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There may be many ways to pave the road to football success. Before traveling down that road, however, Bryan coach Bob Bellard and A&M Consolidated coach Jim Slaughter know they have holes to fill.
Slaughter has less patchwork to do than Bellard as the Vikings and Tigers begin football workouts Monday.
"It helps to have returning starters coming back, because the last two or three years we've been starting from scratch," Slaughter said. "I have no gripes, because those kids played well, but last year we played some young kids and have some experience coming back."
It also helps that his coaching staff is back.
"Last year, I think I was still hiring coaches at this time," said Slaughter, who is also Consol's athletics director. "I've maintained my staff, a great football staff, and having them back helps a lot."
While some of Bryan's questions were answered in spring workouts, Bellard says that many of the Vikings' defensive jobs are up for grabs.
"We'll have a lot of competition on the defensive side," Bellard said. "We've got a bunch of inexperience with our guys on that side of the ball, but they are good players."
Bryan and Consol have that in common. Most of the Tigers' question marks are on defense.
"Defensively, we feel good about the athletic talent, but we've got a little inexperience," Slaughter said.
Bryan will begin workouts without one of their top receivers. Krey Bratsen was chosen to play in the AFLAC All-American Baseball Classic in San Diego.
"That's understandable, because that's a once-in-a-lifetime deal," Bellard said. "It will be a chance for Kevin Jefferson and some of those other guys to get on the football field. We expect to have Krey back the following week. With what he has done in his summer league, and with this all-star affair, it's a summer he will never forget."
Bratsen has been a football contributor since being called up to punt his freshman season. With him, the Vikings' coaches know the kind of talent they will have. In other areas, they need to find players.
"Our offensive line depth is an issue," Bellard said. "We have to find two or three guys who can come in there and be solid backups."
Consol, with junior running backs Chris Nutall and Clinton Banks returning, should have a strong ground attack.
"Offensively, we have to take a hard look at what direction we are going to go," Slaughter said. "With the running backs we have got we probably should focus on running, but we also have outstanding receivers."
The guys who hand off and throw to them will likely determine that debate.
"So much of the passing game depends on the passing game," Slaughter said. "Dylan Ashton was in baseball during spring and Paris Colbert did a tremendous job. We've got two good quarterbacks that could more or less dictate what we are going to do."
Consol will start early Monday, beginning at 6 a.m. The Tigers will also work out from 6 to 8 p.m.
"It's good for the kids, because they can go home, take a nap and rest up for the next practice," Slaughter said.
Bryan will report at 6:30 a.m., and after meetings will take the field at 7:30 a.m. Those practices are for varsity and junior varsity players, and with a break built in should conclude at 11 a.m. Varsity players return for 6 p.m. workouts.
"We'll cram a lot of work into that evening," Bellard said.
Slaughter is cautious when talking about his team's depth, but says that he should have some.
"If everybody feels good about their role, and they are not upset that somebody is challenging for a position, it could be a good year, as far as depth."
Early-week drills will be in shorts and helmets. Full pads and contact drills are not allowed until Friday.
The teams scrimmage Aug. 21. Consol is at Round Rock Stony Point, while Bryan hosts The Woodlands.
Bellard gave his coaches a break Friday in anticipation of Monday's practice, which is highly anticipated by the Vikings.
"Our coaches and kids are giddy," Bellard said. "We're ready to get things going."
