Young, inexperienced Lueders-Avoca team has grown up
Joey D. Richards
Abilene Reporter-News
Lueders-Avoca went through some growing pains last season, fielding a young, inexperienced team. It showed on the football field, too, as the Raiders went 3-7 overall and saw their run of three consecutive playoff berths come to an end.
But Raiders' coach Eric Hearn's young team has grown up, and they should be ready to be battle Aspermont for the district title.
"We've been blessed," said Hearn, the Raiders' coach since 2005. "We've got several kids who were sophomores last year and had to start both ways. They'll be juniors this year, and we've got a freshman this year who runs a true 4.5 (second) 40 (yard dash) and he's been dunking a basketball since seventh-grade and he hasn't been tackled since sixth-grade."
That speedy freshman is Daiquan Brown, a running back and safety, who Hearn compares to former Stamford great James Washington — now a standout receiver at Oklahoma State. Hearn believes Brown could end up being even better than Washington.
"He's a hard-working, good country kid," Hearn said. "He's been at Lueders his whole life. He's going to be special."
Hearn's son, Logan Hearn, was part of a big sophomore class last season. He will play quarterback and linebacker, while senior Jake Moorfield, a center and nose guard, also is back. Michael Benson, a move-in from Illinois, also will get plenty of time at linebacker and running back.
Coach Hearn, who ran an uncharacteristic tight formation last season, has the speed to return to spreading out the field.
"Now we're back to those agility players with a few big guys," he said. "So I can spread the field out and try to make them catch us again. That in six-man is a lot more dangerous."
Texas Football magazine picks the Raiders to finish fourth in District 10-1A Division II, just ahead of Paint Creek. But Hearn, who had gone undefeated in district two consecutive years before last season and advanced to the playoffs four of the last six years, believes his Raiders are ready to contend for a title.
"I hope I can shock and prove them wrong," he said. "I think we're set up for a district championship."
LUEDERS-AVOCA RAIDERS
HEAD COACH: Eric Hearn (44-62; all at Lueders-Avoca)
LAST YEAR'S RECORD: 3-7; 2-2 in District 10-1A Div. II
LAST DISTRICT TITLE/PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2015/2015
RETURNING LETTERMEN: 6
RETURNING OFF./DEF. STARTERS: 3/4
BASE OFFENSE: T-formation, slot spread
BASE DEFENSE: 3-2-1
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Jake Moorfield, OL/NG, 5-10, 215, Sr.; Tobi Crane, OL/DE, 5-9, 150, Jr.; Dayton Yarbrough; Wyntana Fields, OL/DE, 5-11, 155, Jr.; Daiquan Brown, RB/DB, 6-0, 155, Fr.; Michael Benson, LB/RB, 5-6, 190, Sr.
at Hermleigh
at Rotan
Woodson
at Throckmorton*
Paint Creek*
at Rule*
Aspermont*
L 57-6
Hermleigh
Throckmorton*
Rule*
* District game