The big issue might be how they do those things against a fast, experienced South Garland team that features a safety committed to Oklahoma and a future quarterback at Baylor.
The Wildcats will strive to get their third season under coach Bryce Monsen off to a winning start when they battle the Colonels at 7 p.m. today at Waco ISD Stadium in the finale of the four-game H-E-B Kickoff Classic.
“Everyone is anxious and excited to play our first game, and I’m sure South Garland is excited,” Monsen said. “With the first game you still have the unknown factor out there, but our guys have had a great week of practice and they want to play and see what they can do. We want to see where we’re at with our offense, defense and kicking game.”
After a winless 2005, Temple had a 2-8 record in Monsen’s second season and now brings optimism into this fall because of its new offense - coach Bob McQueen’s Wing-T of the Wildcats’ heyday in the 1970s and ’80s - plus a good amount of talent and an upgraded coaching staff.
“We expect to see the Wing-T and a good, very disciplined running game,” South Garland sixth-year coach Mickey Moss said of Temple, whose Mike McMurtry-coordinated offense is led by quarterback Chase Moore, fullback Adrian Reaves-Brown and receiver Derek Marshall. “On defense it looks like they are very athletic. You prepare for as much as you can and then just play.”
South Garland was only 4-7 last season, but the Colonels went 4-3 in District 10-5A play to reach the playoffs for the fourth straight year.
They have a true superstar on each side - big, fast free safety Joseph Ibiloye (Oklahoma) and potent quarterback Nick Florence (Baylor).
“Joseph symbolizes our whole defense - great kid, fun to coach, very humble,” Moss, a Killeen Ellison assistant from 1990-91, said of Texas Football magazine Super Team member Ibiloye.
“Nick has unbelievable character, first of all, and everybody believes in him. He’s mature beyond his years, he’s a smart kid (ranked second in a class of 460 seniors, Moss said) and he has a quick release.”
Last year the 6-2, 170-pound Florence completed 211 of 366 pass attempts for 2,910 yards and 23 touchdowns in the Colonels’ one-back, four-receiver spread attack. He’s also the top returning rusher, with 431 yards and six TDs.
Said Monsen of Florence: “When teams blitz him he hits the hot route, and he does very well in the option game when they run the ball. We’ve got our work cut out for us, but we’ll try to get some pressure on him.”
The South Garland offense also relies on speedy 6-5 receiver Steven Osborne (44 catches, 624 yards, six scores) and running back Terry Asante. Moss said center Johnny Cook is the most experienced player on a veteran line.
Florence and Osborn each have a twin brother who starts on the Colonels’ 4-3 defense - cornerback Luke Florence and “sam” linebacker Courtney Osborne. Monsen said junior tackle Jeramie Roberts is a 6-4, 295-pound force.
South Garland’s top linebacker is 6-2, 215-pound junior Austin Moss (84 tackles), son of the Colonels’ head coach.
“He surprised me with how well he did last year as a sophomore,” the elder Moss said. “It’s a real blessing for me to get to coach him.”
Other than wishing the Wildcats had another week of practice before their opener, Monsen reported that all is well with his team - sharp practices and no significant injuries.
All that’s left for Temple is to see where it stands against a very formidable opponent.
“We’re looking real hard for guys who can play, we’re looking for toughness, and we want to be physical,” Monsen said. “We’re really honing in on some tough things and we know there will be some adversity to overcome, but we want to play past the 10th week."
NOTES: Tonight’s game will be broadcast by KTEM-AM 1400 beginning at 6:30, and for the first time in 20 years Mark McLain won’t be the Wildcats’ play-by-play announcer. Ricky Crow, voice of Belton Tigers football in recent seasons, will join color man Gene Pemberton - McLain’s partner for all of those 20 years - in the booth. . . . Former Temple star Cayle Beard is South Garland’s offensive line coach.
gwille@temple-telegram.com
