SAN ANTONIO – Jared Dolezal’s first game starting at quarterback for Memorial resulted in a loss, but not a loss of his teammates’ confidence.
“I have a whole lot of faith in him,” said Memorial receiver Roderick Warren. “The whole team does. We go through a lot and Jared always bounces back.”
Dolezal, a junior who saw limited time as a sophomore last season, dreamed of starting the season with a win. He worked hard from the first day of practice on Aug. 3 and wanted to travel to San Antonio and leave with a win. In his visions of the game, he would have thrown four touchdowns and watched Viper running back O.J. Hughes score three more. That didn’t happen.
Dolezal threw three interceptions, fumbled once and was sacked in a 28-18 season-opening loss to San Antonio Taft on Friday at Farris Stadium. Opening-night dream shattered, but not the end of the season or his optimism.
“Throwing three picks in a game is not good,” Dolezal said. “And I have to get better.”
For his credit, Dolezal threw two touchdowns and never gave up. He connected with Warren on a 62-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter and found Zach Mueller for a 6-yard connection as the Vipers tried to rally back in the fourth quarter. He also ran for a 1-yard touchdown.
Warren, who is also a junior, saw Dolezal out of his comfort zone on the field against the Raiders but also saw him adjust to find success.
“He had to move around a lot (because of Taft’s defensive pressure) and I think that may have rattled him a little,” Warren said. “On our touchdown, he got outside and found me deep and wide open.”
Dolezal, who is also a baseball player, also can be credited for not passing the blame of his misfortunes. That is a sign of leadership and personal responsibility that could lead the Vipers to success this season.
“I had a lot of misreads that were all my fault,” Dolezal said. “The offensive line did a great job blocking on a screen. I’m the only one to blame on those interceptions.”
With an open week before playing El Campo on Sept. 11 at Memorial Stadium, Dolezal and his receivers now go back to the practice field to work. The team gets two weeks to prepare, watch film and improve on their mistakes.
“He’s young and needs to learn to play in the scheme,” said Memorial head coach Mickey Finley. “Most of our mistakes were on things that we shouldn’t have done. Two of the interceptions were on screens where no one was down field where we threw it. He’ll get better with more experience.”
As a group, Memorial’s receivers and tight ends caught eight passes thrown to them. Mueller grabbed two balls for 14 yards, Warren three for 75 and Austin Bivins two for 40. Freshman Marcus Salazar rounded out the group with one catch for 10 yards and also had a 37-yard touchdown reception called back because of an illegal block.
Dolezal saw positives the team can build on and what it’s going to be like against varsity opponents every week as the starter.
“You work hard in practice, but it’s just against air,” Dolezal said. “Getting out here in a real game is totally different. Me and our receivers are real young and inexperienced, but as the season rolls on, I’m going to work hard to trust them and have them trust me.”
Notes: Hughes finished the game with 73 yards rushing on 17 carries for the Vipers and added a 37-yard kickoff return in the first half… Memorial senior fullback Travis Edwards carried the ball only two times in the first half but finished the game with 80 yards rushing with double-digit gains of 22, 19 and 10 yards with six touches in the second half… Taft’s Spencer Ruth led all rushers with 195 yards rushing while his quarterback David Gonzales threw for 66 yards and a pair of 26 yard touchdowns in the first half.
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Black N Blue, I hate to start off with personal attacks but seeing that you have a problem excepting anyone's opinion other than your own and think you know EVERYTHING, here's a copy of the last reply you left.
(BTW: I copied this straight from the horses mouth) "I had a chance to travel to Brazoswood Saturday and watch the scrimage, all I can say is the OFFENSE looks really good with Dolzel at QB the offense has improved, all running backs looked really good, running hard blocking very good passing game was great to watch."
And, trust me when I say, I know PLENTY of parents, coaches, fans, and other's standing next to you in the stands who'd appreicate it if you'd keep your BIG MOUTH SHUT!
August 29, 2009 at 1:53 p.m.This comment was removed by the user.
August 29, 2009 at 1:07 p.m.How about some video. Interseptions and fumbles?
August 29, 2009 at 11:26 a.m.Wes, Thanks for reporting a fair assessment of last nights game. Your article is right on point and stated true. Playing football on a Varsity level is like no other and the Vipers needed this game to get their nerves out! Several of the names mentioned above, have never played a down on a Varsity level, and it is a different game than those they "were" use to. However, now that this is behind us, I'm excited to see what the Vipers will do against ElCampo.
During 3rd quarter play a change was made on the offensive line and #65 Ryon TRCKA stepped-up and played a great game. good job!
Linebacker-#45 Mark Carreon was all over the field making tackles- he needs some help from others, in the back field, on defense.
August 29, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.
August 29, 2009 at 10:39 a.m.This comment was removed by the user.
August 29, 2009 at 10:27 a.m.