Published: August 31, 2007 10:43 am            

New offense brings new possibilities for Roos

In a time when most football programs are spreading the field and hooking up for long pass plays, while mixing in some running plays just to keep the defense honest, the Weatherford Kangaroos are taking the opposite approach.

Under new head coach Kenny Wheaton, Weatherford has gone to the spread triple-option, which is designed to be more of a ball-control offense that relies heavily on the run.

That transition has been made in less than a year, which means there are still some wrinkles to iron out, but overall, Wheaton is pleased with where his team stands.

“Besides the uniqueness, it gives your kids a chance to be successful,” Wheaton said of his offense. “You don’t have to have dominant lineman because your quarterback reads two people every play, so those two people don’t have to be blocked. You can take a team’s best athletes, the unblockable-type D-linemen, you can make them the read keys.

“It’s a very unique deal and the kids are getting better at it every week.”

Taking over at the helm in Wheaton’s new offense is Ethan Kelly, a converted linebacker. Also moving over from the defense to a key position in the new offense is Fred Thomas, who will handle the fullback duties. Kelly and Thomas, both seniors, will also be joined by Chris Fielder, a junior.

Wheaton said he couldn’t have asked for a better situation to walk into as far as personnel.

“Ethan, we moved from linebacker,” Wheaton said. “He’s done a great job. Fred was a cornerback and we moved him over there. We got to go in pads in the Spring, we held him out. Both of those guys are coming off ACL [injuries].

“Of course, Chris Fielder, he looks very good. He’s going to work some slot back and quarterback.

“That’s icing on the cake if you have those kind of skill guys that can take the ball the distance, to the end zone.”

Of course, the success of the skill players, especially in the new offense, is dependent on the play of the offensive line, a group of guys Wheaton said has bought into the new scheme and style of play.

“We talked to the kids about a blue collar attitude and that’s what it is, playing with a flat back and playing down low,” Wheaton said. “Probably the biggest challenge we had here was the kids have been used to pass blocking and giving ground, backing up and standing up. We’re just the opposite, we get a flat back, go forward and get down in people’s legs. We really sell them on blue collar attitude and being a physical football team.”

While the offense is expected to put points on the board, it has an even greater role, which could be key to the success of the Roos.

“Having Coach [Reid] Waller here, a tremendous defensive coordinator and the kids are doing a great job over there ... your goal on offense is to keep the defense on the sideline by controlling the ball and grinding out long drives and discouraging the opponent’s offense so when they do get the ball, they come out and panic and try to throw the ball deep every time and get three-and-outs,” Wheaton said. “Then, we get it back and hold on to it.

“We try to speed the game up that way. Not killing the clock, just keeping the clock running. Time of possession, that’s a very big thing to us and that’s what we’ve always done. Anybody that’s run this offense will tell you that. It’s a great offense, but it does help your defense a lot.”

Wheaton said the play of the offense and the style of offense has made an impression on the defensive players.

“It does carry over to our defense,” he said. “When we scrimmage our defense, we cut block and get after them and it will make them more physical and tough also.

“We coach toughness every day. It’s a tough game for tough people. We tell them all the time.”

Weatherford implements it’s new offensive style against the Abilene Cooper Cougars at Kangaroo Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Friday.

        

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