FB: Timpson Bears Season Preview
When he arrived on the scene in Timpson in the spring of 2009, Kenny Washington knew that turning the Bear football program around wasn't going to be an overnight task. Having not registered more than three wins since 2004, he made a plan to first build a foundation before laying one brick to his 'structure'.
Although last year's team didn't set any records and finished with a 3-7 record, Washington noted that the 'pain' suffered through the 2009 season would result in a growth process that will be seen this fall.
As training camp began in early August, Washington noted that he could see many changes in his team. And although he's not predicting a district championship this fall and is even hesitates about playoff possibilities, he says this year's team can accomplish so much more because the growth in character and mental toughness experienced a year ago.
"Turning this program around is not an overnight process; I told the [school board] that," Washington said recently. "The process takes time because you're talking about high school kids who have struggled for several years in a row."
The Bear coach went on to say that despite posting only three wins in 2009, there were three games that were quite 'winnable'. And although a 6-4 record would have been more 'respectable,' he says that it showed him that his team was heading in the right direction. He also noted that once the character and mental discipline of his team is changed, it is more likely that his team will capture those 'winnable' games.
Washington would like nothing better than to lead Timpson to the postseason for the first time in seven years, but what he's more concerned about heading into the 2010 season is taking the next step in the growth process.
"To make the playoffs we're going to have to beat one of the big three [in district 10-1A D-I]," he stated. "We need to slip up on Alto, Grapeland or Garrison and still take care of business against Cushing and Shelbyville.
"We also start our [nondistrict] schedule with our first three games (Aug. 27 vs. West Sabine; Sept.3 vs. Tenaha; Sept. 10 vs. Groveton) on the road," reasoned Washington. "But next year we'll have those games at home; and we'll have our toughest nondistrict games (Oct. 8 vs. Garrison; Oct. 15 vs. Grapeland; Oct. 29 vs. Alto) on the road this year so it also means we'll have those at home.
"Now I'm not saying this season's not important by any means. But, like I said before, turning this program around is not an overnight process and you have to always look at the positives, whether it's this year or next."
Another positive in this year's training camp is the fact that Washington finds himself not having to 'tear down' as much as he is able to teach and build up his players.
"It was tough last year because there was no discipline here in training camp," he explained. "And when you don't have discipline, you have to instill that and build that character before they will be in a position to learn and grow.
"This year I'm doing less yelling and more teaching and that excites me. I don't have to 'ride' them as much this year because they've already begun building that character and that true will to win. That means they're accepting what we're teaching and working harder.
"Last year the kids were fussing at each other all the time in the early workouts and it was completely different this fall. So a lot of that nonsense has gone by the wayside."
OFFENSE
Washington's excited about his new offensive coordinator this fall. Trent Jones comes into the 'flock' after spending time at Newton High School.
"The kids have really responded well to Coach Jones," Washington insisted. "He's got a great offensive mind and I've given him the offense and let him go with it. I told him I don't care how long we have to work on offense, because if we get to the point where we're scoring 21 points a game we're going to win some football games.
"As a coaching staff we're able to go more in depth with our schemes and teachings because the kids are more receptive this fall. A lot of them have gone through the system and they're now asking questions and taking our teaching one step further. They know we're giving them constructive criticism and they understand what we're trying to get them to do."
As Washington learns his players, they are finding where they fit into the 'puzzle' of winning. Junior Jaylin Rhodes started as the team's quarterback last season, but he has been shifted to tight end and sophomore Lorenzo Young will be the signal caller this fall.
"I expect Jaylin to be a leader and he's taken a big step toward doing that by taking this move to tight end and understanding that we want to put the best players out there in the positions that will help us the most," Washington said. "I also expect Lorenzo to be a leader and feel he's going to do a great job at quarterback.
DEFENSE
"K.T. Allison (junior) has stepped up at center and defensive lineman and is leading well in that area of the team. Lineman Jonathan Cheshire (junior) is another player I expect a lot from.
"Players, such as Lance Richard (junior DB), need to know that we need consist play out of them and that's how we're going to be successful."
Bear senior defensive back/wide receiver Rody Paige, who was a second-team all-district performer on defense a year ago, will also be looked at in a leadership role.
Lost in a mix a year ago was the injury in the season opener to LaDerius Bryan. The leading rusher for Timpson two years ago, he reinjured his knee in the opener against Shelbyville and missed the rest of 2009. After surgery he might be even more effective than when he rushed for 637 yards and scored nine touchdowns in just seven games as a sophomore.
"We'll still have a lot of youth on our team this season," Washington stated. "We'll start a sophomore (Jay Bussey) at free safety who had a big ballgame in the last game against Waskom last year. Chris Moore is a player who wasn't here last year that I expect a lot from at offensive guard and linebacker.
"So we've got some young kids and some veterans together that could help us continue building this program. And if they take a big step this year we could end up in the playoffs."
With the foundation laid, it now appears that the speed at which the structure is built in Timpson now depends on the players on the 2010 squad.