Pirates enjoyed benefits from spring practice

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Pirates enjoyed benefits from spring practice

Van Wade

The Orange Leader

VIDOR — In 2006, the Vidor Pirates were in the hunt in District 22-4A but lost several close games in the final half of the season to finish 3-7 overall, 2-5 in district.

The Pirates welcome back five starters on offense and seven on defense but the Pirates are flying under the radar a little bit and long-time head coach Jeff Mathews kinda likes that.

“I think our kids are going to fool a lot of people this season,†Mathews said. “We’ve had one of the best summers we’ve had since I’ve been here. We’ve had close to 95 kids a day, counting the varsity and the JV, that have been up here pretty much on a daily basis doing everything possible to get in excellent condition.â€

The Pirates, who held Spring Practice, will not have their first practice of the season until Aug. 13.

“I’m really glad we went through Spring Practice this year,†Mathews said. “We’ve got several key kids back but we’re also counting on a lot of sophomores to step up and fill some major roles. We got a chance to look at those young kids early on to see what they could do instead of waiting to this point. I see a lot of positives.â€

The Pirates look to replace all-purpose back Brad Croak, who was such a fixture in the program the last three seasons and had over 1,600 yards of all-purpose yards as a senior in 2006. Also gone, is all-district offensive lineman Jerrod Gooch, who headed to Texas Tech.

Quarterback Roman Franklin returns to the mix to help guide the offense.

“I think we’re going to be okay on both sides of the ball,†Mathews said. “We have three young backs that will see a lot of time. We kinda have a three-headed monster in the backfield. Each kid brings something to the table, whether it’s speed, power running or catching the ball out of the backfield.â€

The Pirates will arrive at the fieldhouse Monday, Aug. 13 at 7 a.m. to get their equipment and then they’ll hit the practice field as soon as possible. During that first week, the Pirates will workout from 8 a.m.-noon.

“I think are kids are already in pretty good condition,†Matthews said. “You still want to be careful early on and don’t have those practices in the hottest parts of the day.â€

The Pirates will only be involved in one scrimmage. Vidor will go to West Orange-Stark Aug. 25 with the freshmen starting at 5 p.m. followed by the junior varsity and varsity.

The Pirates will not open the season on Zero Week. Instead, Vidor will host powerful private school Houston St. Pius Sept. 7. The Pirates’ other two non-district games include a road trip to Houston Jones on Thursday, Sept. 13 and a home date with Livingston Sept. 21. Vidor will open District 22-4A play Sept. 28 at Nederland.

St. Pius will be quite a chore right out of the box for the Pirates. The Panthers went a perfect 13-0 last season to claim the TAPPS Division I title. They have quarterback Billy Noonan returning and his 2,597 passing yards and 32 touchdowns along with tailback Jared Espinoza, who zipped for 1,179 yards and 14 TDs.

“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us before St. Pius comes rolling in here,†Mathews said. “You’re talking about a team that didn’t lose a game last year and that has so many key people back. Heck, they have two receivers that are getting NCAA Division I looks. That’ll certainly be a major test for us right out of the chute.â€

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St. Pius poised to repeat

After besting Kubiak's record, Noonan aims team at another title

So with a calm demeanor and loads of confidence, the St. Pius senior quarterback knows exactly how he wants the Panthers to defend their 2006 TAPPS Division I state championship.

"I feel like we need to win it again," he said. "Two is always better than one."

There is reason to believe in Noonan and the Panthers. They return 13 starters overall and eight on offense from a 13-0 team. Four of their five starting offensive lineman are back, as well as the entire backfield.

The man pulling the trigger — Noonan — already has two state championship game appearances and one title under his belt. He's entering his fourth year as the varsity starter, a rarity in this era. He has already started more varsity games than most high school quarterbacks do before college, and he already owns most of the major passing records at St. Pius.

In the Panthers' championship win over Addison Trinity Christian last season, he broke Houston Texans head coach and St. Pius alum Gary Kubiak's school career passing yardage record. Noonan's total is 6,399 yards and counting.

His combination of ability and experience make things easier for head coach Robin Kirk and offensive coordinator Deron Trevino.

"He's the prototype passer — he just drops back and throws the football well," Kirk said. "Our scheme is so perfect for him, and he has started 39 varsity games. How many people get to say that? It's a huge plus."

Noonan benefited from great talent around him. His three top receiving targets last season — Tarence Farmer (Alabama), Bakari Maxwell (Houston) and Darr Nieuwoudt (Texas A&M-Commerce) — were all college prospects. This season, with experience on the offensive line and leading rusher Jared Espinosa (1,358 yards rushing) returning, the onus will be on Noonan to develop a chemistry with his new receivers.

His top two targets likely will be Gino Collins, who transferred from Cy-Fair and committed to UH, and Landon Johnson, a transfer from Fort Bend Baptist who had 1,293 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns last season.

"Landon and Gino are great guys," Noonan said. "They want to win, and they want to get better. What me and Tarence and Bakari had was uncanny. We knew what we were thinking in each situation and what we expected of each other. You can't teach that.

"I'm sure it won't be long before we develop that with Landon and Gino."

With the defense losing several key starters from last year's team, it will be up to the offense to carry the load. But for Noonan, who played in a state title game when he was 14 and has virtually seen it all, the pressure means little. .

"I'm over the insecurity and the nervousness that I used to have," Noonan said. "People expect things out of everyone, but they're not out there battling on the field. I'm just going to play the way I play. I'm not going to be perfect, but I'll be pretty good.

"This year I feel pretty confident about this team. I think we have the tools and the heart to win a state title."

[Guest Pirate V Ball]

I'm glad everyone is picking us last! 

[Guest Wildcat 08]

Vidor could surprise some teams.