Jaguars sharp for sophomore season
Emery/Weiner more relaxed second time around in TAPPS six-man play
Last season was a transition year for Emery/ Weiner, with the Jaguars getting acclimated to Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools’ six-man football.
After claiming a combined four Ironman and Independent Bowl titles as an independent, Emery/Weiner suffered a rare losing record (47). However, the Jaguars still qualified as the fifth-place team from TAPPS Six-Man Division I-District 3, falling to eventual state finalist Watauga Harvest Christian 27-26 in the first round of the playoffs.
“It was different for our kids competing in a district, playing week after week,” said Emery/Weiner head coach Adrian Adams. “I feel like we’re better-prepared for it now.”
Adams considers the Jaguars’ current district, which includes Baytown Christian, Pasadena First Baptist, Sugar Land Logos Prep, Katy Faith West and Huntsville Alpha Omega, the fiercest in the state.
“It’s not easy. Only the top three teams make the playoffs and, last year, two teams got wild cards,” Adams said. “Our goal is to just to qualify.”
Emery/Weiner, which opens the season against Mount Carmel at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, in the Kickoff Classic at Helfman Field at Caress Stadium, possesses the talent to make it back to the postseason.
Offensively, the Jaguars boast a savvy quarterback in David Kleban, a 5-foot10, 170-pound junior. Kleban passed for 2,000 yards and 30 touchdowns in his first season as a starter, earning second-team, alldistrict honors.
“It was a tough learning curve for David, but he improved a lot,” Adams said. “He has an accurate arm. He’s reading coverages better and that will allow us to open up our (offensive) playbook a bit more.”
Emery/Weiner has a quality set of tailbacks in senior Harrison Rosenthal and sophomore Jordan Loev, who each rushed for 700 yards. Rosenthal ran for 13 touchdowns, while Loev contributed six on the ground.
“Harrison and Jordan combined for 1,400-plus yards and 200 carries,” Adams said. “We are fortunate to have two really good backs.”
Senior Cole Caress is the fullback. Caress, though, missed most of district play a year ago after rolling an ankle.
The Jaguars have a deep receiving corps featuring juniors Grant Schneider (six touchdowns), Michael Ran and Garrett Glover. Junior Kyle Stein (6-2, 190) is an enticing target at tight end.
Junior Lewis Graubart (5-11, 185), formerly a fullback, is taking snaps at center after putting on 30 pounds during the offseason.
The defense includes many of the same faces.
For instance, Graubart joins junior Michael Talisman and seniors Alec Fontana and Bucky Engel on the defensive line.
Caress, the middle linebacker, should be one of Emery/Weiner’s leading tacklers.
Rosenthal, junior Brandon Gomel and sophomore Coby Lowenstein will rotate at defensive back and outside linebacker, while Schneider and Loev will split time at free safety.
Adams noted the defense was sharp in a preseason scrimmage, allowing a combined three scores.
“Our offense should have no problems scoring touchdowns,” Adams said. “If the defense plays well, we could be tough to beat.”