KFDM COOP Posted October 16, 2008 Report Posted October 16, 2008 Nicholas is money for Rangers By Nick Cioci The Baytown Sun Published October 16, 2008 Dwain Nicholas was all over the place in last week’s big 21-20 win for Sterling over Robert E. Lee. He recovered a fumble. He returned a blocked punt to set up the first Ranger touchdown. He caught a pass for the second Ranger score. In other words, it was a usual 2008 performance for the lanky senior Sterling standout. “He’s an extremely coachable athlete,†Ranger coach Herb Minyard said. “He does exactly what we ask of him. “He’s taking care of business in the classroom and out here on the field. He has the tendencies to be a great leader.†The 6-1, 175-pound receiver-outside linebacker leads RSS in scoring this year with five touchdowns and 30 points. But, like several of his teammates, his contributions don’t stop on just one side of the ball. “Last week, we had anywhere from 55 to 60 plays on defense and 60 to 70 snaps on offense,†Minyard said. “Dwain probably played in the neighborhood of 90 to 100 plays, which is a testament to his conditioning and mental toughness. “That’s extremely hard to do in 5A football.†Nicholas does it without protest. “I basically play the whole game,†he said. “When the offense goes back on the field, I usually get the first play off (after having played the previous defensive series). “But I’m not the only key player on this team.†Sterling’s 4-1 start has featured a lot of heroes. Off to a 1-0 start in District 21-5A competition, the Rangers look to go to 2-0 Friday when they host Port Arthur Memorial. Before the start of the season, Minyard figured his team would need to win two district games to earn one of the four playoff berths available from the six-team district. After beating Lee for the first time since 1999, the Rangers are seeking to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1985, back when only a district’s top two finishers advanced. A year ago, Sterling lost its first nine games but avoided a winless campaign by upsetting Kingwood in triple overtime in the season finale. “We’re a lot better this year,†Nicholas said. “We come out and practice without messing around. “This year we’ve got a better group. We listen to our coaches more than last year. That’s why we’re where we are right now.†Where Nicholas often finds himself is in the end zone, cradling a TD reception in his arms. “There’s no secret,†he said. “I’m just working hard and catching the football.†Minyard says the Rangers will need to work hard if they want to beat Port Arthur. He says the Titans’ 1-3 overall record and 0-1 district mark is deceiving. “Don’t let the record fool you. They’ve played the No. 3 team in the state (North Shore) and the No. 6 team (The Woodlands). And they played Beaumont Ozen and Beaumont Central. All four of those teams are extremely talented.†And the Titans? “They’ve got just phenomenal team speed, on offense and defense,†Minyard said. Port Arthur was one of two late-season losses the Rangers had a year ago in which they played well enough to win. Nicholas and his mates finally got their payoff in the season finale against a playoff-bound Kingwood team. “I don’t even know how to put it,†Nicholas said. “We built on what we did in that last game and carried it over to this season. We’ll have to come out and play hard again this week. “We have to make plays and light the scoreboard up.â€
sahen Posted October 17, 2008 Report Posted October 17, 2008 Nicholas is all over the field...he is fun to watch
Master T Posted October 17, 2008 Report Posted October 17, 2008 I used to play football with him a couple years back. He was pretty decent now but it been so long since I seen him played up until last friday against Lee our crosstown rival and that Dwain is no beast he a Superstar!!! ;)
sahen Posted October 17, 2008 Report Posted October 17, 2008 Money tonight as well....had a touchdown reception and made several plays on defense
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