Allen Wachtel (6-3, 173) and junior David McNeely (6-2, 195) will each have a say, and won't give him the chance to slack off. "We might have to throw the ball 25 to 30 times a game this fall," said Bundy. "But the key will be riot how many we throw, but how many we catch.

We've got to complete a miminum of 50 percent of our passes. "And we won't throw the home run ball because we don't have the speed to get open that deep Bundy added that though youth is predominant in the backfield, aside from Forbes, he does not plan to abandon 'the rush. "Last year we ran the trap and the out very well. This year we'll have to modify our running game according to our talent," said the second-year coach. "We need to use the whole bag of tricks; the split and straight one-back offense and more motion to and from the ball.

"Last year we were blessed with an effective forward pass That was good, because in high school teams play pass defense the worst since everybody usually runs the ball 80 percent of the time. "But the object of our offense is to move the ball. If we get there by passing, that's fine. We know enough about our kids, and they know enough about our offense, so we'll play pretty much like we did. at the end of last season.

And we'll probably throw as much as we did at the end of last year, too." Whether it be pass or run, the engineers of such a push will be the Sweathogs, the Rangers' front-five offensive iinemen. Last year injuries decimated the corps, but backups stepped in to 3 ThumUy, September6, in Ranger offense S-AA keep the offense afloat. A few of those backups will be starters this fail. Seniors Kelly Wllkie (5-11, 220), Jake LeBlanc (6-0, 220) and Mark Cowen (5-9, 198) are expected to lead the 'Hogs in '84 Wilkie, along with benefited most from Bundy's off- season weightlifting program. Each added mass and strength with Wilkie now able to bench press more than 300 pounds.

Cowen was too little to play offensive guard last year, but it didn't stop him from taking out bigger and stronger opponents. LeBlanc missed much of spring drills with a shoulder injury, but as of August had built himself back into playing shape. He will be the starting quick tackle, side-by-side with Cowen at quick guard. Wilkie will anchor the other side of the line at strong guard. Two newcomers, Gene Bird and Gene Hayden, came forward in spring ball and begged for attention.

What they received for their efforts was a starting berth. Bird (6-3, 201) will be the hub at center. Hayden will assume the strong tackle slot He's a solid 5-11 and 200. "I won't be concerned with our offensive line this year. We've got people returning at the guard and tackle spots," Bundy said.

Look for Bundy to use three tight ends, dictated by the situation. Johnson had a fine spring. He offers toughness and soft receiving hands. Lanky senior Allen Wachtel (6-3, 173) is also a viable receiver and a tireless worker, but must work on his blocking techniques. Junior David McNeely (6-2, 195) can contribute on both sides of the ball, but yearns for a starting assignment either way.

Bundy would like to keep his offense on the field more this "We'll work like crazy to improve our execution. And we've got to be patient with our offense. Our scoring drives will take a lot more plays this year," Bundy said. "But the dominant thing is that we have to score points without turning the ball over. "Last year our passing offense didn't get us In trouble; it didn't hurt us.

But we've got to accept the fact that one pass Jn 25 will be intercepted. That's ihe average. "I feel we have the ability. The only thing we lack Is the home- run punch In our running game. And that concerns me because 1 all championship teams have a good running game." Kickoff the football season with Fall Fashion Makeup 7 Steritng noRfrwn 2328 BAY PLAZA 427-1455 A WINNING COMBINATION HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL AND BARRY'S OIL HOUSE When in need of boating and automotive products think of us.

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