Rams spend spring in search for spots
By TODD HVEEM
CHRONICLE CORRESPONDENT
The Cy Ridge Rams have spent the last three weeks trying to find 15 young men who want to step up and make a name for themselves on the football field.
I think it went real well,'' said Cy Ridge head coach Gary Thiebaud. We are real young, especially on offense (where we have only two returning starters).
But the kids got better over the last three weeks (of spring practice),'' he added. It was a maturing and learning process. We had to try and ID the kids who want to play varsity football.''
The Rams, who are picked to finish in the middle of the District 15-5A pack, return multi-talented quarterback Andrew Gonzales and running back Demarius Porter on offense.
We are going to be counting on both of those guys a lot (for their play and leadership),'' Thiebaud said.
On defense, tackles Ephram Clark and Josh Murray, defensive end Arthur McDaniel, linebacker Collin Callahan and free safety Nick Shepard return from the Cougars' 2009 club.
Clark and Shepard, who is the brother of former Cy Ridge quarterback Russell Shepard (LSU), are Division I prospects.
Nick has a lot of people looking at him, but he hasn't decided anything yet,'' Thiebaud said.
Thiebaud believes Cy Creek should be favored to win its third straight District 15-5A championship.
They have to be favored,'' he said. But Cy Lakes is going to surprise some people and Jersey Village is going to be a lot better. I think they are back.
Cy Falls also has a lot of skill kids,'' he added. I'm not sure about Cy-Fair, but Langham also has skill kids and Cy Woods has their quarterback and running back returning. It is going to be another dogfight.''
Thiebaud said he loves spring practice.
It gives you a lot of time to look at the young kids,'' he said. We have controlled scrimmages and we get great support from the officials in the area so we can coach kids up on the rules.
The idea is to build your team two-deep and determine who is going to be on the JV,'' he said. We usually have some college scouts out there watching. When they show up, that gets a lot of kids excited.''
