Lennard

By Keith Niebuhr
Published August 31, 2007

Multiple Choice

The Longhorns' greatest asset will be their:

A) Experience B) Size

C) Attitude D) Depth

Answer: C. After going 6-3 against a junior varsity schedule last fall, Lennard is entering its first varsity season with only one player - East Bay transfer Jessie Jackson - who has varsity experience. That said, Longhorns coach Jim Wilt described his squad as coachable, which can't be a bad thing. "They're enthused about playing high school football," Wilt said. Wilt has experience with first-year programs. Several years ago, he coached Durant in its inaugural season.e_SClBTrue-False

The Longhorns have little, if any, offensive talent.

Answer: False. Jackson, who plays running back, has shown better-than-average ability. Quarterback Andrew Burdick is fast and intelligent. And Chris Shrump (6-foot-3, 340 pounds) anchors a line that possesses considerable size. Will Lennard score 30 points a game? Probably not. But Wilt thinks the pieces are in place to have a running game that can use some clock.

Yes or No

Is the Lennard program ahead of schedule?

Answer: Yes and no. The numbers are up (from 35 in the program last year to 57 today) and that's a plus. Community interest also is on the rise. On the flip side, the team's offseason workouts weren't up to par and neither is its strength and conditioning, Wilt said. That is something the coach insists must change.

Essay

Spoto coach Scott Palmer on Lennard:

"I definitely think Coach Wilt was the right man for the job. And to be quite honest, it wouldn't surprise me if they did pretty well in the district this year."

Wilt on the Longhorns:

"We've got young kids, but they enjoy playing. And they're going to get better and better at it. Thus far, it's been very rewarding as a coach."e_SClBExtra Credit

In addition to Durant and Lennard, Wilt, 57, also has coached at Brandon and East Bay. ...The Longhorns will start only two seniors. ...Lennard might have the sharpest uniforms around. They're similar to those of another Longhorn squad - the University of Texas. ...Lennard will run a Wing-T offense and a 4-4 defense.

Keith Niebuhr, Times staff writer

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[Last modified August 29, 2007, 15:19:21]