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MHS grad expected to start for Rice

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  • Mike Forman •
  • Originally published July 29, 2008 at 11:44 p.m., updated July 29, 2008 at 11:44 p.m.

SAN ANTONIO -- Memorial graduate Willie Garley is expected to start at strong safety for Rice this season.

“He’s one of the players we’re counting on,” Rice coach David Bailiff said. “He’s going to have to be a leader for us.”

Bailiff, Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman and Texas coach Mack Brown spoke Tuesday at a Texas High School Coaches Association coaching school press conference.

Bailiff said the Owls’ biggest challenge this season would be developing more depth.

“I learned we have to start developing people earlier,” Bailiff said. “You’ve got to learn your situation and the team you have. We were better in the spring that we were at anytime last year.”

Sherman, who was the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans last season, is anxious to begin his first season at Texas A&M.

“I really think we can turn things around,” Sherman said. “Are we there right now? No. But the four- to five-year plan we have in place now should get us there. This place is a sleeping giant. We have the ability to take great strides and win some football games.”

Sherman said cornerback Arkeith Brown, an El Campo graduate, and defensive line Kellen Heard, a Wharton graduate, should get significant playing time for the Aggies this season.

“I found Arkeith to be a real disciplined guy in the offseason,” Sherman said. “He was a great motivator. I like to have three corners who can go in and play at any time and he’s one of those guys. He’s done a nice job and you know he will do things right.”

“Kellen and I butted heads a few times and you know he has a big ol’ head,” Sherman added. “But Kellen has responded well. He’s lost about 25 pounds and he’s been working out all summer. He’s made a lot of progress as a football player and a person. He’s in the best shape of his life.”

Sherman said Cuero graduate Latrael Cooper will have to show improvement from spring drills to see significant action at fullback this season.

“He needs to take a step forward to being the player he needs to be,” Sherman said. “He needs to get to that point.”

Brown has been pleased with the work ethic of the Longhorns.

“This is a tough team,” Brown said. “They showed that during offseason and practices. They all worked hard and we didn’t have a bad practice.”

Baylor coach Art Briles was unable to attend the press conference and was replaced by Beau Trahan. Trahan, a Bay City graduate, is Baylor’s director of high school relations.

Trahan said Cuero graduate Kaeron Johnson will play on the defensive line for the Bears.

NOTES: Charlie Reeve, a Victoria High graduate who coaches at Texas State, was one many college coaches visiting coaching school. Reeve said the Bobcats should be much improved this season.

Beeville’s Chris Soza is the Region VII nominee to coach in the 2009 all-star football game. The 2009 coaching school will be held July 19-22 in Austin.



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