KRUM
DRC Football
August 28, 2014
85
Krum looking to rebound behind vets By Rich Luna For the Denton Record-Chronicle
There is a renewed sense of mission these days at Krum and with it, a sense of urgency. Krum, the new kid on the football block — a program that started in 2008 and is about to begin its third varsity season — took a punch to the gut last year that did not sit well with the Bobcats. Just six years ago, Krum began playing football at the middle school level under the direction of Gary Robinson, who built the program and guided the Bobcats into their first season in a UIL district in 2012. They surprised everyone with a 9-2 record and a spot in the first round of the playoffs. Last season, Krum was primed to take the next step by shooting for a district title and a deeper run in the state playoffs. But instead, it was a season of frustration. There was the highly public dismissal just before the start of the season of quarterback Caz Wojciak, who had been arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance. Then on the second play of the season, running back Dane White, an all-district performer, suffered a broken bone in his foot that would cost him the entire season. Krum finished 3-8, with one district win and a loss in the first round of the playoffs to eventual Class 3A Division II state champion Argyle. “Every day when I wake up at 4:30 in the morning [for 5 a.m. practice], I sometimes think I don’t want to get up, but then I think about what we are out to prove this year,” said senior center Taylor Holley. “To be honest with you, we’re pretty [upset] about the season we had last year. It was hard for all of us. We take a lot of pride in this program. We’re playing for every player, every coach. We’re playing for this town. Yeah, we got a chip on our shoulder.” White felt the same way. “No one was happy with what happened to us last year,” the senior said. “We want to bounce back in a big way.”
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton
KRUM: GREAT EXPECTATIONS
Krum hopes to bounce back from a disappointing season behind offensive lineman Taylor Holley, right, and running back Dane White. The pair is among a host of Krum players who said they worked particularly hard during the offseason after finishing 3-8 a year ago, a precipitous drop from a 9-2 finish in 2012.
With 15 returning starters, including nine on offense, and a new district, 3-4A (DII), as the result of realignment, the Bobcats are confident of success in 2014. “The 2012 team had a chip on their shoulders,” Robinson said. The strength of Krum will be upfront with a veteran offensive line led by the 5-foot-10, 235-pound Holley and fellow seniors Andrew Ponce, Ely Sanchez, Colton Richards and Rey Vega. All squat more then 600 pounds while Richards topped 700 pounds. They worked hard on their conditioning to prepare for a no-huddle offense. “We know we have to be on the same
page, to move as one and to be able to read each other’s minds,” said Holley, who is getting interest from schools such as Tarleton State and Stephen F. Austin. “We hit the weights hard all year. We want to be an example for the younger kids. I’ve been pushing everyone.” The strength up front should help clear the way for the 6-foot, 210-pound White, who lost his junior season and underwent two surgeries. “I’m confident, everyone on this team is, on what we can achieve,” he said. “Looking back, it really was a fast recovery for me. I’ve improved my speed and I’m ready.”
BOBCATS Quick facts
District: 3-4A (Division II) 2013 Record: 3-8 (1-3 in District 9-3A) Coach: Gary Robinson: (18-14 in three seasons at Krum) Returning starters: 9 on offense, 6 on defense Key players: RB Dane White, QB Colten Graham, WR Matt Robinson, WR Jacob Enis, C Taylor Holley, OL Colton Richards Offense: Multiple Defense: 3-4 School enrollment: 550 Stadium: Bobcat Stadium