Grapevine, Colleyville Heritage shape up in spring football

By Year 3 of rebuilding his program, Grapevine football coach Randy Jackson is in a place where he feels pretty good about the development of his offensive and defensive lines.

Grapevine, which is coming off an 8-3 2015 season, has gone through one-third of its spring football season. It returns nine defensive starters, led by senior nose tackle Brian Andrews. The Mustangs are also returning four of their five offensive linemen.

“It’s always a work in progress but every spring has been better,” Jackson said. “I could see where last year everything started to change. At this point, I think we’re at maintaining the culture. The train is on the track. We’re bigger and stronger. Guys have heard the same coaching points.”

Andrews has owned the state of Texas in wrestling as he won the 5A heavyweight title at 285 pounds. He’s now around 260. But his wrestling skills have enabled him to take his upcoming senior year into any direction. Andrews dominated at the nose in 2015.

“He should be one of the best in the Metroplex,” Jackson said. “The future is really up to him. It’s unlimited to how dominant he can be.”

Finding the right skills

Grapevine needs to replace two of the better receivers to ever come through its program in Madux Middaugh and RalphLauren McCauley. Those two combined for 123 receptions, 1,745 yards and 18 touchdowns.

There are several that Jackson is looking at who he hopes will continue the legacy. Senior Trey Waters (5-10, 155) and junior Mason McHorse (6-4, 255) could fill different needs. Waters is likely ticketed for the inside. McHorse is more of a tight end, Jackson said.

The program also has a transfer from Colleyville Covenant in Zack Carnes (6-0, 200, 4.51 40) and senior Exauce Ganjwa (6-1, 180). There’s really no designated spot for either yet.

The running game is a little shorthanded as sophomore Zach Wolf is out with an injury. There’s hope he can return toward the end of spring. Sophomore David Clayton (5-11, 165) has been impressive so far.

Colleyville Heritage update

Head coach Joe Willis is finally enjoying his first spring season with the Panthers. He said the arduous offseason program the players experienced reaped the benefits he sought.

“There were a lot of guys who saw their bodies change,” Willis said. “The strength gain was pretty impressive. The first thing for us was making sure we could get our guys to having functional movement. Once you’re in a place where you can move, then you find a good balance and everything else improves.”

The Panthers, who went 5-6 in 2015 after Willis arrived in late May, are focusing on trying to shore up their offensive and defensive lines. Each side needs a major rebuild.

There are a couple of solid performers returning, including junior defensive end Thomas Chapman (6-0, 208). There are also several junior varsity players making what is hoped will be a seamless transition in Theo Schotz and Shawn Waltz.

“We’ve moved some pieces around and are still trying to find the best combinations that will work for us,” Willis said. “If you don’t have that, then you’re not going to have much success. Winning the line of scrimmage consistently is going to be big for us.”

This story was originally published May 9, 2016 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Grapevine, Colleyville Heritage shape up in spring football."