The Rangers aren’t trying to win a few games in 2019; they’re thinking playoffs.
“I like how when people ask us if we are going to make the playoffs,” senior running back James Ayers said. “The last couple years, I’ve been hesitant to say, ‘Yeah,’ but this year, I’ve been saying, ‘Yeah,’ without doubting myself.”
Rudder finished fifth in both of former head coach Greg Morgan’s two seasons, first in District 18-5A then in 10-5A Division II last year. Before retiring in the offseason, Morgan had Rudder on the cusp of the playoffs in 2018, leading the Rangers to a 4-6 record, their best season since going 7-3 in 2010. He also oversaw several program firsts, including Rudder’s first victory over crosstown rival Bryan in 2017.
Heading into his first season as Rudder’s head coach, Ezar says he likes what he’s inherited from Morgan and believes his team is capable of surprising its doubters and doing something no team in school history has done before — play an 11th game.
“We’re looking at playoffs,” Ezar said. “We’ve been talking with the kids, and it may be a little presumptuous, but we feel like we’ve got the team to do it. Our kids are hungry.”
Ezar is bringing a multiple-set offense which features many spread formations to Rudder, and he is pleased with how his team executed the new scheme during 7-on-7 season and has continued to improve in it this preseason.
Ayers, who rushed for 13 touchdowns last season as the Rangers’ goal-line hammer, likely will be the lead running back this season. Under Morgan, Rudder had a strong run game led first by Kevonte Johnson, then by Byron Moore last season. Despite being used mainly for short-yardage situations, the 5-foot-9, 180-pound Ayers averaged a healthy 5 yards per carry last season, and Ezar is impressed with Ayers’ big-play ability as he broke off a pair of long TDs, both rushing and receiving, during an intrasquad scrimmage in training camp.
The Rangers also return top receiver Keithron Lee, the longtime basketball player who played his first season of football as a sophomore last year. Lee followed up a successful debut by playing with the Texas Air Raid 7-on-7 travel team, which features several of the area’s top skill players. Lee believes his experience this summer playing with and against players of that caliber helped him become a better football player.
“I’ve been working on the deep routes,” Lee said. “Last year I scored on shallow routes, slants and quick outs and stops. This year we’re looking to get the ball deep down the field.”
Ezar also has high expectations for slotback Alvin Dunn and slot receiver Malcolm Manley, and he and Ayers agree that one of Rudder’s strengths on offense is the depth of its playmakers. The abundance of options should provide plenty of support for whoever starts at quarterback. Competing for the job are junior incumbent Brant Roberts and sophomore transfer EJ Ezar, Eric’s son.
“I feel like they both could go to nearly any school in this area and start,” Eric Ezar said. “Quarterback’s one of those positions that you’re going to have to have two good ones because one might get hurt. We feel like they’re picking up [the offense]. It’s a blessing to have two good ones.”
Defensively, 6-0, 225-pound senior end Desmond Murphy will be a difficult assignment for opposing linemen, and he will receive help at tackle from sophomore Jason Batiste, who will play on both lines. Sophomore safety Marcus Heard is having a good preseason and is carving out a role in the secondary alongside senior cornerbacks Carlos Moreno and Octavious Taylor.
Ezar emphasizes playing fast and aggressive, and he is encouraged by how his young defense has made that style its identity ahead of the season. The Rangers are likely to start four sophomores on that side of the ball, but he sees potential in the group. They’ll need to capitalize on that potential if Rudder is to make its first playoff appearance.
“You’re not going to see us in the same thing twice [on defense],” Ezar said. “We’re going to move around a lot. We don’... Click here to read full article
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