BRAZOS VALLEY CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION MUSTANGS
New coach in place at BVCHEA Mustangs lost Hancocks but Ray says squad handled transition well during offseason By RICHARD CROOME richard.croome@theeagle.com
When Gerald Hancock stepped down as the head football coach of the Brazos Valley Christian Educators Association Mustangs this spring, it had a domino effect. With him went two players, his sons Grant and Levi, who were a big part of a 6-man football team that like any other program in the smallest division of Texas football can use everybody available. “The Hancocks were a major part of the team, both because he was the head coach and Grant and Levi were such great players,” senior Ben Brandon said. “They went over to [Brazos Christian], and I really hope they do well over there. They are lucky to have them over there.” Hancock had coached the Mustangs two years, extending the team’s playoff run to nine straight seasons. The job of extending that streak is now in the hands of Joshua Ray, who coached the junior high team the past two years and was set to join Hancock at the varsity level before getting asked to be the head coach of the program that participates in the TAIAO. “Yeah, it did hurt, and they are talented, and I coached Levi when he was in junior high,” Ray said. “I never got a chance to coach Grant, but obviously he was a significant factor as well. We’ve had a couple of boys step up and take their place, and it’s like every other school, kids get older and they grow into their bodies, so we have some talent
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Eagle photo by Laura McKenzie Seniors Ben Brandon, left, and Cody Davis return to help lead the BVCHEA Mustangs under new head coach Joshua Ray. Brandon plays quarterback and linebacker, while Davis lines up at wide receiver and linebacker. to replace them.” As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Ray also has a bit of a different approach, one the players have taken to with enthusiasm in the short time Ray has been running the show. “Initially, I was kind of sad because I love Coach Hancock. He is an awesome guy and a great coach,” said Brandon, who will take most of the snaps this season. “Coach Ray came in for spring training, and it was a lot of fun. He pushed us more than we had been pushed and brought a whole new aspect to the table with his background in the Marines and as a Texas Rang-
High School Football 2019
ROSTER 1 QB/DB Owen Davis, 5-6, 130, soph.; 5 MLB/RB/AB Cody Davis, 6-0, 165, sr.; 9 QB/RB/LB Ben Brandon, 6-3, 195, sr.; 10 RB/DL Dominic LeJune, 6-0, 195, sr.; 11 K Jack Erdner, 5-10, 150, jr.; 17 WR/CB Ethan LaStrapes, 6-0, 140, soph.; 35 DE/RB Benjamin Freund, 5-11, 140, soph.; 51 DL/ WR PJ Dooley, 5-9, 155, soph.; 52 CB/DL Joseph Kitts, 5-7, 130, soph.; 59 C/DL Josh Tipton, 5-11, 200, sr.; 99 OL/DL Connor Hamilton, 5-11, 240, sr.; DB/WR Caleb Kocmoud, 5-6, 110, fr.; DB/WR Colton Henderson, 5-8, 135, fr.; LD/RB/WR Ethan Ray, 6-0, 160, fr.; DB/DL/RB Jered Lavender, 5-8, 155, fr.; DB/WR Joseph Grief, 5-8, 130, fr.; OL/DL Raymond “Bubba” Stokely, 5-8, 200, soph. Coaches: head coach Joshua Ray, Howard Tipton, Tim Brandon
er. He had brought another whole plate to the table, a little more discipline, and he definitely keeps us shipshape. I’m really excited for this year.” Despite the Mustangs’ playoff run, of late they have not fared as well once there. And although it’s a long way down the road, it is something Ray hopes he can change.
“I told coaches [before practices began], average and mediocre is not good enough, and I’m not saying making the playoffs is average, I’m not, but I always say shoot for the highest goal and if we fail to get to that goal then there is something to be learned from failure,” Ray said. “Some of the best learning moments I’ve had in my
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life were when I haven’t accomplished my objectives, but I always shoot for the top. I want to build on what Gerald has done, and we consistently get into the playoffs but we usually don’t advance, so I’d like to advance. Of course getting to the playoffs is important and you want to win each game, but I definitely set my sights pretty high.” Ray has worked with the defense in his two previous seasons and so the few changes on the field for the varsity will come on that side of the ball. One thing that won’t change is who will lead that defense. Cody Davis will be back at linebacker, where he has led the team in tackles the past two seasons. “Cody Davis is our defensive threat,” said Brandon, who will play defensive end. “He will play mike linebacker and he will be a force. That will be one of our strongest positions.” S e n i o r Jo s h T i p t o n at center and Dominic LeJeune at tailback will play a major role, especially in getting the tough yards in a game that is usually wide open. LeJeune or Brandon will do the kicking for the Mustangs. “Dominic, he adds another whole component with strength as well as speed,” Brandon said. “He’s more of a head-on runner. We have a couple guys super quick and he’s more run you over. He will be good for short yardage or surprise plays.” The Mustangs will be counting on a couple of sophomores in the defensive backfield with Owen
FACTS Head coach — Joshua Ray (0-0 overall, 0-0 at BVCHEA) District — TAIAO Division I 2018 record — 5-5 2018 playoffs — first round: lost to Fort Worth THESA 52-46 Playoff appearances (9) — 2010-18 Returning lettermen — 10 Key returners — QB/LB Ben Brandon, WR/LB Cody Davis, RB/DL Dominic LeJune, K Jack Erdner Key newcomers — QB/DB Owen Davis, QB/RB/LB Ethan Ray, DE/DB Joseph Kitts. Key losses — C Sean Cox, QB Adam LaStrapes, RB Grant Hancock, QB Levi Hancock
SCHEDULE Date Opponent Time Aug. 30 Tyler East Texas Christian* 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 6 Victoria Homeschool^ 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 46-0 Sept. 13 Huntsville Alpha Omega+ 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 20 at St. Joseph 7:30 p.m. Last year: did not play Sept. 27 Allen Academy# 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 67-22 Oct. 4 Fort Bend Chargers@ 7:30 p.m. Last year: L 40-16 Oct. 11 Bastrop Tribe 7:30 p.m. Last year: L 52-6 Oct. 18 TBD Oct. 25 Austin Royals 7:30 p.m. Last year: W 43-34 Nov. 1 Wilco Falcons$ 7:30 p.m. Last year: L 28-24 NOTE — Home games at Bryan Regional Athletic Complex *at Allen Academy 6-Man Showcase ^ in Brenham + location TBD # Homecoming @ in Katy $ in Georgetown
Davis and Ethan LaStrapes. “For 6-man football we don’t have to have 10 studs to play, and so I think I have a good core to build around, and in addition to that, we’ve got some freshmen and sophomores coming up,” Ray said. “Ethan is going to be one of our upand-comers as will Owen Davis, who will also play quarterback. I think we have a pretty good shot of doing some good things this year.”
Thursday, August 29, 2019
