62
August 30, 2012
DRC Football
ARGYLE
Ralston aims to extend Argyle tradition By Adam Boedeker Staff Writer
Argyle fans will long remember the way Layton Lowry finished his high school career in 2010. After splitting time as a junior as a member of a running back-by-committee setup, Lowry was one of the biggest workhorses in the area as a senior, rushing for 1,811 yards and 22 touchdowns while averaging nearly 18 carries per game. Last season when Argyle made it to the Class 3A Division II state championship game, the Eagles had another solid running back in Tyler Eveleth, who rushed for 1,297 yards and eight touchdowns while several other players contributed to the ground game that amassed nearly 3,000 yards over the course of a 16-game season. This season might prove to be more like 2010 when it comes to Argyle’s running game, and it’s looking to all fall on the shoulders of a sophomore. Nick Ralston was called up from the freshman team before district play began last season and went on to rush for 259 yards and three scores in 11 games. “I kind of like the pressure of that,� Ralston said of knowing the running game will fall on his shoulders. “It makes me play harder. I kind of want to step up to the challenge and take it on.� Argyle head coach Todd Rodgers has seen that quality in Ralston for a while now. He said the Argyle coaching staff pegged Ralston early last season as a guy who could come up to the varsity level and contribute. “It really, truly was in the plans [to call him up],� Rodgers said. “We thought he had a lot of upside and the potential to acclimate over the course of the year. “We weren’t sure about the pace at which he’d be ready but he showed great vision, understanding of the offense and a willingness to carry the burden of the offense at the ninth-grade level.� But the varsity game was a different story. Ralston quickly figured that out when he made his first varsity appearance in last year’s district opener against Aubrey.
ARGYLE: A NEW DIRECTION
Denton Record-Chronicle/David Minton Nick Ralston was called up to the varsity team midway through last season and rushed for 259 yards in limited action. The sophomore will take on a much larger role this fall, when he is expected to be a workhorse for the Eagles’ offense. Argyle will have a different look in 2012 after quarterback Austin Aune graduated following last season.
He took one square hit and immediately realized he wasn’t on the freshman team anymore. “It only took about three plays,� Ralston said. “The size and speed of the game was the biggest difference.� At 5-11, 200 pounds, Ralston should be able to handle the grind of a varsity season, and of all the running backs who have played key roles in Argyle’s offense over recent years, Rodgers compared him to the one who put up the best numbers of any. “He’s got the foot speed and quickness to be great,� Rodgers said. “He’s a slashing type running back, but he also has tremendous strength and power. He’ll be one of the bigger backs we’ve had. He’s not quite as big as Layton, but he has sim-
ilar skills.� Rodgers stressed the fact that aside from Ralston’s obvious football skill, he also the right ingredients mentally to be a great high school running back for the next three seasons. “He does whatever he has to,� Rodgers said. “You tell him, ‘Here’s a prescription for success,’ and he’ll follow the prescription. He’s all about being successful and all about the team being successful.� And that mixture means a happy head coach in Rodgers. “Big, fast running backs are rare,� Rodgers said. “To have a kid that’s that committed to improving himself and committed to the success of his team is a perfect scenario for a head coach.�
EAGLES Quick facts District: 10-3A 2011 record: 14-2 (5-0 District 9-3A) Coach: Todd Rodgers (89-28 in nine seasons at Argyle) Returning starters: Four on offense, three on defense Key players: WR Ian Sadler, K Cole Hedlund, RB Nick Ralston, LB Sam Sizelove, QB Brandon Boyzuick, DB Reese Thompson Offense: Spread Defense: 3-4 School enrollment: 668 Stadium: Eagle Stadium
!"
H4