VYPE 4A Top 10 -- #5 The Brenham Cubs

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The Brenham Cubs

Plenty of New Faces in Brenham

Head Coach: Glen West

2011 Overall Record – 11-1

Postseason: Lost in the area round to Beaumont Ozen

By Ahmard Vital

Cutline: The defensive back duo of Justin Davis and Darrion Johnson will make things hard for opposing quarterbacks.

It was somewhat of a shock when Brenham made an area-round exit at the hands of Beaumont Ozen. The thought was after what happened the year before that the Cubs would bounce back and get back to at least the regional semifinals round.

Vype was on the scene for what many called the "upset" at Aldine's Thorne Stadium.

“They made plays in the end. And we didn’t get in the end zone when we needed to,” Brenham coach Glen West said. “It comes down to making plays and in the end, they made them.”

But no need to focus on the past. It’s a new year and the Cubs are back with 13 varsity-experienced players, six of which were in the starting lineup a year ago. What exactly does this mean? From the outside looking in it appears that Brenham will be young and a number of new athletes will emerge in 2012.

If there is anyone who can make it work, West is the guy. But then again, the cupboard is not completely bare. The Cubs do not return a quarterback, but there are a couple of players who can make plays on the receiving end. Kwadareus Chapel is a big target (6-foot-2, 175-pounds) on the edge. Chapel caught 14 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. A smaller (5-foot-6), and yet productive wide receiver was Tyler Watts, who had 24 receptions for 418 yards and four touchdowns. On the line, veteran Austin Schlottmann returns as well.

Defensively, the Cubs have to replace most of the line and the linebackers, but should be in good shape in the secondary. Justin Davis and Darrion Johnson both bring a lot to the Brenham defense and both are solid, Division I college football players. Johnson, only a junior has managed to grab the attention of some of the nation’s best programs, including Oklahoma, which offered him this off season. Desmond Lockett, who is the team’s leading returning tackler and a starter, was another good player in the defensive backfield.

West will likely reach a coaching milestone this upcoming season as he will have more than 140 wins to his credit. The new nine-team should make for some interesting battles as there are a good deal of improved teams in 18-4A.

#3pointstance

It’s the dawn of a new day in Brenham and this team will look much different from those in years past seeing that a number of the last senior class had spent more than two years playing at the varsity level. But if there is a coach who can make it work, West is the guy. Lots of holes to fill on both sides of the ball, especially quarterback, running back and a couple of offensive lineman. Brenham should not only be competitive, but could vie for the title. But just get ready to see a new crop of players lining up in green and white for this upcoming season.

The 2012 Schedule

08/31 Foster

09/07 Pope John XXIII

09/14 Magnolia West

09/21 @Waller

Open

10/05 Willis

10/12 @Montgomery

10/19 Bryan Rudder

10/26 @Magnolia

11/02 Huntsville

11/09 @Caney Creek