Tomball Magnolia Potpourri - Sports
Concordia looks to hit the ground running
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(Edgar Salcedo/For The Potpourri)
Concordia Lutheran returns seven starters on offense including its backfield for the 2010 season.By JACK MARRION
The Concordia Lutheran football team produced one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the Houston area in 2009, rallying from an 0-6 start to win a playoff game. With 11 starters back from a team that reached the regional round of the TAPPS Division II bracket, another stunning comeback might not be necessary.While the Crusaders shoot for a similar or better result in 2010 the route has already been changed. An offense that did not have a single returning starter last summer has picked up where it left off this past fall.
“It makes things so much easier,” said senior tight end Christian Wilke, one of seven offensive returning starters. “We’ve got all of our backfield back and some kids that came in and helped out when a couple kids when down. We’ve got a bunch of experience in the backfield and on the offense. Hopefully we’re going to be rolling.”
While a difficult non-district schedule contributed to their slow start the Crusaders (5-8 in 2009) struggled at first with untested personnel running a new offense under first-year head coach Bobby Lindquist. But after scoring a total of 34 points in the first five games Concordia averaged 25 points in TAPPS District 4-4A play to finish third.
“What really started happening we started believing in each other,” senior offensive guard Jordan Miller said. “When that started to happen we saw that we could win. This year we know we can win and we know we can go far, we just have to put the effort into it.”
The increase in production also had an effect on what was a senior-laden defense, which held the opposition under 15 points four times in a six-week span.
“Last year since the offense was so young we didn’t really trust them to get the job done,” senior defensive tackle Ryan Bell said. “We were stressing out trying to win the game on both sides while we were just playing defense. This year we know the offense is going to do their job and we know what to do on defense.”
Though the offensive line lost two starters to school transfers the Crusaders have pieces in place including their starting backfield led by junior quarterback Nathan Potter and junior running backs Mark Schroeder and Chance Gray (1,018 yards, 15 touchdowns), both All-District performers last season.
Both contributed remarkable performances running out of the Crusaders’ T formation, which Lindquist said will have to be executed at an even higher level going forward.
“We know we caught some people by surprise with the offense,” Lindquist said. “They’ve done their research so they’re going to be better equipped to handle it. But I think us being better at it and being more versatile on offense will create problems this year.”
In contrast to last season the Crusaders’ growing pains might come on the defensive side of the ball, though starters such as Bell, Schroeder (defensive back) and junior defensive end Cody Huffmeister return.
“Defensively we’re young,” Lindquist said. “That showed in the scrimmage against Kinkaid (Aug. 13). But we’ve got some potential. We’re going to take some lumps early on but we’re going to stick to it and hopefully when district comes around we’ll be where we need to be.”
Both sides of the ball will be tested by another challenging non-district stretch. St. John’s and Houston Christian, both 5A schools, are on the schedule as well as Class 2A public schools Boling and Hitchcock.
“St. John’s and Houston Christian, as long as they’ll play us we’ll play them,” Lindquist said. “They’re outstanding, well-coached programs. Good men run those programs and the kids do a good job of playing with class and total effort, which is what we want our kids to do.”
Time will tell if Concordia hits its stride at the perfect time, as in 2009 when it won five of six games down the stretch including a bi-district playoff win at San Antonio Texas Military Institute. But that experience leaves the Crusaders wanting more.
“We’re just going to go for it this year,” Miller said. “God willing, with his power and strength, we’ll go out and win it this year.”
Concordia Lutheran
Coach (season): Bobby Lindquist (2nd at CLHS)
District: TAPPS 4-II
2009 record: 5-8 (4-2)
Postseason: Def. San Antonio TMI 17-10 in Division II bi-district round; lost to Dallas Christian 31-14 in regional round
Starters returning: 7 offense/4 defense
Mark your calendar: at Second Baptist, Nov. 5
The backdrop for this game could be magnificent. Both teams are projected favorites for the district title and the Crusaders handed Second Baptist an upset loss in the 2009 finale.
Will make the playoffs if: The Crusaders have more than enough to be one of the top four in what is now an eight-team district. Barring injuries Concordia has the ability and experience to contend for the district title and return to the state quarterfinals.
