Advertisement

sportsHigh School Sports

Spring football report: Power running game in Garland's plans next season?

Editor's Note: This is the second in a weekday series this month highlighting Dallas-area teams' spring practices.

Team: Garland

How the 2010 season ended: Garland made the playoffs for the third straight season, but lost to Skyline, 28-10, in the 5A Division I bidistrict round. The Owls finished the season 7-4.

Advertisement

Key returning starters: Senior Malcolm Miller is a two-time all-district selection at linebacker, and he'll get more time this year at running back. He rushed 32 times for 147 yards and three touchdowns last season. District 10-5A Defensive Sophomore of the Year Desmond Mapps is back at free safety and receiver, and senior Damien Neroes should be a force at defensive end. Seth Russell, who passed for 779 yards and rushed for 395 last year, returns at quarterback. Senior kicker/punter Josh Lambert, who battled through injuries as a junior, has kicked several field goals of more than 50 yards.

High School Sports

The latest news, analysis, predictions and more for each season.

Or with:

Biggest questions facing team: Offensive coordinator David Collins left for Lake Travis and David Walker was promoted to the position, so the Owls could be trying to find an offensive identity early in the season. Russell has experience at quarterback, but handing the ball to Miller (5-9, 230) could make it tough on defenses, especially late in a game. Garland must replace seven all-district selections, including two-time all-district running back Jordan Spencer.

Notable: Damian Neroes (6-1, 215) is HSGameTime's No. 28 area recruit in the Class of 2012, and he's being recruited as an outside linebacker. He'll play a defensive end/outside linebacker position for the Owls and also play tight end.

Advertisement

He said it: "We've got some real good running backs, so I think we're going to do some more power running. The real key is going to be the offensive line." – Coach Jeff Jordan

Spring game: May 26, 6 p.m., Williams Stadium

Season opener: vs. Denton Guyer on 8/27

Advertisement

Full regular season schedule:

Aug. 27: vs. Denton Guyer at 4 p.m. at Carrollton’s Standridge Stadium

Sept. 2: vs. Duncanville at 7:30 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Sept. 8: vs. Lake Highlands at 7 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Sept. 16: vs. South Garland at 7:30 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Sept. 23: vs. McKinney Boyd at 7:30 p.m. at McKinney’s Ron Poe Stadium

Sept. 30: vs. North Garland at 7:30 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Oct. 14: vs. Rowlett at 7:30 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Advertisement

Oct. 20: vs. Garland Lakeview at 7 p.m. at Garland’s Homer B. Johnson Stadium

Oct. 27: vs. Garland Naaman Forest at 7 p.m. at Garland’s Williams Stadium

Nov. 4: vs. Sachse at 7:30 p.m. at Garland’s Homer B. Johnson Stadium