After Adversity-Filled Year, Coleman Eyeing Return to Glory

COLEMAN, TX-- The Coleman Bluecats experienced their fair share of bumps and bruises in 2017.

The Bluecats struggled to keep their varsity numbers up, which completely depleted their junior varsity team. In turn, the Bluecats had to field an inexperienced team. That showed with their 3-8 record. Prior to the 2017 season, the Bluecats looked like a rising power in Class 3A Division II, going 31-7 across three years.

With attendance numbers up from last year, fourth year head coach John Elder is optimistic of his battle-tested team that returns two starters on each side of the ball.

“At this point, I think we’ve got good attendance and our kids are pretty positive,” Elder said. “They’re working hard and they understand that’s what it takes to win football games. We want to put that together, stay injury-free as long as we can, play smart football, stay in games and give us a chance to win at the end."

[[{"fid":"44697","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"2":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"3":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"3"}}]]

Above: Coleman head coach John Elder watches on during pre-practice stretching on Aug. 13, 2018. (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

Having the attendance at practice is “something you can eliminate,” in Elder’s eyes.

“A lot of times, if you have problems with attendance, the kids are not buying in and maybe showing up sometimes,” Elder went on to say. “With this group of kids we’ve got right now, you can eliminate that. You can come up with a practice schedule and know that they’re going to be here.”

Part of buying into a program is doing what’s asked of you. For current running back Massio Sanchez, that meant transitioning from the offensive line to the backfield.

“We’ve seen some strides and some leadership,” Elder said of Sanchez.

Most of the returners from last year’s squad are the linemen. Elder says their experience will be a big factor on both sides of the ball.

“Being a small school, most of our offensive line is our defensive line,” Elder said. “It’s just maturity...Kids who weren’t necessarily ready for varsity had to be thrown into varsity football. That’s going to help us.”

[[{"fid":"44698","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"A Coleman defensive linemen sheds a block during a team drill. Aug. 13, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"type":"media","field_deltas":{"4":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"A Coleman defensive linemen sheds a block during a team drill. Aug. 13, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"alt":"A Coleman defensive linemen sheds a block during a team drill. Aug. 13, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)","class":"media-element file-default","data-delta":"4"}}]]Above: A Coleman defensive linemen sheds a block during a team drill. Aug. 13, 2018 (LIVE! Photo/Sam Fowler)

To be able to overcome the adversity from last year and win a playoff game wouldn’t be a miracle for the Bluecats, who have seen their season end in consecutive years to state powers.

However, just a year removed from having to cancel their junior varsity season, it would be a triumph, especially in a loaded district.

“That’s what we want to do year in and year out,” Elder said. “We want to get these kids and this program back to where we have the numbers. We’ve got to have the numbers and returning starters to get that maturity level going. We’re at the point now where I think we’ll be competitive football players.”

In the UIL’s biennial realignment, the Bluecats were placed in District 4-3A Division II with five other playoff teams from a year ago. That district is made up of Anson, Ballinger, Bangs, Cisco, Grape Creek, Merkel and TLCA.

A stacked preseason against Tuscola Jim Ned, Early and Goldthwaite will give the Bluecats plenty of opportunity to prepare for the loaded district ahead.

The 2018 season kicks off for Coleman on Friday, Aug. 31, against Jim Ned on the road.