West Fork’s running game hoping to pick up where it left off in 2006
Posted on Thursday, August 16, 2007
URL: http://www.nwanews.com/nwat/Sports/56157/
WEST FORK — When he wasn’t scrambling to get open, catching passes or blocking downfield, Taylor Genz took a few moments to watch former West Fork tailback Jacob Hoops run last season. What Genz saw left an impression on him — so much so that he wants to imitate the man he is replacing this year.
“ He was a great running back, ” said Genz, a junior. “ Watching Hoops has helped a lot. I learned how to read the blocks and find the hole. ”
While Genz was playing wide receiver last year, Hoops was carving up defenses, amassing a school-record 1, 902 yards on the ground as the Tigers won 11 of 14 games and made the semifinals of the Class 3 A state playoffs for the first time in the program’s history. Hoops was a shifty runner, reading his blocks before accelerating in open spaces.
Tigers coach Bryan Dougan said Genz, who played tailback two years ago for West Fork’s junior high team, has many of the same attributes that Hoops had.
“ From what I have seen, he’s going to do fine, ” Dougan said of Genz. “ He’s a toughnosed kid. He’s a farm boy and he bales hay in the summer. He works real hard at everything he does. He’s tough and nails. The ball is going to be in his hands whenever we can get it to him. ”
In other words, Genz will be reprising his role as a receiver. Genz is expected to catch passes out of the backfield and when the offense lines up in a no-back formation he will be split out wide.
But Genz’s primary duty will be to run. And the offensive line’s main task is to block for him. However, with only two starters back to clear the way for Genz, it’s uncertain how effective West Fork’s running game will be early in the season.
“ They have to take pride in what they do, ” Dougan said. “ There is no glory. But they’re the ultimate teammates. So they’ve got to realize that. ”
The Tigers have spent the offseason scrambling to replace Corey Underhill and Jacob Powell — two of West Fork’s top blockers in 2006.
“ The linemen just have to figure it out, ” senior right guard Patrick Byrd said. “ After a few games I think we will be fine. ”
Of course, Genz will have some additional help in front of him. Eddie Frazier, a 6-4, 225-pound senior, has been moved from tight end to fullback.
“ He’s a monster, ” Genz said. “ There will be two or three guys right in front of me and he will take all the guys out. ”
At least that has what happened in practice. Dougan said he is unsure how his team will respond during a game. The Tigers don’t play another opponent until their home scrimmage against Lavaca and Farmington on Aug. 23.
“ I would like to say I have confidence in our run game, ” Dougan said. “ I watch them on film and one time they look great. Then the next time, it’s messed up. We have to have a lot of consistency on the front line. Once we get that consistency, we’ll be able to run the ball pretty well. ”