Grapevine, Colleyville Heritage football exit spring with optimism

It’s a good thing that Grapevine’s new head football coach is its defensive coordinator. Mike Alexander, who was promoted to take over for Randy Jackson in March, oversaw his first spring football season which concluded with the spring game this past Thursday.

The Mustangs have all of the pieces to be a solid offensive team. Where the concerns lie are in the defense. Grapevine (10-2 in 2016) is replacing its entire defensive line and linebacker corps.

However, Alexander believes he has the right combination ready to take over. This unit may not be as big overall. However, there is the needed speed to challenge opposing spread offenses.

It’s going to start with rising senior Cole Stephenson (6-2, 250). Alexander said he can flex him between defensive end and nose tackle. There should be a rotation of about five others on the front.

Alexander also moved players at different positions to fill outside linebacker spots. Rising junior Jackson Shadle (6-0, 170) switches from secondary. Shadle collected two interceptions against Grapevine quarterback Alan Bowman in the spring including a Pick 6. Mason Weiler is a converted wide receiver. Both can float back to a safety position in certain situations.

“The athleticism is really something we needed and have at that position,” Alexander said. “We’re going to be quick. I think that’s going to make up for us not having the size.”

Offensively, the only setback at quarterback was that rising junior backup Cade Rhodes missed the spring with a hip injury. Bowman, a rising senior, is preparing for his fourth year as the starter.

Rising junior David Clayton (6-1, 175) will be the featured wide receiver. The program welcomes two transfers in rising juniors Jaden McClure (5-8, 175) and Seth Texada (5-6, 170). McClure came from Mansfield Timberview. Texada moved over from Grapevine Faith. Rising Junior Roshawn Prear is ready to be the lead running back.

Building an offensive line still remains. Alexander has two locks in Chandler Clark (6-2, 265), who moves from guard to center, and left tackle Tony Campos (6-3, 270).

“I like the way our kids responded and the energy in which we worked,” Alexander said. “We still have some competition at some spots. But for the most part, I like where we are.”

Colleyville Heritage wraps spring

If a team is going to contend for a state championship, then it better be strong along the offensive and defensive lines.

Colleyville Heritage head coach Joe Willis believes he has that after the Panthers concluded spring football this past Wednesday. The talent along his defensive front is as good as he has had it, he said. He likes his offensive line. There just needs to be more depth. Some questions at safety still have to be answered.

“We’re not out to win the spring game,” Willis said. “We’re trying to fill out the depth at our positions. We had a good night.”

The Panthers are coming off a 10-4 2016 in which they appeared in the Class 5A Region I Division I championship game. The elements for a team to play well beyond Thanksgiving are there.

To start, this defensive line is led by rising senior defensive end Thomas Chapman, accompanied by other ends Isaiah Sutton and Theo Schiotz. While the nose guard isn’t settled, rising freshman Gavin Byers (6-4, 230) is making a push to be the starter.

“We couldn’t block Chapman all spring, Willis said. “Gavin’s length is huge because he can use it for leverage. He plays with a great motor. The biggest thing he can do this summer is hit the weight room. We have some really good players up front.”

There are two major wide receiver playmakers in rising senior Ke’Von Ahmad and rising junior Kam Brown, a UCLA verbal commit. Running back could be by committee, but it should be led by rising senior Caleb Murphy.

Murphy will be a two-way player for this team as he will split time between the secondary, running back and at quarterback in the Wildcat formations.

“We’re going to use him a lot,” Willis said. “He’s one of our best athletes. The way he conditions himself means there’s not going to be a limit to what he can do. He’s really good catching the ball.”

To nobody’s surprise, Willis will not name a starting quarterback. However, he acknowledged it’s a two-man race between rising seniors Jagger LaRoe, a transfer from Dallas Bishop Lynch, and Landry French. A decision will come in fall camp.

This story was originally published May 29, 2017 at 1:32 PM with the headline "Grapevine, Colleyville Heritage football exit spring with optimism."