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Lobo time: Little Elm set to kick off new season
BY Chris O’Dell, codell@starlocalnews.com
The Lobos began last season with six wins in their first seven games. The only loss during that span came courtesy of Sherman, who Little Elm plays tonight in its season opener.
“Sherman has a good program,” said Donald Stowers, Little Elm head coach. “They’ve been contending for the playoffs every year.”
During last season’s meeting between the two teams, Sherman had little difficulty with the Little Elm defense en route to a 41-21 home victory.
Taking over as interim starter for Pullum, who will be sidelined for 2-3 weeks, will be senior Chris Phelps.
“[Phelps] can run the ball, he has a decent arm and a good presence about him,” Stowers said.
However, Phelps wasn’t with the team last season after choosing not to play for one year. The decision to return to the Lobos this season has now put the 5-foot-10 senior into the spotlight.
“He’s kind of been thrust into the starting position,” Stowers said. “It really worked for us that he decided to come back out.”
Phelps will be able to rely on a solid running game to compliment the offensive attack. Senior Keaun Kinner returns for his senior year after rushing for more than 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns on 159 rushes (7.60 yards per carry) during his junior campaign.
“That definitely helps [Phelps] tremendously,” Stowers said. “Kinner will probably carry the ball quite a bit this week.”
Kinner and Phelps will also have a rebuilt offensive line that features two returning starters in senior left guard Mark Skotnicki and senior right tackle Jacob Meador. Joining Skotnicki and Meador on the line will be junior left tackle Trey Marks, junior center Justin Creed and senior right guard Christian Salazar.
“[The offensive line] has actually been looking pretty good,” Stowers said. “This is probably the biggest offensive line we’ve had since I’ve been [at Little Elm]. I think these guys will get the job done.”
Offense wasn’t an issue last season for the Lobos, who ended the season with four consecutive losses to finish 6-5. Defense was the primary weakness for Little Elm, who fell to Canyon Randall (35-21) in the opening round of the postseason.
“We’ve always been a good defensive team,” Stowers said. “We showed flashes last year but just nothing consistent.”
With an offseason emphasis on improving the defense, Stowers said the unit is starting to gel.
“I’m really pleased with how good [the defense] can be,” he said.
The most recent evidence of that potential came against North Forney where the Little Elm defense forced eight turnovers.
Junior cornerback Caleb Chapman will be one of the unit’s leaders and a key part of the team’s ability to shut down the pass.
“[Chapman] is a very polished corner,” Stowers said. “He has played the position for a long time.”
Joining Chapman as key contributors will be senior outside linebackers Justyn Bell and KyRandall Smith, as well as senior defensive lineman Brad McAlister.
“We have a lot of talent on the defensive side of the ball this year,” Stowers said. “I feel like we can create a lot of turnovers this year.”
When the Lobos begin district action Sept. 27, a new group of opponents awaits them. Little Elm joins Frisco, Centennial, Wakeland, Liberty, Heritage, Prosper and The Colony in the new-look District 9-4A.
“It should be an all-around balanced district,” Stowers said. “Anyone can win district this year.”
A major key to Little Elm’s potential championship aspirations will be a quick start in district play. Although Sherman isn’t a 9-4A counterpart, Stowers said that fast start begins tonight with the team’s season opener.
“We will hopefully get out of the gate quickly,” he said. “We just have to put ourselves in position where we win enough games early and clinch a playoff spot.”
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