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Football: Cougars looking to pound the ground under new offensive coordinator
By Justin Thomas, jthomas@starlocalnews.com
Last season, The Colony quarterback Garrett Simpson led a Cougar offense that threw for more than 2,200 yards on slightly more than 27 attempts per game.
Next season, under quarterback Troy Chandler, The Colony head coach Rudy Rangel believes the Cougars will be able to throw for as many yards. It just won't take nearly as many attempts.
The Cougars enter 2012 in a transition year as The Colony is shifting to a power running attack after snagging former Marcus running backs coach John Killough to run the offense.
"We did everything but tackle," Rangel said. "We had our 20 days of practice and really worked on installing the offense and getting everybody on the same page. We had a good idea with all of the young kids we had last year the kind of talent we had. It was just a matter of finding what offense to fit it in. When you look at the system we're bringing in, I think it fits our talent to a T."
Killough comes from a Marcus program that is know for pounding the ball.
"They lead the area in rushing every year it seems like," Rangel added. "We'll run a lot more sets with fullbacks and tight ends, but we feel we have guys who fit well at those positions. It's a little more simplified blocking and you'll see more play-action passing."
Taking over at fullback are Trevor Briggs and Noe Villareal.
Rangel is also optimistic given the attendance The Colony has received.
"We have over 300 kids in our program," he said. "That's about a 150 percent jump from when I got here. It's very exciting. We lost a lot of big players, but the guys returning and the kids we have that were sophomores and juniors on junior varsity last year had great seasons and are ready to step up."
In addition to installing the offense, Rangel and the staff were focused on establishing depth.
At quarterback, The Colony will look to Chandler, who saw limited action as Simpson's backup last year. He will be supported by Phillip Albracht, who plays receiver when not under center. Chandler brings versatility as well and will line up out wide when Albracht sees snaps at quarterback.
At receiver, the Cougars need to replace Colorado signee Gerald Thomas, who led the squad in receptions (71), yards (1,185) and touchdowns (12).
"We have some talented receivers," Rangel said. "When you look at all six of them as a whole, I think it's the best unit I've ever had. And I think it sets up for them better in this offense. We're not going to be throwing the ball as much, but the running game will really open it up and allow us to see some softer coverages and I think we can still throw for the same yardage."
At running back, the Cougars featured Mahlieke Boseman and Bryan Hammond during the spring.
Up front, Ben Bibby will switch from tackle to center to bolster the line.
"He's kind of the hub now," Rangel said. "And we've had some younger guys stepping up there as well."
The strength of the Cougars according Rangel will be the defensive front of its 4-2-5 scheme led by Grant Blankenship, J.D. Clark, Isaiah Hinton and Justin Jinning.
"We have three D-I caliber linemen," Rangel said. "Blankenship goes about 6-foot-6 and 240 (pounds). J.D. is about 6-4 and 240 and Isaiah is one of the best athletes we have at the two-technique. We have very capable backups, too. We've had every school out here visiting and it's because of our defensive linemen."
In the secondary, the Cougars lose fixtures Josh Crose and Daniel Boyd but return their other six contributors from 2011.
"The defense is shaping up well," Rangel added.
As a result of playing without pads, the Cougars came away from spring sans injuries and will continue preparation for the fall by playing 7-on-7 and commencing its strength and conditioning program.
"When everyone was getting worn down during spring we were staying healthy and getting in form with our offense," Rangel said. "We really wanted to focus on getting everything installed and now we have that extra week to get physical and prepared for the season in August."
The Colony is eligible to begin its fall practice Aug. 11.
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