Football: New faces aplenty for Flower Mound

With a first-year head coach in Dane Johnson, and entering a new District 5-5A, 2012 is a transition year for Flower Mound's football team.

But following productive practices during spring and early in the fall, the Jaguars are optimistic they are making the necessary progress to compete for a playoff spot after coming up short last season.

Additionally, Flower Mound will have extra opportunity to prepare for district as the Jaguars and the rest of 5-5A will have just five district games allowing for two more non-district contests.

"That's going to help us out because we are such a young and inexperienced team," Johnson said. "We have five games to continue to learn the system and to make adjustments, so I like it. If we were more of a veteran team I don't know if I would feel the same way because it is just more opportunities for injuries and things like that. But for this team, I think it is going to benefit us."

And in a district that features perennial powers Coppell and Denton Ryan, as well as LISD foes Hebron, Marcus and Lewisville, the Jaguars have their work cut out for themselves.

"It's a tough district," Johnson said. "Without a doubt. You have a team like Ryan who has been in multiple state title games in Class 4A. Coppell is always a solid team and probably has more returning starters than anyone. Lewisville has a new coach in Gregg Miller from Katy and I expect them to improve immediately. And of course Hebron and Marcus are always going to be tough challenges."

Johnson and the Jaguars, however, are hopeful they will have the firepower to compete for a playoff spot.

"We're not changing a whole lot," he said. "We're still a spread team, we'll just run a little more out of it. That's going to be a little more of the focus but we're still going to play with a lot of tempo and rhythm. I feel that's a good way to neutralize the speed of some of our opponents."

For the third consecutive season, Flower Mound will be starting a new quarterback on the varsity level. But as of now, the battle for the top spot rolls on.

"We have three quarterbacks we have been rotating and they've all done well," Johnson said. "We'll see who separates and steps forward to take the job, but I could also envision a scenario where we are using all three."

Connor Wanhanen brings a bit of varsity experience having competed in a pair of games last season. He also brings versatility with his ability to run with the ball. John Hofmeister was described by Johnson as having the strongest arm of the trio, while Matthew Hirst was likened to Tim Tebow of the New York Jets.

While the quarterback position features fresh faces, the Jaguars return talented and experienced running backs in Cole McKeel and Jett Meenach.

"Cole is probably our most explosive back," Johnson said. "And Jett is a guy we are going to count on heavily."

LaJohn Williams will also see playing time at running back.

"They're all guys that we can sneak out of the backfield and get out in the passing game, too," Johnson added.

Receivers for the Jaguars include Delvin Holmes, Brendan Ianiero, Michael Osondu, Joshua Bennett and Caleb Brake.

"We have a good group of receivers," Johnson said. "They're all about 6-foot-3 or so and play very physical. But they're also good route runners and can be pretty explosive. I like our depth there."

Up front, the Jaguars return just two varsity players.

"They had a great summer though," Johnson said. "We have some big, strong tackles and they're starting to settle in."

In the spread offense, Flower Mound doesn't utilize a tight end or fullback.

Defensively, Flower Mound looks to improve a unit that has struggled at times during the past two years.

Defensive linemen include Sean Flynn and Jacob Ayars. Ends are Justin Mayes, Jesse Pearson and Edward Klecka.

"I think defensive line is one of our biggest strengths," Johnson said. "I'm excited to see what they do in the scrimmage. We have big guys. We have a 6-6 guy, a 6-3 and 6-4. And they're guys that we think can plug up the run and get to the passer."

Inside linebackers include Hunter Tarman, Kevin Rutherford and Xavier Sykes. On the outside, the Jaguars will feature Mason McGuire and John Greenwood.

"I've been pleasantly surprised with our linebackers," Johnson said. "It's another unit where we have nice depth and really play physical."

The quarterbacks of the defense come in the secondary, where the Jaguars will lean on returners Blake Spencer and Nathan Liebsch.

"They're our leaders," Johnson said.

Cornerbacks include Derrick Erb and Blake Mcgough.

Johnson is also optimistic about the defense's ability to create turnovers.

Flower Mound appears to be sound in the kicking game as well as Andrew Hitscherich will kick field goals and Cameron Gamble will handle kickoff duties.

"We're pretty excited there," Johnson said.

Flower Mound took its final steps of preparation for the season Friday at McKinney Boyd (results not available as of press time) before opening the regular season at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 31 at home against Keller Central.

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