NEDERLAND - Without any rah-rah or excessive emotion, Trevor Huber takes to his work matter of factly and with much more awareness and understanding than a year ago.

That's the greatest difference between first-year starter Trevor Huber and second-year starter Trevor Huber but Trevor knows there are others, too. Starting with about 15 pounds, as well as five or six solid months of dedicated off-season commitment.

Coaches always agree that many football games are won and lost between January and May. The off-season work habits of the 6-3, 210-pound offensive right guard spoke volumes to Nederland's coaching staff about the degree of Trevor's commitment to become a much-improved high school football player.

That commitment extended far beyond the hours Huber devoted to lifting weights, although those hours would be considered extensive.

"The biggest thing is I gained about 15 pounds (from 195 in 2003) and that's helped the world over in a lot of my one-on-one matchups," he said.

The 17-year-old son of Tighe and Carolyn Huber also had quite a shadow from which to emerge. His mom has served as president of Nederland's booster club. His dad earned all-state football honors at Thomas Jefferson and followed by playing center for the Texas Longhorns.

Time after time in last Saturday's 49-14 bidistrict playoff victory over Dayton, Huber pushed the Broncos defensive front backwards, permitting space for tailback Micah Mosley or fullback Jameson DeLord to roam. Tuesday morning's scouting report message essentially amounted to this - keep up the same good work against Jacksonville, because the Indians' front seven is the strength of their defense and defense is the strength of Jacksonville's team.

Huber's ability to handle bigger, stronger attackers did not develop over night. He remembered taking a lesson one night at Bulldog Stadium from Port Neches-Groves defensive lineman Dusty Dubois last season. Huber did an OK job as a junior for a first-year starter but he has noticed the significant difference from a year ago.

"I wasn't near as smart last year," the A-B student said about his knack for on-field smarts. "I was pretty much a rookie who was in awe of being there. "Now I'm a lot more matter-of-fact, more let's get down to business.

"Last year I was always the overachiever - the smaller man given a chance to prove myself. This year my technique has gotten so much better."

Trevor credited offensive line coach David Crommett for the individual attention which Crommett has provided Huber over the last two seasons.

"I love Coach Crommett," Huber said. "He's my favorite coach. I like the way he handles the player. When I do something wrong the first time, he tells me how I can do better. If you make that mistake again, he's in your face. But I can say that he's always been fair to me."

Crommett probably is not too surprised with Huber's development as a senior. Neither has NHS head coach Larry Neumann, who observed Trevor's off-season work first-hand.

"Trevor became more serious about doing the things he needed to do in order to improve," Neumann said. "He showed the kind of leadership we needed. It wasn't the program that did it, either. It was his desire from January to May.

"This is not a surprise based on what we saw last spring. Doing the extra work, not just the lifting weights, showed his commitment. He had not always demonstrated that commitment."

Neumann also has noticed the positive benefits derived by positioning the experienced Huber next to a first-year offensive right tackle starter, Landon Louviere. Before long, perhaps Huber will coach young men to follow in his footsteps.

Bulldog Playoff Bites

Senior defensive tackle Blake Amy sustained a mild shoulder strain to go along with a painful rib bruise. Amy returned to Tuesday's practice and was expected to return to his strongside defensive tackle post... Amy also led the defensive gradebook from the Dayton game with an 89. Micah Mosley led all players with a 91, followed by Dustin Hood at 89.... A pep rally for the Dogs is set for Thursday night in the Dogdome at 7 p.m.... Bowers Stadium will be cleared of fans after the Sam Houston-Texas State game on Saturday evening. Fans will have to be readmitted into Bowers Stadium after the college game in order to attend the high school game. Tickets for the Nederland/Jacksonville game will not be honored at the Sam Houston/Texas State game. However, NHS fans may purchase a discounted ticket at the stadium for $5 to see Sam Houston play Texas State, provided that they sit somewhere on the east side.... NHS coaches will return to Rice Stadium on Friday night to scout the LaMarque/Houston Kashmere 4A Division II area round game. The La Marque/Kashmere winner will meet the Nederland/Jacksonville winner in next weekend's regional round.