Good off-season fuels 'Dog optimism

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first installment in a four-part series of local high school football camp previews.

By Tom Halliburton - News Sports Writer

NEDERLAND -- Loyal, ticket-buying Nederland football fans have a way of massively forgetting off-seasons, but the Bulldogs coaches quite clearly recall them from year to year.

They all have been successful off-seasons over the past 11 years, in the estimation of 12th-year head coach Larry Neumann. While the ever-positive salt-and-pepper haired mentor will refrain from speaking in negative terms, Neumann freely admist that some off-seasons turn out more successful than others.

Regardless of this upcoming regular season's highs and lows, Neumann speaks from extremely lofty plateaus when he dwells on this just-concluded off-season.

Off-seasons go a long way toward accounting for the depth of a season's success level, even if fans consider their developments as rather boring.

"On the record, I think this was an exceptional off-season for us," Neumann said. "As a coaching staff, we've done it long enough to evaluate our off-season.

"I don't think we've had any here that have been unproductive. Sometimes you have more production than others. Again it may go back to chemistry but I know we had a very productive off-season... one of the best, if not the best, since I've been here."

That makes the Bulldogs already 1-0 -- an extremely vital first win, too -- in the eyes of their coaches who consistently are regarded among the premier varsity high school football staffs in Southeast Texas.

While they publicly might deny it, a few of Nederland's coaches privately would say the Bulldogs would reach the third round of last November's 4A playoffs without having close to the 2004 off-season in the 2003 off-season.

What does it mean for 2004?... a District 20-4A title, perhaps?.... another 4A state semifinal berth?.... a state final berth or a state championship? Who knows but Neumann likes the chemistry, the experience of eight defensive and six offensive starters, and the leadership of quarterback Dustin Hood and middle linebacker Darin Smith.

Since Nederland opens with perennial state power Texas City on Aug. 27 in Bulldog Stadium, the Old Gold and Black better be far along right now. The return of interior linemen Brock Lemire, Trevor Huber, Chris Robin and Adam Osgood and at least five quality receivers (Ryan Butler, Michael Young, Joel Guidry, Andrew Ferguson and Tyler Thompson) make 2004 unusual.

Nederland normally begins fall practice with a predominantly green offensive line. Maybe the Dogs have one returning starter in that part of the team and that's about it.... but four, come on.

"Maybe the greatest difference in the story of the Nederland Bulldogs is every year at this time we're talking about piece-mealing our offensive line together and having a lot of competition in those areas. It's simply not true this year.

"We're very pleased with the progress our offensive line made and we haven't been disappointed through the early portions of fall practice."

2003 Super Team linebacker Smith surrounds himself with returnees Jordan Rash and Stephen Phillips, giving NHS three battle-tested backers. Combine another 2003 Super Teamer, tackle Ron Mohica, with Trey Thibodeaux and Blake Amy and NHS is seasoned up front defensively. Butler, Ferguson, Guidry and Clint Whitaker provide loads of secondary experience, too.

Where are Nederland's concerns? The Bulldogs are seeking to replace two running backs, a tight end, and a strongside tackle on offense, plus they are hunting an end and a corner on defense. Virtually all rival coaches have greater concerns... but again, few rivals probably experienced as productive an off-season.

At Nederland's coaches office, the talk continues to return to the off-season and the outstanding benefits derived from it.

"It was one of the best off-seasons ever and we gauge a lot of our expectations on how our off-season goes," Neumann said.

As for expectations, Nederlanders can fill in the blanks.

BULLDOG BITES

Nederland's first day in full pads attracted close to 75 spectators watching at Prather Field. The Bulldogs will conclude their first week with two more morning workouts today.... Head trainer Larry "Doc" Southard was released from Park Place Hospital on Thursday after being diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia following a bout with dehydration on the morning of July 30. It was not known if and when Southard would be able to rejoin the NHS football program.... New varsity assistants for 2004 are former West Hardin head coach Terry Pool (with the defensive tackles) and new head baseball coach Cody Robbins (with the tight ends and outside linebackers).... Dogs will hold a controlled scrimmage against Silsbee next Saturday evening in Bulldog Stadium.... Two minor injuries occurred at Friday's workouts. Offensive tackle Chris Robin sustained a hamstring pull and receiver-corner Michael Young sustained a neck strain....