Area football teams are well-grounded Posted On: Friday, Sep. 5 2008 05:29 AM By Matthew Girard
Killeen Daily Herald

Variations of the pass-happy spread offense dominate the Texas high school football landscape, but here in Central Texas several teams are putting more emphasis on establishing a successful ground attack.

All six area schools that were in action last week rushed for more than 150 yards as a team and went 4-2 on the opening weekend of the season.

"I've been coaching for over 20 years, and I'm a firm believer that you can't win football games without being able to run the ball," Copperas Cove offensive coordinator Tracy Welch said. "No matter how good your quarterbacks or receivers are, you have to run to win."

Ellison started the trend last Thursday by rushing for 360 yards as a team in a 27-7 win against crosstown rival Killeen. Senior Daniel Cobb (203 yards) and his little brother, David (102 yards), combined to rush for more than 300 yards in the Eagles win.

First-year Eagles' coach Buddy McBryde, who instituted a more run-oriented offense this season, said establishing the ground game is important early in the season.

"It lets you control the tempo of the game and it works as a defense," McBryde said. "You keep the ball away from your opponent and they can never really get into a rhythm. I think we had an eight-minute drive against Killeen and that's hard on their offense to be on the sideline that long."

Like Ellison, the Bulldawgs used a two-back tandem to rush for 189 yards as a team in a 56-0 win against San Angelo Central. Brandin Byrd rushed for more than 100 yards and three touchdowns, while Will Wright added 80 yards on just eight carries.

"We got a great tandem of running backs, maybe the best we've ever had," Cove coach Jack Welch said. "When you have that luxury, it makes it easier on everyone else and opens up a lot of things."

Despite a 33-23 loss to Austin, Harker Heights rushed for more than 200 yards as a team, with Kerry Sloan rushing for 154.

Harker Heights coach Todd McVey said more good comes from running the ball.

"I guess it's a percentage-game," McVey said. "There's a greater percentage that something good's going to happen every time you hand the ball off."

Florence and Salado also got into the rushing act by combining to rush for more than 300 yards in both team's season-opening wins. Killeen rushed for 170 yards against Ellison, but thanks to the Eagles' rush attack the Roos never could get into a rhythm.

McBryde said establishing a sound running attack benefits a team throughout the season.

"You're able to set up your passing game a little bit better and it gives you confidence that you can control the game," McBryde said.

Staff writers Kevin Posival and Evan Mohl contributed to this report.