KFDM COOP Posted October 16, 2008 Report Posted October 16, 2008 McNeil making a difference for Anahuac Panthers By Nick Cioci The Baytown Sun Published October 16, 2008 The Anahuac Panthers have improved from their 2-8 record of last year and are 3-2 overall this year and 1-0 in District 19-4A. “Things are going well for us right now,†Anahuac head coach Darrell Barbay said. “The wheels can come off at any time but it’s going a lot smoother for us this year.†Barbay said one of the reasons the Panthers have exceeded last year’s win total is because of Deior McNeil. McNeil has 640 yards on 83 carries this year for the Panthers “He (McNeil) has been pretty good for us,†Barbay said. “He has been able to score some touchdowns and has been a good leader. “The kids believe in him and that has helped a lot.†McNeil has scored 13 touchdowns for the Panthers in their five games this year. “We have had good downfield blocking and that has given him (McNeil) a chance to score from anywhere on the field,†Barbay said. “We also looked at different formations and have been using those to get him to the second level easier. Barbay said McNeil just senses when he can get to the end zone as well. “He has good speed and good size so one person usually can’t tackle him,†Barbay said. “Sometimes you don’t get them all blocked so when he can run over them or make them miss is a good thing.†Barbay said he thinks one of the reasons McNeil is been bigger factor to the team’s success this year is because he isn’t splitting time on offense and defense. “Last year we played him on both sides and he couldn’t play the whole game always,†Barbay said. “This year he has been fresh all the time and not cramping up as much since he is only playing offense.†Barbay said it helps the Panthers that McNeil is fresh for four quarters because other teams get tired of tackling him. “That stuff (tackling) gets old later in the game,†Barbay said. “You just don’t want to come up there as much and put your head there like you did earlier in the game.†Barbay said the key for the Panthers this week when they take on East Chambers is the same as it is every week. “We have to protect the football,†he said. “We can’t have three or four turnovers and expect to win.â€
24 over par Posted October 16, 2008 Report Posted October 16, 2008 nice article barbay good coach and good guy
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