COACH LANCE ANGEL
Wildcats accept challenge of raising program standards
BY JUWAN LEE
When Palestine head coach Lance Angel took over the Wildcat program in 2019 the goal was to restore the team ’ s playoff tradition . After two seasons , Angel has succeeded thus far .
It has been a rewarding process for Angel as he enters his third year heading the Wildcat program . His first year was centered around getting his team to buy into the notion they were a playoff-caliber team .
The 7-6 record was accompanied by their deepest playoff run in 14 years and successfully showed the potential of Palestine ’ s football program .
Last year the goal was proving that they were not a one-year wonder . A second consecutive winning season was proceeded by a second straight playoff berth . Unfortunately , a chance at another playoff run eluded them as they were defeated 19-10 in the bi-district round against Huffman-Hargrave .
“ Sometimes you can learn great lessons from losses ,” Angel said . “ We have a group that understands that you have to be ready to play every Friday night . It was a lesson for everybody . Huffman was a great team , but if we played like we ’ re capable it might have been a different outcome .”
The standard has been raised in Wildcat nation . The goal for coach Angel down the road is for people to expect his program to be great .
The Wildcats fell short of making an appearance inside East Texas ’ top-15 6A / 5A / 4A teams and were predicted to finished fourth in District 9-4A DI .
“ We ’ re still in a lot of people ’ s minds considered an afterthought ,” Angel said . “ That should be fuel for our guys to continue to work to get better . For people outside this program , making a run at a district title would surprise some people . But we like that role . We relish being underrated .”
With the loss of 20 players from 2020 ’ s playoff team , a new class of leaders now hold the responsibility of getting the younger players to understand what the expectation is .
Returners include Palestine ’ s core offensive line trio of all-state player Jarrett Henry , along with first-team all-district players Kaleb Hagans and Mason Mitchell . That trio has started every game since Angel took over and has helped produce a 2,000-yard season from former Wildcat running back Jeremiah Davis in 2019 and a 1,500-yard season from former Wildcat Jakryon Conley in 2020 .
Splitting duties behind the line now will be all-district fullback Shedrick Dudley — who busted onto the scene following their week three win over Rusk — junior Taj ’ Shawn Wilson and Jermeny Walker .
Dudley finished the season with 600 yards and eight touchdowns . He also returns on the defensive side as one of Palestine ’ s sack leaders ( 6 ).
Wilson was named District 9-4A ’ s Defensive Newcomer of the Year . The sophomore defensive back finished with 34 tackles , four pass breakups and one interception during Palestine ’ s district run . He also rushed for 260 yards and two touchdowns . Walker added 147 yards rushing and two touchdowns . “ It ’ s usually difficult when a new group has to learn to lead ,” Angel said . “ A lot of those vocal players are gone . It ’ s an adjustment period . Summer has helped , but there ’ s no replacement for putting helmet and pads on and finding out who your leaders are .” Though there will be new faces assuming larger roles this upcoming season , this year ’ s roster still offers enough versatility to give different looks in their scheme . However , since day one , it is mastering the simple details that remains the theme of Angel ’ s team .
“ Can ’ t get bored with the details ,” Angel said . “ We say the same thing everyday . They ’ re receptive to it . We stress you have to have 10,000 reps at something to get good at it .”
With 19 returning players , many of Palestine ’ s contributors have first-hand experience of the thrills a deep-run playoff run brings and the somber feeling a first-round exit brought . Though they already know the type of pressure the Friday night lights bring , many new players from the Wildcats ’ 8-1 junior varsity team will give them a high level of competition in practice .
A successful season for Palestine is defined in numerous ways . Just making the playoffs was a success two years ago . Replicating that in 2020 marked another point of success .
Now ? How do they build on top of those years ? Finding the answer to that question is what may lead to a successful 2021 campaign for Palestine .
“ You kind of know what you believe works and you hope you have a group of young men who will buy into it ,” Angel said . “ You realize each season is a repetitive pattern of how things go . You just learn to manage things a little bit better .”
PALESTINE WILDCATS
6 - END ZONE - 2021