Momentum in Memorial's Favor

By Ahmard Vital

Fox Sports Next

In its short history, the Port Arthur Memorial football team has had a number of solid seasons with deep playoffs runs. In 2011, the Titans made huge strides in continuing the building of that tradition for winning ball clubs.

Now it looks as though that will be the benchmark going into 2012.

“The thing I have loved about what I saw from the team this spring was that they picked up where we left off. The kids worked extremely hard and I’m looking forward to a successful season,” Memorial coach Kenny Harrison.

And that is one of the most critical aspects of the game that coaches are looking for in their team. On top of that, it seems as though these players have developed the mental toughness that could propel them to even more success.

True, plenty of players will need to be replaced on the offensive side as Memorial sent more than five players to play major college football this past signing class. But it was those players who reestablished the most recent groundwork for how things need to be done.

“That class (2012) has laid the foundation. And all the kids who come through Port Arthur know that we play football at the highest level,” Harrison said.

Now it looks like that could happen. Harrison noted that the strength is the defense, which returns seven starters. The one area of concern is the offensive line, which coach said had some players step up, but is still a somewhat working progress.

“I’m confident that when we get back to two-a-days, we will get all of those spots filled,” Harrison said. “Our ultimate goal here is to play for the state championship. Our kids look forward to that. And know that we will play hard football here in Port Arthur.”