CALDWELL HORNETS
Fryrear gives Hornets foundation on offense ROSTER
By LARRY BOWEN larry.bowen@theeagle.com
Jake Fryrear might make the move from guard to center for his senior football season with the Caldwell Hornets, but Fryrear figures to be in the middle of things regardless of his starting position. There is no place Fryrear would rather be as he enters his fourth season on the varsity with hopes of a big finish and a future in college football. Caldwell coach Bobby Jack Goforth calls Fryrear a cornerstone in the building project he took on when he returned to his alma mater as head coach two years ago. That role is second nature for Fryrear, who also plays defensive tackle. “My dad has been my coach throughout my whole life,” Fryrear said. “He shoved it down my throat every day from Little League that you’ve got to be a leader. You’re not born a leader, but I feel like my dad made me a leader. “You’ve got to risk a few friends if you’re a leader, because a few friends will kill your team. If you see people messing around, you’ve got to jump on them and make sure it doesn’t happen again. You’ve got to tell them that they’re not going to play on your team.” The 6-foot-2, 295-pound Fryrear played well enough at guard last year to earn third-team allstate recognition in Class 4A. He helped Keyshawn Chambers rush for 1,835 yards as the Hornets qualified for the 4A Division II playoffs after winning only one game the previous season. Fryrear started at guard as a freshman, when Caldwell won one game then went through its third coaching change in three years. Goforth took over and expected Fryrear to play a key role as a sophomore, but he suffered a slight tear of the medial col-
1 Weston Lilie, WR/DB, soph.; 2 Keyshawn Chambers, RB/DB, Jr.; 3 Bobby Henderson, RB/DB, sr.; 4 AJ Zboril, DB/WR, jr.; 5 Tanner Stefka, DB/WR, sr.; 6 Will Faust, QB/LB, soph.; 7 Joseph Crnkovic, QB, sr.; 8 Domonique Chambers, WR/DB, soph.; 9 Xavier Williams, RB/DE, soph.; 11 Devin Morris, WR/DB, jr.; 16 Curtis Williams, WR/DB, sr.; 17 Dalton Armstrong, WR/DB, jr.; 18 Mike Ashley, LB/ FB, sr.; 19 Trevon Woods, WR/DB, sr.; 23 William Deleon, FB/DE, jr.; 44 Josh Hitchcock, LB/FB, sr.; 50 Andrew Telg, OL/DE, soph.; 54 Dylanger Harris, OL/DL, jr.; 56 Chase Scamardo, OL/DL, jr.; 60 Dennis Engelmann, LB/C, jr.; 62 Ray Flores, DL, soph.; 66 Brandon Anderson, DL/FB, sr.; 70 Charles Chrietzberg, OL/DL, soph.; 71 Nathan Balcar OL/DL, soph.; 72 Jacob Pena, OL/DL, soph.; 76 Jake Fryrear, C/DL, sr.; 78 Tucker Ellsworth OL/DE, jr.; 88 Keanu Robinson, OL/DE, jr.
FACTS Head coach — Bobby Jack Goforth (30-51 overall; 7-13 at Caldwell) District — 11-4A Division II 2014 record — 6-5 (3-1 in 11-4A Division II) 2014 playoffs — Bi-district: lLost to Sweeny 32-27 Playoff appearances (18) — 1924, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1932, 1935, 1939, 1971, 1980, 1984, 1994, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014 Returning lettermen — 12 (6 offensive, 6 defensive starters) All-time record — 443-443-32 Playoff record — 12-16-1 lateral ligament in his knee four days before the season opener. Six weeks later, Fryrear returned to the lineup, but he played less than a half before hurting his knee again to finish his season. “It was just devastating,” Fryrear said. “You put in all that work and then just sit on the sideline and watch every game. We only won one game my sophomore year, and it’s heartbreaking to see a team that you could help out.” The lost season and his comparative lack of height have hindered Fryrear in the recruiting process. He has drawn attention from Rice and Sam Houston State and hopes he made a good impression on TCU coaches at a midsummer camp. “He is going to end up playing college football,” Goforth said. “All he needs is an opportunity. He’s not 6-foot-5, but you see guys all the time make it all the way to the highest level at 6-2. Maybe
Thursday, August 27, 2015
SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug 28 at Bellville 7:30 p.m. Last season: L 3-0 Sept 4 at Hearne 7:30 p.m. Last season: W 42-0 Sept 11 at Madisonville 7:30 p.m. Last season: W 28-7 Sept 18 Teague 7:30 p.m. Last season: L 49-34 Sept 25 at Rockdale 7:30 p.m. Last season: L 38-31 Oct 2 at Mexia 7:30 p.m. Last season: W 42-32 District 11-4A Division II Oct 9 Salado* 7:30 p.m. W 65-23 Oct 16 at La Grange 7:30 p.m. Last season: L 56-34 Oct 23 Smithville 7:30 p.m. Last season: W 35-14 Oct 30 Open Nov 6 at Giddings 7:30 p.m. Last season: W 33-32 *Homecoming
after this year, with more accomplishments for him and our team, he might get more notice.” If he winds up in scouts’ sights, Fryrear should be prepared for the scrutiny. His father, Shawn Fryrear, played for the Panhandle team that upset Art Briles’ Hamlin squad in the 1984 Class 2A quarterfinals. “If you ask anybody from here, they’ll tell you he pushes me really hard,” Jake said. “I love it, because if my dad hadn’t pushed me I would not be the person I am today. I would not be the football player I am today. Sometimes I hate his guts, but that’s the kind of person that you want for a dad. At the end of the day, you love him.” The Hornets have good talent along with Fryrear and the rest of the offensive line. Senior quarterback Joseph Crnkovic and junior speedster Chambers
The Eagle.com
Eagle photo by Sam Craft Senior Jake Fryrear earned third-team Class 4A all-state honors at guard last season but is working out at center. Wherever he plays, the 6-2, 295-pounder will be a major cornerstone of the Caldwell offense in 2015. return, as does senior tight end Josh Hitchcock, who was an alldistrict selection at linebacker last season. Other defensive standouts include senior linebacker Mike Ashley, who led the Hornets last year with 96 tackles. Caldwell’s
entire linebacker corps should be strong, with returning starters in senior Tanner Stefka (56 tackles, four interceptions) and junior Dennis Engelmann (54 tackles). The other returning starter on defense is Curtis Williams, a back with 4.5 speed in the 40.
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