Eastland, new coach looking for success early
By
Evan Ren
(Contact)
Sunday, August 24, 2008
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TEAM OVERVIEW
School Colors:
Scarlet and black
2007 record:
2-8, 1-4 in district
Head coach:
Brian Hulett
Coaching record:
First-year coach
Base offense/defense:
Multiple/3-4
Last district title: 2005
Last playoff berth: 2005
Returning starters
(6 offense, 6 defense):
DB Colton Brewer, 6-1, 168, Sr.; DL Josh Everts, 6-0, 160, Sr.; WR Blake Galyean, 6-3, 140, Sr.; OL Phillip Ramirez, 5-8, 240, Sr. ; LB Dan Jentho, 5-9, 210, Sr.; LB Michael Smart, 5-11, 182, Sr.; DL William Tafte, 6-1, 170, Sr.; WR Austin Felts, 5-6, 130, Jr.; TE Chase Johnson, 6-0, 210, Jr.; QB Jarred Moylan, 6-3 150, Jr.; OL Jeff Myers, 5-9, 215, Jr.; DB Jorge Ojeda, 5-9, 150, Sr.
Others to watch:
DL Buddy Dawes, 6-1, 205, Sr.; OL Ricky DeLeon, 6-1, 205, Sr.; DL Richie Meade, 5-9, 208, Sr.; OL, J.P. Castaneda, Jr.; DL Greg Smith, 6-1, 205, Jr.
2008 SCHEDULE
Aug. 29 Hico-x 7:30
Sept. 5 COMANCHE 7:30
Sept. 12 at Dublin 7:30
Sept. 19 ALBANY 7:30
Sept. 26 at Jim Ned 7:30
Oct. 3 OPEN
Oct. 10 HAWLEY* 7:30
Oct. 17 ANSON* 7:30
Oct. 24 at Merkel* 7:30
Oct. 31 CISCO* 7:30
Nov. 7 at Clyde* 7:30
2007 RESULTS
at Albany L 36-15
at Jacksboro L 27-8
DUBLIN W 27-15
JIM NED L 45-0
SEYMOUR L 34-3
at Boyd* L 47-0
at Cisco* L 48-7
at Godley* L 76-12
MILLSAP* W 28-21
at Paradise* L 50-7
* district play
x — at Stephenville
More Big Country Beat First-year coach Brian Hulett begins his tenure at Eastland with myriad questions about his own program — primarily because he has yet to see the Mavericks in a game situation.
A lifetime assistant, Hulett brings several years of coaching experience to Eastland, the last six of which were spent at Cisco under Brent West. He will likely need every bit of that seasoning to right the Eastland ship, which has foundered over the past two years with a combined record of 4-16.
His long-term plan: establish a balanced offense to go with an attacking defense.
His short-term goal: finding a quick way to ignite enthusiasm.
"For us, success is a relative term right now, Hulett said. "But I would think that having something good happen early in the year would be a big help. Just getting some momentum going and having good things happen early would get us off on the right foot.
If that is to happen, a nucleus of six offensive and six defensive starters must improve upon last season's effort, which saw the Mavericks drop four of five non-district games before finishing with a 2-8 mark.
Among Eastland's top returnees will be quarterback Jarred Moylan, along with two of his favorite targets in wide receivers Austin Felts and Blake Galyean.
Top defensive returners include defensive back Colton Brewer, along with linebackers Dan Jentho and Micheal Smart.
"The kids are working hard and doing everything we ask them to do, Hulett said. "We're faster than we were and we're stronger than we were.
"Now are our football skills any better? I don't know yet.
Hulett's hope for early success is possible, with his team opening with Hico on Aug. 29 and Comanche a week later. After that, things get considerably tougher, with Dublin, Albany and Jim Ned on the slate.
District mates Cisco and Clyde are the clear favorites in the league race, making games with Hawley (Oct. 10) and Merkel (Oct. 24) key to Eastland's playoff chances.
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