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KOUNTZE HIGH SCHOOL
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
THE SILSBEE BEE FALL SPORTS SPECIAL SECTION 2012
Section 3, Page 27
Members of the 2012 Kountze coaching staff include: (left to right) Coach Doty Harper, Coach Joubert, Coach Thasher, Coach Middleton, Coach McQueen, Coach Kirby, Coach Colton, Coach Hancock and Head Coach Tracy Franklin.
BIG 12
Big 12 Newcomers look to dethrone Sooner Nation
By Daniel Elizondo editor@silsbeebee.com As much as the Oklahoma Sooners have dethrottled the competition in Big 12 play, newcomers to the conference show no fear in what lies ahead. Now that Texas A&M departed to the SEC, for what they call “bigger and better things,” Texas and Oklahoma look for more competition to fill the gaps left behind in the struggling Big 12. The Texas Longhorns will continue to make strides and could get better from its 8-5 (4-5 Big 12) mark from last season. After taking a 4-0 start to the 2011 season, the Longhorns looked poised for a chance at the Big 12 title until a crushing by Oklahoma 55-17 that set the tone for the rest of the season. The Horns return eight offensive starters and six defensive starters. Quarterback has been the question mark for the Horns all of last season and entering spring, that question still remained. Texas Head Coach Mack Brown continues to utilize both returnering quarterbacks David Ash (6-3, 222, so.) and Case McCoy (6-2, 200, jr.) until one significantly grows better. But until then, the Longhorns will also need help in the wide receiver position. Running backs will be no problem now with the addition of highly touted RB Johnathan Gray of Aledo. He joins SchertzCibolo prodigy RB Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron of Mesquite in the backfield, that is poised to be one of the best in the
Big 12 Predictions 1. West Virginia 2. Oklahoma 3. Texas 4. TCU 5. Kansas State 6. Oklahoma State 7. Baylor 8. Texas Tech 9. Iowa State 10. Kansas
nation. Defensively, the Horns will continue from its end to the season, which described them as dominating. Texas held the high powered offense of California to 10 points in the Holiday Bowl to claim in victory and end the season on a high note. The Horns defense will be a force to reckon with in 2012 with strong defensive ends Alex Okafor (6-4, 260, sr.) and Jackson Jeffcoat (6-5, 250, jr.). But the best of the de-
fense may be the secondary with safety Kenny Vaccaro (6-1, 215, sr.) and corners Carrington Byndom and Quandre Diggs, who could be the best in the Big 12. Defensive coordinator Manny Diaz returns and hopes for a better season defensively for Texas while highly touted former Boise State offensive coordinator Brian Harsin continues to mold the offense into shape. The Oklahoma Sooners will continue to be a top contender for the Big 12 regardless of the loss of defensive stallworts Travis Lewis and Corey Nelson. But returning QB Landry Jones will feel the pressure after losses at wide receiver that could pose a problem for the Sooners. Oklahoma returns eight on offense and seven on defense from a team that finished 10-3, 6-3 in Big
12. The Baylor Bears may have lost RG3, but Head Coach Art Briles feels the Bears will continue to be contenders off of a 10-3, 63 Big 12 finish that saw them win the Alamobowl in a shootout over Washington 67-56. Building off of a prolific bowl season, the Bears return eight offensive and seven defensive starters. Nick Florence (6-1, 205, sr.) of Garland will take the reigns under center with big shoes to fill. Baylor welcomes Oregon transfer RB Lache Seastrunk after he had to sit out the 2011 season under NCAA transfer rules. But the question lies in Baylors defense, which was ranked low in the Big 12 last season. Though seven returners enter the
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