MAUD, Texas-This year Allen Cross, head coach of the Maud Cardinals, has two goals for his team: "first, win district. Second, be a playoff contender."
Achieving these goals for Cross is a matter of patience under pressure, players adapting to new roles, and team camaraderie.
"As a team we have adopted our schools' motto," said coach Cross. "'Protect the S.H.I.E.L.D.' That is: sacrifice, hard work, intensity, enthusiasm, leadership, and discipline."
Cross enters his fourth year as head coach at Maud with a career record of 56-57. Last year the Cardinals finished with a record of 5-7 and second place in district.
"We finished well," said coach Cross. "But this year I want to start better. I want to have more confidence going into district games. We've got to start strong and end strong."
"This year it's going to be a lot of new faces in new places. The challenge is going to be getting those kids to accept those positions and start playing at a high level early."
Coach Cross' team returns this year with eight previous offensive starters and eight defensive starters.
Senior Brock Foster (5-10, 220), Junior Chance Sprague (5-11, 220), Junior Thomas Daniels (5-9, 230), and Junior Syler Pate (6-1, 300) will start on the offensive line.
Junior Seth Bower (5-10, 190) will start on the defensive line. Senior Ryan Griffin (5-11, 160) and Senior Cade Townsend (5-10, 160) will start as defensive backs. Senior Markus Berry (5-10, 190) will start as a defensive end.
Senior Hunter Thomas, Junior Brandon Hall, Junior Rayne Bailey and Junior Payton Windham are returning as starters both on offense and defense. Thomas (6-0,170) will start as wide receiver on offense and defensive back on defense. Hall (6-0, 190) has been moved from wide receiver to tight end as an offensive starter and remains a defensive back on defense. Bailey (5-8, 180) will start as running back on offense and a linebacker on defense. Windham (5-10, 170) has been moved from fullback to quarterback on offense and moved moved from the defensive line to linebacker on defense.
"Thomas is one of our senior leaders," said coach Cross. "He's going to give everything 110 percent, both as a starting wide out and as safety."
In the practices thus far coach Cross has noted some significant stand outs about this years team. "Our effort," said Cross. "We are a small team, but in our practices they have done everything we have thrown at them-and killed it too."
"There are always challenges," added Cross. "It's a new offense. That means it will take time for us to get it learned and executed. The Cardinals look to operate their offensive out of the Wing T this season.
"On defense we've got to limit the big plays. That hurt us last year. We've got to play better defensive, run to the ball, and limit those plays." Cross will be running a 5-2 defensive scheme.
The Cardinals have started practice and will be ready for the season opener August 23 at Ore City. The contest is set to start at 7:30 p.m..
"We've preached 'the family' and we've really folded together well, said Coach Cross. "Everyone understands it's about the team goal not about the individual goal."
"I want us to be a multi-round playoff team, and I know that we can do that. This team is full of hard workers that will surprise people."
The Maud coaching staff includes Head Coach Allen Cross, defensive coordinator Chance Blackburn, running back and line back coach Michael Henderson, quarterback and defensive back coach Hayden Minter, and wide receiver and defensive line coach Isaac Ramirez.
QUICK FACTS
SCHOOL: Maud
2017 RECORD: 5-7
HEAD COACH: Allen Cross
YEARS AT SCHOOL: 3rd
COACHING STAFF: Chance Blackburn, DC/Sec; Michael Henderson, RB/LB; Hayden Minter, QB/DB; Isaac Ramirez, WR/DL
LETTERMEN LOST/BACK: 5/15
STARTERS BACK: 8 offense, 8 defense
PLAYERS TO WATCH: WR/S Hunter Thomas, DB/S Ryan Griffin, OL/DL Brock Foster, QB Payton Windham, DL Skylar Pate, DL Chanse Sprague, FB/ DL Rayne Bailey, DL Seth Brower, DE Brandon Hall, DE Markus Berry
TOP NEWCOMERS: RB/LB Tucker Sanders, QB/DB Cason Lamb