Three Weeks before Football Practice Starts
The Canyon Lake Football team does not have long before the new season will be upon them.
The Hawks finished 6-6 last season and missed going to the third round in the playoffs by one yard on a missed field goal.
That play seemed like only yesterday and now summer is just around the corner for the Hawks and another chance to make their mark on a new season.
Last season did not start smoothly for CL, losing to Blanco to start the season and having only two wins after the first five games. People were wondering and hoping the team could get back on track before it was too late.
The Hawks came through winning the last three games in district and then a win over Burnet in Bi-District play.
This season will have a new dose of optimism as the Junior Varsity will bring their unblemished record from last year. The experience those players bring to the team will increase the competition across the board and quite possibly help the Hawks start the season in better shape.
The question? How does CL start the season the way they were playing when it ended.
The answer might be with the offensive and defensive line. How this part of the team does will give us an idea of where and how the Hawks will do this year.
The offensive line improved throughout the campaign last year with a finish that allowed Zach Henshaw rack up two consecutive games of over 200 yards rushing. In fact, the two game total was 509 yards, against playoff teams.
That same line also helped in protecting quarterback Jeff Nabors with only two sacks during that same time frame. Opening holes for the backs and protecting the quarterback are two of the most important things the line is asked to do.
How long will it take for the line to come of age this season?
The offense lost Richard Howell who contributed 519 receiving yards on 31 catches and Todd Pippin with 97 yards receiving and three touchdowns as the main contributors who will be walking across the stage the end of May.
Returning players: Rushing Rec TD Zach Henshaw 1161 124 12 Eduardo Covarrubias 789 55 6 Matt Magness 560 9 Jeremy Fulton 348 1 Robin Pedranti 123 1 QB Jeff Nabors 135 comp 1709 yds 17 Junior Varsity: Rushing Rec TD Casey Coffee 594 114 12 Isaiah Gutierrez 11 360 4 Daniel Camarillo 253 2 Jake Robinson 158 2 Cody Spears 136 2 Garrett Dove 104 2 QB Brandon Belcher 80 comp 1268 yds 16
The Junior Varsity stats are based on seven games this past season. You have to feel optimistic knowing how many players that can contribute to the team.
The schedule has the same teams from a year ago and a chance to have a break out season.
Keep reading throughout the Summer months as the ReSporter will be giving you booster shots to help sustain the fan for the first kickoff.
The ReSporter will be going over stats from the past three years of competition and talking to the Hawk Coaches for the most and best in depth coverage this side of the Guadalupe River.
