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SPRING FORWARD: Optimism abounds as Wranglers, Skeeters wrap up offseason workouts
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
The mood of spring football is often set by what a team accomplished in the previous fall.
So it is easy to understand why enthusiasm and confidence were two of the prevailing thoughts for both West Mesquite and Mesquite as each held their spring game this past week.
The Wranglers actually had an overall losing record last season, but rebounded from a tough start to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
"There was a lot of excitement and this is always a good time to get out there in front of a crowd and get some work done," said West Mesquite head coach Mike Overton of the Monday's spring game at Mesquite Memorial Stadium, which included a halftime ceremony during which Kameron Miles and Eldridge Massington were honored for their nominations to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. "Everybody is excited and the expectations are high, but they all know that and they have worked extremely hard and done what they have needed to do."
Massington, one of the top-rated wide receivers in the state, leads a talented receiving corps that should be even more dangerous with the development of sophomore quarterback Chason Virgil, who got plenty of varsity experience as a freshman last fall.
The defense was stout for most of last season and should be even better. Dimarya Mixion, a Division I prospect, anchors the defensive line.
Nick Akins, Darryl Battles and Andre Thompson make up a talented corps of linebackers, while Miles, another nationally-rated recruit, will lead a talented secondary.
"The first area we wanted to improve was on the offensive line," Overton said. "We wanted to establish some depth there, which we weren't really able to do because of some injuries, but we made some progress. Overall, though, the main thing was for everybody to work hard on getting better and we did that."
Mesquite concluded offseason workouts with its spring game last Thursday at E.H. Hanby Stadium, and like West Mesquite, there was plenty of excitement surrounding the event.
After back-to-back 1-9 seasons, Mesquite rebounded in a big way last season. Not only did the Skeeters return to the playoffs, but they also advanced all the way to the 5A Division I quarterfinals.
With 18 returning starters, Mesquite is looking for even bigger and better things this fall.
Alex Cooper threw for 2,471 yards and 21 touchdowns and should only improve with a full season under his belt.
Cooper is surrounded by weapons on the offensive side, including running back Junior Session, who rushed for 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Rashard Higgins, a playmaker on the outside.
The Mesquite defense made some big plays, particularly in the playoffs. Charles Grant is a playmaker at both linebacker at safety, while Anthony Canady established himself as a lockdown cornerback.
While many of the area teams are wrapping up their spring workout seasons, there are still a pair of MISD teams with spring games scheduled for Thursday.
Poteet will play its spring game on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Mesquite Memorial Stadium, while Horn will get going on Thursday at 7 p.m. at E.H. Hanby Stadium.
2012 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets
SPRING FORWARD: Optimism abounds as Wranglers, Skeeters wrap up offseason workouts
By DEVIN HASSON, dhasson@starlocalnews.com
The mood of spring football is often set by what a team accomplished in the previous fall.
So it is easy to understand why enthusiasm and confidence were two of the prevailing thoughts for both West Mesquite and Mesquite as each held their spring game this past week.
The Wranglers actually had an overall losing record last season, but rebounded from a tough start to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
With 14 starters back in the fold, West Mesquite carried itself through the spring like a team that expects big things this fall.
"There was a lot of excitement and this is always a good time to get out there in front of a crowd and get some work done," said West Mesquite head coach Mike Overton of the Monday's spring game at Mesquite Memorial Stadium, which included a halftime ceremony during which Kameron Miles and Eldridge Massington were honored for their nominations to participate in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. "Everybody is excited and the expectations are high, but they all know that and they have worked extremely hard and done what they have needed to do."
Massington, one of the top-rated wide receivers in the state, leads a talented receiving corps that should be even more dangerous with the development of sophomore quarterback Chason Virgil, who got plenty of varsity experience as a freshman last fall.
The defense was stout for most of last season and should be even better. Dimarya Mixion, a Division I prospect, anchors the defensive line.
Nick Akins, Darryl Battles and Andre Thompson make up a talented corps of linebackers, while Miles, another nationally-rated recruit, will lead a talented secondary.
"The first area we wanted to improve was on the offensive line," Overton said. "We wanted to establish some depth there, which we weren't really able to do because of some injuries, but we made some progress. Overall, though, the main thing was for everybody to work hard on getting better and we did that."
Mesquite concluded offseason workouts with its spring game last Thursday at E.H. Hanby Stadium, and like West Mesquite, there was plenty of excitement surrounding the event.
After back-to-back 1-9 seasons, Mesquite rebounded in a big way last season. Not only did the Skeeters return to the playoffs, but they also advanced all the way to the 5A Division I quarterfinals.
With 18 returning starters, Mesquite is looking for even bigger and better things this fall.
Alex Cooper threw for 2,471 yards and 21 touchdowns and should only improve with a full season under his belt.
Cooper is surrounded by weapons on the offensive side, including running back Junior Session, who rushed for 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns, and Rashard Higgins, a playmaker on the outside.
The Mesquite defense made some big plays, particularly in the playoffs. Charles Grant is a playmaker at both linebacker at safety, while Anthony Canady established himself as a lockdown cornerback.
While many of the area teams are wrapping up their spring workout seasons, there are still a pair of MISD teams with spring games scheduled for Thursday.
Poteet will play its spring game on Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Mesquite Memorial Stadium, while Horn will get going on Thursday at 7 p.m. at E.H. Hanby Stadium.
2012 SEASON TICKETS ON SALE
Season tickets for Mesquite ISD teams for the 2012 season will be available for purchase at the MISD athletic office through June 21. First-time buyers will be able to purchase tickets from July 9-Aug. 17. Summer office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and is closed on Fridays.
For more information, call 972-882-7381.
These are the available packages:
Mesquite--$42 (seven home games)
North Mesquite--$36 (six home games)
Poteet--$36 (six home games)
Horn--$36 (six home games)
West Mesquite--$24 (four home games)
Parking Pass--$10
for Mesquite ISD teams for the 2012 season will be available for purchase at the MISD athletic office through June 21. First-time buyers will be able to purchase tickets from July 9-Aug. 17. Summer office hours are 8 a.m.-4 p.m. and is closed on Fridays.
For more information, call 972-882-7381.
These are the available packages:
Mesquite--$42 (seven home games)
North Mesquite--$36 (six home games)
Poteet--$36 (six home games)
Horn--$36 (six home games)
West Mesquite--$24 (four home games)
Parking Pass--$10
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