by Lee Brecheen
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| Lee with Springhill Assistant Coach Mario Thompson |
June 2, 2010 - Growing up in Louisiana, my dad, who was a coach, would tell me about great players over the years that played high school football in Louisiana. I was always fascinated by the great players that came out prior to my birth date and prior to my high school football days. One great player, my dad would tell me about, is the great RB John David Crowe who starred at Springhill High School in the 1950’s, and went on to play for Texas A&M for the legend Paul Bear Bryant. Crowe won the Heisman trophy at Texas A&M, and the story of how he was recruited is legend status. There are many stories of how John David Crowe went to Texas A&M to play for the Bear, but the one story that everybody during those days will agree on is that it was almost impossible to tell coach Bryant no as a recruit in those days. The late RB John Stephens, who played at Northwestern State and in the NFL for the New England Patriots, was another great former Springhill RB. Growing up, I remember watching Stephens. He was a really gifted big back who could run up the middle and over big guys or sprint past Linebackers. John Stephens to this day was one of the best big backs I’ve ever seen play the game from Louisiana.
My drive to Springhill from Shreveport was an education in itself. I drove the long route on purpose, because I wanted to go through all the small towns and see a part of the state I’ve never driven before. It’s a very rural drive, and takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get there from Shreveport. I really enjoyed seeing the ponds, lakes, and farm land that you pass to get to Springhill. It’s a beautiful country side and makes me glad that not every part of the state is full of concrete and buildings.
When I arrived in Springhill, Head Coach Joey Pesses was actually not there. He had to run an errand, but he had set up for me to talk to his top recruits and top Assistant Mario Thompson.
Mario is a young guy who played for the legend Hall of Fame coach Red Franklin, the now retired head coach for Haynesville. Mario Thompson coaches the Offensive and Defensive Line for Springhill and has an impressive resume. He played in the 1999 State Championship game for Haynesville as an OG/DT. David Franklin, Red’s son, has been the head coach of Haynesville the past few years with dad still helping.
This year’s team will be talented but not deep. It has size, but not a lot of size overall. The key to this season is stay healthy and out skill the opponent on Friday night. I can tell by meeting the players from Springhill that they have heart and play the game with discipline and effort. I saw that on film in 2009 and expect that to carry over again in 2010 with head coach Joey Pesses. Springhill lost one of the top RB’s from last year’s team to college football in Chanderick West. This kid has a chance at the NFL. He signed with LA Tech, and I predict he’ll get many touches as a true freshman. West stands 5-10, 200 pounds, can run a true 4.45 forty, and has great first step when he gets the ball. The first guy always misses and this kid knows how to run.
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| TE/DE Adam O'Neal |
The most intriguing player coming back that I filmed and had a chance to meet is TE/DE Adam O'Neal (6-5, 245, 4.89 forty, and in Baseball his batting average is .510). If he gained 25 more pounds and moved to OT, he could play in the NFL one day. Adam could easily weigh 300 to 310, and run a 5.0 forty. I watch this kid on film and I see a guy who’s very athletic for a big guy, but would be big time as an Offensive Lineman. He has good hands, which makes him even a better fit for OT. Adam is a very quiet yes sir/no sir type of kid who has a bright future in either Baseball or Football in college. I did ask him what sport he would prefer and he said Baseball for college.
I will have more on Springhill in our preview issue which comes out in late July, and you can order it from the site. I would like to thank head coach Joey Pesses and Line coach Mario Thompson for being very helpful with my visit to Springhill.
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