Dawgs united

[Guest bulldogbark]

Group united with one goal in mind - title

By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

A KEY TO ANY FOOTBALL team's success relies on holding onto the football and reducing turnovers. Pictured right, Jasper coach Jason Hicks works on a handoff drill with senior Travon Limbrick during Friday's practice. Pictured above, junior David Beck runs through a running back drill.The Bulldogs will take on Port Neches- Groves Saturday in their first scrimmage of the season.The freshmen will play at 4 p.m. followed by the junior varsity at 5 p.m. and the varsity starting at 6 p.m.

In the life of a football coach, there are two special times. Playing football in December and the opening week of the season.

Optimism springs eternal that first week as everybody dreams of the big prize - wearing the state championship crown.

In Jasper, the Bulldogs opened football practice this past week and for Danny Lauve, head football coach, it's a great time of the season.

"It's a great feeling," Lauve said. "You have been through the off-season with all the kids and there is a special kind of enthusiasm of getting the family back together again and knowing what is in store for you."

Newsboy photos/Jimmy Galvan

What's in store for Jasper this year is preparing for the newly revamped District 21-3A. The district includes six playoff teams from a year ago including powerhouses such as West Orange- Stark, Silsbee, Bridge City, Kirbyville and Jasper.

As Lauve gathered his troops for the opening week of practice, he really didn't know what to expect.

"We were just glad to get back out there and start putting the pieces of the puzzle together," Lauve said. "We know we have some talent on this football team, we just have to figure out who goes where and see who will step up and who will fall by the wayside."

Jasper will need some players to "step up" this year in order for the Bulldogs to advance to Week 11, the playoffs.

Key losses at critical positions need to be answered by the time Jasper kicks off the season Sept. 1 against 4A Livingston.

"That's part of football - you will always have those one or two kids that will step up and do better than what you expected," Lauve said. "And that is no different with this group - someone will step up and get it done."

During the first week of practice, Lauve said his coaches worked extra hard on teaching and conditioning.

"The first week without pads allows the kids to get into shape before they have to put them on," Lauve said. "You get a lot of teaching done during the first week."

Jasper held their first practice with pads last Friday.

"The kids look forward to putting on the pads," Lauve said. "You just have to go through the first week getting into shape so you don't have injuries. But they are always looking forward to hitting someone with their pads on."