Sports Report in Latino Lubbock Update
Well seeing is believing, we're heading into the last turn of 2018 as this month of August welcomes us with open arms. One thing that I always liked about August is that school returns and along with that, new knowledge.
For me it's the sports knowledge that I know, but more importantly it's the knowledge I will gain as this month progresses that makes this exciting.
Take Texas Tech for example. Who is the starting quarterback this season since Nick Schimonek is now in the San Diego Chargers training camp? It all depends on who we ask. Right now there is two red-shirt sophomores in Jeff Duffey and Colt Garret vying for a chance but it's my opinion that it's McLane Carters job to lose. The feeling I know most Tech fan's have is that with this offense, any one of them can be successful.
The concerning thought that I have is that no one has stood out in spring training and although no one has separated themselves as of yet, they have to go with the one that has had more experience with this offense. The one thing we all need to be ready for which I hope doesn't happen, is that if a carousel starts with that position like the one we saw a few years ago between "Sticks" Steven Sheffiled and Taylor Potts, it will not be a pretty thing to see, on the field and especially in the stands. We all know how fans can be, we all seem to know and are convinced we could choose the better player.
We can also keep watch on Da'Leon Ward, pre-season Doak Walker candidate, since word among the staff and talking heads, is they will be trying to establish their running game more than usual this season. Iknow, we have heard it before but with the quarterback position being how it is, a strong running game is a must if we want to see different results from years past. Another continuing trend we can keep an eye on is the defensive side of the ball. Hopefully their upward trend continues from last season with senior Jah'Shawn Johnson defensive back leading the way. He, by the way, is one of three Big 12 defensive backs to be mentioned on the Jim Thorpe Award watch list given annually to the best collegiate defensive back in America.
Two facts we should all be aware of, first one is he needs two fumble recoveries to tie and three to lead the Tech record in recoveries with the one and only Zach Thomas being the current record holder. Secondly, his father is former Dallas Cowboys safety Keith Davis who played safety and special teams there during the Parcells era. As always we will see a few new stand-out players come into the Jones stadium limelight and a lot of folks hope there is too. With the men's Tech basketball and baseball teams showing the improvement they have these past seasons, the expectations of the Raiderland fans and more importantly A.D. Kirby Hocutt, the future is now. Hey, if there wasn't drama, what fun would that be.
One more month of practices and learning to go, maybe we'll learn a thing or two ourselves before it's over. Let's wish all of our local high school football teams well, and as we know it's hard to repeat as district champs, a special good luck to Lubbock Coronado and the Estacado Matadors. I mention them in particular because on the 31st Fox Sports Southwest will have a live look in on their 7:30 game at Plains Capital Park during the halftimes of two other higher profile high school games and during the actual games themselves. Little by little, West Texas football is making a statewide impact. Look no further to prove that point by us continuing to see our local high schools on cable programming.
Back to school time is here, let the knowledge games begin.
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