sticky Posted September 21, 2006 Report Posted September 21, 2006 Eagles undefeated entering hiatus By Michael Pineda Baytown Sun Published September 21, 2006 MONT BELVIEU — Surprise, surprise. Despite entering the season with some question marks, the Barbers Hill Eagles are 3-0 this football season and coming off of an impressive 24-13 win over Bellville. Add to that the fact that head coach Don Price was just named the Houston Texans Coach of the Week and everything is rosy for the Eagles. There are injury issues however which means that having this week off could not have come at a better time. With four players limited to no contact this week and a couple of others nursing lingering injuries, the Eagles will be more than happy to take an extra week to prepare for the “second season,†the District 21-4A schedule. “We have a young man (Blake Patton) that had never played quarterback in his life,†Price said. “We have taken a rebuilt secondary and offensive line where we lost our only returning starter to a preseason injury and we are 3-0. I’m not saying we have beat Southlake Carroll. We are pleased but by no stretch of the imagination are we where we need to be. We’ve got to improve every day and every week.†Price credits turnover ratio and discipline in the area of penalties to the team’s undefeated start. The offense has only turned the ball over one time this year and has seen their total of penalties drop in all three games. “Physical ability and who you match up with is undetermined,†Price said. “The things that we can control is what we are working on. “We have had better execution on offense and defense and we are pleased with the turnover ratio.†Other contributing factors to the Eagles success has been solidifying both the offensive line and the secondary. The coaching staff has settled on five guys on the offensive line as senior Cameron Furlong has laid claim to the center position after getting the start in the Bellville game. Jake Ponder has moved into Furlong’s right guard spot to complete the starting five. Josh Griggs, Micah Jones and Daniel Green have given the Eagles depth at the position that is expected to get better as Shelton Rainey could be back in the lineup by the middle of the season. Last year, Rainey was second team all-district at tackle. “He has been lifting weights every day although he has been unable to run,†Price said. “He is smart and will be able to fit right in.†Blake Patton has began to fit in well at quarterback coming off of a performance where he threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The running game has been limited early in the season, but with defenses concentrating on the running game, the passing game has been equal to the challenge. “People loading up in the box, combined with what people are giving us and inexperience in the offensive line,†Price said for the reasons for the slow start for the running game. “But Todd Patton has been a threat in the passing game as well.†Defensively the Eagles are a little beat up, as even defensive coordinator Jackie Byrd is recovering from surgery. Justin Lindley has stepped in at defensive end for Steven Vara, who suffered an injury a couple of weeks ago. Vara is expected to be back soon. Also out for the time being is Nick Mercantel who has seen significant time at linebacker. “The defensive line has been solid up front,†Price said. “We have played fairly good defense this year. We have not given up the big play.†Barbers Hill has shored up the secondary by sending in Mason Fisher, Todd Patton and Nick Coggin periodically to join Tyler Kitchen and Jonathan Delgado. Last week Fisher had two interceptions in limited action at safety. “We are trying to develop things which will make us successful during the season,†Price said. Barbers Hill will host Forest Brook Sept. 29 in their district opener. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MHS32 Posted September 21, 2006 Report Posted September 21, 2006 Actually a pretty good artical by the Sun and a very honest evaluation from coach Price.
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