By Moses Leos III
Lehman High head coach Todd Raymond understands the challenge his team had in adhering to the 6A life last season.
Despite competing in several contests, the Lobos finished the 2014 campaign with a 1-9 mark.
But now knowing what to expect, Raymond believes now is the time for the Lobos to take a stand.
“Yes, we’re playing 6A ball. It was a tough transition,” Raymond said. “But it’s time for us to step up and get going.”
The Lobos 2015 campaign will feature several new faces at key spots. One primary role to fill will be quarterback, where the Lobos must find a replacement for Jeremy Schilhab.
Seniors Jacob Zamora and Tyler Henderson have emerged as two options at quarterback. Raymond said each quarterback has strengths, but both are polar opposites of each other. Despite the difference in style, Raymond expects to use both during the season.
But for Raymond, the duo’s abilities offer a slight change in dynamic from previous years. It harkens to Zamora’s ability to perform as a pocket-passer. It could allow the Lobos to flip their mentality, with the team able to expand their passing game.
“You have to go with what you’ve got,” Raymond said.
Zamora, who transferred from Hays last spring, said he worked over the summer to improve his mobility. He welcomed the start of summer drills Monday, with his hope that the team executes and “gives 100 percent the whole time.”
“Everyone is working hard right now,” Zamora said. “Everyone is giving 100 percent.”
Surrounding the quarterbacks are several returning skill position players, including wide receivers Jonathan Whited and Grayson Steineger. Henderson is an additional option at wide receiver, along with recent move-in Jeramiah Brown.
But question marks extend toward the Lobos’ offensive line, which lost six lineman to graduation.
Brian Prickett and JJ Ramos return, and Raymond said the Lobos would rely on them as they groom the next wave of lineman.
“That’s our biggest hole to fill,” Raymond said. “It’s a big component, especially for our offense.”
Defensively, the returning Lobos will work for the second year under the same system. But while the system remains the same, Raymond said the team is changing tactics on tackling.
Implementing a rugby-style way of tackling, deriving from the Seattle Seahawks “Hawk Tackling” technique, is one new element.
Raymond said it was done to stay ahead of the curve and be proactive when it comes to player safety.
On the personnel front, Lehman will rely on a defense that features a mix of returning players and varsity newcomers.
The defensive backfield holds most of the experience, with defensive backs Austin Lakey and Edward Arana returning. Also returning are linebacker Kacey Santos and defensive lineman Cody Richter, who missed spring practice due to injury.
For Arana, the key components will be acclimating the newcomers on the defense to the pace of play.
“We know the young guys have a lot of potential,” Arana said. “We’re hoping they can pick up with the program and they are ready to start playing.
With the team starting drills Monday, Raymond said the group retained Most of the information learned during the spring.
As the first day was mostly spent on changing verbiage for formations and reviewing plays, Raymond hopes to pick up the intensity as it goes forward.
“You have to do your best to minimize the craziness of day one,” Raymond said.
