Friday, Nov. 14, 2008

Jaguars Losing Senior Stars

FMHS Football

By Kevin Lonnquist

Staff Writer

When the new District 6-5A was revealed after realignment, every football coach probably winced. Each knew it was going to be a five-week grind with a six-team district. Only two coaches were not going to be happy when the season ended Nov. 7.

Unfortunately, one of them was Flower Mound coach Cody Vanderford. The Jaguars continued to make progress under Vanderford. For the fourth consecutive season, the program posted a season of at least six wins. They finished 6-4.

In 2007, the Jaguars earned those six wins by beating the right people at the right time. In 2008, the Jaguars won six games again, but five of them came in the non-district season. Two tough losses to Hebron and Marcus by a touchdown or less basically spelled the end of the season. They went 1-4 in district play.

The streak of making the playoffs ended at two and thus, the program must wait until 2009 to see if it can get back into the playoff hunt. Flower Mound is also still in search of its first playoff win.

Flower Mound fans they enjoyed watching pass-and-catch combination of Brandon Colquitt and Collin Ashley. Colquitt threw for 2,050 yards and 23 touchdowns. Ashley had 955 yards and 17 TD receptions.

Defensively, the lack of consistent production along the line really hurt. So the offseason will entail the development of a new quarterback and strengthening positions along the lines of scrimmage.

Key seniors lost: QB Brandon Colquitt, WR Collin Ashley, DL Jeramy Dockery, WR James Kelly, TE Craig Wenrick.

Key returners: RB Hunter Lee, So.; DB Brooks O’Rear, So., S Steven Sumpter, Jr.

Highs: The Jaguars jumped out to the first 5-0 start in school history as they ran the non-district season unblemished. The most impressive win was a 48-27 victory at DeSoto. They also handled Haltom, North Crowley, Keller Fossil Ridge and Plano East. DeSoto and North Crowley eventually made the playoffs out of their respective districts.

Lows: A heartbreaking 24-21 loss to Hebron on a field goal in the closing seconds really sent the District 6-5A season spiraling. The five-game winning streak against Marcus in the Mound Showdown ended as the Marauders won in overtime, 28-21. The Jaguars’ hopes were officially closed when they lost to Coppell in the season finale last week.

What went well: WR Collin Ashley caught 71 passes for 955 yards and 17 TDs. The special teams play continued to be a source of strength for the Jaguars. They covered kicks well, Ashley was dangerous on returns and they always put themselves in pretty decent field position.

What caused struggles: Concerns along the offensive and defensive lines really revealed themselves during district play. The Jaguars had problems with containment and consistency. It’s a big reason why the district season went 1-4.