Kats’ offensive overhaul gets under way
Klein sophomore Lemke used spring to own the reins for Bearkat attack
Klein quarterback Grayson Lemke has more experience than most signal-callers his age already.
The sophomore started the last four games last season after Nick Kohler broke his jaw, and now he’s gearing up for a full year as the starter this spring.
“He’s a natural leader and he’s done a great job this spring,” coach Shane Hallmark said. “He’s a good football player – just a solid, solid football player.”
The Bearkats wrap with a spring game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Klein Memorial Stadium.
They focused all month on creating depth, finding consistency on the offensive line and developing their skill players, including Lemke, who was a bit too casual with the ball at times last season.
“He threw a few interceptions last year, at least one a game, (and) they were pretty crucial at times,” Hallmark said. “So we’ve been working on taking care of the football and maybe using his legs more when things don’t work out, instead of trying to force a throw, which he did quite a bit last year.”
Hallmark said Lemke’s upside is huge.
He impressed Hallmark with his maturity last season, electing to continue starting at quarterback on junior varsity, where he had a better chance to improve, over taking a lesser role as a varsity defensive back, and he’s impressing his teammates with poise and leadership this spring.
“He is not flashy,” Hallmark said. “He’s not the prettiest guy, but he’s a good, solid high school quarterback. He’s very competitive, he’s a winner, winning’s important to him, and that’s what sets him apart.”
Lemke will hand off to Jordan Serrano and/or D’Anthony Simms, who are competing at tailback. Serrano, a junior, was the top JV back last year. Simms saw significant time on varsity as a freshman.
“Being a senior, it’s (Serrano’s) opportunity to lose, but whoever we go with, they’re both going to get a lot of carries in our offense,” Hallmark said.
“We want to run the ball, and we want to try to keep fresh legs out there all the time.”
The Bearkats have several skilled wide receivers returning, including steady junior Austin Trammell, the leading receiver in the district last season, but Lemke will have a new safety valve at tight end.
Junior Sam Hodges (6-3, 205) is taking over there after playing receiver on JV last season.
“He’s too good of an athlete not to be out on the field, so we’ve worked him in at tight end and he’s done a pretty good job this spring,” Hallmark said. “I think it’s going to be a good fit for him.”
Klein’s still piecing together an offensive line.
Juniors Preston Peak and John Craig are returning, but the other three Oline spots still are up in the air.
Junior Bobby DiTullio is close to securing a starting role at guard, sophomore David Marling’s working at center, but the competition’s open, and juniors Nick Temple and Dji Black are battling at tackle.
“Right now, it’s been kind of tough, but we’ll get there,” Hallmark said.
Hallmark said they made the most progress on the defensive side of the ball this spring.
“We have gotten tremendously better on defense, which has been great to see,” he said. “It looks like we’re going to be pretty solid this year, should we stay healthy. We’ve got some depth there, so I’m really excited about that.”
The Bearkats are replacing both inside linebackers, and junior Will Foster and sophomore Matt Jester are the leading candidates.
Jester missed last season with a knee injury suffered on a summer cruise.
“He’s a big kid,” Hallmark said. “He’s 6-2, 210 pounds, (and) his dad played at Rice, so he’s got some bloodline to him.”
Foster, a good tackler with a knack for finding the right fit, is coming up from JV.
“He reminds me a lot of Ben Weaver,” Hallmark said. “He’s about 50 pounds lighter, but he plays with those same instincts Ben played with.”
Baseball playoffs
Tomball is in the regional semifinals for the fourth time in five years.
The 2013 Class 4A champions are closing in on a third appearance at the state tournament in four years.
But first things first – a best-of-three matchup with Barbers Hill this weekend.
The two teams open their Region III-5A series at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sam Houston State, then play again at 7 p.m. Friday and 2 p.m. Saturday, if necessary, both at Kingwood, depending on weather.
“They’re going to be good, and I know they’re going to be really wellcoached, with David Denny,” coach Doug Rush said. “He played shortstop at UT and was a state championship coach at Kingwood. So they’re going to be a good team.”
The Cougars, who haven’t lost back-to-back games all year, made it four straight postseason wins last week, sweeping Bryan 3-1, 4-3.