LC's Lions begin district play this season

Courtesy photo by Rev. Edwin Findley NEW YEAR, NEW CHALLENGE — The Leverett's Chapel Lions (above), again coached by Matt Everett, will begin six-man district play. LAIRD HILL (Leverett's Chapel) — This season, for the first time in over two decades, the Leverett's Chapel football program will have the chance to play for a state title.

The Lions, who resumed their football program a few years ago but got their feet wet without district play for those first few seasons, will play in Division 2 sixman UIL competition this year.

Last year, LC only won one game and only played six. The Lions started the season with only 13 players. They actually finished 2007 with a 3-5 record because two teams canceled on them. They also ended the season on a sour note as they only had seven players eligible to play, and to top it off their star quarter back was hurt.

This year the Lions have new hope. They began practice in August with 22 players, and several of them are confident.

"We are going all the way to state," Kyle Youngblood stated. With the confidence and "athletic people, we are going deep into the playoffs," senior player Tony Chavez said.

EVERETT The Lions have the first four games at home. When Division II District 15 games begin later in the schedule, two of the four are on the road: Walnut Springs and Oglesby. Both teams are on the other side of Waco, both over 200 miles from Laird Hill.

Players to Watch

• Kyle Youngblood — Youngblood is a 6-foot-2, 230-pound junior, and a third-year starter. Last year in six games played he ran for over 800 yards and scored nine touchdowns.

This year the star running back is playing center. He is by far the biggest man on the team. "It is a better fit for us this year, better benefits the team," coach Matt Everett said. "He's a better blocker and he is good on pass routes. He is a team player." And in six-man football, even the center can and will be a receiver.

• Daniel Still — Still is a 5-10, 180-pound junior. Last year Still was injured in the 5th game and did not get to play in the sixth game. His best game last year was against Dallas Academy, with 16 completions out of 22 attempts for 285 yards, and he averaged 6 yards per carry.

"He understands our offense," Everett said. "He is a born leader, and gives our team great confidence."

• Joseph Armstrong— Armstrong is a 5-6, 140-pound (soaking wet) sophomore. He did not play last year due to his family moving out of the district. As an eighth grader he played quarter back. This year Armstrong will be play safety on defense and running back on offense. "He has speed and he is very versatile for six man football," Everett said. "He will be one of our top offense players."

• Chase Maxwell — Maxwell is a 5-10, 160-pound junior. He did not play last year due to eligibility issues.

This year he is going to play middle linebacker. He will replace the graduated Joe Roe. "Maxwell's toughness and aggressions will be hard to deal with," Everett stated.

• Tony Chavez — Chavez is a 5-8, 165-pound senior, a three year starter. Last year his best game was against Dallas Academy, where he scored three touchdowns and had 169 yards rushing on just seven carries, an average of 24 yards per carry. He also caught one pass for 29 yards. This year he will be helping out as a running back on offense and safety on defense. "We are expecting a great year from Tony," Everett said.

• Taylor Jordon — Jordon is a second-year starter, a 5-9, 165- pound junior. His best game last year was also against Dallas Academy, with six solo tackles. Jordon this year will be playing as an offense lineman.

• Dustin Crews — Crews, a senior, is a four year player, he is 5-8 and 155 pounds. This year, Dustin will play linebacker. "Crews is special, he helped us start this six-man program." Coach Everett said with a smile. "He is a special young man."

• Cory Freeland — As coach Everett was being interviewed for this preview, Freeland walked up to the school.

He explained why he was on foot.

"My family car wouldn't start, so I walked the two miles," Freeland explained, a telling answer as to how much this freshman wants to play football.

As an eighth-grader, Freeland (5-7, 155) was one of the top players both on offense and defense.

"When we say go to the football, Freeland is all over it," coach Everett said. "He worked hard as an eighth grader and all summer he went the extra mile to improve himself."

• Luncel Martin: Martin shined last year when he was one of the seven players that played Apple Springs. Martin had a 65- yard touchdown run. "Luncel will be our deep threat this year," Everett said. "We see a lot of maturity in him this year, mentally and physically."

In week seven of the season, the Lions will play their first dis- trict game in over two decades. They will play Iredell at LC. Iredell is a little town in Bosque Country on the other side of Waco. Iredell is about 237 miles from Laird Hill, a town of population of 387 people.

The Iredell Dragons went 8-4, 3-1 last year to be the runners up in Division 2, District 15.

The following week, Leverett's Chapel will travel to Walnut Springs, which went 5-5 on the season and 2-3 in district. Dave Campbell's 2008 Texas Football has Walnut Springs picked to win the district.

The Lions' last home game of the year is Oct. 24, as they host the Morgan Eagles.

The Eagles last year were in Division 2, District 12, and didn't do very well. They won one game all season and lost all of their district games.

In the final week of the regular season, Leverett's Chapel will again travel to Central Texas to play the Oglesby Tigers, another trip of over 200 miles. Last year the Tigers went 2-8 and 1-2 in District 16.