High School Sports

By CHRIS PARRY
Staff Writer

Robert E. Lee made the playoffs last year. Really.

It just seemed like an unsuccessful season. A 5-6 overall record and averaging 16 points per game put a damper on a third-place district finish and second straight postseason appearance. The Red Raiders scored 10 points or less in five of their 11 games. The lowlight came in a victory as Lee edged Dallas Kimball, 3-2.

"I think last year was a struggle all the way. We just didn't have any continuity on offense," said Lee head coach Mike Owens. "Our quarterback, if he was doing well, the receivers weren't catching it. Or if they were catching it, he couldn't get it to them.

"It was a cluster. I just thank God our defense played pretty well."

Lee's defense was put under constant pressure in '07, and rose to the challenge. In the regular season, REL gave up 19.8 points per game and a miniscule 85 yards passing per contest with three touchdowns.

A little more offense and the same defense in '08 could vault REL a little higher and change its trend from just being a perennial playoff team (10 times in the past 11 years) to winning its first district title in six years.

Lee receivers coach Dow Wynn has called this year's group "the deepest I've ever had." The Red Raiders return junior tailback Da Da Brown (pictured on the cover) after an all-district campaign last season, and REL junior quarterback Luke Wagner (6-2, 186, Jr.) gained experience last season while filling in for injured starter Brandon Rogers.

All the pieces are in place for Lee's offense to put points on the scoreboard and W's in the win column.

Well, almost all.

Senior Hunter Hogan is a three-year starter on the offensive line.

Here's the rub.

Hogan is the only Lee offensive lineman with any varsity experience.

The senior is penciled in to play both center on offense and defensive tackle on defense. The remaining offensive line spots are to be filled by newcomers Greg Holston (6-0, 255, Jr.), Derrick Dunn (6-2, 280, Jr.), Nathan Yost (6-1, 2-00, Sr.), Thomas Lacey (6-2, 285, Jr.) and Brandt Martin (5-9, 215, Sr.).

The top returning receiver for Lee is the tailback Brown (12 catches for 103 yards), but Owens is excited about the possibilities for Joe Turner (6-1, 180, Sr.), Marquise Mosley (6-3, 180, So.), Steven Ragin (6-1, 175, Jr.), Derell Tate (5-11, 165, Sr,), K.J. Jones (5-10, 160, Sr.) and Dennis Edwards (6-2, 180, So.).

"We've never had this many (receivers) that we can throw to," Owens said. "Our offensive line is young and inexperienced, so for us to get in the gun a little bit and throw it will take some heat off the offensive linemen.

"Plus Da Da Brown is a heck of a receiver. He can hurt people bad."

Owens praised the offensive line following Lee's scrimmage against San Marcos, but added, "they need to keep getting better."

Brown (5-8, 163, Jr.) will benefit from that. The junior led the team with 875 yards rushing last season, despite splitting carries. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry on 157 attempts with four touchdowns.

DEFENSE

The Red Raiders boast a loaded defensive unit that begins in the secondary. Senior cornerback Josh Aubrey (pictured on the cover) has been labeled by Owens, "maybe the best cover guy I've ever seen since I've been coaching."

Aubrey returned an interception for a touchdown and a fumble for a touchdown last season while racking up 37 tackles, two interceptions, a caused fumble and two tackles for loss.

On the other side at cornerback is Trey Smith, a returning varsity letterman, who finished with 20 tackles, two pass breakups and one interception last season.

Senior Chris Dinkins saw limited playing time at free safety last season, but will be called upon this year to be the last line of defense.

Jordan Aubrey, Josh's twin brother, will play strong safety in Lee's 3-4 defensive look. Last year, Aubrey earned all-state honors with 62 tackles, one caused fumble, one recovered fumble for a touchdown and two blocked kicks.

The linebacking corps is made up of returning starters Matt Monigold (45 tackles, four pressures as a junior) and Blake Roberts (27 tackles, one caused fumble as a junior). The strong-side linebacker will be filled by newcomer Austin Wilson (6-2, 190, Jr.).

The fourth linebacker, or "rover," position will be manned by senior Junior Cain, a returning letterman who amassed 22 tackles last season.

Up front is Hogan at nose tackle. Last season in his first action on defense, Hogan racked up 31 tackles and one sack. Senior Reggie Taylor returns at defensive end after finishing with 18 tackles, four for loss. Senior Simmon Blaylock (6-3, 195) was supposed to start at the end of last season, but was limited by injury. He's back and looking to make up for lost time.

"There is a lot expected of them," Owens said of the defense. "They have a job and that is to keep people from scoring. I am not one of these guys that cares about stats other than how many times we keep them out of the end zone."

SPECIAL TEAMS

The REL special teams shined at times last season, but also endured struggles.

Lee kickers converted eight field goals -- one of them a game-winner -- and were a perfect 18 for 18 on extra points. The Red Raiders also had an all-state punter. REL also gave up two punt returns for a touchdown in a loss against Mesquite and had two punts blocked in other games.

Both kickers and Lee's starting deep-snapper graduated, leaving three vacancies that needed to be filled. Hogan and sophomore Jimmy Landes will be the new deep snappers with Hogan mainly on field goals and extra points.

Junior Brady Jones is the new punter with senior Judson Hinsley the starting kicker.

"We have some pretty good ones I think," Owens said. "Brady Jones is our punter and he can boom the (mess) out of them. His shanks are 30 yards.

"Judson so far looks like our best kicker."

THROUGH THE AIR: Robert E. Lee might air it out a little more in 2008 with (from left) receivers Dennis Edwards, Derell Tate, K.J. Jones, quarterback Luke Wagner, receivers Steven Ragin, Joe Turner and Marquise Mosley.
(Staff Photo By Chris Vinn)