Bryan football coach Bob Bellard knows that with a young team, he may need options. That's why the Vikings spent a large portion of spring football practice working on them.

Kesnick Taylor, who began and ended his junior year as the starting quarterback, returns. Aaron Eike, who will be a junior, also saw extensive work at quarterback. Both will be running the option.

"We'll be more option-oriented this coming year," Bellard said. "It's something our quarterbacks do well. It fits what their skills are. A year ago, we went to a lot more of a shotgun type run game. We'll split that and will run option from either."

To remain totally in the shotgun, the Vikings will have to pass with more consistency.

"Right now, that's not what we do best," Bellard said. "We need to get better, but what our quarterbacks do best is line up and run the football, and they are threats that way. I'm not sure if we are going to be the type team that mashes anybody, but we will be tough."

And the running back position will have depth.

"Chris Watson played on our sophomore team and had an exceptional spring," Bellard said. "Nathan Jones is one of the toughest kids I've been around. Our backs are unselfish. They are tough, committed."

Jones played well after a late-season call-up from the JV last fall.

"We've had running backs over the last two years who have taken all of the limelight," Bellard said. "Monterrell Washington has gotten a lot of carries. When you have Tre Odom and [2008 graduate] Stan McGruder, not many other guys get chances. Right now, we've got guys behind [Watson and Jones] pushing them, including two freshmen who are going to be sophomores. Ja'Marcus Satchell and Kevin Jefferson will push them, and Jefferson will be a quarterback, as well."

Bellard said several other backs were close, and that there should be strength at the position on both the JV and varsity teams.

Baseball season kept several key players out of spring drills, including receivers Krey Bratsen and Jeremy Zdunkewicz. But Bellard knows the skills of those players. In fact, he hopes to add more plays that will keep Zdunkewicz on the field.

Bryan did not put a heavy emphasis on special teams this spring, in part because Bratsen will play so large a role. He has been the Vikings' punter for two years and may take over kicking duties in 2009.

"I'm excited about our receiving corps with Bratsen, Zdunkewicz and Joseph Bryant," Bellard said. "I think we've got an exceptional lineman in Colton Barnes back. We've got a few pieces there. Running backs are certainly an issue, but I feel like we have a stable of those guys who can do a job for us."

Fresh faces on the offensive line join Barnes, but that's nothing new.

"Four guys are coming up from JV in the offensive line, and it's their turn," Bellard said. "It's going to be a solid, smart group but not as big as what we have been. At a 5A program, that should happen every year. Most of them play as a freshman, sophomore and junior and then step in [on the varsity squad]. A lot of times, you can recognize those guys on the freshman team."

There are still big question marks on defense. Jacob Sutherland, who is expected to play safety, spent his spring on the baseball diamond.

"I'm encouraged by what may be our best secondary," Bellard said. "With defensive linemen, we're not near as big and aggressive. We're probably not as good, but we've been pretty dang good there."

Johnnie Goosby has moved to safety.

"They will tackle well, which is a huge key to defense," Bellard said. "Linebacker is an unsung hero type of group. Byron Jackson is starting to look the part at linebacker."

Jackson played last year on the defensive line, but there are new players who had good spring workouts, including Fabian Lopez.

"He doesn't look like anything, but he has all the instincts in the world," Bellard said. "He's about a buck-60, but he just slips blocks and finds a way to make tackles."

On the defensive line, Bellard pinpointed Kendall Gilbert's good spring. The senior-to-be had 38 tackles on the JV last season.

The Vikings broke up their spring drills for TAKS tests and had 14 days of workouts.

Bellard admits there is work still to be done, and he expects his players will be dedicated workers throughout the summer and into workouts in August.

"They are smart, and they will get better," he said. "I don't know where we'll be when we start, but by the end of the year, we'll be pretty good."