Photo by Doc Smith Brook Hill assistant coaches Bobby Stroupe and Vince Veazey go over playbook with quarterback and wide receivers during opening day practices. It is August and a great time for football fans with the pros area already gracing us with our TV screens with preseason, and high school and college players all hitting the fields to begin their spring training programs.

Bullard High School will scrimmage White Oak at home on Saturday, August 21. Brook Hill will test their new players and seven new coaches in their scrimmage debut on the same date, August 21 as they lineup with Frankston.

BULLARD

PANTHERS

The Bullard Panthers are under the direction of head coach, Jim Taylor for the second year as they embark on playing in the toughest 3A district in the state. Trying to improve on a 6-4 season mark and a 2-3, district run, the Panthers return several key skill positions.

The main returnee is twoway starter, Charlie Moore at quarterback and safety.

Offensively, Moore threw 114 times, completing 63, good for 1, 252 yards and seven touchdowns, and running for another 746 yards on 117 carries and 15 touchdowns rushing. At safety the senior, Moore made 65 tackles and five interceptions.

Other key returnees for the Panthers include running back, DeQuan Granberry, WR/CB, Lance Anding, WR/LB, Nick Rumbelow, WR/CB, David Howard, OT/DE, David French, and two-way lineman, Blain Faulk.

New comers expected to make a difference for Coach Taylor include defensive lineman, Kolby Hanzel, wide receiver, Brandon Beavers, TE/LB, Morgan Franklin and two-way lineman, Jon Schmidt.

The Panthers had 80-plus players ready for the first workout this past Monday, and head coach, Jim Taylor said it was a surprisingly good first workout.

"Usually on the first day, there is a lot of standing and getting things organized, but we have a philosophy of getting in there and 'jumping into the fire' and we had a lot of kid's show up in great shape, and with great attitudes, and had a great first day."

THE BROOK HILL

GUARD

The Guard returns 17 players, to the fold that won district with a 4-0 record and totaled out the year with a 7-4, ledger in 2007.

After adding seven new coaches to the Brook Hill staff, head coach, Jim Klazak is pleased with the additions, the returnees and excited about some new blood in the system.

Key players for Brook Hill will be running back, Julius Johnson, defensive end, Jacob Johnson, linemen, Heath Dickey and Luke Baker, linebacker, Luke Molidor, and quarterback, Tyler Baker.

Johnson reeled of 2,399 yards on the ground and scored 28 touchdowns as a sophomore, with eight offensive starters returning, and five on defense.

"We had around 42 players show up ready to go, and we still have a few more students we are expecting in.

"I was really pleased with the workout for a first day," said head coach, Klazak. "We have a lot of new faces that will take some adjusting to getting with the program and how we do things but the kid's attitudes are great, and they are a hardworking group."

(To contact Doc Smith, email him at, news@bullardnews.com)