HEARNE EAGLES
Daily happy to take rebuilding job in Hearne Eagles to tackle 2016 with one team to help fill out roster ROSTER
By LARRY BOWEN larry.bowen@theeagle.com
Before declaring that the Hearne football program cannot be rebuilt, remember that the man who recently agreed to oversee the project spent the last two years on the crew. Andrew Daily was promoted from defensive coordinator to become Hearne’s new head coach over the summer, gladly accepting the challenge of leading a program that has not won a game in the last two seasons. Daily, who had previous coaching stops at A&M Consolidated and Navasota, stayed with the Eagles after head coach Chip Baker left for an assistant job at Oak Ridge. Does that sound like someone with doubts about whether Hearne’s program can be turned around? “We all went through the struggles — the bumps and bruises — as a coaching staff as well as our kids over the last two years,” Daily said. “I have some great hopes for us. Not to say that we’re going to shock the state of Texas, but this could possibly be a reviving year for the Hearne football program.” Daily, who played at Consol, accepted the job on an interim basis with the understanding that his status as head coach would be reevaluated in January. He took over a program battling a lack of participants. Last year the Eagles were forced to consolidate their varsity and JV teams, finishing with about 19 players. This season, Hearne will field only a varsity team with about 34 players from seniors through freshmen. “It’s a better fit and a better look for Hearne football to move forward,” Daily said. “The kids have accepted it. They understand what’s going on. Everyone has come together.
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1 Jomante Bailey, sr.; 2 Alex Ramirez, sr.; 3 JaDarrius Adams, sr.; 4 Derek Walker, soph.; 5 Anquan Boxley, soph.; 6 Cedrion Golden, jr.; 7 Josiah Green, jr.; 8 Derrick Gibson, soph.; 9 Patrick Foley, soph.; 10 Gerald Ross, jr.; 11 Damian Dunn, fr.; 15 David Castilleja, jr.; 19 Charles Palmo, jr.; 21 Dashon Young, sr.; 22 Ed’raeshon Tindle, jr.; 23 Nic Castilleja, sr.; 24 Jeremiah Foley, jr.; 26 Jaylon LeBlanc, fr.; 28 Keandre Foley, jr.; 33 Ronyn Dixon, sr.; 44 DeVandru Seymore, sr.; 50 JaNathean Fisher, sr.; 52 Dywon Davis, jr.; 53 Arthur Pryor, sr.; 54 Alijah Miles, fr.; 58 Dylan Woods, jr.; 60 Steven McCravey, sr.; 61 Quan Moten, jr.; 62 Sa’Dedrick Burleson, jr.; 63 Victor Killebrew, soph.; 70 Jeremy Nelson, sr.; 72 Charles Cooks, fr.; 74 Damian Cardenas, soph.; 80 Jalen Gonzales, fr.; 81 Tiquez Tindle, fr.; 82 Javareyon Bailey, soph.
FACTS
SCHEDULE
Head coach — Andrew Daily (0-0 overall; 0-0 at Hearne) District — 12-3A Division II 2015 record — 0-10 (0-6 in 12-3A Division II) 2015 playoffs — did not qualify Playoff appearances (15) — 1936, 1937, 1939, 1952, 1954, 1961, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012 All-time record — 467-443-39 Playoff record — 7-15-0
“The numbers of kids coming out is what has hurt us in the past. We’ve always had the athletes and the ability. But when you face a program with larger numbers, our kids didn’t have time for rest, time for correcting mistakes. With us going to one team, it will help with that.” Early returns on the decision to field just one team were good. Daily said he was pleased with the Eagles’ performance in their first scrimmage against Crawford. Looking for signs of progress, Daily expects a much-improved offensive line. Hearne’s blockers will be led by center Dylan Woods and Victor Killebrew, who should see time at guard and tackle. “They played in the trenches last year and got some experience,” Daily said. “Watching those two taking initiative, being the leaders on the offensive line, they’re going to do a great job. “For the first time in three years we actually have a big, solid offensive line group. We’ve had kids who performed there, but our line has a lot more beef. Also, combining the teams has given
HighSchoolFootball 2016
Date Opponent Aug 26 at Centerville Last year: did not play Sept 2 at Trinity Last year: L 63-6 Sept 9 Snook Last year: did not play Sept 16 Rogers Last year: did not play District 12-3A Division II Sept 23 at Anderson-Shiro Last year: did not play Sept 30 Open Date Oct 7 New Waverly* Last year: L 55-26 Oct 14 at Bruceville-Eddy Last year: did not play Oct 21 Marlin Last year: did not play Oct 28 at Leon Last year: L 55-16 Nov 4 Buffalo Last year: L 56-22 *Homecoming
Time 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m.
us an opportunity to have some reserve linemen. If anybody tweaks an ankle or just needs to talk to a coach, we’re able to fill those gaps and keep moving.” Halfway through preseason workouts, three players were competing to be Hearne’s starting quarterback. The candidates are junior Josiah Green, senior Alex Ramirez and sophomore Derek Gibson. The winner of the quarterback derby will have help at the skill positions from junior receivers Dave Castilleja and JaDarrius Adams. Castilleja was a top target last season, while Hearne hopes Adams stays healthy after dealing with injury problems most of last year. Sophomore Derrick Walker and senior Ronyn Dixon are expected to share time at running back.
TheEagle.com
Seniors JaDarrius Adams (top) and DeVandru Seymore (right) are among several Eagles hoping to lead Hearne to a turnaround season under firstyear head coach Andrew Daily, who assumed the position this offseason. Eagle photos by Dave McDermand
The defense will be led by safety Gerald Ross, lineman Jeremy Nelson and the versatile Cedrion Golden, who can play linebacker or along the line. Daily expects the trio to be the glue of Hearne’s
defense, which also could benefit from having Ramirez at safety if he doesn’t start at quarterback. “We have a lot more quickness and speed on the defensive side,” Daily said.
Thursday, August 25, 2016