TAIAO 6-man

BRAZOS VALLEY CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION MUSTANGS New coach in place at BVCHEA MustangslostHancocksbutRaysayssquadhandledtransitionwellduringoffseason

By RICHARD CROOME richard.croome@theeagle.com

When Gerald Hancock stepped down as the head footballcoachoftheBrazos ValleyChristianEducators Association Mustangs this spring, it had a domino effect. With him went two players, his sons Grantand Levi, whowereabigpartof 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 playoffrun to nine straight seasons. The job of extending that streak is now in the hands of Joshua Ray, who coached the junior high teamthepasttwoyearsand 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 injuniorhigh,” Raysaid. “I nevergotachance to coach Grant, butobviouslyhewas a significant factor as well. We’ve had a couple of boys stepupandtaketheirplace, and it’s like every other school, kids get older and they grow into their bodies, so we have some talent 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. MarineCorps, Rayalsohas abitofadifferentapproach, 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. Heisanawesome guyandagreatcoach,” 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 pushedandbroughtawhole newaspecttothetablewith his background in the Marines and as a Texas Rang

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’mreallyexcitedfor 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 togettothatgoalthenthere is something to be learned from failure,” Ray said. “Some of the best learning moments I’ve had in my 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, butIdefinitelysetmy 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 willleadthatdefense. Cody Davis will be back at linebacker, wherehehasledthe teamintacklesthepasttwo seasons.

“CodyDavis is ourdefensive 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.”

Senior Josh Tipton at center and Dominic LeJeune at tailback will playamajorrole, especially ingettingthetoughyardsin a game that is usually wide open. LeJeune or Brandon will do the kicking for the Mustangs.

“Dominic, headdsanother 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 Playoffappearances (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 EastTexas Christian* 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: didnotplay Sept. 6 Victoria Homeschool^ 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W46-0 Sept. 13 Huntsville Alpha Omega+ 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: didnotplay Sept. 20 at St. Joseph 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: didnotplay Sept. 27 Allen Academy# 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W67-22 Oct. 4 Fort Bend Chargers@ 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: L 40-16 Oct. 11 BastropTribe 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: L 52-6 Oct. 18 TBD Oct. 25 Austin Royals 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: W43-34 Nov. 1 Wilco Falcons$ 7:30 p.m.

Lastyear: 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

DavisandEthanLaStrapes. “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 comingup,” Raysaid. “Ethanis 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 doingsomegoodthingsthis year.”  Thursday, August 29, 2019Thursday, August 29, 2019