Lambert High School 2012 Football Preview
--By Staff Writer on --
COACH: Sid Maxwell
REGION: 6-AAAAAA
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 8-3
STARTERS RETURNING ON OFFENSE: 6
STARTERS RETURNING ON DEFENSE: 3
Lambert may find it difficult to repeat the success of its first two seasons of varsity football. Back-to-back 8-3 seasons and two trips to the state playoffs have caused expectations to skyrocket on the school’s campus.
Whether Coach Sid Maxwell’s team can meet those expectations with only nine of 22 starters returning is questionable.
“We were fortunate to have success the last couple of years and the expectations have grown,” Maxwell said. “We have to maintain our focus to prepare our way for the fall season.”
The Longhorns high-velocity Wing-T attack outscored opponents 290-178 last year and although starting quarterback. David Broadus has graduated, they have a good nucleus of players around which to build another productive offense.
Brock Maxwell, who alternated between running back, quarterback and wide receiver, will inherit signal calling duties. He’s a solid player who registered
203 all-purpose yards in the Longhorns’ loss to Clarke Central in the opening round of the playoffs last year
Returning senior running backs Reid Gill and Daniel Myers should give the offense a big boost. Myers rushed for 1,023 yards and eight touchdowns in 2011.
Junior tight end Chris Laye, who averaged 14 yards per catch last year and scored 4 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver T.J. Russell both started last year and will make tempting targets for Maxwell when he looks to go downfield.
But Maxwell will have a massive hole to fill on an offensive line that has been completely wiped out by graduation. The newcomers will have to mature quickly in the three preseason games for Lambert to reach expectations.
A proud Longhorns defense that held opponents to seven points or less in 12 of the program’s first 16 varsity games has likewise been decimated by graduation. Linebackers Russell Monyette, Jake Chicowski and defensive back Danny Edgeworth are the only returning starters. Moynette recorded an impressive 97 tackles last year.
Maxwell has made it clear what he expects from that trio. “Those young men have great leadership qualities,” Maxwell said. “They are the heart of our team. I expect them to lead us.
Based on their first two seasons, the Longhorns feel they can be competitive in the new Class AAAAAA but a lot will depend on the early season, non-region games.
Assistant Coach Travis Monzingo said, “If we can stay healthy through the first three games and get some maturation from our young players, we’ll be competitive. Our offensive backfield is senior laden and should be able to score some points while the defense gains needed experience.”