However, one thing figures to keep the Wildcats focused - the memory of their last game, a humbling 40-14 loss to DeSoto in the first round of the Class 5A Division I playoffs.
“It was not our best game or our best effort and it left a bad taste in our mouths. It was very motivating,” said Monsen, whose team begins three weeks of full-gear spring practice at 4 p.m. Monday. “That was great for our coaches and our kids, because we got hit in the mouth by DeSoto. That bothered us, but it was a great learning experience.”
A major point of emphasis during Temple’s offseason workouts, Monsen said, has been upgrading its physical strength to handle the rigors of facing difficult competition in District 12-5A and the playoffs.
“I felt like we weren’t physical enough in that (DeSoto) game,” said Monsen, whose squad allowed 276 rushing yards and gained only nine first downs. “When you get into Week 11, Week 14, that’s what you get. You’re going to face teams that hit hard every week. We’ve been in the weight room.”
Temple expects to have seven defensive starters and six offensive starters returning from its 2008 squad, which lost its first five games before winning its last five 12-5A games to earn a second straight playoff berth.
Seastrunk’s junior track season was hampered by a hamstring injury, but he’s getting closer to 100 percent and is primed to become Temple’s all-time leader in rushing yards in the season-opening home game against Cedar Park on Sept. 4.
Already a fierce linebacker, Davis became a rushing force in the Wildcats’ Wing-T offense after Monsen inserted him at fullback in the sixth game last fall. Davis now is being counted on as a two-way starter next season and has concentrated on getting himself into top-notch football shape.
“I’m very eager to see our offense with our backfield - it’s special,” Monsen said. “I get goosebumps talking about it.”
Seastrunk, one of the country’s top-rated seniors-to-be, has received scholarship offers “from everybody,” Monsen said with a grin, adding, “I’ve never seen anything like it.” The notable suitors include Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana State, Southern California, Florida and Notre Dame.
He added that Davis - potentially a fullback or a linebacker in college - has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Texas A&M and Texas Christian, among others.
Linebacker Stedman Moore and cornerback Ryan Powell Powell also are drawing plenty of interest from recruiters.
Witk one-year starter Kevin Lock graduating, Temple is searching for its fourth starting quarterback in four years. The leading candidate is senior-to-be Isaac Matamoros, a varsity reserve last fall. Monsen likes his intelligence and the touch on his passes.
Matamoros, the shortstop on the Wildcats’ baseball team, will compete with junior-to-be Jeviah Amos, who Monsen says “is a tremendously skilled athlete.” Parker Brown, Garrett Walsingham and Cody Hannon also are in the mix at QB.
The Wildcats plan to have four 4 p.m. practices per week and scrimmages every Wednesday and Saturday for three weeks, culminating with the annual Blue-White Game at 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 23 at Wildcat Stadium.
“Our kids are very excited for the spring, and this is a very close group of kids,” Monsen said. “It’s a fun, fun class of kids who have grown up together.”
