for us if we don ’ t get more players to come out . The players that we do have are really talented and I do think that we will have a good team , but it would just be to our advantage to have more players .
“ It is pretty hard to play in August and September with just seven players , especially if the temperature continues like it is right now .”
In taking precautions to keep his players protected , Rushing has been extra careful at practice to prohibit any injuries , including limiting the amount of hitting .
With the limited amount of players , Rushing has to be extra careful in practice so they don ’ t suffer any injuries , but still prepare for games .
“ You don ’ t want to hurt your own players ,” he said . “ We will do catching drills , but I have to be careful with how we do it and you just have to use really good common sense to get them ready for games .”
With last year ’ s quarterback Jackson Horton graduating , the reins of the offense will be turned over to newcomer Connor Snead , who is in the process of learning the position . While he ’ s never played quarterback before , Snead has proven his athleticism to the head coach with his ability to run and throw well .
“ That is a hard position to just step into your senior year ,” Rushing said . “ He has confidence in himself , but you don ’ t learn the quarterback position by going through the workouts , you learn it by performing in games . We are looking for good things from him in the non-district games to get him ready for the district games .”
The Warriors will also be aided by
Chandler Snead at wide receiver , ATH Brenden Lowe , dual threat Brendan Hennech , fullback Caleb Lammers and running back and receiver Hayden Yelverton .
It ’ s a reunion of sorts for the Snead twins , Lowe and Rushing , who went through 6-on-6 drills together at Azle Christian . The three were homeschoolers prior to the Crusaders ’ move to the TAPPS conference , and moved to Community Christian late into last season .
“ The [ Warriors ] did make the playoffs last year , and they did good ,” Rushing said . “ The twins moved into the area late last year during football season , and so of course I wasn ’ t coaching them , but I know moving in that late is really hard to get significant playing time .”
Learning the leadership of the team takes a while for a new coach , especially with so few players .
“ That is a step by step process , and it
“
We
2021 WARRIORS
7-5 OVERALL
4-3 DISTRICT
have good athletes , but what we don ’ t have right now is a lot of players . Depth is going to be a problem for us if we don ’ t get more players to come out . The players that we do have are really talented and I do think that we will have a good team , but it would just be to our advantage to have more players .
2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW 21