Defense rules at spring game
JUNIOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL
By MITCH LUCAS sports@kilgorenewsherald.com

Photo by Lester Murray MAKING A PICK - Kilgore College cornerback Ram Rodriguez (left) almost hauls in an interception during Saturday's Blue-Silver spring game.

If a big crowd at your spring game is any indication, then the Kilgore College football program is definitely winning the hearts and the attention of local fans.

A large crowd of over 200 people came out to see the Rangers' annual Blue-Silver spring game on Saturday morning at R.E. St. John Memorial Stadium, and got to see quite the defensive display.

Typically in spring, the defense is going to be ahead of the offense, and throw in some changes - like no quarterback who spent time on the field for the Rangers last season returning - and defense can be dominating.

And while the offense did have its moments, the defense looked very good in a 43-19 victory. The scoring system included so many points for sacks, first downs and interceptions. The defense really rolled up the points by recording six sacks and forcing the offense to punt on 10 occasions. Also, Victor Carmichael and Jimmy Anderson had interceptions.

DEMORRIO WILLIAMS

All-American tight end Woody McClendon of Texarkana ran the offense under center for coach J.J. Eckert, who helped guide the Rangers to a 9-3 record last year, in his first season as head coach. But fans should expect to see McClendon, sporting a Dan Fouts-like beard on Saturday, back in his normal position when the season is here.

The biggest highlight of the day, arguably, for the offense was a pass from McClendon to Cortez Smith that went for a 55- yard touchdown in the third quarter. Smith is a Hooks native.

Other highlights included the performance of the running game. Tyler native Cornelius Shackelford, one of KC's biggest offensive threats in the 2007 season, finished with 65 yards on 16 carries. LaRon Elmer of Mesquite got more playing time in the second half, and finished with 47 yards on 11 carries.

Honorary coaches in the spring game were former Rangers' head football coach Jimmy Rieves, and one of his star pupils: linebacker Demorrio Williams, who now suits up for the Kansas City Chiefs. Williams, a Beckville native, spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons here, helping the Rangers to a 12-0 record in '01. He signed with Kansas City in the offseason after spending his first few years in the NFLin Atlanta.

Photo by Lester Murray STIFF ARM! - Kilgore College running back LaRon Elmer (right) fights for yards Saturday, as defender Michael Cleveland attempts to pull him down.

Rieves, of course, coached the Rangers for seven seasons with great success, and for much of that time, Eckert was one of his assistants. Rieves will take over as KC's athletic director later this summer, following the retirement of David Castles.

The Rangers open the season hosting Fort Scott (Kan.) on Aug. 30, and then hosts Tyler Junior College on Sept. 6. The season opener against Fort Scott is a rematch from the final game in which Rieves coached: a win over Fort Scott in early 2007 in the CHAMPS Heart of Texas Bowl in Copperas Cove.