Silsbee poised to contend for title
Injury sidelines key offensive player
By JIMMY GALVAN Managing Editor

In his 10 years as head football coach at Silsbee, Bobby McGallion has led the Tigers into being a perennial playoff contender.

This year should be no different for the Tigers in District 21-3A as they enter the season as one of the preseason picks for post-season play.

"I'm not going to make any predictions about where we are going to finish this year," McGallion said. "We're going to be younger than we normally are. You only get three non-district games to start improving before you jump into the frying pan.

"We are going to play some guys that are going to have to grow up pretty quick," McGallion said. "We have some quality young players that are going to fill in some spots for us. I am optimistic about our chances."

Last year, Silsbee posted a 9-3, 6-1 record and advanced into the second round in the Class 3A playoffs where they lost to West Columbia 44-41.

"We had a successful year even in this meat grinder of a district," McGallion said. "Finishing 6-1 in district says a lot for the kids."

Newsboy photo/Georgia Purdy ONE OF SILSBEE'S key weapons last year was a stubborn defense and the Tigers will once again be looking at their defense to lead them this year.The Tigers have lost some key offensive players last year including quarterback William Harper and lineman Ahmad Jones. But the Tigers are still considered a favorite to advance to the post-season in District 21- 3A.

Silsbee's sole loss came at the hands of district champion West Orange- Stark 20-14.

McGallion believes the district was everything it was advertised to be "and a little bit more."

"You couldn't take any district night off," McGallion said. "There was not any given night that someone couldn't go out there and smack you pretty good. You had to be ready to play every week. From top to bottom, it has to be the toughest 3A district in the state."

For the Tigers to contend in district this year, McGallion will have to fill some key holes that were left by graduation.

Ahmad Jones left Silsbee and signed on with Oklahoma State while quarterback William Harper signed with Navarro Junior College.

"Both of those guys were two-way standouts for us," McGallion said. "But every year you lose some key players and that opens up the opportunity for someone else to step up and get the job done."

Even though Jones left for division 1-A college ball, McGallion is not left with a few strong linemen to anchor the offensive line.

Senior Daniel Paulus, 6- 4, 300, returns after being named to the District 21-3A all district squad. Pair him with WR Donavan Harris and the Tigers have a strong pair to build their offense around.

"(Harris) did a really good job for us last year and we expect him to be even better this year," McGallion said of the state high hurdle champion.

Harris was injured in a mulit-vehicle accident in Silsbee during the offseason. He was taken to Christus St. Elizabeth before being moved to Galveston for head trauma. As of presstime, Harris was still recovering from the injuries from the accident and it is unknown whether he will be cleared for football this coming season.

Like district rival WO-S, Silsbee will be looking at an underclassman to take over the reins of the quarterback position this year.

Sophomore Jeremy Johnson, 6-1, 170 will take over the signal calling duties. Johnson started as the junior varsity quarterback as a freshman last year.

McGallion said he agrees with most of the pre-season polls that has Kirbyville picked to capture the District 21-3A title.

Kirbyville has a lot of players returning this year and that's why they are picked as champs," McGallion said. "But there aren't many teams that you should count out of this district.

The veteran coach also believes Jasper will be in the mix this year for district.

"Jasper ended their season playing a lot of young kids," McGallion said. "You have to believe that they are going to be improved. Bridge City is traditionally tough year after year.

"It's just a district race that anything can happen on any given night," McGallion said. "I think it will be more evenly balanced this year."

McGallion knows the key to earning a playoff berth is staying healthy and at the Class 3A level it is vitally important.

"You hurt any two or three key guys and it will hurt anybody in this district," McGallion said. "At this level, no one has depth. If you lose a key player, you don't replace them."

McGallion also knows that football is a game of momentum and whoever gains that and improves the quickest will be on the road to the playoffs and that coveted state championship.

"We all want to get into that groove of what they are doing and get through this district race," McGallion said.

A tough non-district schedule should more than prepare the Tigers for the upcoming district race.

Silsbee opens up with Class 4A Houston Sterling before hosting Port Neches- Groves before ending district play by traveling to Newton to take on the Class 2A powerhouse Eagles.

"We are going to know right where we are real quick," McGallion said. "I'm the one who set the schedule so I'm not blaming anybody but we will play three quality opponents to start the season."

Silsbee will have to travel during district to take on West Orange-Stark, Bridge City and Jasper on the road while they host Kirbyville, Orangefield, Hamshire- Fannett and Hardin- Jefferson.

"You certainly like to play at home but there is no home field advantage in this district," McGallion said. "There are certain places that I really don't like to go to but in this district you just shake them up and see who you play on Friday."