Team rebuilding, rule changes and record heat will greet the 2018 Tiger football team Monday, Aug. 6 for two-a-days.
The 3A University Interscholastic League 2017 State Champion Tigers are ranked No. 3 in Class 3A by Dave Campbell’s Texas Football magazine, often referred to as the state’s football bible. The Brock Eagles and Goliad Tigers are ranked first and second respectively. Rounding out the top five are the No. 4 Atlanta Rabbits and No. 5 Yoakum Bulldogs.
The Tigers lost some blue chip seniors in the quarterback, receiver and offensive coordinator positions.
Big Blue quarterback prospects this year could be Ross Loth, a junior, and Jace Robinson, a sophomore, and the Tigers have an open position in the receiver spot.
A familiar face will lead this year’s offense. Coach Ethan Noel has replaced Brandon Houston, who became the head coach at Buffalo, as offensive coordinator. The Boerne native is going on his third year at Rockdale High School.
The new UIL football practice regulations covered in the Reporter in early July added one day to the acclimation period. Previously players were required to practice in helmets only for the first four days before allowing full contact. Now there are five acclimation days: two days of helmets only, followed by two days of helmets with shoulder pads. Preseason practices before the start of school have been limited. Students may only practice for up to three hours with a one-hour break.
A cool and cloudy 97 degrees will greet players when they start two-a-days on Monday, Aug. 6, according to the National Weather Service. This is reprieve from the three-digit heat recorded in Rockdale this week.
Two-way starter and All-State defensive tackle Cayden McBride heads up the list of eight starters back off the 13-3 state championship squad.
Offensively, the Tigers return three starters in linemen McBride and Carson Offield and receiver Quentin Hughes.
Linebacker Jackson Perry, a three-year starter, is back along with defensive backs Will Storey and Nathan Newlin and defensive end Josh Davenport.
Rockdale has a group of talented sophomores that are primed to step in and step up.
Offensive lineman Ty Mayberry started in the championship game.
Running back Cam’ron Valdez saw some action on the varsity late in the season and the playoffs, while receiver Kesean Raven could develop into a top player.
Volleyball
The Rockdale Tigers varsity volleyball team will start two-a-day practices Wednesday, Aug. 1. Practice is scheduled to start 8-10 a.m. and the netters will hit the weights from noon to 3 p.m.
Their first game is a scrimmage at home on Saturday, Aug. 4 with time and team to be announced.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.