• Wes Bloomquist •
• Originally published May 26, 2009 at 10:51 p.m., updated May 26, 2009 at 10:51 p.m.

• Memorial Vipers

  2008 (5-5, 3-4 District 27-5A)

  Key returners: O.J. Hughes, rb; Preston Turner, dl; Mark Carreon, lb; Desmond Sweet, lb; Dillon Smith, ot; Jamie Thomas, fs; Josh McNickles, cb; Aaron Hopkins, fs; Nico Ramirez, wr; Jared Dolezal, qb.

With one week left before school lets out, the Memorial Vipers football team isn't looking forward to a vacation. They're eyeing a summer of continued progress.

"We are thinking of this like a train," said Memorial defensive lineman Preston Turner. "We're building up some steam to carry on through the summer and into next year. We workout during and after school to get get a leg up for next year and will even pick it up even more in the summer. I'll be pushing all the guys to get better."

The Vipers, coming off a 5-5 overall record and their first trip to the postseason since 2005, went without spring practice this season and will start practicing next year on Aug. 3. During the summer months coaches are not allowed to be involved in anything other than conditioning drills, meaning the players have to find motivation within themselves and from their teammates.

"We are looking forward to the summer workouts even though they are going to be hard and hot," said Memorial sophomore Jared Dolezal, who tops the Vipers' quarterback depth chart going into next season. "Our enthusiasm for next year has doubled from where we were at last year. Everyone believes that we are going to be a great team."

Mickey Finley, who has been the Vipers head coach for two seasons, sees the development of the player as well. Finley said the team is ahead of where he expected them to be and starting a week earlier instead of having spring practice will help his team in the fall as long as the players take the summer seriously.

"It's the difference between winning and losing," Finley said. "I feel like to a certain extent that (letting up) happened to us last year. The kids were doing great during the school year, but kind of let up in the summer when we weren't there pushing them. It's one of those things where you can't win a race if you're going forward only so far and then you start backing up. They have to keep moving forward."

Dolezal's emergence at quarterback allows O.J. Hughes to move back to his natural position of running back in his senior season. Hughes led the team in rushing last year with 1,337 yards and with 17 touchdowns as the team's quarterback.

The Memorial offense will also see some changes on the sidelines. David Husmann takes over the offensive coordinator duties from Kyle Taylor who resigned to return to Hallettsville. Husmann, who is currently on the Hallettsville Brahmas coaching staff, will not join the Vipers coaching staff until summer. Even with coaching changes, Finley said the players have continued to stay focused and work towards their goals.

"The kids have really taken ownership in the program," Finley said. "They all worked harder than they ever have and are doing all the right things to make us a better team."

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