Mustangs start their galloping early on
Houston Christian eyes next step after solid spring
Southwest Preparatory Conference rules prohibit teams from practicing in pads during spring football practice, but Houston Christian head coach Max Bowman didn’t take it easy on the Mustangs this spring.
“We got a lot done, in my opinion, even without pads,” said Bowman, who led Houston Christian to back-toback trips to the SPC playoffs the past two seasons. “We focused on improving our pass rush and pass protection. We worked on some technical things with our quarterbacks and running backs.
“We spent some time on agility and speed drills and evaluating talent,” Bowman added. “It was very productive.”
That bodes well for Houston Christian, which lost to Fort Worth All Saints 42-7 in last year’s SPC small-school finals but finished with a superb 8-4 record.
The expectations will be considerably higher for the Mustangs in 2014.
“Our goal is to win a championship, but there are other teams with the same aspirations. Fort Worth All Saints had 13 college signees, but they should very good again. The same is true for Episcopal, Kinkaid and St. John’s,” Bowman said. “We’re confident, but we need to have a great offseason, both in the weight roomand 7-on-7.”
Houston Christian took a significant step forward in the spring, with several newcomers emerging on the offensive side of the ball.
Junior Phillip Haynes, who missed most of the past two seasons with injuries, made his long-awaited return. He should help the Mustangs at tailback, according to Bowman.
“Two years ago, Phillip suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament). A year later, he injured the other knee,” Bowman said. “We haven’t seen much of Phillip lately, with the exception of three games his freshman year. But there’s no question he has a ton of talent.”
Senior Hunter Costlow, the third running back in Houston Christian’s triple-I scheme, is back for his final season. Costlow rushed for more than 700 yards and 11 touchdowns a year ago.
“Hunter is a hard-nosed runner and he can catch the ball out of the backfield,” Bowman said.
The Mustangs spent part of the spring looking to replace former standout and Navy signee Carson Taff on the offensive line. Junior tackle Harrison Barton, a 6-foot-4, 255-pounder, has the skills to be an all-SPC performer, while junior guard Leon Pinto showed plenty of potential.
Houston Christian graduated star wide receiver John Clarke (Princeton). Junior Christian Clarke, his younger brother, emerged during the spring and should help the Mustangs at wide receiver, cornerback and placekicker.
“Christian was our best receiver during the spring,” Bowman said.
Junior tight end Doug Simpson demonstrated why many consider him a top college prospect.
But there is some uncertainty at quarterback. Senior Chris Gunnell is a veteran, but he was nursing an injury in the spring. Gunnell might be pushed by junior Shane Johnson, a transfer from Reagan.
“We’re not sure who the starter will be, but that’s the purpose of 7-on-7 ,” said Bowman, noting that Houston Christian is participating in a four-team 7-on-7 summer league at Northland Christian with Magnolia and Lutheran South.
Defensively, senior middle linebacker Forrest Harrell is Houston Christian’s leader, along with senior defensive end Lake Ensley, who recorded 11½ sacks a year ago to earn all-SPC-accolades.
Bowmanhas highhopes for senior Cameron-Durley, the other end. Durley is a move-in from Tilton, N.H.
The secondary is exceptional, with junior Ahnore Varner at cornerback and seniors Kyle Fronkiewicz and Travis Morland, a transfer from Second Baptist, at safety.
Houston Christian is back on the field for fall practice on Monday, Aug. 4, with the opener at Northland Christian at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 29.