DEKALB, Texas-It's hard to predict anything in high school football.
It has been a good season thus far for the Bears and has come with a few surprises. Head coach Eddy May has led DeKalb to a 5-1 record and a mark of 2-0 in District 7-3A.
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May says that there have been a few surprises so far this season. The Bears are second in the area in team rushing and total offense. They average 475.3 yards per game.
"Overall, we are a lot better offensively than I thought we'd be," May said. "The offensive line has matured and have jelled well together. Defensively, we are not as good as I thought we'd be. But we are working on our defense and hope to get better there."
Anchoring the offensive line are sophomore Chris McDainel at center, senior Garrison McKinnie at left guard, senior Dakota Kizer at left tackle, junior Ty Brown at right guard, and junior Clayton Fraef at right tackle.
Senior running back JaQuan Jackson is the area's leading rusher and scorer. With the help of the o-line, Jackson has rushed for 1,930 yards on 192 carries, for an average of 10.1 yards per touch. Jackson has 35 touchdowns and five, 2-point conversion runs for 220 points.
"I am pleased with how we've run the ball," May said. "JaQuan (Jackson) is the real deal. Going in, we thought he could be pretty good, but we found out six weeks in that he was the real deal. I am very pleased with how our offense has played."
DeKalb is scoring an average of 46.3 points a game, which is second in the area, and give up 35.0 points per game. The Bears play at Daingerfield Friday.
May says that he is pleased with the way linebacker Alex Clark and the defensive line have played.
Anchoring the 3-man front on defense for the Bears are sophomore Carter Wafford, sophomore Londell Howard, and junior Dalton Owens.
"Alex (Clark) is playing well in the linebacker spot," May said. "Our defensive front is young, but they are getting better in what we're doing. I think in the playoffs, we'll be OK defensively. We will have to play well in these last games to make the playoffs. We will continue to work, and progress until we get over that hump."
DeKalb has one of the hardest working football squads in the area. Hard work and conditioning are reasons why the Bears outlasted Ore City last week, 55-50, in a big win.
"We have some of the greatest kids that have I ever been around as far as work ethic goes," May said. "The kids are always here at seven o'clock in the morning to lift weights. The work has never been a problem."